How to Hire Java Developers: From Search to Onboarding

Java remains one of the most popular and widely used programming languages worldwide, consistently ranking in the top five for over 20 years. As of December 2024, Java ranks 3rd in popularity, behind only Python, with millions of developers using it to power everything from mobile apps to complex enterprise systems. Its ability to run on virtually any platform, along with its robust security and scalability, makes it the go-to language for businesses across sectors like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.

However, the mission to hire the best Java developers for specific needs isn’t as simple as it may seem to be at first glance. The effective steps in this hiring process allow you to be at the head of the field and achieve success quickly. Be sure all of them are stated in this article. So, let’s look at what you should do to find the best Java developers today.

Why Consider Java Developers to Hire?

Java has stood the test of time as one of the most versatile and powerful programming languages. Whether you’re building web applications, enterprise software, or mobile solutions, Java developers bring immense value to your projects. Here are the main reasons why hiring Java developers is a smart move:

✓ Platform Independence: Java’s “write once, run anywhere” principle makes it an excellent choice for cross-platform development, reducing compatibility issues and saving time.

✓ Robust and Scalable Applications: Java’s architecture supports creating secure, scalable, and high-performing applications, making it ideal for both startups and enterprises.

✓ Wide Talent Pool: With millions of Java developers worldwide, you have access to a vast pool of skilled professionals who specialize in various industries and technologies.

✓ Rich Ecosystem: Java boasts an extensive library of frameworks, tools, and APIs, enabling developers to deliver tailored solutions faster and more efficiently.

✓ Community Support and Longevity: Java has one of the largest developer communities, ensuring that help and resources are always available for any challenges your project might face.

✓ Future-Proof Solutions: As a language that continually evolves, Java ensures that your software remains relevant and adaptable to future advancements.

5 Possible Ways to Find a Java Developer

To help you recruit Java developers, the following list of top 5 ways is offered to you. Choose any of the ways suitable for you and go on working on the project successfully with the expert in IT.

1. Services of Outstaffing/Outsourcing IT Companies

If you are interested in spending less time searching for a team of Java developers, you can find many companies that are at your service on the web. There are many professional teams that provide high-quality IT services all over the world. It is better to entrust your IT projects to professionals and concentrate on the most important business issues. For example, Mangosoft provides cost-efficient solutions based on Java development for almost all types of businesses (fintech, e-commerce, logistics, etc.) But what should you consider when looking for outsourcing or outstaffing services?

• The reputation of a service provider. Find enough time to check the opinions that people have about each particular company. The easiest way to check it is to visit some review sites or the company’s website. With several clicks, you can find out everything about an organization. Without any doubt, you’ll find the better part of positive testimonials – marketing strategies work well. Usually, top companies have some success stories to share with potential customers and reflect credit on their work. Alternatively, you can contact any of these clients to make sure about the company’s reputation.
• The credibility of a company. Again, with reference to the website of the organization, you can check out if it is worth trusting your own business project to these people or not. A lot of detailed information should be on the site – what services are offered, in what ways, and so on. Take a good look at a company’s website – if there is any address or any other contact information. It may be an alarm bell if there is no contact.

2. Online Freelancing Platforms

Most people prefer to work with freelancers – employment-at-will, financial savings on in-house offices, unlimited geography to find specialists, and so on. Many companies choose freelancing services for their projects. If you are one of those who want to sort out specialists on your own and collaborate with them under the most appropriate conditions, you’re welcome to visit websites like Indeed, Toptal, Upwork, Fiverr, etc.

If you want to find the best developer on a freelancing basis, you should apply all the hiring practices mentioned in this article. Moreover, cooperating with freelancers on online safe platforms guarantees that your money is protected from fraud. Most of today’s global freelancing platforms guarantee the safety of both employers and employees. So, register only on 100% secure websites.

3. Services of an IT Recruiter

If there are some troubles with the search for proper candidates for the position of a Java developer, don’t waste time anymore. Many recruiting companies specializing in finding software development specialists can help out. As a rule, recruiters don’t only find the necessary expert you’re looking for, they conduct an effective interview instead of you and fill permanent job positions in your company. After sorting out the best ones, you’re offered to speak to them (if needed). This option isn’t free (a fee of 25%-50% of the first salary of a candidate), but it is worth a try if you are looking for the best Java developers.

4. Attend Hackathons or Other Tech Events

It is a popular programming event where software developers come together to solve some IT challenges. So, skilled Java developers are easily found during these workshops as they demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Usually, participants form groups of 2-5 people, take their laptops, and plunge into solving various problems. What is an upcoming hackathon? Fortunately, the Internet is full of many sites and platforms that can help you find the most interesting events. Try a website like HackEvents.co or DevPost.com to find hackathons near you.

5. Visit sites like LinkedIn, GitHub, AngelList, or StackOverflow

If you own a business, it is recommended to network with people on the same wavelength as you or those who are opinion leaders. You can find such professionals on various networking platforms with millions of users around the world. As you can imagine, it’s quite possible to find someone in the required field to develop projects using Java. Truly speaking, all that takes time and energy, but don’t give up in despair – go on, and you’ll certainly hire the best Java developer on your team and implement any idea in real life!

How to Recruit a Java Developer

The whole hiring process is divided into several stages – from defining Java development requirements to aligning development methodology with project goals. It is crucial to follow all the steps mentioned below to learn how to recruit Java developers effectively:

Step 1: Define Your Java Development Requirements Clearly

Start by clearly identifying your project’s needs. Write down the scope, objectives, and technical requirements. Consider the type of Java applications you want to build—whether it’s a web application, mobile app, or enterprise solution—and ensure your requirements are specific.

Step 2: Determine Your Java Project Type and Scope 

Every project is unique, so define its scale and complexity. Are you creating a simple tool or a large-scale enterprise system? Knowing this helps you target candidates with the appropriate experience and skills to handle your project’s demands.

Step 3: Evaluate Industry-Specific Experience 

If your business operates in a specialized field, such as healthcare, finance, or e-commerce, prioritize developers with experience in that industry. Their familiarity with sector-specific challenges and regulations can save time and add value to your project.

Step 4: Assess Technical Expertise in Java Frameworks 

Examine candidates’ proficiency with Java frameworks such as Spring, Hibernate, or Struts, depending on your project needs. Also, evaluate their knowledge of tools like Java EE, RESTful APIs, and database systems to ensure they possess the technical depth required for your project.

Step 5: Pick the Most Suitable Collaboration Model 

Decide on a collaboration model that suits your project and budget.

• Dedicated Team Model (ideal for long-term projects requiring consistent resources)
• Time & Materials Model (offers flexibility for evolving requirements)
• Fixed-Price Model (best for well-defined projects with a fixed scope and timeline)

Step 6: Conduct In-depth Developer Interviews 

Interview candidates to evaluate both their technical and soft skills. Use coding challenges, technical tests, or project simulations to assess their problem-solving abilities. Ensure their communication and teamwork skills align with your team dynamics.

Step 7: Align Development Methodology with Project Goals

Discuss and agree on the development methodology—Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall—based on your project’s needs. This ensures that developers can adapt to your workflow and maintain alignment with your objectives.

Step 8: Scale Your Team Size to Project Requirements

Once the project begins, monitor its progress and adjust your team size if necessary. Ensure the developers you onboard are flexible and can scale up or down depending on your project’s demands.

Average Salaries of Java Developers

Are you wondering how much money needed to pay to a Java developer for the job? The compensation depends on the qualification levels of a Java developer (entry-level, junior, middle or senior).

Well, if the salary of a Java developer depends on the qualification level of a specialist, what salaries are offered at each level? Below, we ran the numbers and identified the requirements for a job are stated in detail. 

Entry-Level Java Developer Salary

Entry-level Java developers are typically fresh graduates or individuals with less than 1-2 years of experience. Their primary focus is on writing simple code and assisting senior team members.

Junior Java Developer Salary

Junior Java developers have 2-4 years of experience and can handle tasks independently, such as building smaller modules or debugging code.

Middle Java Developer Salary

Middle-level developers, with 4-7 years of experience, possess strong coding skills and can manage more complex projects, including leading small teams or taking ownership of major components.

Senior Java Developer Salary

Senior developers have over 7 years of experience and are capable of designing architectures, leading development teams, and ensuring high code quality. They are essential for complex projects requiring advanced problem-solving skills.

Java Architect Salary

Java architects are the most senior-level professionals who design and oversee the entire system architecture. They also provide technical guidance to teams and ensure the scalability, performance, and security of the application.

Java Developer Job Description

The role of a Java developer is significant, and each specialist must meet all the requirements of a client and be paid accordingly. So, what requirements do you formulate for Java developers? View some job descriptions available at the moment, or use our job description template:

Java Developer Job Profile

A Java developer plays a pivotal role in designing, developing, and maintaining robust software applications powered by the Java programming language. Their primary responsibility is to write clean, efficient, and scalable code that ensures optimal performance and security. Java developers work across both frontend and backend development, leveraging popular frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, and JEE to build versatile applications.

In collaboration with cross-functional teams, they analyze project requirements, resolve technical challenges, and continuously implement new features to enhance functionality. Key duties include coding, debugging, testing, and optimizing applications, while ensuring smooth integration with databases and third-party services. Java developers are crucial for delivering high-performance, scalable solutions that drive success across a wide range of industries.

Java Developer Duties and Responsibilities

• Designing, implementing, and testing Java applications;
• Aligning Java application development with business goals;
• Resolving technical problems that may arise;
• Producing detailed technical documentation about the completed work;
• Developing documentation to assist users;
• Recommending changes to existing Java infrastructure

Java Developer Requirements

• BS/MS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or similar relevant field;
• Previous work experience in Java development for X year(s);
• Deep knowledge of Java frameworks (Spring, Hibernate, Grails, etc.) and their application;
• Experience with JQuery, Ajax, JSON, CSS, HTML, and other Java-related technologies;
• Analytical mindset and good problem-solving skills;
• The ability to work as part of a team.

Java Developer Working Conditions

• Competitive salary;
• Work in an office (there is/isn’t the possibility to work remotely);
• Bonuses, and other employee benefits.

Be as specific and precise as possible at each point of a job description. Hopefully, the above sample will help. There’s nothing to thank us for – we just want to help you.

When you find out what requirements to set for a Java developer, it is necessary to check the technical skills and experience of a specialist in practice. In resumes, everyone can write everything from wide professional experience to big successful projects. It’s time to follow the next 3 steps to ensure candidates’ qualifications match your project requirements

How to Check the Expertise of a Java Developer

Сheck your potential candidate for the position of a Java developer thoroughly and make the final decision to hire or not to hire this specialist. Below, you’ll find tips that will help you make the right decision in the process of hiring a Java developer:

• Do a face-to-face interview. Even if a resume represents all the actual skills of a candidate, it is better to ask him/her about them in a face-to-face setting. For example, you can ask to explain some Java terms and other field-related questions.
• Give a test with different questions related to Java or other issues relevant to the career. It can be a multiple-choice, achievement, IQ, language test, or all together. As a result, the chances of observing the professionalism of a Java developer or vice versa are increasing. What to do next?
• Ask to solve a challenge online. HackerRank is a great platform for assessing developers’ skills objectively based on various challenges occurring to problems to real-life scenarios. Each candidate is provided with one or more programming tasks to complete within a limited time. The skill to work under time pressure is in high demand today.

Why Hire a Java Development Team at Mangosoft

Discover the range of our Outsourcing Java Development Services, designed to meet diverse business needs and deliver exceptional results:

• Custom Java Development
  Tailor-made Java solutions that address specific business needs by building software from scratch or upgrading existing systems. We use frameworks like Spring Boot and Hibernate to ensure scalability, security, and optimal performance.
• Web Application Development
  Development of advanced Java web applications using a comprehensive stack of tools, including Spring, JEE, and Hibernate, to deliver reliable and functional solutions for businesses of any type and complexity.
• Mobile App Development
  Fail-safe Java mobile applications designed to run smoothly on various smartphones. These apps incorporate modern features and are optimized for reliability, enhancing your business’s digital presence.
• Enterprise Software Development
  Enterprise-grade software solutions crafted to address complex business needs. These solutions are carefully designed to integrate seamlessly with your architecture and provide measurable value to your organization.
• Cloud Application Development
  Development of robust cloud-based applications that prioritize flexibility, scalability, and data security. Our expertise includes creating solutions for leading cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• API Development and Integration
  High-performance APIs that enable efficient system communication and data exchange. Our solutions focus on security, reliability, and detailed documentation to ensure smooth integration with third-party or in-house systems.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we’d like to highlight the most effective solutions to your problem after such a long text. And, after all, how do you hire Java programmers? Among all possible hiring practices, we recommend relying on qualified help from experts who are easily found in IT companies – many guarantees, offers, and services are available to you. There is no need to pay an IT recruiter because it is the key duty of outsourcing or outstaffing companies to find specialists for your project. There is no need to risk and have doubts, a kind of “Will this freelancer succeed or not?” while working on freelancing platforms. The IT company (be it outsourcing or outstaffing) is responsible for the final results.

Contact us whenever you need a skilled Java developer or any other specialist for your business idea.