When it comes to hiring PHP developers—or any tech talent—finding the right people for the job is imperative. However, even with the importance entailed to hiring the right people, recruiters and employers such as yourself are still prone to committing these common yet often overlooked IT hiring mistakes.

There is a popular quote that says, “Knowledge is power”. True enough, knowing these tech recruitment slip-ups is your first step to rectify these mistakes immediately and improve your hiring process in the long run.

Mistake #1: Failing to Review (and Verify) the Portfolios of the Candidates

The first thing you should do when hiring PHP developers is to take the time to peruse the portfolios of every PHP developer. This is a standard procedure for any staff recruitment—be it offshore outsourcing or in-house—and enables you to have a purview of the capabilities of your applicants.

The importance of assessing every portfolio with a critical eye is often overlooked. Whether you are looking for an entry-level PHP developer or a senior PHP web programming developer, every portfolio submitted is different and needs to be carefully assessed to find the PHP web developer who’s perfect for the role.

The best way to address this mistake is to schedule an ample amount of time to carefully peruse each CV and portfolio. Keep in mind: you must have a clear job description and the technical knowledge about PHP website development or PHP development tools to assess every portfolio effectively.

After examining every portfolio submitted, check the validity and accuracy of the information given to you. Verify the candidate’s credentials by communicating with the people they have worked with and for.

Related Article: How to Hire a Ruby on Rails Developer (A Step-By-Step Guide)

Mistake #2: Not Testing the Technical Knowledge of the PHP Developers

Having stellar credentials and favourable recommendations can be convincing enough for you to consider a particular PHP developer as the perfect candidate. However, basing your decision on these factors alone isn’t the best approach.

Another common mistake that a lot of recruiters and employers commit is forgetting to test the technical knowledge of the PHP developers. Though their credentials on their papers are impressive, you need to be thorough in the vetting process.

The best way to address this is to include technical tests in your recruitment process. Testing their technical skills confirms two things: first, the validity and accuracy of their portfolios; second, if they are perfectly suited as a part of your in-house or remote team.

As the employer or recruiter, you don’t have to personally possess the technical know-how to conduct and assess the results of the test effectively. It would be more convenient if you do have some technical background; otherwise, it’s advisable to assign someone in your team with the technical background and skills to handle this task.

Related Article: Things You Should Know Before Hiring a Web App Developer

Mistake #3: Not Considering the Budget and Maintenance Costs

Whether you’re a young startup or an established and seasoned company in your chosen industry, wisely allocating resources and saving your money where you can is never a bad idea.

When hiring PHP developers, hiring managers and recruiters also fail to ask questions and clarify the facts with regards to the budget and maintenance costs of a PHP web development or PHP software development project—including the rate of PHP developers.

Whether you're hiring an in-house developer or hiring PHP developers offshore, always ask recruitment agencies, PHP developers, or offshore outsourcing agencies for a quote and compare it to your initial allocated budget.

After that, you and the other party can easily agree on an amount that would be within budget and still cover the cost of hiring PHP developers within your project’s lifecycle.

Related Article: 10 Reasons Why You Should Hire Java Developers Offshore

Mistake #4: Opting for Cheap Service Providers

PHP web programming is not an easily surmountable task to undertake. Even senior PHP developers still face challenges as the programming language continually updates and improves, and businesses come up with increasingly innovative tech projects.

When it comes to hiring PHP developers—or for any tech talent that you recruit—you should be wise with your budget. But scrimping doesn’t have to equate to potentially jeopardising the quality of your website or tech project—which would cost you more in the long run.

Whether it’s from a recruitment agency or an outsourcing provider, striking a deal for deceptively cheap rates is not advisable at all. It’s important to keep in mind that the quality of your website or tech project should not be compromised for the sake of saving money.

The best way to save money but still ensure the quality of your projects is to be thorough. Avoid the mistakes that were mentioned in this article; do your homework before striking a deal or an agreement with your preferred PHP developer, recruitment agency, or outsourcing provider.

Related Article: How do you motivate your remote team?

Mistake #5: Not Considering Offshore Outsourcing Providers

Limiting your possible prospects within your region restricts you of opportunities elsewhere that might be better and more cost-efficient. Sadly, some companies still retain the out-dated mentality that opting to hire a PHP web developer within their region is easier—with regards to logistics, management, and costs.

However, limiting your prospects within your region doesn't hold any more—nor is it wise. Today’s technology has made offshore outsourcing possible and manageable. Current communication channels are equally convenient as personally talking to another person, and the rising populace of SMET graduates from countries around the globe easily addresses any tech staffing shortage.

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