Hire Remote Elixir Developers
Hiring software developers can be daunting, especially for hiring Elixir developers. Elixir is a functional programming language gaining popularity due to its ability to build scalable applications with high concurrency and low latency. Elixir can be used for a variety of applications, including backend software development, web applications, mobile applications, and even embedded systems.
If you're looking to hire the best Elixir developers for your development team, it's essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the hiring process. This guide will provide practical solutions for hiring Elixir developers, from pre-vetting candidates to conducting a trial period. We'll also discuss the technical and soft skills you should look for in an Elixir developer and provide tips on how to find the right talent for your business goals.
What to Look for When Hiring Elixir Developers
Technical Skills
When hiring Elixir developers, looking for technical skills that will enable them to build high-quality software using the Elixir programming language is essential. Elixir developers should have expertise in functional programming concepts and be well-versed in Elixir programming language and related technologies such as Phoenix Framework, Erlang Virtual Machine, React Native, and data structures. Elixir developers should also have experience building scalable applications with high concurrency and low latency.
Communication Skills
Communication skills are equally important when hiring Elixir developers. Elixir developers should have excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively with other developers, stakeholders, and clients. Additionally, Elixir developers should be able to articulate technical concepts to non-technical team members and clients clearly. Practical communication skills will ensure that everyone on the development team is on the same page and that project goals are clearly understood.
Software Design
Elixir developers should understand software design principles, including SOLID principles, design patterns, and architectural patterns. They should be able to design scalable, maintainable, and efficient software solutions. A good Elixir developer should also have experience with test-driven development and be able to write clean, well-documented code.
Familiarity with Other Programming Languages
Elixir developers should also be familiar with other programming languages like Ruby, Python, or Java. This familiarity allows them to use code libraries and tools written in these languages and integrate with systems that may not use Elixir programming language. Additionally, knowledge of multiple programming languages can help Elixir developers better understand and apply programming concepts more effectively when building software with Elixir.
Top 5 Elixir Developers Interview Questions
As an employer looking to hire the best Elixir developers, it's essential to have a well-structured interview process that will help you identify the most qualified candidates. Here are the top five Elixir developers' interview questions you can ask:
What are some of the challenges you've faced while building scalable Elixir applications?
This question can help you gauge the candidate's experience building scalable applications using Elixir. Elixir is known for its ability to handle high concurrency, but that doesn't mean it's not without its challenges. An experienced Elixir developer should be able to discuss their challenges while building scalable Elixir applications and how they overcame them. An excellent answer to this question would demonstrate the candidate's understanding of the Elixir ecosystem and its various libraries, tools, and frameworks, such as Phoenix, to build scalable applications.
Can you explain how the Erlang virtual machine (VM) works and how Elixir takes advantage of it?
Asking this question can help you measure the candidate's understanding of the Elixir programming language and how it takes advantage of the Erlang VM. The Erlang VM is known for its ability to handle high concurrency, and Elixir, as a functional programming language, is designed to take advantage of it. An experienced Elixir developer should be able to explain how Elixir uses the Erlang VM and its various features, such as lightweight processes and message passing, to build highly concurrent applications.
What is your experience writing code in Elixir, and how do you ensure its quality and maintainability?
Asking this question can help you estimate the candidate's experience writing code in Elixir and their ability to ensure its quality and maintainability. Elixir is a functional programming language that encourages developers to write code that is easy to reason about and test. An experienced Elixir engineer should be able to discuss their approach to writing code in Elixir, such as using functional programming concepts like immutability and avoiding side effects. They should also be able to discuss their experience with testing Elixir code, using tools like ExUnit and Dialyzer to ensure code quality and maintainability.
Can you give an example of how you used Elixir to build a real-world web application, and what challenges did you face?
This question can help you gauge the candidate's experience building web applications using Elixir and their ability to overcome challenges. Elixir is an excellent choice for building web applications that require high concurrency and low latency. An experienced Elixir developer should be able to discuss their experience building web applications using Elixir and any challenges they face. They should also be able to discuss how they addressed those challenges and the results they achieved.
What are some of the latest Elixir features or libraries you've been exploring, and how do you see them being practical in your projects?
This question can help gauge the candidate's interest in staying current with the latest Elixir features and libraries. Elixir is a rapidly evolving language with a vibrant community constantly developing new libraries and tools. An experienced Elixir developer should be able to discuss some of the latest features or libraries in elixir web development they've been exploring and how they see them useful in their projects. They should also be able to discuss how they stay updated with the latest Elixir developments and incorporate them into their work.
