What C Development is All About?
C is a structured programming language that is known for its flexibility and ease of use. It has been used to develop popular operating systems like Windows and complex programs like Git and Oracle database.
C is a general-purpose programming language. Knowledge of C is beneficial for developers as it makes it easier for them to learn other languages which use the same concept as C.
What to Look for in a C Developer?
A C developer should be comfortable with regular usage of the language itself. In addition, he should know how to operate C tools such as Boost and QT libraries.
Debugging is an essential skill for any C developer. Tools like Valgrind, Address/Memory/UndefinedBehaviour Sanitizer are important for a C developer for debugging purposes.
You should look at a developer’s commercial and open-source projects while hiring. This will help you decide whether they fit the profile of the offered role.
What do you need to know before hiring a C Developer?
Technical interviews are expensive and practically impossible for companies. This is especially true in case of a high number of applicants. Therefore, you should know how to screen candidates based on their resume.
Basic knowledge about popular C libraries like GTK, Cairo and ALSA will help you better understand the skill level of applicants.
Developers should be asked questions regarding the problems they faced during previous projects and the type of systems which they programmed for. Doing this will help hiring teams to understand the applicants’ prior work experience on a deeper level.
Skills to Look For when You Hire Top C Developers
Here are some of the skills on the basis of which you should hire top C developers:
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Experience: You should understand the requirements of the offered position. This will help you decide the ideal amount of prior work experience for a C developer. You should look for applicants who have participated in large projects, dealing with stringent requirements.
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Strong Communication Skills: Most C developers will eventually be required to work on projects as part of large teams. Strong communication skills will make their work more efficient and reduce mistakes wherever possible.
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Extensive Knowledge of C: C developers need to be well-versed in the various libraries and frameworks of C. They should know all the ins and outs of the latest version of C (C17).
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Contribution to the Field: Developers who readily contribute to Q&A websites like Stack Overflow and write technical blogs regarding C can be considered worth hiring. This shows a level of transparency from the applicant regarding their public history.
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Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills and leadership qualities make a developer stand out from the crowd. Applicants for senior positions should be asked if they would be willing to mentor a junior developer. This would help you decide if they have the required soft skills and leadership qualities for sharing knowledge.
Steps to Hire Top C Developers
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Create a well-defined job description which clearly states what your company is looking for. Doing so will remove all confusion regarding the job role.
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Check the developer’s academic qualifications to find out if he has a C development certification.
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Each applicant should be assessed on the basis of his technical and soft skills. Working as part of large teams is required for most C developers. This will help you assess if the developer is a well-rounded professional.
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Ask relevant interview questions to understand the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses. You will need to decide if the developer is a good fit for the company based on this information.
Hiring an Experienced and Reliable C Developer
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Your chosen C developer should know how to take feedback and constructive criticism on board.
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Study the developer’s previous work samples to understand his style of working. Decide accordingly if he/she is a good fit for your company.
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Make sure that the developer’s values align with the company culture. This can be done by a thorough interview process.
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The developer’s problem-solving abilities should also be considered while hiring. Seek testimonials from his previous workplace to check if he has the ability to think on his feet and come up with creative solutions.
