How to hire Flutter developers

Flutter is a user-interface software development kit created by Google. It enables the creation of applications that work well across various platforms, such as iOS, Android, and web browsers. Flutter developers are in high demand for their ability to create versatile, cross-platform applications. 

A skilled Flutter developer can significantly boost your project's quality, efficiency, and reach. However, making the wrong hiring decision could see you facing setbacks from project delays, increased costs, and subpar app performance. 

To help you avoid this, we’ll guide you through how to hire the right Flutter developer, outlining the essential factors you need to consider to make a well-informed decision.

What do you need to know before hiring a Flutter developer?

Before you start your search for a Flutter developer, several considerations can improve your chances of finding the perfect hire.

Define your project requirements

The success of your hiring process rests on knowing who you’re looking for. So, clarify what you expect from your Flutter developer. This includes their specific skill set, experience, educational background, and any certifications relevant to your project, such as Google Associate Android Developer or Flutter Certified Application Developer. 

Clearly defined job requirements help narrow down your search and attract the right candidates.

Learn about Flutter technology

Why would you want a Flutter developer? Flutter is renowned for its ability to design apps for multiple platforms, making it compatible with iOS, Android, and web applications. 

Use resources like the official Flutter website to better understand the software. This will help you appreciate the value and versatility a skilled Flutter developer can bring to your project.

Assess market demand and salary expectations

The demand for Flutter developers is on the rise. Research current market rates and salary expectations for this role to ensure your offer is competitive and attractive. Talent.com estimates that the average Flutter developer earns $134,500 annually, with entry-level positions starting at $110,000 per year.

Recognize the importance of expertise

Look for developers with proven expertise in Flutter. This can be evidenced through a portfolio of completed projects, contributions to open-source Flutter projects, or a history of working in professional settings using Flutter.  

It can also be beneficial for candidates to have a good understanding of programming languages that support cross-platform app development, such as Dart (the primary language for Flutter), JavaScript, and C#.

Skills and qualifications to look for in a Flutter developer

When hiring a Flutter developer, focusing on both hard and soft skills is essential. Hiring a candidate with the right mix will ensure they can effectively contribute to your project and integrate well with your team.

Hard skills

• Deep knowledge of Dart: This is the programming language for Flutter. A thorough understanding of Dart, including its syntax and latest features, is necessary for robust and efficient Flutter app development.

• Performance optimization: Flutter's popularity is partly due to its performance optimization capabilities. A skilled Flutter developer should be proficient in features like memory management and GPU rendering, which will help optimize app performance.

• Advanced UI/UX techniques: Flutter's strength in UI/UX design is significant. Developers with a design background who can use Flutter's widgets and animations are valuable for creating visually appealing and user-friendly apps.

• Plugin and package development: The ability to create and maintain custom Flutter packages and plugins is highly desirable. This skill ensures that your apps can have unique features and functionalities.

• Security and authentication: A Flutter developer should be adept at implementing advanced security features and user authentication.

• Adaptability to different platforms: Flutter developers need to be able to work with different platforms like desktops, web browsers, and mobile devices.

• Testing and quality assurance: Comprehensive testing experience is necessary to ensure the developed apps are robust and bug-free.

Soft skills

• Effective communication: Flutter developers must clearly articulate complex concepts and project progress to technical and non-technical colleagues, such as project managers and graphic design artists.

• Collaboration and teamwork: Given the collaborative nature of Flutter projects, developers need to work closely with UI/UX designers, backend developers, and other team members to ensure the cross-platform applications they build are successful.

• Problem-solving: In Flutter development, encountering platform-specific issues or integration challenges is common. A skilled Flutter developer should be adept at promptly diagnosing and resolving unique problems.

• Adaptability: With the Flutter framework constantly evolving, developers must stay abreast of the latest updates, plugins, and best practices. This includes adapting to new versions of Flutter and integrating them into existing projects.

• Concern for end users: A Flutter developer should deeply understand the user experience on different platforms (iOS, Android, and web). They must be able to anticipate user needs and preferences and tailor the application's design and functionality to enhance user satisfaction across all platforms.

Where to find skilled Flutter developers

Flutter's growing popularity has led to its inclusion on various platforms where you can find these niche-specific talents. Here are some recommendations:

• Toptal: A freelance hiring website known for its stringent vetting process, featuring only the top 3% of Flutter developer talent.

• Ideamotive: A tech talent marketplace ideal for hiring entire teams, covering a range of professionals, including Flutter developers.

• Arc: A hiring platform that aims to shorten the time it takes to hire candidates, Arc allows you to view Flutter developer profiles upfront to ensure a skill set matches your project.

• Mind Inventory: An intuitive system interface for hiring iOS and Android app developers with Flutter expertise.

• Upwork: A popular freelance marketplace connecting you with a vast pool of Flutter developers through a bidding process.

• Hubstaff Talent: Many experienced Flutter developers share their digital resumes on this hiring platform. Search through and contact developers whose profiles best fit your project needs.

• Guru: A freelance platform where you can view past work ratings and earnings of Flutter developers for project compatibility insights.

Six creative ways to find Flutter developer candidates

For even more ways to find Flutter developers, use these novel suggestions:

1. Leverage developer forums and communities: Engage in forums like Stack Overflow, r/FlutterDev on Reddit, or Flutter-specific online communities. Developers often showcase their skills and past projects, providing a direct insight into their capabilities.

2. Host or sponsor hackathons: Organize or sponsor hackathons focusing on Flutter development. This can attract innovative talent and allow you to assess skills in real time.

3. Use social media channels: Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Facebook have thriving Flutter communities. Posting job ads or searching through these networks can help you connect with potential candidates.

4. Attend tech conferences and meetups: Flutter or mobile development conferences and meetups are excellent places to network with skilled developers.

5. Explore educational institutions: Partner with universities or coding boot camps that offer courses in Flutter. Graduates or attendees of these programs are potential candidates with fresh, up-to-date skills.

6. Remote talent recruitment: Consider hiring remote developers. This widens your talent pool and can attract candidates with specialized skills from around the globe. Highlight the benefits of working remotely in your job postings to attract this demographic.

How to select the best Flutter developer candidates

Choosing the best Flutter developer candidates involves a comprehensive approach, evaluating the hard and soft skills essential for the role.

TestGorilla enables you to create a custom assessment combining technical, personality, and behavioral tests. Skills-based testing removes bias from hiring, focusing on the candidate’s talents.  

Follow these steps to find top Flutter developer candidates with TestGorilla.

Step 1: Define your requirements

Before you begin, clarify what you expect from a Flutter developer. This involves understanding the role, which might include duties such as designing cross-platform applications, testing app performance, writing clean code, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Step 2: Explore TestGorilla’s technical tests

We suggest you use several technical tests to assess candidates' Flutter skills. These include: 

• Flutter test

• JavaScript (Coding): Debugging test

• JavaScript (Coding): Data Structures and Data Types test

• Software Architect test

These tests evaluate must-have technical skills for a Flutter developer, such as proficiency in Dart and various software development methodologies.

Step 3: Assess soft skills and personality

Technical prowess is just part of the story. Incorporate tests like problem-solving and communication to evaluate essential soft skills. Additionally, use personality assessments such as the Enneagram and Big 5 (OCEAN) tests to gauge how each candidate might fit into your team.

Step 4: Custom questions

You can also add custom questions to your evaluations. For instance, you might ask about experience integrating Flutter apps with various APIs, handling state management in complex applications, or developing apps for specific platforms like wearables or tablets. 

Questions about user interface design can be useful if you want to assess UI/UX designer skills. Or, you might want to ask about past experiences working in Agile/Scrum environments if you use these techniques in your team.

Step 5: Interview and selection

TestGorilla provides a detailed report for each candidate, enabling you to select the best developers to interview. You can use Flutter interview questions to further probe candidates' technical expertise and problem-solving abilities.

Five common mistakes when hiring a Flutter developer

Hiring a Flutter developer is a multi-measure process involving more than technical skills. Here are five common mistakes to avoid:

1. Not defining clear requirements: Starting without well-defined project requirements can lead to confusion and mismatched expectations. Clearly outline your project scope, goals, and the specific skills you require from a Flutter developer.

2. Overlooking cultural alignment: Neglecting cultural add can lead to communication issues and a lack of collaboration. Assess a candidate’s communication style and compatibility with your team’s values during the interview process.

3. Ignoring remote work dynamics: Assuming all developers are equally adept at remote work can create challenges. Prioritize candidates with proven remote work skills and can effectively manage their workflow.

4. Neglecting thorough technical assessment: Skipping technical assessments and relying on interviews alone can result in hiring candidates whose skills don’t align with your project needs. Incorporate coding challenges to evaluate problem-solving abilities and Flutter proficiency.

5. Failing to consider soft skills: Focusing solely on technical skills can overlook the importance of soft skills essential for in-house and remote collaboration. Look for strong communication, adaptability, and teamwork skills in candidates.

Build the best Flutter development team with TestGorilla

Using a structured, systematic process when hiring new Flutter developers will find you better talent with less effort. 

Within TestGorilla's extensive library, you'll find a wealth of tests tailored to the unique demands of Flutter developers. These tests are perfect for gauging essential skills such as Flutter framework expertise, UI/UX design proficiency, and cross-platform mobile app development capabilities. 

Don't forget to include personality and culture-add tests for a well-rounded evaluation. 

With TestGorilla’s comprehensive candidate testing, you can make informed decisions and hire the best Flutter talent. Start your journey by trying TestGorilla for free.

To find out more about the TestGorilla platform and how it can help you hire top developers, sign up for a free live demo.