18 Jul 2025
Finding the Best Developers
Hiring a great developer is a big deal. You need to assess their skills to ensure they can perform the job effectively. The IT world moves fast, and traditional interviews don't always reveal whether someone can handle real tasks or lead a team.
Many people conducting interviews aren't developers themselves, so it’s challenging for them to determine if a candidate is truly qualified.
To address this, companies employ specialized tests to identify top talent. These tests present challenging tasks that only skilled developers can successfully solve.
Checking portfolios, GitHub profiles, or speaking with references is a good start, but real-world tests demonstrate how someone will perform in your company. They help you see a candidate's strengths and weaknesses.
Here are four easy and effective ways to test developers before hiring them in 2025.
1. Automated Tests
Automated tests are a significant first step to screen candidates. They’re simple to use. You sign up on a testing platform, choose the skills you want to test, and send the test to the candidate. They complete it online, and the platform grades it for you. You receive the results quickly, with minimal effort.
These tests help you narrow down your list to the best candidates. They save time and make sure you only interview people with the right skills. For example, you can test coding skills like Python or JavaScript, depending on what your team needs.
2. Smart Interview Questions
Interviews are more than just checking skills. You want to know what kind of person the candidate is. Ask questions like, “What are the last three coding problems you searched for online?" This shows if they're curious and eager to learn. It also tells you how they solve challenging problems.
You can also ask about basic coding terms or how they’d handle a real project. For example, ask, “How would you fix a slow website?” Pay attention to their answers and how confident they sound. This helps you determine if they truly understand the industry and can effectively integrate into your team.
3. Live Coding Tests
If a candidate passes the automated test and interview, try a live coding test. Use online tools that allow you to watch them code in real-time over a video call. This demonstrates how they work under pressure and think through problems step by step.
Live tests also allow you to see the questions they ask and how they handle challenges. For example, do they get stuck and give up, or do they find a way to solve the problem? This is a great way to know if they can handle the real work your team does.
4. Product Feedback
If your company has a product, like an app or website, ask candidates to test it. Ask them to try it out and share their thoughts. Ask questions like, “What would you improve?” or “Did you notice any issues?” This works well for both front-end and back-end developers.
This test reveals how they perceive your product and whether they can contribute to its improvement. It also gives you a sense of how they’d work with your team to solve real problems.
Why Testing Matters
Testing developers before hiring is super important. You don't want to hire someone who can’t handle the job. Bad hires can slow down projects and incur significant costs.
By using these four methods- automated tests, thoughtful interview questions, live coding, and product feedback- you gain a clear picture of a candidate's skills and how they’ll fit into your team.
Conclusion
Hiring the right developer takes effort, but it’s worth it. These simple tests help you find someone who can do the job and work well with your team. By using automated tests, asking insightful questions, observing live coding, and gathering product feedback, you can select the best candidate. In 2025, TriOptus can help you find stellar, thoroughly vetted developers for your company, saving you time and enabling your team to succeed.
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