Top 6 Ways to Assess Java Developer Skills in the IT Recruitment Market Before Hiring

The world is stepping into the feet of digitalization at a breakneck speed. The demand for websites, applications & coding is increasing & to offer an optimal user experience with a user-friendly interface more & more developers are being hired.

According to a reports the IT staffing market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.66% during the forecast period (2022–2027)

Out of the numerous programming languages available in the market, almost 27% of the programmers in the U.S. still use Java as per a JetBrains study. As of May 2022, Java is ranked as one of the 3 most popular programming languages in the TIOBE Index. The unemployment rate in the Java industry has also seen a massive decline from 4.56% in 2010 to 1.88% in 2019 & onwards. More & more Java developers are being hired by the top industries in the market as shown below:

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With the surge in IT recruitment & the need for Java developers, there is an extensive pool of qualified candidates available in the market. But the real challenge here is not just to get qualified candidates but skilled ones too. How do you differentiate between qualified & skilled talent to hire the best for your business? What skills are essential to look for in a Java Developer? Get the answers to all your dilemma listed in detail: https://bit.ly/3zc87lm

(P.S.:- Enough of the talking, let’s get to the point)

Screening Java developers’ skillset on their resumes doesn’t suffice. A lot of the time resumes may be misguiding & vague thus it’s crucial to assess the candidates’ skills before taking the final hiring call. Let’s look at some of the ways to do that:

1. Have a Glance at their Portfolio

A portfolio of previous work samples can serve as a key takeaway in mapping out the skills suitability of the candidate, especially when it comes to Java developers. The portfolio doesn’t have to essentially include an entire web page. It can be a single web page or details of any software project. Also, getting samples of their most recent work can help evaluate their skills for the vacant job role. Portfolio thus builds the first impression & forms a base to prepare for the interview questions to be asked.

2. Undertake Virtual Coding Assessments

Now that you have reviewed the portfolio & evaluated the caliber of the applicant, it’s important to test the coding skills of the Java developer. Assign them a practical coding assignment that can help map out if their skills match with what’s indicated on the resume & their portfolio. This kind of pre-employment assessment offers real-time insights into the programming ability of the candidate. Why else do you think 71% of the companies use such pre-employment assessments?

3. Self Assessment Questionnaire

Send a questionnaire to be filled out by the applicant. This kind of assessment helps obtain a subjective view of the candidate and indicates his/her ability & self-perception. Additionally, you could also include personality traits-related questions to get an all-inclusive picture of the candidate’s character.

4. Soft Skills Assessment

When it comes to modern-day hiring in a candidate-driven, overcrowded IT market, soft skills have an equal share of the cake with technical skills. Non-technical skills of a Java developer are very important to perform the job efficiently such as good communication, problem-solving ability, team spirit, etc. Test them for any of the soft skills that are important for your organization. For example: assign a small group assignment to see how he/she mingles & works with the team.

5. Situational Judgment Tests

Real-life assessments are more valuable than real life assessments. Test your Java developer skill in the real work environment by giving a situation & evaluating his/her performance based on the judgment taken. Provide a scenario that he/she might experience in the job role that you are hiring for & then assess the candidate’s judgment based on how he/she prioritizes, addresses the situation & comes up with the solution in a stressful time.

Conclusion

Thus, assessing a Java developer’s skill before hiring considerably reduces the risk of a bad hire. It helps recruiters streamline the hiring process, minimize the recruitment cost, onboard top skilled talent, reduce employee turnover & a lot more.