React Native brings together two important trends in software development: JavaScript and mobile apps. The first one, the most popular programming language, is mostly recognized as a useful way to create websites, mostly their front-ends. React Native changes this perspective a bit, allowing JavaScript developers to build native-like mobile apps with their favorite language.
This allowed a number of experienced devs to adjust their career paths and start exploring the world of mobile.
But how do you hire React Native developers who will really fit your project and make an app that ranks high on the App Store and Google Play? Here is our short guide full of useful tips.
The most important tech skills of great React Native developers
When working as a developer, a specific set of hard skills is obviously required. When you look to hire a React Native developer, you should search for the following skills in particular:
- Knowledge of JavaScript
As JS is the main programming language when building a mobile app with React Native, expert knowledge of it is truly a must.
- Experience with both React Native and React
Before React Native, there was only React (for a long time known also as React.JS). Unlike its younger sibling, React is a JavaScript library that is useful for creating stunning websites and web apps. As React Native and React share a number of similarities, it would be great if your new hire has some experience with both technologies.
- An understanding of native technologies
While most of the code in React Native is written using JavaScript, sometimes using native technologies is also possible or even preferred. Because of this, your new React Native developer should also have some experience in native iOS (e.g. Swift) and Android (e.g. Kotlin) app development.
- Being familiar with design and UX best practices
React Native developers often build software for users who are not so tech-savvy. This means your app must have an intuitive interface that will be easily understood by anyone. If you run an early-stage startup, you might want your engineering team to do the basic app design and UX work for you, so make sure your new hire understands the best practices in regards to these two areas.
- Awareness of tools useful for React Native app development
There are multiple tools that help developers organize their work and speed up the app-building process. When it comes to React Native, the list includes:
a) Expo - The perfect working environment for every React Native developer. It includes easy access to multiple useful APIs and ready-to-use components, which speeds up the development process significantly.
b) Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio App Center - Microsoft-run solutions for developers that cover nearly the entire process of app development, from writing code to debugging and analyzing to launching the final product.
c) Redux - JavaScript library with a React-dedicated version that helps with managing application state.
d) Bitrise - A popular solution among React Native developers when choosing tools for continuous integration and delivery.
e) Flow - Static type checker for React, developed by Facebook. Makes it easier to write code with fewer bugs.
f) Ignite - CLI (Command Line Interface) for React, including a huge number of useful boilerplates and plugins. Constantly updated.
Soft skills to look for when hiring React Native developers
When working on a mobile app, teamwork is essential. That’s why besides the technical knowledge, your new React Native developer should also possess the following soft skills:
- Being open to feedback
Nobody is perfect and this applies even to the most expert React Native developers. Learning from one’s mistakes and being able to honestly review feedback is crucial to successful teamwork. The ability to give feedback to others is, of course, also important.
- Adaptability
New software development tools are released all the time and trends change on a regular basis. That’s why adaptability in the industry is so important - if your devs are stagnant and tend to stick strictly to the technology they are already familiar with, your app may quickly become outdated and won't meet current standards.
- Good time management
Bugs and other issues happen during mobile app development. While Jira and other task management tools are helpful, the developers themselves should be able to prioritize specific features and set deadlines for their launch.
Hire React Native developers who understand your industry
Mobile apps can vary greatly from each other. While every professional React Native developer can ultimately build the app you want, one who is already experienced with your industry may do it faster and better. Because of this, we highly encourage you to review the candidate’s CV in regards to the similarity of their previous experience to what your company does.
Working on an e-commerce solution? Find someone who has already worked on a shopping app or with platforms like Shopify.
Thinking about an app for tourists? Look for React Native developers who worked for a travel startup.
Joining the mobile financial revolution? Search for engineers coming from fintechs or banks.
Make sure your new React Native developer hire matches your company culture
Many developers care about more than salary. Those who are truly experienced, who have been in the market for years, choose their next career step based on other benefits. This often includes overall company culture, as it determines how they feel at their workplace and how motivated they will be to come to the office every day.
But successful companies also look for a culture fit in their new hires. According to a report by the “Entrepreneur” magazine, at Zappos, a clothing retailer owned by Amazon, a separate company culture interview is done for each potential employee, significantly influencing the final hiring decision. Similar processes are also taking place at other companies worldwide.
What constitutes company culture? How employees interact with each other, how they improve their skills during work, the level of trust between managers and those managed, the goal everyone strives for and so much more. There's no easy way to assess your company culture to find another perfect match to join your team, but it’s definitely worth it, as you can end up with someone who will blend in from day one and stay with you for years to come.
How to check all of the above
Review the CV and portfolio that your new potential React Native developer has delivered. Ask about all the apps they have contributed to, focusing on those that match what you are planning to do with your own project. Reach out to the developer’s previous bosses (ask for references during the first interview).
Finally, ask a professional React Native developer (or an IT Project Manager with experience in RN) to run the technical interview with you. If you have just started to establish a team for your startup, use your contacts to find someone suitable to help you out.
Potential technical questions that a React Native developer should be asked are:
- Explain the differences between using native technologies (Swift/Kotlin/others) and React Native for mobile app development. What are the pros of using React Native and what are the cons?
- What is a code smell and how would you go about finding it while developing a React Native app? What tools would you use?
- What is Virtual DOM? How do React and React Native utilize it?
- What is stylesheet.create? What is it used for?
- Can native technology code be combined with React Native? If yes, in what situations would you do so?
- What is Promise in JavaScript?
- How does JavaScript IIFE work?
Assembling a team of IT experts
React Native developers can provide you with all the needed tech base for your project, but there are so many more variables that influence your product’s success. To make your app look attractive, you need a great designer. To understand the needs of your customers, a data analytics expert will be useful. And to manage it all, experts like IT project managers and product owners will come in handy.
How can you make sure the team is fully set up to make your product successful? Contact our experts at Ideamotive. who can quickly link you up with top IT professionals experienced in your industry and with projects similar to yours.
