Hiring Golang Developers: A Practical Checklist for Businesses

In the bustling cityscape of the digital world, where programming languages are the bricks and mortar, one language, in particular, has been laying some impressive foundations. Say hello to'Go' - a language that has swiftly cemented its position in the tech industry.

A curious fact to ponder: according to stackshare.io - Go - often referred to as Golang - is not merely existing but thriving, being actively utilized by an impressive roster of 2,624 companies. This isn't just the small start-ups either. We're talking about the bigwigs - Google, Uber, Slack, Pinterest, Shopify, Twitch - they all swear by it.

So, what does this mean for your business? More importantly, what does this mean for your next crucial hire? If you're looking to keep pace with the technological vanguard, it may well mean that it's time to bring a  onto your team.

Just as you wouldn't hire a chef without tasting their food, or a designer without scrutinizing their portfolio, you shouldn't hire a Go developer without understanding their technical capabilities, problem-solving skills, and their ability to adapt to your unique business requirements.

Let's discover how you can ensure you're equipped with the knowledge to hire the best Go developers in the industry.

What is Golang? What is its Impact on Modern Business?

When we say "Golang," we are referring to an open-source programming language developed by a team at Google. This language has been designed for efficiency and simplicity, with a particular focus on handling multi-core, networked machines and large codebases. Some of its key features include:

• Efficiency: It has a lean syntax, making it easy to read and write. Its garbage collection mechanism and dynamic-typing capability make it efficient for programming in several application domains.
• Concurrency: It handles concurrency better than many languages, thanks to its goroutines and channels, which enable multiple tasks to run simultaneously and interact safely.
• Performance: With its strong support for integration and faster execution time, it offers the high-performance results that businesses demand.

So, why is it gaining popularity in today's businesses? The primary reasons are its robustness, scalability, and simplicity. Go allows companies to develop applications that can scale with their business needs while ensuring the stability and security of their systems.

Take, for example, the tech giant Google, where Go was born. Google uses Go in many of its production systems, citing ease of use, efficiency, and superior network performance as key reasons.

Another notable example is Dropbox, which migrated a majority of its backend code from Python to Go to leverage its performance benefits and capabilities in handling millions of concurrent connections.

Companies likeUber and Twitch also trust Go for certain parts of their backend due to its performance and efficiency.

Why Businesses Should Consider Hiring Golang Developers

There is a multitude of reasons why your business should consider building a team of proficient Go developers. Here's a closer look at three crucial benefits it can offer:

1. Scalability

Its design supports highly scalable system architecture, enabling businesses to handle increased workloads smoothly as they grow. This makes it a wise choice for businesses planning to expand, as it can handle the rising demands without a significant increase in resources or overhead.

2. Efficiency

It has a reputation for its exceptional efficiency. With its simple syntax and strong standard library, it allows developers to create programs that are not only fast but also consume fewer resources compared to other languages. For your business, this could mean reduced server costs, faster go-to-market times, and efficient maintenance.

3. Concurrency

The real power of Golang lies in its in-built concurrency model. It uses goroutines (functions capable of running concurrently with other functions) and channels (a mechanism to synchronize and communicate between goroutines), which make it easy to build software capable of performing several tasks simultaneously.

This translates to enhanced responsiveness and performance of your applications, which can boost customer satisfaction and engagement.

The Essential Skills to Look for When Hiring a Go Developer

As you venture into hiring Go developers, it's important to know the key skills and proficiencies that signify a competent candidate. Let's delve into the essential competencies to look for:

1. Basic Go Syntax and Structure: The foundation of any developer's skills lies in their understanding of the basic syntax and structure of the language. This includes knowledge of Go's variables, data types, control structures, functions, and more. This understanding is crucial for writing clean and efficient Go code.
2. Proficiency in Handling Go Routines and Channels: One of Go's distinguishing features is its support for concurrent programming via goroutines and channels. Your prospective Golang developer should have a strong understanding of how to implement and control these functions effectively, as this is key to building high-performing, concurrent applications.
3. Familiarity with Go's Interfaces and Type System: Go has a unique approach to object-oriented programming, with a focus on interfaces and a type system. A skilled Go developer should have a good grasp of these concepts and know when and how to use them to achieve the desired functionality.
4. Experience with Common Go Frameworks and Libraries: Go has a rich ecosystem of frameworks and libraries that can accelerate development and enhance code quality. Familiarity with common tools like Revel, Gin, or Gorilla is beneficial, as it demonstrates the developer's ability to leverage existing resources and follow best practices.
5. Knowledge of Testing in Go: As with any programming language, testing is crucial in Go. Understanding Go's built-in testing package, writing test cases, and familiarity with testing frameworks like GoConvey or Testify signify a developer who values quality and reliability.

Steps to Hiring a Qualified Golang Developer

Embarking on the process of hiring a Go developer involves strategic steps to ensure you find the right fit for your organization. Here's a simple roadmap to guide you:

1. Finding Developers

Networking events and job boards, including specialized ones like Stack Overflow Jobs and GitHub Jobs, are excellent starting points. Online platforms like Pangea, LinkedIn, Toptal, or even Golang's community forum (Golang-nuts) can also provide valuable connections.

2. Screening Process

Begin by reviewing resumes for the aforementioned essential skills. Next, consider implementing coding tests to gauge the candidate's practical understanding of Go. Platforms like Codility or Hackerrank offer Go-specific tests. Finally, the interview stage provides an opportunity for a more detailed exploration of the candidate's skills.

3. Interview Focus

During the interview, emphasize assessing problem-solving skills and the applicant's in-depth knowledge of the Go language. Ask questions about their previous projects, how they've handled challenges, and their approach to working in a team. Scenario-based questions about Go can provide insights into their practical abilities and problem-solving approach.

Final Thoughts

The journey to find the right Golang developer requires patience, diligence, and strategic thinking. While it might seem daunting, remember that the time and effort you invest in the hiring process today can result in significant returns for your business tomorrow.

As you move forward, use this guide as your compass, and may your path to hiring the best talent be a successful one.

FAQs:

Q1. How do I hire a Golang developer?

Hiring a Golang developer involves several steps:

• Finding Candidates: Look for potential hires on job boards, networking events, and online platforms such as Pangea, LinkedIn, Stack Overflow Jobs, and GitHub Jobs.
• Screening Process: Evaluate resumes for the key Golang skills, conduct coding tests to gauge practical understanding, and conduct interviews to assess problem-solving skills and knowledge of the Go language.
• Onboarding: Once you've selected a candidate, ensure a smooth transition into your team by providing the necessary training, resources, and clear role expectations.

Q2. Is Golang better than C++?

It depends largely on the specific use case, as each language has its strengths. Golang is praised for its simplicity, efficiency, and excellent support for concurrency, making it a great choice for networked, scalable applications. However, C++ provides more direct control over system hardware and memory, making it more suitable for system programming or game development where such control is critical. Therefore, it's essential to select a language based on the needs of the project.

Q3. How much does it cost to hire a Golang developer?

The cost to hire a Golang developer can vary widely depending on several factors such as the developer's experience level, the complexity of your project, and your geographical location. A junior Golang developer's salary could start from $60,000 per year in the United States, with senior developers earning well over $100,000 per year. Contract or freelance developers' rates might range anywhere from $30 to $150 per hour.