So, you have decided to hire a blockchain developer. Where to start? Unlike the other types of programmers, there are few blockchain developers. It is partly because blockchain is a rather new technology. But it’s also worth mentioning that blockchain is hard to learn. Its complex nature makes blockchain a valuable skill. While it can be a complicated task to hire a suitable blockchain developer, this article will teach you how to find the best possible.
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Why is blockchain on the rise?
Blockchain technology was developed in 1991. But it only came to the fore in 2009 with the launch of the first blockchain-based cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. Bitcoin remains somewhat mysterious because it was founded anonymously as open-source software. However, the decentralized nature of Bitcoin and blockchain, in general, makes it an interesting technology for a huge amount of people. In 2017, several million people used a wallet with cryptocurrencies, most bitcoins.
The demand for blockchain developers is increasing. This situation creates an unusual dilemma: too much demand for blockchain developers and insufficient supply. In 2016, there were only 5,000 developers in the world dedicated to writing cryptocurrency software. Many programmers are enthusiasts with a passion for the once unique technology. But the undeniable growth in demand for them has changed that. Now more and more people are learning to program blockchain because it is a promising technology with good prospects.
In early 2020, LinkedIn listed blockchain as one of its most in-demand skills for 2020. It was the first year that blockchain has been at the top of the list, let alone being on the list at all.
Reasons to hire a blockchain developer
Blockchain has tremendous potential. The World Economic Forum expects 10% of global GDP to be stored using this technology by 2027. Large corporations like Microsoft, IBM, and Facebook have started to implement blockchain. If the biggest corporations are investing in blockchain, it might be a good idea to follow suit. This can set your business up for the future.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has included developers in the list of the fastest-growing professions in 2019-2029. LinkedIn has stated that blockchain is the #1 crucial skill in 2020. The hired specialists called blockchain engineers the “dark horses” of 2019 and confirmed the increasing demand for them in the next few years.
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How to find blockchain developers
There are several options to find blockchain developers. The most widespread are hiring websites and directories.
Hiring websites
When we browsed the websites to find dedicated programmers, we included the above requirements. We’ve also taken into account the latest industry reports.
Here are 10 of the best websites you should consider:
Toptal
Toptal is a global remote freelance platform where you can find a programmer. Its founders started this platform with a focus on tech talent and have since expanded. However, the tech sector remains his priority.
Stack Overflow Talent is part of Stack Overflow, a renowned Q&A site for millions of technology professionals. Stack Overflow Talent is a bulletin board where you can find employees. Create a company profile and publish your work. AI-powered Stack Overflow Talent processes help the right programmers see your job posting.
People Per Hour
People Per Hour is a rather famous freelance marketplace. Create your company profile there and post your job. You will receive offers from freelancers, then you will need to create a shortlist and interview them.
Blocktribe is a blockchain-related job board. Thanks to its current focus, you have a good chance of hiring a dedicated programmer using it. You need to register with Blocktribe and post your vacancy. After receiving applications from candidates, interview them and hire suitable programmers.
GitHub Jobs
GitHub Jobs is a job board, part of GitHub. GitHub’s impeccable reputation gives you a good chance to find blockchain developers. You need to create your company profile and publish your work. When you receive responses from candidates, you need to shortlist and interview them. The key benefit of GitHub jobs is their link to GitHub!
Hired
Hired is a famous platform for job searching. This website may come in handy for finding and hiring blockchain developers. Job seekers create their profile on the Hired website, and you also need to create a profile for your organization. Find candidates, interview them and hire suitable ones.
Space-O Technologies
Space-O Technologies is a software development company. While mobile app development is his main focus, the company also has significant experience with blockchains. Space-O Technologies has an impressive track record of successful software development projects.
Freelancer.com is a major online freelance marketplace. This is not limited to software development but involves many technical challenges. Create a company profile for your organization and post your vacancies. Due to the large network of freelancers, you will most likely receive responses.
Guru
Guru is a popular online freelance marketplace. While it’s not just for technology professionals, there are many software development jobs on this platform. Guru has an extensive database of blockchain programmers.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms. It is not limited to technology, but it certainly has a large number of registered tech freelancers.
Directories
Clutch
Clutch is a platform that collects unbiased customer reviews of every company that is listed on the website. They conduct in-depth interviews with users and buyers about the quality of their interactions with each registered Clutch company. Based on the collected data, the service forms a fair rating of all firms. Clutch categorizes companies by their geographic location, area of expertise, and focus on proven skills.
For outsourcers, Clutch.co solves two problems: it collects feedback about each company, saves time for company representatives, and shows visitors all customer reviews, both positive and negative. As a result, the visitors get the whole picture.
Goodfirms
GoodFirms is a complete research and review platform that helps software buyers and service seekers choose the best software or the best firm. At the same time, he helps IT companies and software vendors improve user acquisition statistics, market share, and brand awareness. GoodFirms, as the name suggests, is a dedicated community of “efficient” IT companies and software solutions. As such, GoodFirms is at the forefront of helping service buyers from around the world by providing categorized catalogs, customer reviews, and company content and resources to help them select the best firm/software product to meet their specific requirements. However, GoodFirms also serves as an unrivaled platform for successful IT and software companies to move forward.
Skills required for a blockchain developer
Simply put, each programmer should know the concept of blockchains, decentralized technologies, ledgers, the Ethereum network, data security, cryptography and cryptocurrencies, and various programming languages.
Below we mentioned with details the skills and tools a good programmer should have or know.
Basic programming concepts
Be sure that the applicant knows well JavaScript, Java, Node.JS, C and C++, Python, Solidity, and Go. Then choose someone who:
- Worked with OOPS (Object Oriented Programming Structure). This structure allows updating the program when it’s needed.
- Understands the syntax of languages. Experience with a particular language and a basic knowledge of one of them matter.
- The ability to implement multithreading in various types of apps.
Data structure
The data structure is the backbone of each app. So pick a programmer who knows and has worked with linked lists, hash tables, and acyclic graphs.
Encryption and security
Encryption and security are key requirements of programmers as each loss means data leakage for competitors. Thus, pay attention to:
- Knowledge of SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm). SHA has been created to provide a high level of protection against cyberattacks. Make sure the applicant knows the difference between SHA-1 and SHA-2 and can pick the suitable feature for the app.
- Encryption and decryption techniques and a deep understanding of private and public key concepts.
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Specific skills and concepts of blockchain
In addition to the general knowledge, a blockchain expert has to know specific blockchain concepts and experience with them.
During the interview, it is easy to test whether the applicant is worthy of your attention by freely using the concepts below and listening carefully to the candidates’ responses. So, here’s a quick vocabulary for a programmer:
- DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology). It allows data to be stored across multiple nodes rather than in one place. DLT is applied in various types of blockchains and the programmer has to be able to explain these cases.
- Immutability supposes the immutable nature of the data in the blockchain. Each time the information is created, it cannot be changed ex-post.
- Consensus is a way of adding a new piece of data to a blockchain. Given that there is no single body that could decide on this issue, it is the concept of consensus that allows data to be recorded.
- Smart contracts. A programmer has to have a general understanding that this is a business logic that allows exchanging anything of any value without any intermediaries.
- Dapps are decentralized apps that run on a peer-to-peer network as opposed to a traditional single computer network.
- Sharding is a data storage method that provides better performance for databases.
- Public blockchain and permissioned blockchain as basic blockchain concepts. A public blockchain allows exchanging information, whereas a legal blockchain allows reading data, but requires a specific key to verify or extract information.
Things you should keep in mind when hiring blockchain developers
In-house vs. Outsourcing
When it comes to hiring a dedicated programmer, search options vary greatly as opposed to outsourcing blockchain development.
| In-house development | Outsourced development |
| You need new employees to diversify the team and bring a new vision. | You know what you need from an applicant or team and can clearly define the tasks. |
| You need a blockchain developer for a long time, not just an urgent task. | You don’t have any ideas about specs. But you clearly understand what the result should be. |
| You are ready to pay extra money for the working place, taxes, insurance, etc. | You have little time to connect with the entire team. But there is a list of specs and tasks to complete. |
| You have time to connect with the programmer and introduce him to the project. | You have limited funds as outsourcing is usually cheaper than maintaining your team. |
Conclusion
After learning about all these different things about blockchain, now is the time to integrate blockchain services into your applications by hiring a competent programmer. If you are looking for it, you have come to the perfect place! By hiring a blockchain developer from the Code&Care team, you are guaranteed to get the full value of your funds.
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