How to Hire Swift Developers: A Comprehensive Guide 2024

As you know, Apple products and services are popular today due to an increase in the number of Apple users in millions. Because of this enhancement, Swift developers are in peak demand to develop applications, web software, and different types of applications in iOS. In this competitive market, everyone wants high-functionality web software, so a perfect Swift developer is needed. If you plan to build an iOS application or software, you require a developer who can fulfill your unique requirements and build high-quality applications. However, the challenge is finding out how to hire Swift developers for your development software. 

Don’t worry; this guide covers everything about hiring a Swift developer. You need to understand and follow the guide, which will help you with this challenging situation. 

Facts & Figures 

Here, we consider some facts and figures to help you know some real Swift data. 

• Statista predicts a significant growth in the market share of iOS smartphones, reaching 27.1% by 2023. This translates to an estimated 1.84 billion iOS smartphone owners worldwide, a substantial portion of the 6.8 billion smartphone users. With such a vast potential audience, the importance of developing high-quality iOS applications becomes even more apparent.
• One of the most well-liked and common programming languages is Swift. Apple proudly boasts about Swift’s impressive speed, which is up to 2.6 times faster than Objective-C and a staggering 8.4 times faster than Python. This performance & efficiency make it a great and ideal option for developing captivating iOS experiences, instilling developers’ confidence in their language choice. On the other hand, according to StatCounter, iOS operating systems alone account for a sizable portion of mobile devices—roughly 27.22%—of high-level data traffic.

What is Swift?

Swift is a programming language launched in 2014. It is used for all purposes and to create innovative software designs for iOS, macOS, and watchOS. It is run on the Linux and Windows operating systems. Swift is famous for its concise learning and elimination of redundant procedures found in the preceding language, Objective C. This implies that Swift will continue to be utilized for various web services and apps. 

Why Swift for Software Development?

Apple’s powerful and user-friendly Swift programming language has completely transformed app development for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Many developers worldwide consider it for its strength, versatility, and ease of use. Because of its clear and expressive syntax, Swift code is swift, efficient, enjoyable, and interactive. 

Here are some of the outstanding features that Swift offers for your consideration; you will be sure to choose Swift for your development project:

1. Objective-C Runtime Library: Swift effortlessly combines with the Objective-C runtime library, enabling the harmonic coexistence of C, Objective-C, C++, and Swift code within a single program.
2. Open-Source: Swift is compatible with web design and implementation on other platforms, extending its reach beyond Apple products as an open-source language.
3. Generics: Swift’s generics allow programmers to design reusable, adaptable functions and types that work with any data, increasing the adaptability of their code.
4. Native Error Handling: Swift has robust error-handling functionality, allowing programmers to intercept, handle, spread, and modify errors in real-time.
5. Package Manager: Swift streamlines the development process by making it easier to create, test, and package Swift libraries and executables across platforms.
6. Troubleshooting and Debugging: The LLDB debugger allows developers to use REPL and integrated debugging tools for precise and quick troubleshooting.
7. Compatibility: Swift’s most recent version ensures binary app compatibility, removing the need to recompile code with each operating system release.
8. Memory Management and Safety: Automatic Reference Counting (ARC) is a feature of Swift that helps with automatic memory management, reducing typical memory-related problems and improving code safety.

Swift provides several more helpful functionalities besides these fundamental elements, like configurable enumerations that support pattern matching and payloads, Closure syntax for optimization, and Tuples for value groups.

Read More: How to Hire Dedicated Development Team?

Factors to Consider Before Hire Swift Developers

Prior to initiating the hiring process, it’s crucial to consider a few key elements. This not only impacts the hiring procedure but also the value of the new hires, underlining the significance of your role in the company’s operations. Listed below are a few things to consider before hiring iOS app developers.

• Portfolio relevance: By reviewing their portfolio, you can gain insights into the apps and software they have produced. This can help you identify candidates whose work is impressive and relevant to the niche for which your company develops apps, instilling a sense of hope and optimism about the candidates’ potential.
• Communication: Companies now hire workers from a distance, frequently resulting in a linguistic barrier among team members. Determine whether the possible employee is comfortable communicating in your language.
• Verify the work: At least three fully functional apps should be included in the portfolio they submit. You should assess their coding abilities in this manner.
• Work quality: No company wants to release sluggish, malfunctioning applications. Examine each submission in the portfolio to gauge its quality. Call each of the provided numbers to ensure the references on the résumé are legitimate.
• Promptness: If candidates take too long to answer calls and emails, they may continue to do so even after being hired. If this occurs too frequently, it’s preferable to back off.
• Request assistance: Make sure a professional developer occupies the interview board. This will help you hire mobile app developers to build swift applicants by enabling you to evaluate the sample code requests and other coding assessments more fairly.

Skills to Consider When Hiring Swift Developers

When selecting Swift developers for your projects, it’s critical to look for specialized abilities that will guarantee their ability to contribute successfully. Consider the following essential skills:

Swift proficiency:

The developer should be well-versed in the programming language Apple uses for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS applications, such as Swift.

Xcode expertise:

Swift application development is done within the Xcode integrated development environment (IDE). It’s imperative to be familiar with Xcode’s tools and features.

Understanding the iOS frameworks:

Knowledge of important iOS frameworks such as Foundation, Core Data, and UIKit is vital. These frameworks provide the tools required to develop user interfaces, handle data, and handle other crucial duties.

Understanding the design principles:

A competent Swift developer should understand the concepts of Model-View-Controller (MVC) and Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) design, which help organize code more efficiently.

Knowledge of APIs & integrations:

Interacting with third-party libraries and RESTful APIs is critical to integrating different capabilities into the app.

Problem-solving skills:

Debugging and code optimization require robust problem-solving abilities. The developer should solve coding problems swiftly and effectively.

Attention to detail:

Paying close attention to details guarantees that the application functions properly and offers a positive user experience. This covers comprehensive testing and bug fixes.

Comprehension of version control:

One must be familiar with version control systems like Git to manage code changes and work with other developers.

Communication skills:

Comprehending project needs, providing updates, and working with team members benefit from practical communication skills.

Flexibility:

Developers must be open to learning and adjusting to new tools, frameworks, and best practices because the IT industry is changing quickly.

When assessing developers, please consider their past work and portfolio, as well as their capacity for teamwork and deadline compliance. By looking for these skills and attributes, you may hire a Swift developer who can produce effective, user-friendly, and high-quality applications.

Interview Questions to Ask When You Hire Swift Developers

You decide whether to conduct the interview electronically or in person, though teams are increasingly opting toward remote processing. Because of the position’s technical requirements, a technical test that assesses the candidate’s proficiency with the Swift programming language and includes a question-and-answer portion is essential. 

Consider the following carefully chosen questions:

• What are the key advantages of Swift?
• Can you expand on what a Swift library is?
• What purpose do “generics” serve in Swift?
• What is the difference between structures and classes?
• Explain how you would handle a runtime error.
• Name 3 of Swift’s key characteristics.
• What does optional chaining result in?
• What different collection types does Swift support?
• What is a nil-coalescing operator?
• Can you explain what concurrency is?
• What kind of code does Swift use?
• Can you explain the difference between protocol and class? 
• Explain why a compile-time error happens. How would you go about fixing it?

Process of Hire Swift Developers

You will need to follow some steps to hire dedicated developers to build swift apps. Here is a step-by-step guide that will show you how to hire a Swift developer:

Define Job Requirements:

Determine the knowledge and expertise required for the project. Create a detailed job description that outlines the duties and qualifications.

Post the Job Listing:

Place job boards, corporate websites, and social media advertisements for the vacancy. Use resources such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and niche IT employment boards to hire dedicated resources.

Screening Resumes & Applications:

Shortlist applicants who fit the job requirements by reviewing their applications. Seek out relevant prior iOS and Swift developer experience.

Conduct Preliminary Interviews:

Schedule phone or video interviews to evaluate candidates’ communication skills and fundamental technical knowledge. Talk about their knowledge of Swift, prior projects, and experience.

Technological Evaluation:

Please give them a coding test or technical evaluation to gauge their proficiency with Swift programming. Utilize resources such as Codility and HackerRank, or make your coding challenge.

Examine Previous Work:

Examine the candidates’ GitHub repositories or portfolios to view samples of their work. Evaluate the project’s complexity, the quality of the code, and the problem-solving skills.

Comprehensive Technical Consultation

Do a more in-depth technical interview with your development team. Ask about specific Swift frameworks, ideas, and methods for solving issues.

Evaluation of Soft Skills:

Assess the applicants’ communication, cooperation, and flexibility. Consider the cultural fit and their capacity to collaborate with your current team.

Check References:

Contact past employers or customers to verify a candidate’s work history and performance. Inquire about their technical skills, reliability, and work ethic.

Make An Offer:

After making your observations, choose the best candidate. Make a compelling employment offer with information about the position’s perks, pay, and benefits.

Onboarding the New Developer:

Provide the required resources, as well as access to tools and systems. Set expectations and describe the project’s objectives as you welcome them to the team.

Monitor & Support:

Provide them with continual support and constructive criticism to assist them in integrating and succeeding in their position. Promote ongoing learning and growth to keep their skills current.

Hiring a qualified Swift developer who fits well with your team and fulfills the requirements of your project can be accomplished more efficiently if you follow this procedure.

Swift vs Objective-C: Which Language is Better?

A project’s needs, team composition, and long-term maintenance schedules all influence the decision between Swift and Objective-C. While Objective-C is useful for maintaining and updating existing codebases, Swift is a superior option for most new developments. Of course! Here is a comparison table that covers different elements of Swift vs Objective-C.

Swift 

Swift is widely recommended for new applications due to its modern syntax, safety features, and faster development time. With excellent tool support, it’s simpler to learn and maintain. You can also hire software developers to build any software for your business.

Objective-C

For legacy systems and applications that require backward compatibility, Objective-C remains a cornerstone. Despite its more verbose syntax and steeper learning curve, it’s backed by a well-established ecosystem and libraries, providing a reassuring continuity.

Aspect	Swift	Objective-C
Language Type	Modern, statically-typed	Older, dynamically-typed
Syntax	Clean, concise, easy to read and write	Verbose, more complex
Performance	Faster due to static typing and modern optimizations	Slightly slower due to dynamic nature
Memory Management	Automatic Reference Counting (ARC)	ARC, but more manual management required
Safety	Slightly slower due to the dynamic nature	Less emphasis on safety, more prone to errors
Interoperability	Interoperable with Objective-C	Interoperable with Swift
Development Speed	Faster due to concise syntax and safety features	Slower due to verbose syntax and less safety
Community Support	Growing rapidly, supported by Apple	Established but not growing as fast
Tooling and IDE Support	Excellent Xcode support, frequent updates	Good Xcode support, fewer updates
Learning Curve	Easier for beginners due to modern syntax and safety features	Steeper learning curve due to complex syntax
Ecosystem	Supports all modern Apple platforms	Supports all Apple platforms but more legacy code
Code Readability	High, maintain compatibility with older systems	Lower, more complex and verbose
Library and Framework Availability	Rich set of modern libraries and frameworks	Extensive legacy libraries and frameworks
Backward Compatibility	Limited, focuses on modern development	Lower, more complex, and verbose
Error Handling	Strong error handling with do-try-catch	Basic error handling with NSError
Functional Programming	Supports functional programming paradigms	Limited support
Documentation	Comprehensive and continuously updated	Comprehensive but older

Cost to Hire Swift Developers

The cost of hiring a Swift developer depends on multiple factors like project complexity, location, and expertise level. Hiring a full-time Swift developer in the US can average cost between $80,000 and $120,000 annually. Depending on their experience and the job’s particulars, freelancers’ hourly prices usually range from $50 to $150. Developers in less expensive areas like Asia or Eastern Europe may charge less for comparable work. You should factor in extra expenses for training, taxes, and perks when creating your budget. Investing in a proficient Swift developer can ultimately result in an iOS application that is well-constructed and effective, adding value to your company over time.

Country	Annual Salary (USD)	Hourly Rate (USD)
United States	$80,000 – $120,000	$50 – $150
United Kingdom	$65,000 – $100,000	$40 – $100
India	$15,000 – $30,000	$15 – $50
Ukraine	$20,000 – $35,000	$20 – $60
Philippines	$15,000 – $25,000	$15 – $40
Canada	$70,000 – $110,000	$45 – $120

Why Hire Swift Developers From Octal IT Solution?

Octal IT Solution is the best company for hiring the top swift developers at the most cost-effective prices. Hiring dedicated developers is a wise decision for your project but also challenging. There’s always the risk of choosing the wrong candidate, resulting in the need to restart the hiring process from scratch. Octal IT Solution offers a fantastic developers team for Swift development. Our experienced developers understand your requirements and are always available to help you with your project or communicate whenever you require it. Schedule a free call with us to learn more about how we can help you!

Final Word

Enlisting the services of a Swift developer can be a game-changer for your iOS mobile app development project. Their professional expertise can drive the development of innovative, high-quality, and scalable iOS software that not only meets your business goals and requirements but also caters to user necessities, instilling confidence in your project’s success. 

Also, partnering with a reputable mobile app development company like Octal IT Solution can provide you access to skillful developers and offer flexible hiring models that fit your budget and needs. This comprehensive guide hopefully helps you hire the best developers. So, don’t hesitate to invest in hiring resources to create your iOS app and grow your business in the competitive world of mobile app development.