Finding a Good Programmer And Building Your ATeam

29. Oct, 2009 0

I have worked with quite a few programmers in my day and to say the least this has been a challenge.
I finally found one guy named Chin who was absolutely amazing. (I found him via word of mouth referral)

I talked about him all the time to my colleagues and I think they thought I was nuts, but I knew a good thing when we had it.

Chin proved to me that programmers could get work done on time and correctly. That programmers, at least the good ones could think out all the logic and implement solutions which I had not even thought of. The could also be affordable and easy to work with. Chin charged $25 USD / Hour and could do literally anything we needed. From Ajax to php, from wordpress to phpfox and highly modified mods.

He also worked while we slept, being based in the USA, we posted projects by 5pm and they were done at 8 am the next morning. We then paid him once a month via paypal and he maintained a monthly tab for us. It was an ideal setup. I was always praising his amazing work and expressing my gratitude.

Well, finally the day came when Chin left and we have been in an ongoing search to find someone 1/2 as good as he was.

This might sound familure to you, because in the online world once you find good people you want to put them on your A-Team and keep them on it. Until you get the ATeam you have to work with who you get.

I tried to do this with Chin but, alas he received a better offer and took it. Let this be a lesson as well.

So, how do you find your Chin, how do you find the programmer of your dreams, who can help your company rise to the top and make all your programming dreams come true.

To begin with download my interview sheet for programmers below and start to interview as many as you can. Take careful notes and gather as much information as you can.

Next make sure to check references and look at portfolios closely. If you see red flags move on.
You need great people who do great work.

Working with mediocre programmers will cost you double in the end.

PROGRAMMER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. Where are you located

2. Hourly Rate

3. Times you are available:

4. Portfolio

5. Request Specific Sills

- AJAX

- PHP

- MYSQL

6. Knowledge of Platforms