Hiring C developers is an effective way to build a competitive brand. Well-designed software plays a role in streamlining marketing, sales, operations, and security across all industries.
For instance, childcare may seem to have little to do with tech and software. However, the example of Child Care Seer demonstrates how IT professionals can create value. The company hired developers to automate scheduling, waitlist management, payment, and communication. The result was a higher operating profit per hour and greater operational efficiency.
For those reasons, there are now over 26 million developers around the world. That figure is nearly 8 million more than the number in 2014. Interestingly, approximately half of programmers worldwide work in C. This enduring popularity shows the continued importance of this legacy language.
Still, hiring a qualified C programmer can be an uphill battle. According to recent data, over 4 out of 5 professional developers already have full-time employment. Naturally, many of the most capable developers are in this demographic.
Also, the demand for programmers continues to be high. Software engineer job growth is still much faster than average, staying at 25% in the United States. Despite efforts to encourage more people into tech fields, a skills shortage remains. IDC anticipates that 90% of organizations worldwide will face difficulties due to a lack of IT professionals, leading to $5.5 trillion in losses.
Though it can be challenging to hire C developers, doing so is worthwhile. To help you on the journey, use this guide to learn where to find top-notch C developers and how to vet candidates for skills and compatibility.
Hiring a Freelance C Developer
A key part of the hiring process is determining whether you require an in-house employee or a contractor. More companies are opting for freelance independent contractors for flexibility and cost efficiency.
When you hire a freelance C developer, you will not have to worry as much about benefits and employer taxes. You can also keep your overhead down while connecting with a proven remote expert. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of working with contractors before posting a job or actively recruiting.
What C Developers Do
C development freelancers can fill a variety of roles for your organization. Likely, the first assignment that comes to mind is building software. Even that task breaks down into different categories, especially when your project requires a team.
For example, front-end developers focus on what the user sees and interacts with. On the other hand, you also need back-end developers who build and maintain the behind-the-scenes components. These include your servers and databases.
Back-end developers need strong competencies in functional logic and technical elements. Software engineers are more likely to use C for back-end development, so keep that in mind when hiring development teams.
Of course, some developers are adept at both front-end and back-end. These full-stack C developers for hire are in high demand .
C developers are also more likely to specialize in optimizing, testing, and debugging operating systems. That is because the most popular operating systems all run on C, including Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Daniel Munoz is a verified expert in software engineering who has done work for Motorola, Meta, and Dreamworks Animation. He makes these notable statements showing why it is worth it to hire dedicated C developers:
“Despite the prevalence of higher-level languages, C continues to empower the world… The fact that many programming languages today are better than C for their intended use doesn’t mean that they beat C in all areas. C is still unsurpassed when performance is the priority.”
He confirms that popular databases across industries rely on C as well.
Creative and artistic industries are common clients of C developers. C’s portability and efficiency make it great for gaming software that needs speed and fluidity. The same goes for 3D movies that must be efficient and fast.
C is also important to the Internet of Things . What does a C developer do in this area? C is commonly the language of embedded systems. These are the computers in your vehicles, appliances, and card readers. Their coding language is likely C.
Why Hire C Developers?
As a general-purpose language, C is adaptable to various applications. It is also the preferred language for systems and structured programming.
Another reason why to hire C developers is its functionality for embedded systems in everyday items and appliances that have internal computers. Plus, C remains an efficient language that works well in gaming and video production. Whenever you need robust and speedy software, consider hiring a C developer.How To Hire C Developers
The quality of the developer you bring on board directly impacts the outcome of your projects. As such, take sufficient time to determine how to hire C developers with the skills you need.
The process begins with clearly outlining your needs and expectations for the project. Meet with other decision-makers to clarify these points. Then, save them in a document to serve as guiding principles during the selection phase. Also, address your budget, timeline, and the qualifications a developer must have.
In general, quality candidates have an array of capabilities that contribute to winning projects. For example, top-tier C developers also have at least some experience in other languages. In particular, check if a person knows any Python, R, or Java. Additionally, C developers usually need to understand at least the foundational principles of the languages that are its offshoots — C# and C++ .
A challenge may lie in determining the level of technical skill an applicant has. Doing so effectively almost always requires an interviewer to have some technical prowess.
One option to help with evaluating candidates is using testing software. When ready to hire a C developer, nontechnical leaders can have applicants take third-party tests on their claimed areas of expertise to rate them objectively. Still, you need to factor in the cost and the time it takes for you to learn how to use such tools.
Regarding qualifications, determine whether you need a senior C developer or if a mid-level or even junior professional is sufficient. The overall differences between the three are:
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Junior: This is an entry-level individual just out of school or in the first few years of a career. These people only have a small portfolio that includes mainly test projects. They also need guidance on projects.
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Mid-level: These pros have at least a few years of experience and require less oversight. They may be able to handle small and uncomplicated projects alone. They will have a portfolio demonstrating several projects from real-world experience.
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Senior: They spend more time problem-solving, leading, and mentoring. Senior devs are in the decision-making roles and not actually coding. Some even have master’s degrees.
Once you get to reviewing applications, you can do a deeper dive into necessary skills.
The Skills To Look for When Hiring C Developers
Understanding the key C developer skills ensures you hire the right person. Start by defining the core technical skills. These include:
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Code optimization to maximize the speed and portability of C
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Ability to debug and test with profiling tools to ensure code is clean
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Knowledge of version control systems (such as Git) to collaborate with team members and manage code repositories
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Multithreading and concurrency expertise for efficient resource usage in high-performance, scalable apps
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System programming of system-level software
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Data structures and algorithms for efficient organizing and processing of data
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Knowledge of embedded systems for use in hardware-interacting software
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Memory management for safety, flexibility, and performance
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Networking for building apps that communicate over clients and web servers
Additional skills include understanding development tools and cross-platform development.
Furthermore, soft skills are more essential than ever as development requires teamwork and creativity. These qualities can be the clincher for a candidate.
For instance, critical thinking and problem-solving are core attributes for any software developer. These qualities allow a person to analyze the information or challenges at hand to come up with innovative solutions.
Time management is also key. This quality is of prime importance when hiring a remote freelance C developer to ensure you get deliverables under budget and on time.
Communication, collaboration, corporate cultural fit, and emotional intelligence are other things to look for. These characteristics help programmers work well with each other and other departments.
How Much It Costs To Hire C Developers
In the United States, the median base salary for a C developer is $129,600. When including performance bonuses, the figure is $135,420. That calculates to about $65 an hour.
On the low end, hourly pay is closer to $51 per hour. Top C developers will pull down $80 an hour, or $166,444 annually. These figures fall in line with the earnings of many other software engineers.
Tips for Writing a C Developer Job Description
At a minimum, a job description should give a company introduction and a summary of the position, as well as lists of the core responsibilities, necessary skills, and required certifications. The components of a good C developer job description are:
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Communicates in direct and concise language
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Uses descriptive action words to describe the position and responsibilities
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Distinguishes essential skills from desired skills
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Avoids gender-specific language
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Addresses only the assigned duties, not trivial tasks
To hire top C developers, show your brand personality in the description. Display whether you are laid-back or have a more business-first mindset to attract compatible personalities. Also, talk about your team’s exciting projects and accomplishments. A progressive and ambitious organization attracts the same kind of workers.
Finally, describe the working environment and conditions. Make compensation and benefits clear as well. If you need somewhere to start with your job description, look for appropriate templates online .
Common Interview Questions To Ask When You Are Looking To Hire a C Developer
You may be hiring a C programmer to supplement your existing development team. In that case, have someone who is technically proficient assess a candidate's skills. Good questions include:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is a better method than using gets()? | Use fgets() to put a limit on the maximum numbers to read. |
| What is the following statement declaring? char (*x) (char*); | It declares x as a pointer to a function that takes a single character-pointer argument and returns a character. |
| How does C differ from C#? | C is object-oriented and focuses on functions. C# is a procedural language that is design-oriented. |
| What is a loop in C? | Loops allow a user to repeatedly execute a specific action until the fulfillment of a preset condition. |
| What is %d? | %d is for printing and scanning integer variables. |
Project simulations and coding tests can help you see those skills in action. Pair programming exercises give developers the chance to show how well they collaborate with others before you hire a C coder.
For assessing soft skills, consider the following questions:
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How did you adapt to a project that did not go as you planned it? (Find out how the person responds to setbacks and challenges.)
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How would you explain object-oriented programming to someone with little technical knowledge? (Learn how well the applicant communicates.)
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How do you keep up with the latest technologies and trends? (Ensure that the candidate wants to keep learning and find better ways to do things.)
Effective interviews also often include behavioral assessments and personality tests. Reviewing the results without seeing the name of the candidate can aid you in remaining unbiased when you hire C engineers.
How To Find Freelance C Developers for Hire
As you try to find C developers, stay active on job boards and freelance marketplaces. Outsourcing agencies can put you in contact with quality contractors. Coding boot camps and networking at events are good ways to find promising entry-level talent.
Where can you find C developers for hire and minimize the time to hire and workload? Review our list of the best sites to hire C developers for solid options. In particular, Toptal expedites the hiring of elite freelancers. You can leave the whole process to them and take the worry out of sourcing high-quality C developers.
Now, you have the details you need about the market and what it takes to hire the top C developers. This should let you head confidently into prospecting for quality candidates. Once you find your ideal match, you will have the partner you need for creating and maintaining powerful and efficient software for your organization.