How to hire React Native developers

For your business to thrive in an increasingly mobile world, your mobile app should function optimally at all times. When hiring a React Native developer, it's crucial to find someone with the technical skills to build robust, cross-platform mobile applications your users will enjoy.

Without a deep understanding of JavaScript and React Native's nuances, you risk bringing on board a developer who might struggle with the unique challenges of this framework, potentially leading to delayed releases and suboptimal app performance.

To prevent this, it’s essential to know the specific skills that define a top-notch React Native developer and understand how to identify and evaluate these skills.

Our comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge needed to make an informed hiring decision.

What you need to know before hiring a React Native developer 

When looking to hire React Native developers, consider two factors:

1. Project requirements

Before you start sourcing React Native developers, think about the specific requirements of your project to ensure your candidates bring the right skills and experience to the table. 

Consider project aspects such as:

• Complexity. Do you need an expert or will entry-level experience suffice? Determine what stage your project is at. For example, if you’re expanding an existing app, look for candidates with knowledge of scaling and optimization. For more complex projects, skills in advanced UI/UX integrations within React Native would be appropriate.

• Missing skills and experience. Is there a skills gap within your current team? Engage with colleagues to find out which skills will elevate the project. If provided, review candidates’ portfolios to see examples of their work, especially projects similar to yours. Past projects and experience will help you understand their coding style, approach to problem solving, and mastery of React Native. Look for published apps on the App Store and/or Google Play Store that demonstrate their real-world experience.

• Duration. What’s the direction of the project and its goals? Your project’s timescale will determine how you craft your React Native developer job description. Decide on working arrangements – for instance, you may only need to engage a freelance developer rather than a full-time employee. Consider offering remote work options to reach a greater talent pool.

2. Compensation 

The growing need for cross-platform mobile applications means there’s a high market demand for React Native developers. Talent scarcity can significantly impact compensation, as can location, niche, and skills levels. 

Consider these factors when creating a strong compensation package for your React Native developer:

• Expertise. According to Glassdoor, top-end senior React Native developers (with 15+ years’ experience) earn between $98,000 and $176,000 per year, while Indeed estimates entry-level React Native developers’ annual salary to be between $60,000 and $90,000 per year.

• Location. The cost of living varies by state, so your compensation package needs to account for this. For example, Glassdoor reports React Native developers in California earn an average salary of about $113,305 to $118,788 per year, while in New York, the average salary ranges from $99,972 to $113,903 per year.

• Benefits and perks. For a competitive edge, include flexible schedules, remote work options, health and monetary incentives, and opportunities for professional growth to enhance your offer. This will entice strong candidates to apply. 

Skills and qualifications to look for in React Native developers 

When hiring a React Native developer, it’s crucial to look for a blend of hard and soft skills that will ensure they not only handle the technical aspects of app development but also collaborate effectively within your team.

Hard skills

• JavaScript/TypeScript proficiency: A fundamental knowledge of JavaScript is essential, and proficiency in TypeScript can be a bonus for type safety in large codebases.

• React fundamentals: An understanding of core React concepts like JSX, components, state, and props is vital since React Native builds upon them.

• React Native framework: Experience with the React Native framework, including knowledge of its ecosystem, libraries, and APIs.

• Cross-platform development: Ability to create and maintain applications that work seamlessly on iOS and Android.

• Native modules: Knowledge of how to bridge native modules when React Native’s capabilities need to be extended with Native code.

• UI/UX principles: Ability to create app layouts using Flexbox and styling with StyleSheet for a responsive design that works across different screen sizes.

• State management: Familiarity with state management libraries, such as Redux, MobX, or Context API.

• Testing and debugging: Proficiency in writing unit tests, using debugging tools, and performance optimization.

Soft skills

• Problem solving: Ability to identify and debug code within the React Native environment, using innovative and efficient approaches.

• Communication: Excellent communication skills to articulate challenges and solutions to technical and non-technical colleagues.

• Team collaboration: Experience working with the Agile methodology in development teams, as well as collaborating with other developers, designers, and product managers.

• Adaptability: The tech field is ever-changing, so a good React Native developer must be willing to learn and adapt to new tools and technologies.

• Attention to detail: Precision in code to ensure high performance and adherence to design specifications.

Qualifications

Typically, a React Native developer has a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, although equivalent practical experience is also acceptable. 

Relevant certifications for React Native developers include the React Nanodegree from Udacity, Certified React Developer by Coding Dojo, and JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures Certification by freeCodeCamp.

Where to find skilled React Native developers

Finding skilled React Native developers can be challenging due to the high demand for their mobile development expertise. Here are some common places where you can look to source talent:

• Tech communities and forums. Engage with tech communities, like Stack Overflow, GitHub, or Reddit’s r/ReactNative. These platforms are where developers showcase their expertise, share knowledge, and help solve problems.

• Industry meetups and conferences. Attend React Native or mobile development conferences, meetups, and hackathons. These events are ideal for networking with professionals passionate about the latest technologies in mobile app development.

• Specialized recruiting platforms. Use recruitment platforms specializing in tech roles, such as Hired or Toptal. These platforms have pre-vetted developers with proven track records.

• Remote talent pools. Remote work has expanded the horizons for recruitment, giving access to a global pool of React Native developers. Websites like We Work Remotely, Remote OK, and FlexJobs can connect you with remote developers.

Creative ways to find React Native developer candidates

If you want to get creative with your recruitment approach, here are four novel strategies specifically tailored to finding skilled React Native developers:

1. Create or sponsor React Native challenges on coding platforms like HackerRank or LeetCode. These challenges can be designed to test skills pertinent to React Native, and you can reach out to top performers.

2. Engage with React Native online communities. You can participate in and sponsor React Native discussions and webinars on platforms like Discord or Slack. This involvement can help you identify active and knowledgeable developers who are up-to-date with the latest React Native trends and best practices.

3. Publish in-depth SEO-optimized content, like blog posts or articles about React Native, on your company’s website. This can attract developers searching for advanced topics, showcasing your company’s involvement with React Native.

4. Collaborate with React Native influencers or well-known personalities in the React Native community. They can promote your job openings to their followers, who are likely to be skilled and passionate about React Native development.

How to select the best React Native developer candidates 

Before you start the selection process, it’s essential to thoroughly evaluate applicants' skills and aptitude for the role. 

TestGorilla’s multi-tiered skills testing approach enables you to assess the technical and soft skills vital for React developers. You can combine up to five tests to create a custom assessment that meets your role and company requirements.

Below we share the various technical and soft skills tests we recommend including in your React Native developer assessment. 

Technical skills

Consider adding the following technical skills tests to your assessment:

• React Native skills test. With this test, you can evaluate your candidate’s knowledge of the React frameworks and libraries, familiarity with native build tools, and experience with state management and UI/UX design. 

• JavaScript and TypeScript tests. With these, you can assess a candidate’s debugging skills and their understanding of these fundamental coding languages.

Soft skills

Administer the following soft skills tests to ensure your candidate will align with your team and company culture:

• Culture add test. React Native development often requires close collaboration. Use this test to determine how well they will mesh with your team. 

• Communication test. With this test, you can measure a candidate's ability to communicate effectively – a key skill for understanding project requirements and collaborating with team members.

• Problem solving test. Assess your candidate’s ability to tackle challenges and find innovative solutions with this test.

Structured Interviews

After your candidates have completed their assessments, you can invite the highest performers for interviews. Use a combination of interview types to help you get a well-rounded view of your candidates’ suitability for the role:

1. Behavioral interviews. Assess soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability by asking about previous team experiences, and how they’ve handled conflict, or adapted to new technologies. 

2. Technical interviews. Ask practical questions related to everyday coding tasks and problem-solving scenarios specific to React Native. Questions could involve handling state management, optimizing app performance, or integrating with various APIs.

Use TestGorilla’s one-way video interview feature to make this stage of the hiring process more efficient.

Portfolio reviews

You should also examine your candidates’ portfolios to see the quality and complexity of the React Native projects they’ve worked on. Pay attention to live apps, noting the performance, user reviews, and the developer’s specific contributions.

Common mistakes when hiring a React Native developer 

Avoid these common mistakes to ensure you find the best talent for your open position:

Reliance on passive recruitment

Don't just wait for developers to apply to your job ads. Actively seek top talent, for instance by joining tech groups and checking out developers’ React Native work on GitHub.

Not thoroughly assessing technical expertise

Failing to thoroughly evaluate hard skills can lead to significant snags and delays. Use skills-based testing to objectively find high-ranking candidates. It weeds out those lacking the necessary skills and promotes a data-driven, bias-free approach. 

In addition, invite colleagues with React Native experience to be part of the hiring process, particularly during the interview stage. They can better judge if a candidate knows JavaScript, mobile design, and how to handle the unique challenges of React Native. 

Find your next React Native developer with TestGorilla

The caliber of the React Native developer you hire can make or break your mobile app’s performance. As a result, it’s crucial to hire someone who is adequately skilled and will suit your product’s needs. 

When assessing React Native developer candidates, take a skills-based approach for bias-free and data-driven hiring. TestGorilla’s library of research-backed skills tests can streamline this process and help you find the best candidate.

To find out more, take a product tour and get started with your free plan.