Everything should know about hiring Ruby on Rails developers

Ruby on Rails is a popular website development framework that has existed since 2004. According to JetBrains, Ruby on Rails is the clear leader among the 7 most popular Ruby frameworks, used by 86% of Ruby developers. It is known for its simplicity, flexibility, and ease of use.  

If you’d like to hire Ruby on Rails developers, there are several things you should know. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about hiring Ruby on Rails developers, including where to find them, what to look for in a candidate, and how much you can expect to pay.

 Ruby on Rails developers, who are they?

Ruby on Rails developers are software developers who specialize in using the Ruby on Rails (RoR) framework to build web applications. Ruby on Rails, often simply referred to as Rails, is a popular open-source framework written in the Ruby programming language.

Ruby on Rails developers typically have a strong understanding of Ruby programming and are familiar with the principles and conventions of the Rails framework. They use their expertise to design, develop, and maintain web applications, following the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern promoted by Rails.

These developers often work with a variety of tools and technologies within the Ruby on Rails ecosystem, including database management systems (such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite), front-end technologies (such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), and testing frameworks (such as RSpec or Cucumber).

Differences between Ruby on Rails developers and other software developers

Ruby on Rails developers have distinct skills and expertise that differentiate them from other software developers. When hiring Ruby on Rails developers that are most suitable for your business, it is very important to understand their roles and responsibilities. Here are some key differences between Ruby on Rails developers and other software developers:

• Framework specialization: RoR developers specialize in the Ruby programming language and the Rails framework. They have in-depth knowledge of Rails conventions, features, and best practices, allowing them to develop web applications rapidly. Other software developers may work with different languages or frameworks, depending on their specialization or project requirements.
• Convention over configuration: Ruby on Rails follows the principle of “convention over configuration,” meaning it provides sensible defaults and ways, reducing the need for explicit configuration. Rails developers are accustomed to leveraging these conventions, which can lead to faster development cycles and increased productivity. Other software developers may work with frameworks with different approaches or require more configuration.
• Rapid application development: Ruby on Rails is well-known for its emphasis on developer productivity and rapid application development. Rails developers can use the framework’s built-in features and code generators to quickly create functional applications with less boilerplate code. This focus on speed and efficiency sets Ruby on Rails developers apart from developers working with other frameworks or languages.
• Testing culture: Ruby on Rails has a strong testing culture, encouraging developers to write tests to ensure application quality and maintainability. RoR developers commonly use testing frameworks like RSpec or MiniTest to create unit, integration, and functional tests. While testing is essential in software development overall, the specific testing practices and tooling within the Ruby on Rails ecosystem may differ from other development environments.
• Community and ecosystem: Ruby on Rails has a vibrant and supportive community, with numerous open-source libraries (gems) and resources available. Ruby on Rails developers often engage with this community, contribute to open-source projects, and participate in conferences and meetups. The community-driven nature of Ruby on Rails fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Development philosophy: Ruby on Rails promotes certain development philosophies, such as “Don’t Repeat Yourself” (DRY) and convention-based development. These philosophies influence how Ruby on Rails developers approach software development, emphasizing code reusability, maintainability, and the use of established patterns and practices. Other software developers may follow different development philosophies or have different priorities.

It’s important to note that these differences are not absolutes, and many developers have proficiency in multiple languages and frameworks. Developers’ skills and experiences can vary widely within any specific category, and the software development field is continuously evolving, allowing for the cross-pollination of ideas and skills across different technologies.

How to hire an appropriate Ruby on Rails developer?

Hiring Ruby on Rails developers can be a challenging task. With so many developers, it can be difficult to know where to start. In the below section, we’ll explore some key things you should look for when hiring Ruby on Rails developers.

 1. Clearly define your requirements

Defining job requirements helps set clear expectations between the hiring organization and the candidates. It ensures that both parties are on the same page regarding the scope of work, responsibilities, and the level of proficiency expected in Ruby on Rails development. This reduces the chances of misunderstandings or mismatched expectations later in the hiring process or after the candidate is hired.

When the job requirements are well-defined, assessing candidates against those requirements becomes easier. You can evaluate their resumes, portfolios, and interview responses to determine if they possess the required skills, knowledge, and experience related to Ruby on Rails development. This saves time by narrowing down the pool of candidates to the most qualified.

By clearly outlining the job requirements, you ensure potential candidates understand the skills and experience needed for the position. This helps attract developers proficient in Ruby on Rails and have the expertise to contribute effectively to your projects.

 2. Prepare a detailed job description

A detailed job description helps attract suitable candidates with the specific skills and experience required for the role. You increase the chances of attracting candidates who meet your criteria by clearly outlining the responsibilities, required qualifications, and technical expertise expected from a Ruby on Rails developer.

A detailed job description ensures a clear understanding of the role between the hiring organization and potential candidates. Thus, assisting in setting expectations regarding the scope of work, project requirements, and the level of proficiency expected in Ruby on Rails development. This clarity reduces the chances of misunderstandings and provides a foundation for effective communication and collaboration.

Moreover, a well-prepared job description can be a valuable tool throughout the hiring process. It enables you to assess candidates more efficiently by aligning their qualifications and experiences with the outlined requirements. It helps you filter out applicants who do not meet the criteria, saving time and effort in the evaluation process, and hiring Ruby on Rails developers that are ideal for your project. 

3. Source candidates from multiple channels

Ruby on Rails has a dedicated developer community beyond traditional job boards and recruitment platforms. Exploring niche communities, such as online forums, Ruby on Rails-specific websites, or local meetups, allows you to connect with developers who may be highly knowledgeable and passionate about the framework.

Moreover, not all talented developers actively search for job opportunities. By sourcing candidates from various channels, you can identify and engage with passive candidates who might not be actively looking but could be open to the right opportunity. This could include contacting developers through professional networking platforms like LinkedIn or attending industry conferences.

You can tap into a larger and more diverse pool of potential candidates by utilizing multiple channels. Different channels attract different types of candidates, and by casting a wide net, you increase the chances of hiring Ruby on Rails developers who are highly skilled and suitable.

 4. Review resumes and portfolios

Resumes provide a snapshot of a candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. Reviewing resumes, you can quickly assess whether candidates possess the necessary technical knowledge and expertise in Ruby on Rails development. This helps you gauge their suitability for the role and filter out candidates who may not have the required skills.

Meanwhile, a portfolio provides a deeper insight into a candidate’s actual work and projects they have completed. By reviewing portfolios, you can assess the quality of their previous work, the complexity of the tasks they have handled, and the specific features or functionalities they have implemented using Ruby on Rails. This helps you gauge their level of expertise and understand how well they can apply their skills in practical scenarios.

As Ruby on Rails is a specific framework used for web development, reviewing resumes and portfolios allows you to identify candidates who have focused on Ruby on Rails and have relevant experience working with the framework. This ensures that you are considering candidates specifically skilled in Ruby on Rails development rather than individuals with a general web development background.

5. Conduct technical assessments

In a competitive job market, technical assessments provide a means to differentiate candidates with similar resumes and portfolios. While resumes and portfolios give you a glimpse of a candidate’s past work, technical reviews allow you to evaluate their skills in a controlled environment. 

By comparing their assessment performance, you can identify candidates who excel in problem-solving, exhibit strong technical proficiency, and demonstrate the potential to contribute effectively to your team.

Ruby on Rails developers often face complex challenges that require strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. Technical assessments provide an opportunity to evaluate a candidate’s ability to analyze problems, break them down into smaller components, and devise practical solutions using Ruby on Rails. By assessing their approach, logic, and code quality, you can gauge their problem-solving capabilities.

Overall, conducting technical assessments while hiring Ruby on Rails developers helps verify candidates’ skills, evaluate problem-solving abilities, assess code quality and adherence to best practices, gauge domain knowledge, and differentiate candidates. 

It lets you make informed decisions based on objective criteria and select RoR developers who are well-equipped to handle the technical challenges of your projects.

 6. Conduct interviews

Interviews provide an opportunity to assess a candidate’s verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Effective communication is crucial for collaborating with team members, understanding project requirements, and conveying technical concepts. 

Interviews help evaluate candidates’ ability to articulate their thoughts, ask clarifying questions, and express ideas clearly. Additionally, interviews allow you to assess a candidate’s interpersonal skills, such as working well with others, handling conflicts, and contributing positively to team dynamics.

Ruby on Rails developers are typically part of a larger development team. Conducting interviews helps assess a candidate’s fit within your company culture and team dynamics. It allows you to evaluate their alignment with your values, work ethic, and collaborative mindset. 

Assessing cultural fit helps ensure that the candidate will integrate smoothly into your existing team, share common goals, and contribute effectively to your organization’s overall success.

More specially, if it’s a technical interview, such as coding exercises or problem-solving sessions, you can evaluate a candidate’s ability to think independently and solve problems in real-time. 

This provides insight into their problem-solving strategies, coding style, and how well they can apply their technical knowledge under time constraints. It helps you assess their ability to handle the challenges they may encounter in their day-to-day work as a Ruby on Rails developer.

7. Assess soft skills and cultural fit

Soft skills, like communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills, are essential for successful collaboration within a development team. RoR developers often work in cross-functional teams, interacting with designers, product managers, and stakeholders. 

Assessing soft skills within the process of hiring Ruby on Rails developers helps ensure that candidates can effectively communicate their ideas, collaborate with others, and contribute positively to team dynamics. Strong collaboration skills lead to better teamwork, improved project outcomes, and a positive work environment.

Cultural fit refers to how well a candidate’s values, work style, and behavior align with the company’s culture and values. Hiring individuals who are a good cultural fit helps create a harmonious work environment, enhances team cohesion, and contributes to employee satisfaction and retention. 

Ruby on Rails developers who share similar values and work styles as your organization is more likely to integrate well into your team, adapt quickly, and contribute positively to your company’s overall success.

In summary, assessing soft skills and cultural fit when hiring RoR developers is important to evaluate their ability to collaborate effectively, adapt to changing circumstances, solve problems, align with your organization’s culture, and maintain a customer-centric approach. 

Considering these aspects ensures that you hire candidates with the necessary technical skills, interpersonal qualities, and values that contribute to a productive and harmonious work environment.

8. Check references

Checking references allows you to verify the information provided by candidates regarding their skills, experience, and qualifications. It provides an opportunity to validate their claims and gain insights from previous employers or colleagues who have worked closely with them. This verification process helps ensure that the candidate’s skills and experience align with what they have stated on their resume and during the hiring process.

You can have valuable information about a candidate’s performance, work ethic, and professionalism when speaking with references. Previous employers or supervisors can provide insights into the candidate’s punctuality, ability to meet deadlines, attention to detail, and overall work quality. Understanding how well the candidate has performed in previous roles helps gauge their potential for success in your organization.

9. Offer and negotiate

Offering a competitive and compelling job offer is crucial for attracting top-tier Ruby on Rails developers. In a competitive job market, skilled developers have options, and a well-crafted offer can make your company stand out. Offering a package that includes competitive compensation, benefits, growth opportunities, and a positive work environment increases the likelihood of attracting highly skilled candidates.

Negotiating with candidates allows both parties to reach mutually beneficial terms. This includes discussing compensation, benefits, work-life balance, remote work options, and other important factors to the candidate. By engaging in negotiations, you can address any concerns, clarify expectations, and find a middle ground that satisfies both the candidate’s needs and your company’s requirements.

Overall, offering and negotiating with RoR developers can help demonstrate your commitment to valuing and accommodating the developer’s needs while ensuring that your company’s requirements are met.

10. Onboard and integrate

For many reasons, onboarding plays a significant role in employee engagement and retention. When new Ruby on Rails developers have a positive onboarding experience, they feel valued and supported, leading to higher job satisfaction. 

A well-designed onboarding process also helps them understand their role, expectations, and career development opportunities within your organization. This contributes to their long-term commitment and reduces turnover.

Onboarding helps new developers assimilate into your company’s culture. It allows them to understand your company’s values, mission, and work environment. Developers who feel connected to your culture are more likely to thrive.

Cost of hiring a Ruby on Rails developer

According to Salary.com, the salary range for a Ruby on Rails job is **between $76,616 and $107,727 per year**.  

However, the cost of hiring Ruby on Rails developers can vary depending on various factors, including the location, level of experience, demand for Ruby on Rails developers, and the specific requirements of the role. 

Here are some key cost considerations when hiring Ruby on Rails developers:

• Salary: The salary of RoR developers can vary significantly based on their experience, expertise, and location. Senior developers with extensive experience may command higher salaries than junior or mid-level developers. Additionally, salaries can vary depending on the cost of living in different regions or countries.
• Benefits and perks: Besides the base salary, companies may offer various benefits and perks to attract and retain Ruby on Rails developers. These include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, bonuses, stock options, professional development allowances, and flexible work arrangements. The cost of these benefits should be considered when evaluating the overall cost of hiring developers.
• Onboarding and training: When hiring new Ruby on Rails developers, there may be costs associated with their onboarding and training. This can include providing resources, documentation, and mentorship to help them get up to speed with your company’s processes and projects. The time and resources invested in their onboarding and training should be considered as part of the overall cost.
• Infrastructure and tools: RoR developers may require specific infrastructure, tools, and software licenses to perform their tasks effectively. This can include development environments, version control systems, project management tools, and collaboration software. The cost of providing these resources should be factored into the overall cost of hiring.

It’s important to note that the above considerations provide a general overview, and the actual cost of hiring Ruby on Rails developers can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances and factors mentioned earlier. It is recommended to conduct market research and consult with HR professionals or recruitment experts to determine the cost implications for your hiring needs.

Where to find great Ruby on Rails developers

There are several avenues where you can find great Ruby on Rails developers. Here are some popular options:

• Online job platforms: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Stack Overflow Jobs have a wide reach and are frequently used by job seekers and employers. You can post job listings specifying your requirements for Ruby on Rails developers and review resumes and portfolios from interested candidates.
• Ruby on Rails communities and forums: Engaging with the Ruby on Rails community can effectively find talented developers. Websites like Ruby on Rails Talk, Reddit’s r/rails, and Ruby on Rails Forum provide platforms where developers discuss topics related to the framework. These communities often have dedicated job boards or channels where you can post job openings or seek developer recommendations.
• Freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal allow you to connect with freelance Ruby on Rails developers available for project-based work. You can browse through profiles, review ratings and reviews from previous clients, and hire developers directly through these platforms.
• Tech conferences and meetups: Attending Ruby on Rails conferences, tech meetups, and developer events provides an opportunity to network with professionals in the industry. These events often attract Ruby on Rails developers passionate about the framework. You can connect with developers directly, discuss potential opportunities, and even host job-specific events or recruitment sessions.
• Referrals and recommendations: Reach out to your professional network, colleagues, or other Ruby on Rails developers you may know and ask for referrals or recommendations. Personal recommendations can provide valuable insights and increase the chances of finding skilled developers who fit your organization well.
• Open-source contributions: Many Ruby on Rails developers contribute to open-source projects. By exploring popular Ruby on Rails open-source projects on platforms like GitHub, you can identify developers who are actively involved in the community and demonstrate their skills through their contributions. Contacting these developers directly and discussing potential opportunities can be a productive way to find great talent.

Conclusion

Finding the right Ruby on Rails developer can be challenging, but with the right approach and resources, finding the perfect fit for your team is possible. 

Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can identify the ideal developer profile, choose the right hiring model for your engineering team, determine the cost to hire RoR developers, narrow down the developer location according to your needs, and complete key recruitment steps before hiring. 

With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding a talented Ruby on Rails developer who can help take your business to the next level.