Hiring a professional programmer-what questions to ask before hiring?

Question

I'm working on a project that needs a professional programmer to assemble the software package--please give me a list of questions I should ask in interviewing them for same so I can make the right informed decision.

Also, if you can, please recommend as many who qualify as professionals. Email me with these if you will.
Thanks all

Answer 1

If your project is small, then you can go to programmer auction sites like this one:
http://www.getacoder.com/

Answer 2

You need to find out...:

- how many years that they have been working in the field,
- how much time they have worked with the specific programming language you need them to use
- ask them to provide examples of what types of projects they have worked on.
- get a list of references for past work done.

Show them the project and ask them how many hours or days they expect a project of that size to take. You don't want to give them an open checkbook. There should be time estimates, material costs, when they can start, and when the project is expected to finish. (Remember that it may take 40 hours of work, but if they only can start in 10 days and only do 4 hours per weekday, you are looking at at least a month before the project would be completed.

Also discuss time and cost overruns. What happens if they told you 20 hours and it actually takes 32 hours? Do you pay them the extra time, or is it a set maximum? Who's equipment will be used? Do you have a computer with the licensed software to do the development, or are they going to have to supply this?

Be sure to find out what that programming language they will be using, and you need to determine if the source code for the project belongs to them or to you. Some programming firms and developers will prepare a project for you and give you the final compiled version, but then retain the rights to the original source code. If that happens and 6 months or a year later you decide that you need a new feature or something changed, you will then have to go back and get them to change it for you, since they own that material.

Normally, the independent developer will supply you with the source code so that you can then have anyone who knows the software make changes in the future. A company that want return business will keep the rights to the source code, or charge you additional fees for supplying it.

I would also not recommend paying in advance. If it is a large project, pay them an initial fee to supply you with a timeline with set points that can be used to measure their performance and progress. For example, you may want to be able to see a mock-up of package, or certain modules to be complete, and then you can evaluate how well it is being done and how far they are progressing. If you don't like the communication, or they are not meeting the requirements, or otherwise not working out, you can call it quits early and only pay them for the work done to date.

To give you an example of what to expect for costs, our company charges $150 per hour for development costs, testing, and installation. IBM support and development costs are even higher than that. Obviously, if you choose a small firm or a university student trying to make money for his education, you will pay less but may get less experience with that route.

Answer 3

You will receive better answers to guide you, I hope. I was hired early on by a kind boss who was willing to gamble, and he got his money's worth. But, and so, it was risky.

You might want to ask, for a sample of the programmer's work, so as to be able to show it to *another* programmer, whose abilities you *know and trust*, for evaluation and judgment? Another avenue to pursue is, of course, the programmer's "logic" or ability to make "reasoned" versus "emotional" decisions.

Finally, the programmer will need to have experience in, not just having written just isolated programs, but, as you indicated, putting together coordinated *groups* of programs i.e. "systems".

Answer 4

I definitely have a level in Biology and am presently going to graduate college. I anticipate to the two do learn or be a professor. i don't anticipate to make multiple money, and you be attentive to what? i'm nice with that. i'm having a blast getting to understand each and every thing and doing learn so as to get my graduate degree and to submit scientific papers. while you're having exciting doing all your job and not making use of a level, then large, yet to do what i like I could desire to spend multiple time in college. in my opinion, i does not have exciting working a employer, in an attempt to each his very own. Your fact that the main serious element is money particularly bothers me. That seems how maximum intense college grads think of now. "What degree gets me the main money when I graduate?" a lot of human beings do not think of roughly how depressing their lifestyles could be in the event that they get a job they hate even in spite of the undeniable fact that they are making 6 figures. i does not make plenty as quickly as I get a job, yet a minimum of i'm going to love what I do. you're making it appear as if college is valueless, and for some issues it may desire to be, yet please do not generalize. In my field you're able to desire to have a undeniable degree and journey so as to get a job. The poster above me worded it superbly.

Answer 5

You could just offer me the job. I'm qualified.