An introduction to hiring Offshore Python Developers
Being a popular and versatile programming language, Python is used in lots of different areas. Due to its growing demand, companies are facing difficulties in hiring Python developers, so they are shifting their focus offshore.
Python is one of the most popular programming languages and its popularity is down to its reputation for being powerful, easy to learn, and versatile. Websites, mobile apps, automation – you name it, and it can be built by Python developers.
However, the challenge here is to find the best Python developers for your need. So here’s our handy introduction to hiring offshore Python developers.
What are offshore Python developers?
Python developers specialize in using the Python programming language in all of their development tasks. Based on your need, you can hire these developers within your own country (onshore) or from outside the country (offshore).
Offshore Python developers are located all around the world, and they use platforms like Slack and Teams to communicate with their clients.
Additionally, offshore Python developers can help companies reduce their labor costs because of various factors such as living costs, affordable rates, access to a global talent pool, and so on.
For these reasons, offshore Python development is a popular choice for companies of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Why hire offshore Python developers?
Whether you’re a startup looking to build your first app or an established business seeking to expand development capacity, offshore developers can be an obvious and powerful solution.
Here are 3 reasons why you might opt to hire offshore Python developers:
- Cost savings: Labor costs can be significantly lower in other countries — without compromising on code quality. Smart companies use these savings to invest in other areas of their business, such as research and development (R&D) and marketing.
- Fast turnaround: Hiring multiple developers from different regions can help companies implement the round-the-clock development cycle, as different developers can work on the project during different hours.
- Specific Expertise: Python is a general-purpose programming language with a broad range of applications. For that reason, the right talent might not always be available locally. Hiring offshore Python developers helps companies narrow down their search for the right skill sets for their development needs.
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Essential skills for offshore Python developers
When hiring offshore Python developers, it’s important to get the right mix of technical expertise and soft skills. Alongside the right coding skills, Python developers need soft skills to collaborate successfully as part of a team.
Here’s a list of some of the essential skills:
Technical skills
- Python proficiency: Developers should have a strong understanding of the Python programming language, including its syntax, data structures, libraries, and frameworks.
- Experience with Python web frameworks: Another essential. Popular Python web frameworks like Django, Flask, or Pyramid are used to develop scalable and maintainable web applications.
- Knowledge of Python libraries: These chunks of code can be reused and repurposed for different projects, saving valuable time. Examples include IPython, Sympy, and Pandas.
- Database management: Every developer should have a good understanding of database concepts, as well as experience with relevant technologies such as SQL, NoSQL, and MongoDB.
- Knowledge of front-end technologies: As Python is used for web development, it’s important that developers understand front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Angular.
- DevOps: DevOps tools like Git, Jenkins, Docker, and AWS are used to streamline development, testing, and deployment.
Soft skills
- Communication: Developers need effective communication skills to collaborate with the team, understand expectations, and change priorities.
- Time management: Effective time management is important for meeting project deadlines, especially when developers are self-managed and remote working.
- Adaptability: Priorities and project requirements can change. Developers sometimes need to quickly learn new technologies, frameworks, and tools – that’s why adaptability is so important.
- Problem-solving: A core part of the development process. Python developers need to think creatively to solve complex technical problems.
- Attention to detail: Clean, maintainable, and efficient code requires a keen eye for detail to avoid errors and setbacks.
How to hire offshore Python developers in 7 steps
As we’ve already mentioned, hiring offshore Python developers can be a great way to access a global pool of talent and reduce your development costs. However, finding and hiring the right developers can be a challenge, especially if you’re new to the process.
Here are 7 steps for hiring offshore developers, including those who specialize in Python:
1️⃣ Define your project requirements
Before you begin your search for offshore Python developers, define the project requirements. This includes the technical skills, experience, and qualifications that you’re looking for, as well as specific project budgets, milestones, and deadlines.
2️⃣ Find reputable offshore development companies or freelancers
As with other software developers, you can find offshore Python developers in various places, including
- online job boards
- freelance marketplaces, and
- offshore development companies.
Wherever you find them, choose developers with a strong track record of delivering high-quality Python coding, and check their reviews and ratings from previous clients.
3️⃣ Review candidate resumes and portfolios
Once you’ve found potential offshore Python developers, review their resumes and portfolios to assess their technical skills and experience. Look for candidates with relevant experience in Python development and a strong portfolio behind them.
4️⃣ Conduct interviews
With a shortlist of potential candidates, conduct interviews to assess their communication skills, soft skills, and cultural fit. This is an important opportunity to ask technical questions that test their expertise and experience with Python development. Some technical questions to ask could be,
- How would you handle a large dataset that cannot fit into memory while performing data processing?
- Explain the concept of list comprehension in Python and provide an example.
- How would you create and manage virtual environments?
5️⃣ Request references
Before making a hiring decision, request references from previous clients or employers to verify the Python developer’s experience and work quality.
6️⃣ Set clear expectations
Once you’ve hired offshore Python developers, it’s important to set clear expectations and communicate regularly to ensure that your project stays on track. Use project management tools like Trello or Asana to manage your project milestones and deadlines.
7️⃣ Monitor progress and provide feedback
Regularly monitor the progress of your offshore development team and provide feedback to ensure that progress is in line with your expectations.
When should you hire Python developers for a project?
When you need Python expertise, hiring offshore Python developers is an obvious choice. Not only can it ensure that coding meets the highest standards, it can also keep development on time and on budget.
But when is the right time to hire?
Every company and project is different, so here are some common situations where it makes sense to hire offshore Python developers:
- Web app development: Python is a popular language for web development. For companies developing web applications – using frameworks like Django and Flask – hiring offshore Python developers can help supply the expertise needed to build scalable, maintainable, and efficient web applications.
- Repetitive task automation: Python is a versatile language that can be used for scripting and automation. For that reason, it’s great for automating repetitive tasks such as data processing and file management. In this way, offshore Python developers can enable companies to streamline their workflows and improve productivity.
- Machine Learning (ML:)For the development of ML hiring Python developers with experience in this area can make it accurate, efficient, and scalable.
- Data analysis: Python boasts a powerful ecosystem of libraries and frameworks for ML and data analysis, such as Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and pandas.
- Desktop application development: If your business is in need of desktop applications, you can hire Python developers who will use frameworks such as PyQt and PyGTK as per your need.
The cost of hiring offshore Python developers
As with other types of software development, the cost of hiring offshore Python developers varies. The following 3 factors influence the cost of hiring:
- Location: The hourly rates of Python developers vary depending on the location. For example, developers in Western Europe or North America tend to command higher rates than those in Eastern Europe and Asia.
- Experience: More experienced developers command higher rates than those with less experience. For complex projects, it’s often worth paying more for developers with extensive experience in Python.
- Scope: Project scope also impacts the cost of hiring offshore Python developers. Bringing in developers on a long-term agreement often comes out at a lower cost per hour than a short-term project.
Nevertheless, the cost of hiring offshore Python developers can range from $20 to $100 per hour.
Here’s a table of more localized costs:
| Location | Typical cost per hour |
| India | $10 – $40 |
| Poland | $30- $60 |
| China | $25 – $50 |
| Argentina | $20- $50 |
| Vietnam | $10 – $30 |
Note: When choosing offshore developers, it’s important to consider both the hourly rate and the quality of work.
FAQs
What is offshore Python development?
Offshore Python development means hiring Python developers from another country to work remotely on a software development project. It’s often seen as a cost-effective way to source and retain high-quality Python development talent.
Which country is best for Python developers?
There is no exact answer to this question, however, countries like India, Nepal, and Vietnam are known for having strong Python development talent and competitive hourly rates.
Why is Python so popular?
Python’s syntax is straightforward and easy to learn, making it accessible to beginners and experienced developers alike. Other factors which make it popular are its usability, versatility, and support from a global community of developers.
