Hire Ruby on Rails developers pre-screened for technical and cultural fit

Ruby on Rails developers build high-powered but lightweight platforms using the Ruby programming language and the Ruby on Rails framework. Ruby on Rails made quite a splash when it was first introduced, but it hasn’t quite gained the same popularity as more well-known languages like Python.

However, because developers can use Ruby on Rails to build platforms much faster than in other languages — and time to market is a huge consideration for many development teams — Ruby on Rails developers are still in high demand. Given the more limited talent pool, you’ll likely have to put some real effort into attracting and vetting Ruby on Rails developers.

This article will discuss what Ruby on Rails developers do, the skills they should possess, and their salary requirements. It will also provide information on how to write an effective job description and helpful interview questions thahelp distinguish developers who stand out.

What Is Ruby on Rails Development?

Despite what its name might suggest, Ruby on Rails isn’t a theme park ride. However, it does deliver speed and power. Ruby on Rails is a framework for the Ruby programming language. Ruby is already a simple, elegant language that lets developers build complex applications faster.

Ruby on Rails makes Ruby even faster by providing conventions for handling stateful data, asset management, routing, and other common tasks. These upfront solutions save developers time when they’re building applications.

Many well-known brands use Ruby on Rails in their applications, including Shopify, Crunchbase, Dribble, and GitHub. Although it has many advantages, Ruby on Rails is short in some areas, making it less than ideal for applications that need fast runtime speed, such as gaming.

What Does a Ruby on Rails Developer Do?

Ruby on Rails developers are usually responsible for building the back end of web applications and connecting their builds with other back-end web services. They also support front-end developers by ensuring the two seamlessly connect.

At the junior level, Ruby on Rails developers will mainly be testing and debugging code, and may be responsible for writing some components. However, they’ll need a lot of support and mentoring, as they’re still learning.

Senior-level developers often spend more time meeting with stakeholders, problem-solving, and leading teams than writing code, although they won’t stop completely. Their leadership skills are as just as critical as their technical skills.

Ruby on Rails Developer Salary

Back-end software developers in almost all languages command premium salaries. You can expect to pay a mid-level Ruby on Rails developer in the US with four to six years of experience an average annual salary of $99,075. This is in line with what other back-end developers in the US make.

While Ruby on Rails 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 Ruby on Rails Developers

You can get a jump on hiring the best Ruby on Rails developer by spending some extra time crafting a thorough job description. It should include the following elements:

• Job title: Your job title should be short and precise. Don’t advertise for a software developer or even a back-end developer. Instead, be specific and advertise for a “Senior Ruby on Rails Developer.”
• Job description: Briefly describe the role you’re hiring for — one or two sentences are plenty. Then make a bulleted list of job duties and another for education and experience. Make it skimmable to avoid getting overlooked.
• Job duties: Create a bulleted list of the responsibilities associated with the role.
• Required qualifications and experience: Include a bulleted list of skills needed, such as proficiency with Ruby and Ruby on Rails, as well as work experience.
• Company information: Write a paragraph about your company, including its culture, what makes it great or sets it apart, and the benefits you offer.

It’s a good idea to include the level you’re hiring for in addition to the specific tech stack you want. If you’re looking for someone to do testing, debugging, and elementary coding, go with a junior-level developer. If you want someone to help design the software and lead other developers, they’ll need plenty of experience. Finally, wrap it up with specific directions about how to apply.

Check out our comprehensive Ruby on Rails job description guide for more in-depth advice about posting job listings.

Interview Questions for Ruby on Rails Developers

If your expertise is in management rather than Ruby on Rails development, you might feel like you’re in over your head when interviewing for technical roles. However, there are fundamental questions you can ask that will make it apparent whether your candidate is qualified, even if you don’t know a bit from a byte.

Tell me about Ruby on Rails.

You may not understand all of the technical details your candidate gives you, but you can still learn a lot about them from their answer. How are they at communicating technical concepts to laypeople?

The better someone understands a concept, the simpler their language will be. You should come away with a basic understanding of Ruby on Rails instead of scratching your head.

Walk me through a recent project.

Your candidate should be prepared for this question because it’s relatively common, so set the bar high. A developer at any skill level should have a lot to say about their recent work. Junior-level developers may discuss school or personal projects, while senior-level developers can discuss their leadership positions.

Software engineering — really, any type of engineering — is an iterative process. The first solution rarely works as expected. Being able to “fail fast” and regroup is a vital skill for developers. Their answer to this question should include examples of their iterative process. You should also look for evidence of empathy in the design process and the ability to deal with setbacks.

What is MVC in Ruby on Rails?

The other questions were open-ended and could include various correct answers. This question is more technical and has a definite right answer. It won’t guarantee a candidate’s ability, but if they aren’t able to provide a comprehensive explanation, you can safely move on.

MVC stands for model-view-controller. It’s the architectural pattern that Ruby on Rails is built on. The MVC pattern separates software components into the following three parts:

• Models to handle business logic and data
• Controllers to handle the user interface and application
• Views to handle the graphical user interface objects and the presentation

The MVC framework lets developers work on different parts of a project simultaneously, leading to faster development times.

Why Hire Ruby on Rails Developers With Revelo?

If you’d like more hands-on help hiring Ruby on Rails developers, working with a talent development partner like Revelo can help. We provide solutions at all phases of sourcing and hiring developers. Reach out today to learn how we can help you build a successful team.

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