How to hire a blockchain developer

The demand for qualified blockchain developers is high: Many companies are opening up to using this innovative technology to streamline their operations and attract customers. So, if you’re looking to hire a blockchain developer for your next project, you’ll be competing with many other businesses.

Hiring a blockchain developer would probably be a challenge, even if you’re a tech recruitment expert. You'll need to learn a bit about the technical details and visit various chat rooms and groups where potential developers might be hiding out. 

Blockchain technology enables companies to:

• Eliminate third parties from processing transactions

• Build communities around their products by sharing equity 

• Assign a monetary value to digital artworks or other types of content

Instead of using traditional recruitment methods and sifting through dozens of CVs, consider using skills tests for Blockchain developers to identify your most promising candidates and move them to the next stage of your recruitment funnel.

In this article, we’ll guide you through all of the steps you need to undertake to connect with the best blockchain and cryptocurrency coders for hire.

We’ll talk about the skills you need to ask for in your blockchain developer job description, how to evaluate candidates, what interview questions to ask, how much you can expect to pay, and more.

What is a blockchain developer? 

Blockchain is a technology that first became popular when it was used for the creation of the now legendary Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Millions of computers store the same list of transactions, and none of those computers’ users can make changes to prevent a transaction from being run within the network. 

This was a ground-breaking achievement, and it was the first stepping stone toward effectively managing digital transactions in a decentralized way. 

The second major breakthrough came with the advent of Ethereum, where blockchain developers built smart contracts, which run on a blockchain and that nobody can interfere with. 

This opened the door for various use cases with the major ones being DeFi, supply chain tracking and using hard-value assets in digital environments like those found in games, virtual reality settings and collaborative content creation. 

Now that we have the context out of the way, let’s talk about hiring blockchain developers. 

To find the right professionals, it's important to clearly determine the scope of your project. Ask yourself questions like: 

• Does your team intend to build on a specific network?

• What kind of dApps (decentralized applications) would they like to develop? 

• Are you looking for a full-stack developer that will set up the project end-to-end, or do you need a blockchain-only architect?

To make the hiring process as smooth as possible, focus on candidates who can demonstrate the actual technical skills you're interested in.

What are the hard skills you should look for in a blockchain developer? 

Each blockchain network has its own mechanics – so, there are different consensus algorithms, voting systems and unwritten rules in the blockchain ecosystem. 

However, there is still a certain technical skill set that any proficient blockchain developer should have. 

Check out the list below to see what skills to look for in your next blockchain developer and find someone who has a deep understanding of the underlying principles that drive the whole industry.

1. Proficiency in underlying distributor ledger technology (DLT)

Any blockchain specialist should be well aware of the building blocks that make up any successful blockchain network, including a distributed nodes system, consensus algorithms, storage specifications, and potential vulnerability vectors. 

Hiring such a blockchain developer would enable your organization to use the true potential of blockchain technology when building decentralized apps and other technologies.

2. Knowledge of smart contracts

Make sure that your future developer is well-versed in smart contracts that allow parties to execute transactions. 

The coder should excel at designing, building and testing the smart contracts in line with the latest best practices and conventions. Look for blockchain developers who know how to code with Solidity, as this language is a foundational skill within the ecosystem. 

A good idea is to do independent third-party testing on the quality and safety of the smart contracts the developer has built for your project. 

3. Web development

Ideally, you should hire not just a blockchain expert but someone who also knows their way around the world of web development, including APIs, smooth-running React front-end interfaces, and AI integrations for web applications.

The latter would be an amazing addition to the skillset of your next blockchain coder, because it'll enable your team to get the most out of AI – and potentially position your company as a market leader. 

Combine your evaluation of applicants’ hard skills with a thorough look into their references and completed projects.

A proficient blockchain developer would surely have a number of happy customers who've generated significant profits from their projects in decentralized finance (DeFi), game finance (GameFi) or other nascent niches within the crypto or blockchain industries. 

Blockchain developer soft skills: Why do soft skills matter for a blockchain developer? 

Your future blockchain developer must have done something right if they have a long list of happy customers to show up with at the interview. 

The soft skills of each developer enable your entire team to be productive, so your ideal candidate should be an excellent communicator and team player. Naturally, their soft skills won’t be anywhere near those of the "social butterflies'' whom you might find in your sales department, but they do play a decisive role, too.

There are a few key soft skills you should look for: 

1. Communication

Look for a developer who can articulate their thoughts in a concise and non-defensive manner, regardless of their communication type. 

Such an expert should be happy to share the minute details of a project, but also know when it's not a good idea to explain all the considerations that the development process invariably comes with. 

One of the best ways to figure out how well the developer in front of you will communicate within a team is simply observing them during an interview: Are they engaged in the discussion? Do they ask clarifying questions during the interview? Are they good listeners?

2. Problem-solving

Blockchain is in its infancy, so it calls for people who have a knack for solving hard problems. 

In many cases, the tech hasn’t been used to work on similar projects before. So, your team should be able to get creative and find workarounds for any kind of problems they face. 

Though you might have senior staff on board, looking for a go-getter who won't cling to others for answers is the right move. 

3. Teamwork

Ask your interviewee directly how they feel about constructive criticism – and how they process it. They should be open to receiving feedback and questions about their methods and the innovative solutions they work on. 

Because, let’s face it, nobody wants to work with a new developer who’s playing the role of a reclusive genius and who won’t allow others to touch their code or ask questions about the viability of their solutions. 

Now that you know what to look for in your candidate, let's see how you can assess your potential hire’s skills and quickly identify those developers who best fit your needs. 

How to test a blockchain developer’s skills? 

No matter your technical background, you can easily hire a blockchain developer for your team if you use pre-employment tests like the ones we offer at TestGorilla. 

You can combine up to five tests to create your own assessment and then simply invite candidates to take it. This way, you’ll easily see who has the skills you’re looking for. Here are some tests you can use to hire your next blockchain developer: 

1. Blockchain development

Run a quick 10-minute test on blockchain coding skills and identify the candidates who have the right practical skills and theoretical knowledge. 

The test features questions related to the core concepts of blockchain technology and the functioning of decentralized systems, dApps, and blockchain architecture. 

Candidates who score well have adequate smart-contract coding knowledge and are well-versed in the industry standards for safe and resilient software development.  

2. Smart contracts

With this Smart Contracts test, you'll get an idea of how well candidates code in Solidity and whether they have sufficient knowledge of contract development and deployment.

See whether candidates know industry standards and unwritten rules – and whether they’re able to create an efficient codebase. The more efficient the codebase is, the faster the smart contract executes, the less vulnerabilities it has, and the cheaper it is to run on the blockchain.

3. Decentralized finance (DeFi)

If your company is building a decentralized financial app, you can use our Decentralized Finance (DeFi) test to assess candidates’ proficiency in DeFi and its key concepts.

This test enables you to evaluate your applicants’ knowledge of smart contracts, liquidity, different platforms and protocols in the DeFi ecosystem, and how to manage security, privacy, and auditing.

4. Problem solving

Combine the above industry-specific tests with a general test on problem-solving skills. 

Your candidates will need to use their analytical skills to solve problems in several scenarios, such as scheduling or defining an action plan based on business rules. 

The test is time-limited and its successful completion will prove that your candidate has exceptional problem-solving skills and is able to react to the fast-changing conditions. 

Interview questions for blockchain developers

Once you evaluate your applicants’ skills with the help of skills tests, you can invite the best ones to an interview for a more in-depth assessment of their skills. 

Here are some sample questions you can ask your future blockchain developers:

1. How does a blockchain differ from a traditional database?

2. Can you describe what a smart contract is and how it works?

3. Explain the process for upgrading a smart contract once it's been deployed.

4. What are public and private keys, and how are they used in blockchain?

5. How does sharding improve blockchain scalability?

6. What are the key differences between proof-of-work and proof-of-stake consensus algorithms?

7. Describe a situation where you disagreed with a team member about a technical approach. How did you handle it?

8. What do you see as the most significant challenges facing the blockchain industry today?

9. What is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, and how does it leverage blockchain technology?

10. How do zero-knowledge proofs work, and what are their applications in blockchain?

You can combine those questions with situational or behavioral interview questions to find top applicants.

Where to find a blockchain developer? 

It might prove to be difficult to find qualified blockchain developers. Your competitors might snatch the best ones before you even connect with them. 

Upwork and similar job boards might not yield the same results as for other more established coding disciplines. So, consider joining online groups, hang-outs, and Reddit subs to connect with skilled enthusiasts in this innovative niche. 

Strike up conversations and ask developers to take part in a smaller project or to help you with a specific task. In this way, you can start working with top freelance developers and eventually have the opportunity to contract them as a full-time employee.

In some cases, you may be looking for a hyper-specific type of blockchain developer, like those focused on Solana and its ecosystem. If so, your best bet is to go full-on into the community and start building relations with potential hires.

How much does a blockchain developer cost? 

Even though the cryptocurrencies market is now in a slump, blockchain developers can easily use their valuable skills in other industries. 

Blockchain skills are highly sought after and annual salaries range between $60,000 and nearly $160,000, according to Glassdoor. Developers’ hourly rates range from $30 to $130, according to the specialized website web3.career.

Blockchain developer job description template

Position: Blockchain developer for a Decentralized Finance (DeFi) startup

Location: [City, state, or "remote"]

[Your company name] is an innovative startup focused on revolutionizing the financial sector by leveraging the power of blockchain technology. 

Our mission is to bring transparent, secure, and accessible financial solutions to users worldwide and we're looking for a passionate blockchain developer to join our team and help build the future of decentralized finance.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will: 

• Design, develop, and deploy smart contracts on [type of platform, f.e. Ethereum]

• Collaborate with the team to define architecture, quality standards, and best practices

• Ensure the security of our solutions by performing rigorous tests and code reviews

• Integrate new functionalities into our existing platform and develop new DeFi products

• Work closely with front-end and back-end teams to ensure seamless integration of blockchain functionalities

• Provide support and training to junior developers and promote a culture of continuous learning

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you'll need the following: 

• Proven experience developing and deploying smart contracts, preferably in Solidity

• Proficiency in modern development tools and languages, such as JavaScript, Python, Node.js

• Strong understanding of blockchain principles, data structures (e.g., Merkle trees), and cryptography

• Familiarity with the DeFi ecosystem, including lending protocols, DEXes, yield farming, and tokenomics

• Knowledge of common blockchain security practices, including experience with tools like Mythril and Slither

• Understanding of Layer-2 solutions and cross-chain interoperability

• Familiarity with blockchain development frameworks like Truffle, Hardhat, or similar

• Previous experience working in a startup environment is a plus, as are existing contributions to open-source blockchain projects

Compensation and benefits

We offer our developers the following:

• Competitive base salary and token-based bonuses

• Opportunity to work in a rapidly evolving niche and help build the future of finance

• Flexible working hours and the possibility for remote work

• Comprehensive health and dental coverage

• [Additional benefits and perks]

How to apply

[Describe your application procedure here; mention test tasks and skills tests, if you'll be using those]

Use skills tests to quickly hire the best blockchain developer

Hiring software developers is not easy – and especially if you’re looking for experts in novel technologies such as blockchain. Blockchain is a technology that has revolutionized the financial industry and many other sectors, which results in a fierce competition for the top talent. 

To make things easier, we advise you to use pre-employment tests to identify the most skilled candidates who are worth your attention.

Pre-employment screening tests enable you to see how familiar your candidates are with different blockchain systems and principles and whether they have the right skills to build fast and secure decentralized apps (dApps). 

You can also use them to assess candidates’ communication and problem-solving skills – or even assess whether their expectations align with what you have to offer, thanks to our Motivation test.

Request a 30-minutes live demo to see for yourself how you can simplify your blockchain developer recruitment process with TestGorilla. Or sign up for free today to try out the platform and find the perfect fit for your team.