If you Google freelance developer vetting process, youll be bombarded with more than a quarter million results.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
Businessescant afford to be wrongwhen it comes to hiring developers.
Its like ordering that perfect pair of jeans online, only to discover that theyre itchy and ill-fitting.
Make no mistake: quality is crucial.
But writing great code is only one aspect of an all-star developer.
You need ahuman being.
A human being you actually look forward to speaking with and who can restore your faith in freelance developers.
But as many project managers find out the hard way,a resume doesnt always convey this sought-after humanity.
Thats where the Falafel Test comes in.
Moreover, what are the top developer traits that are often conveniently edited out of resumes?
Lets take a look.
What does the developer do when theyre not building websites?
Remember the addictive smartphone game, Flappy Bird?
The game was hilarious (and equally addictive as the original).
Youre probably thinking,Who cares?
That has nothing to do with building websites.
Butside projectslike these are often a window into a developers willingness to take initiative.
Hiring great coders is important, but you also want to collaborate with interesting people, too.
You might be torn between two equally qualified candidates.
Do they truly understand what your business is about?
But the fake-it-till-you-make-it mentality almost always fires back on both parties.
If not, youve got to bring them up to speed before you bury them in work.
Hows their email etiquette?
Now lets say youve covered the first part, and you think youve found your dream developer.
They have all the skills and experience to make them a perfect fit for your team.
Contrast these two responses to a Falafel Test invitation:
ok what time?
and i am recieving payment for the time right?
Id be honored to join you for a falafel.
Im excited about getting to know each other.
Whats a good time/location that fits your schedule?
Vetting the email etiquette of your candidates isnt about being a grammar stickler.
After all, theyre writing code, not novels.
Are they a honey badger?
Credit:Derek KeatsLets take a moment to discussa skunk-like mammalcalledmellivora capensis, otherwise known as the honey badger.
Wait what, from falafel to honey badgers?
Yes, but I promise it makes sense.
These animals are thick-skinned, literally.
Honey badgers can survive arrows, spears, and even snake venom.
But theyre not just tough theyre also cunning.
Honey badgers are one of the few animals that use tools to get what they need.
Your freelance developer needs both of these traits thick skin and a nimble brain to thrive.
But those cant be conveyed in a resume or portfolio.
Sure, they might describe themselves as open to criticism or a quick learner.
First things first: your developer needs to check their ego at the door.
Ask them to tell a story about a time their work was challenged, and how they responded.
On the other hand, your developer needs to be quick witted.
As deadlines loom, you might be tempted to jump the gun on hiring developers.
Many of the online platforms that match freelancers with businesses see developers as commodities.
However, as we discussed in the examples above, thats far from the case.
Both decisions require you to consider nuances that simply cant be accounted for without a real-life interaction.
