Hire Kotlin developers pre-screened for technical and cultural fit

Developers designed Kotlin to be more expressive and concise than Java. It has been widely adopted as a Java alternative for Android app development. However, Kotlin’s usefulness extends beyond Android apps. It’s a general-purpose language that can be used for many kinds of software, including server-side software.

You can hire a Kotlin developer for the same reasons you’d hire a Java developer, including mobile apps, Native, data science, and web development. However, it’s a relatively new language, so it can be more challenging to find and hire Kotlin developers than Java developers.

This article discusses how and why to hire Kotlin developers, from crafting a standout job description to asking the right interview questions to assess a potential hire’s knowledge.

What Is Kotlin Development?

Kotlin was released in 2016 as a Java alternative. As an open-source, cross-platform, and general-purpose language, Kotlin is highly flexible and can be used on Windows, Linux, or Mac environments.

Although it’s relatively new, Kotlin is one of the fastest-growing languages. In 2017, Google announced it was the official language of Android development. Some well-known apps developed with or migrated to Kotlin are Coursera, Evernote, and Pinterest.

What Does a Kotlin Developer Do?

Kotlin developers have a range of responsibilities related to developing, maintaining, and updating Kotlin applications — particularly Android apps with solid background integration. On any given day, a Kotlin developer may:

• Design and develop Android apps using Kotlin
• Use wireframes from designers to build code that conforms to the requirements
• Find and fix bugs in existing code
• Optimize the performance of apps built on Java and Kotlin
• Integrate apps with appropriate APIs and data sources
• Learn and integrate new technologies into the development process
• Evaluate and maintain code quality and usability
• Conduct unit testing to ensure high-performing, bug-free, dependable code

Kotlin Developer Salary

Kotlin developers earn more than Java developers, although the difference isn’t extreme. A mid-level Kotlin developer in the U.S. with four to six years of experience earns an average annual salary of $106,792.

While Kotlin developers in Latin American countries are equally skilled, the lower cost of living means they’re usually paid 30%-50% less than their US counterparts, with salaries varying based on location and experience. Revelo provides a cost-effective solution while offering highly qualified, pre-vetted Latin American developers.

How to Write a Job Description for Kotlin Developers

Writing a standout job description for a Kotlin developer will give you an edge in recruitment. Before you write the description, you need to know which skills and experience level you’re looking for in a developer.

Junior-level developers are still learning and require supervision. They can write code, but a more experienced Kotlin developer must review it before approval. A senior-level developer can work more autonomously and lead a team of developers. You may need a mid-level developer if you are looking for someone experienced who can reliably contribute but not lead a team.

Once you have identified your needs, you can create a job description tailored to your ideal candidate. It should include the following sections:

• Job title: Don’t be vague when writing a job title. Include the level, role, and tech stack. For instance, if you’re looking for a Kotlin developer to create Android apps, use “Senior Android App Developer (Kotlin)” as your job title. Applicants can quickly determine if they should apply or keep browsing.
• Job responsibilities & required experience: Bulleted lists are ideal for job listings because they outline duties and requirements in an easy-to-read format. Create three bulleted lists: one for essential job duties, one for required skills, education, and experience, and a third for preferred skills, education, and experience.
• Company information and benefits: Following your bulleted lists, you can write a paragraph about your company explaining why candidates should want to work for you and what perks, benefits, and the salary you offer. You can suggest a range if you don’t want to list an exact salary.

Interview Questions for Kotlin Developers

You’ll assess a candidate’s technical and soft skills during the interview. Although you may not be an expert in Kotlin, using a “cheat sheet” of interview questions and answers can help you determine an applicant’s skill level.

In fact, by being a non-tech evaluator, you may be in a better position to evaluate certain skills than a tech interviewer. You can judge how clearly they communicate details to a non-tech audience. Below are some practical questions you can ask.

What are the benefits of using Kotlin instead of Java?

Asking an interviewee this question allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of and enthusiasm for Kotlin. Kotlin was created to address the specific pain points of using Java. Some of Kotlin’s advantages over Java include the following:

• A more compact code leads to fewer crashes and system failures
• Null references controlled with the type system
• No raw types
• Proper function types instead of SAM-conversions
• Functional programming, as well as object-oriented programming

How is Kotlin interoperable with Java?

This question will demonstrate the candidate’s understanding of how Java and Kotlin work together. Although there’s much overlap between the two languages, there are some significant differences. A skilled Kotlin developer needs to know how to work in both languages.

An excellent answer to this question is that Kotlin uses JVM bytecode. Because Kotlin compiles to bytecode, there’s no effective difference.

Can you walk me through a recent project you’ve worked on?

This question will give you insight into a candidate’s workflow process. There’s no correct answer to this question, but you want to learn more about their critical thinking and problem-solving skills and how they collaborate as part of a team. You also want confirmation that they’re resilient and can pivot from setbacks and failure.

Why Hire Kotlin Developers With Revelo?

Revelo is a world-class, end-to-end, remote engineering staffing solution. We understand the challenges of hiring tech talent and are committed to helping ease the process. Our highly skilled Latin American developers are rigorously vetted for hard and soft skills. Revelo matches your company with qualified candidates so you can select the best candidates for your team. Contact us to learn how we can help you find ideal developers to join your team.