How To Hire A Java Developer

Java acts as the backbone for large-scale enterprise applications. It enables developers to create robust and scalable server-side applications, handle complex business logic, and manage data processing efficiently. Java's versatility extends beyond server-side development. It is also used for desktop applications, Android mobile app development, enterprise software, and even embedded systems, making it a versatile language with a broad range of applications.

Java has a wide range of tools and resources that make software development easier and faster. Java developers use popular frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, and GWT, which come with pre-built components and design patterns. These ready-to-use elements help developers work efficiently and save time by reusing existing code. This abundance of resources allows Java developers to create powerful and scalable applications without much hassle.

Java Developers: Why are they needed?

Java developers are in demand due to the language's versatility and wide range of applications. They play a vital role in building robust server-side applications, creating Android mobile apps, and developing feature-rich web applications.

With Java's strong ecosystem and reputation for stability, businesses rely on Java developers to maintain critical systems and deliver reliable solutions. As the popularity of Java persists, the need for skilled Java developers continues to grow, making them a valuable asset in the software development industry.

Skills required

  • Java systems
  • Core Java skills
  • Libraries and Frameworks
  • HTML, JQuery, CSS, and SQL
  • Java Testing Tools
  • Java Build Tools
  • Jenkins, Kubernetes, and Docker

Job titles

  • Java Engineer
  • Full-Stack Java Developer
  • Junior Java Developer
  • Back-End JavaScript Developer
  • Android Developer
  • Java Architect

How to Search for Java Developers

LinkedIn

With thousands of professionals and technical experts it’ll be easier to look for a java developer that fits in your team.


While searching on Google, use Boolean operators like "AND," "OR," and "NOT" to refine your search. For example, "Java developer" AND Spring will show results related to Java developers with experience in the Spring framework.


Some of the most popular LinkedIn communities where you can find Java developers are Java Developers Community, Developers, Embedded Java Developer’s Network and Full Stack Developer. These communities will make it easier for you to hire Java developers.

Online job boards

Post job openings on LinkedIn, Naukri, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Stack Overflow Jobs to find Java developer who has all the skills your project requires.

Developer communities and forums

Engage with Java developers on platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, Coderanch, and other Java-related forums. These are good platforms to find genuine Java developers.

Tech conferences and meetups

Attend Java and software development-based events to network with talented developers. Search for the upcoming regional or global Java Developers conferences online. Interacting with the developers can help you hire a Java developer who is best fit for your project needs.

HackerEarth hiring challenges

Sponsor online coding challenges to find competitive developers. For instance, Verifone partnered with HackerEarth to run the Lead Java Developer Hiring Challenge 2022 to hire talents for the role of Lead Java Developer.

Open source communities

Engage with active contributors in Java-related open source projects such as Java Design Patterns. There are several other popular and active repos such as Arduino and Java-based games such as Mindustry. It can help you find good developer portfolios and help you hire Java developer that can work well with the team.

Online learning platforms

Connect with Java enthusiasts on online learning platforms like Udemy and Coursera. Hire Java developer who best fits your project needs and is willing to learn and grow.

Local universities and coding boot camps

Collaborate with local academies and educational institutions to find aspiring Java developers and hire the best candidate.

Social media channels

To hire a Java Developer, you can also use platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to post openings. You can engage with Java Developer communities such as The Java Specialists, a Slack community with over ten thousand members and hire Java developer with the best technical skills.

Referrals and employee networks

Promote employee referrals and leverage existing networks to gather recommendations in order to hire Java developer with the right skillset.

Lightbulb Pro-Tip

Reddit is a great place to look for various Java-related communities, including r/java, r/learnjava, r/JavaFX, r/JavaProgramming, and r/programming, etc. You can also join the Java Community on Discord with thousands of members.

Java Developer Hiring Assessment

The most common assessment framework for Java Developers on HackerEarth includes

A combination of technical evaluations, coding exercises, and behavioral assessments. Here are some common components of the assessment framework:

Code completion task

In the process of hiring a Java developer, code completion tasks are very crucial. They assess a candidate's understanding of syntax and their ability to write correct and well-formed code. It can also help gauge their understanding of Java libraries and tools. Therefore, you should include questions that will help you hire a Java developer that best fits in your team.

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

The Java developer hiring assessment should include MCQs that tests technical knowledge of Java-language concepts, language features, and best practices. These MCQs can help in evaluating a developer's understanding of Java fundamentals.

Project-Specific Questions

You can also include project-specific questions to assess a candidate's knowledge during the Java developer interview assessment. It can vary depending on your requirements. For example, knowledge of Spring framework, Hibernate, or Apache Kafka. Hire Java developer that not only has fundamental knowledge but practical skills as well.

Language-specific questions

To hire Java developer for your project, it's important to ask very basic and technical questions. You can include questions related to Object Oriented Programming, Data structure and Algorithms etc. It can help you assess the candidate’s knowledge and skill sets.

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Steps to Create a Java Developer Assessment on HackerEarth

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  2. Add questions from our library and create a test
  3. Send invites to candidates
  4. Evaluate our AI-assisted report and shortlist candidates

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Sample Questions to Ask a Java Developer

  • Write a Java program to check if the given number is a prime number.
  • Write a Java program to check if a list of integers contains odd numbers.
  • Write a Java program to reverse a linked list.
  • Implement a binary search in Java.

  • Which of the following cannot be used as a variable name in Java?
    1. Keyword
    2. Identifier
    3. Identifier & Keyword
    4. None of the above

  • Which of the following is not an OOPS concept in Java?
    1. Inheritance
    2. Compilation
    3. Encapsulatio
    4. Polymorphism

  • Which of the following is a superclass of every class in Java?
    1. Object class
    2. Abstract class
    3. ArrayList
    4. String

  • What are the Spring Boot key components?
  • Why is Spring Boot better than Spring?
  • List some of the most common Spring Boot CLI commands.
  • What is the default port of tomcat in Spring Boot?
  • For open-source web frameworks, how do you compare Django and Spring Boot?

  • While designing the Access Layer of the web application, what are the things that you would need to consider?
  • What kind of things do you need to consider while designing the Business Layer of a Java EE web application?
  • Explain the Architecture of Java J2EE.
  • Describe some essential elements of the Hibernate Architecture.
  • What are the main differences between Abstract Class and Interface in Java?

File Note

These sample questions provided here are for interviewing early-experience talents. For more customized assessments for candidates with higher experience, you can contact our team at contact@hackerearth.com or request a demo here.

Guidelines for Writing Job Description for Java Developers

Job title

A Java Developer job description should begin with a clear and concise job title that reflects the role, such as "Java Developer", "Java Engineer", "Java Programmer", "Backend Java Developer", or "Java Architect". Hire Java developer who is not only a good programmer but also has practical skills.

Job Summary

Provide a brief overview of the position, clarifying the key responsibilities and objectives. Describe what the role's primary focus is and how it contributes to the company's goals. It will help you hire Java developer who is aware of those key points beforehand.

Responsibilities

The Java Developer job description should outline the specific tasks and responsibilities that the developer will be expected to handle. This may include:

  • Writing clean, efficient, and maintainable Java code.
  • Developing and maintaining software applications using Java frameworks and libraries.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
  • Conducting code reviews and ensuring adherence to coding standards.
  • Participating in the entire software development lifecycle, including design, development, testing, and deployment.

Before you hire Java developer it's important to consider all these points.

Skills and qualifications

List the essential Java developer skills and qualifications that candidates must possess, including, but not restricted to:

  • Proficiency in Java Systems and frameworks (e.g., Spring, Hibernate, Spring Boot, Apache Struts, Google web toolkit).
  • Experience with web technologies like HTML5, JQuery, and CSS3.
  • Knowledge of Java web frameworks like Spring.
  • Ability to identify and fix bugs in Java code using debugging tools.
  • Solid understanding of SQL, and Java Database Connectivity (JDBC).

These skills can vary depending on you project requirement, therefore it's important to list what you need in order to find Java developer that best fits that criteria.

Preferred skills

Mention any additional Java developer skills or qualifications that would be beneficial but not mandatory for the role. The Java developer job description can also include experience with specific tools, libraries, or domains.

Education and experience

Specify the educational background and professional experience required for the position. This could range from a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field to several years of relevant experience. These are important points that need to be considered in order to hire Java developer who has all the qualifications that the job requires.

Company culture and EVPs

Briefly highlight your company's culture, values, and any unique perks or benefits offered to employees that can help attract candidates who align with your company's ethos. It will help you hire Java developer who not only has technical skills but can also work well in the team.

Application instructions

A Java developer job description should provide instructions on how candidates can apply for the position. Include details such as where to send their resume, portfolio, or other required documents. Also, specify the deadline for applications, if applicable.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Include a statement affirming that your company is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. By including these elements in your Java developer job description, you can attract a more diverse set of applicants.

Lightbulb Pro tip

You can always make your job descriptions more gender-neutral by following simple steps like using gender-neutral pronouns like ‘they/them’. It is also a good practice to map your developer persons to your job profiles before you post an open role.

Download our guide for writing better developer personas

How to Conduct Java Developer Job Interview

Skill-first hiring requires that the developer interview process be designed to understand the candidate’s skill and experience in the given domain. You can consider the following guidelines when conducting a face-to-face interview with a Java developer:

Conduct a real-time technical assessment

The interviewee would most likely have completed a take-home assessment before the interview. However, using the interview platform to assess skills in real time will tell you a lot about the candidate’s communication skills and thought process which is crucial when hiring a Java developer.

FaceCode is HackerEarth’s flagship tech interview platform with a built-in question library you can use to test the candidate’s knowledge of Java programming concepts, data structures, algorithms, and libraries/frameworks they claim to be familiar with. The built-in IDE environment can be used for assessing their ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code. You can also use the pair-programming method to observe their problem-solving approach, logical thinking, and attention to detail.

Learn how Facecode can make tech interviews easier

Understand the candidate’s project experience and review the portfolio

During the Java developer interview assessment you can talk about past or current projects the candidate has worked on. Ask about their work experience and contributions focusing on the job requirements. Before hiring a Java developer, ask them to describe a Java project they worked on and their specific role and responsibilities. Also check their portfolio or code samples, if available, to assess their coding style, documentation practices, and overall quality of work.

Understand if they are a good culture and team fit

Hiring a java developer with good technical skills is essential. But the significance of cultural fit should not be overlooked. Hire Java developer with not only exceptional coding abilities but also effective communication and collaboration skills to thrive in agile and collaborative environments. The ideal candidate must possess not only accurate coding abilities but also effective communication and collaboration skills to thrive in agile and collaborative environments. Evaluating a candidate's capability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team is crucial. This assessment provides valuable insights into the candidate's problem-solving skills, communication, and adaptability, helping to determine their fit for the role and the team dynamics.

Additionally, this evaluation offers engineering managers a chance to exhibit their team culture and values, enabling them to find a candidate who aligns well with the team's ethos.

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FAQs

The top candidates should have a strong command of Java fundamentals, including object-oriented programming, data structures, and multithreading. They should have experience working on successful Java projects and demonstrated their ability to tackle complex tasks effectively. Expertise in popular frameworks like Spring and Hibernate is also very essential. Their web development skills should include technologies like Servlets, JSP, and RESTful APIs. Proficient in database management and testing, they prioritize clean and secure coding practices. You can also take the help of a Java developer interview assessment to filter good candidates.

It's not always necessary for candidates to have experience in all necessary frameworks. While it can be advantageous, prioritizing candidates with a solid Java foundation and expertise in at least one relevant framework is practical. Look for candidates with a willingness to learn, transferable skills, and a good cultural fit. Consider the project requirements, team composition, and long-term growth potential to find the best fit for your organization.

While hiring a java developer recruiters should look for candidates with strong database connectivity skills, particularly in JDBC, CRUD operations, SQL queries, and efficient connection management. Familiarity with ORM frameworks like Hibernate is a plus. Candidates with prior experience in NoSQL databases, data modeling, and database security are valuable. Additionally, considering candidates who show a willingness to learn and quick adaptability is beneficial, as they can enhance their expertise on the job.

Java developers should be familiar with important design patterns like Singleton, Factory, Observer, Builder, Adapter, and Decorator. Additionally, knowledge of architectural concepts such as MVC, Dependency Injection (DI), Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), Microservices, Layered Architecture, and Event-Driven Architecture (EDA) is essential. These patterns and concepts help developers build efficient, modular, and maintainable Java applications, solving common software design challenges effectively.