How to hire GitHub developers

GitHub is the most popular platform used by developers for managing and sharing code. 

Hiring developers who know GitHub inside and out can help your business build a codebase, which is essential when creating complex websites or apps. GitHub developers can also increase collaboration among your programmers, thanks to the platform’s role in sharing draft code.

While many expert developers use GitHub to manage their code, not all developers are experts at using this platform. Hiring programmers who don’t fully understand GitHub can lead to a disorganized codebase that’s difficult for future developers to use.

We’re here to help you hire the right developer for the job. In this guide, we’ll explain how to hire GitHub developers and where to find them.

What you need to know before hiring GitHub developers

There are several factors to consider before hiring a GitHub developer.

Do you need a GitHub codebase?

Whether or not you need to incorporate GitHub into your software development process depends on the complexity of your projects. GitHub is designed to make it easier to manage and share code, so it’s ideally suited for more complex projects.

If you’re building a relatively simple website or app, hiring a GitHub developer may not be essential. In fact, using GitHub could add time and costs by increasing the management effort involved in the process.

However, for projects involving multiple programmers or large amounts of code, GitHub is indispensable as a management tool. Having a developer in charge of your codebase can streamline the project and make it easier for other developers to work on your website or app in the future.

What type of developer do you need?

GitHub isn’t a development language, but rather a popular platform for managing code written in many different languages. GitHub developers may be experts in CSS, Python, Java, R, Scala, and more.

These languages are used for different purposes. For example, CSS and Java are commonly used to build websites. R is frequently used for data analysis, while Python is used across a wide range of applications.

Think carefully about what you want to build and what programming language is best suited for the project. If you already have a team of developers who are experts in a specific language, it may make sense to hire a GitHub expert who also knows the same language.

What compensation and benefits should you offer?

Offering a competitive compensation package is crucial for hiring a top GitHub developer. According to ZipRecruiter, GitHub developers in the US earn an average annual salary of $138,000. To attract top talent, aim to offer a higher-than-average salary.

You should also keep in mind that benefits such as health insurance, retirement programs, and paid time off can make your overall compensation more appealing.

Skills to look for in GitHub developers

Here are key skills to look for when hiring GitHub developers.

• Git experience: Git is the version control system upon which GitHub is built. Developers should know how to create code repositories using Git and how to push draft code into live software.

• GitHub experience: Developers must be experts at using GitHub’s management tools to organize and share code repositories created with Git.

• Programming proficiency: GitHub developers should also be experts in programming languages such as Python, Java, CSS, Ruby, R, or another language. Which languages they need to know depends on the software projects your business is working on.

• Clean coding: Candidates must write reproducible, error-free code in the languages they claim proficiency in.

• Organization: Developers need to be methodical and organized to ensure your GitHub codebase is easily searchable.

• Collaboration: Developers should be comfortable working within teams of programmers and sharing information with project managers.

Where to find skilled GitHub developers

It’s important to advertise your GitHub developer job description in locations where skilled developers are likely to see it. Below we offer several places where you can find skilled GitHub developers.

GitHub

GitHub is perhaps the best place to find experienced GitHub developers. While you can’t advertise a job on GitHub, you can view developers’ work and see how they’ve organized their code repositories. 

If you find an individual who you think would be a good fit for your position, you can reach out to them by email to share your job description.

Online job boards

Many developers in search of a new challenge monitor online job boards like ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and Indeed for openings. Post your job description directly to these sites to access a sizeable talent pool.

LinkedIn

You can search LinkedIn for developers in almost every major programming language. The platform lets you view candidates’ work experience and may include a link to their profile on GitHub. If you find a developer you think would be a good fit, you can message them with an invitation to apply for your role.

Freelance marketplaces

If you want to hire a contract developer rather than a full-time employee, consider advertising your role on freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Freelancer. You can also search for developers on these platforms and invite them to apply for your position.

Social media

Posting a link to your job description on social media can help you reach more developers. Be sure to use appropriate hashtags to help your advertisement get spotted. For example, on X, you could use hashtags like #hiring, #github, and #developers.

Three creative ways to find GitHub developer candidates

Try these three creative approaches to get more applicants for your role.

1. Network at GitHub Universe

GitHub Universe is GitHub’s annual conference where thousands of developers gather. It’s a great place to network with programmers who have deep experience with GitHub and are invested in the platform. You can also learn about the latest coding tools that GitHub offers, which can be useful for formulating interview questions.

2. Recruit graduates from coding boot camps

Many coding boot camps, like Codesmith, Springboard, and Altcademy, have modules on using GitHub, which means graduates from these courses will know how to use the platform to manage code. You can contact instructors to identify top students and invite them to apply for your job.

Remember that graduates from these boot camps are new programmers, so they may not have the same depth of experience as veteran developers. So, recruiting from boot camps is best if you’re hiring for an entry-level role.

3. Engage with developers online

Developers often share code and discuss problems on platforms like Stack Overflow and Reddit. While these discussions may not center around GitHub, they offer an opportunity to gauge programmers’ abilities to communicate and collaborate with peers. 

Directly message developers who may be a good fit for your role and invite them to apply for your job.

How to select the best GitHub developer candidates

After you collect applications for your GitHub developer role, you need to evaluate candidates and select the top ones to advance to the next stage of your hiring process. The best way to do this is with skills-based hiring software, like TestGorilla.

TestGorilla offers a GitHub test to assess applicants’ proficiency at managing projects in GitHub and collaborating on code. It also has a Git test to help you evaluate how well programmers understand this version control system.

On top of that, you can use TestGorilla to evaluate candidates’ programming skills across a wide range of languages. There are tests for Python, Java, R, HTML, CSS, Scala, and many others.

Pair technical skills tests with those for essential soft skills, combining up to five tests to create a holistic assessment. For example, TestGorilla has tests for problem-solving, time management, and attention to detail. You can also use personality tests to understand how candidates will fit in at your company.

Finally, add one-way video interview questions to probe deeper into candidates’ experience with GitHub and programming. Check out our guide to front-end interview questions for ideas about what to ask.

Common mistakes when hiring GitHub developers

Avoid these two common mistakes to ensure you hire the best GitHub developers.

Hiring developers with poor teamwork skills

GitHub developers often work in teams with other programmers and UI/UX designers. They also need to report to program managers. So, developers must have excellent teamwork skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and solve problems collaboratively.

You can use TestGorilla’s tests for communication and people management to better understand developers’ ability to work closely with others. You can also use behavioral interview questions to find out more about how applicants approach teamwork and solve disputes. 

Not discussing the benefits of working for your company

It’s important to keep in mind during your hiring process that top GitHub developers are evaluating your company to determine if it’s a good place to work. So, you need to emphasize why developers should work for your business as opposed to your competitors.

Offering competitive compensation is an important part of this. In addition, you should advertise any benefits your company offers, like health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off. If your company offers remote or hybrid work arrangements, be sure to mention it.

You should also highlight how your company supports developers’ careers. For example, point out if developers are encouraged to attend conferences or if your business has any employee mentoring programs.

Hire top GitHub developers with TestGorilla

GitHub developers can help your company build and maintain an organized codebase. They play an important role in enabling your programmers to take on more complex software projects by ensuring your code is easy to find and work with. They also facilitate collaboration within developer teams.

To hire GitHub developers, start by assessing what type of developer you need and what programming skills are important to your company’s projects. Then, find top developers on GitHub or advertise your job description in places like online job boards.

Once you have applications, use TestGorilla to evaluate candidates’ GitHub and programming skills. This way, you can quickly identify the best talent to advance to the next stage of your hiring process.

Join TestGorilla for free or schedule a product demo to see how our platform can help you hire the best GitHub developers today.