11 Essential websites to find & hire Java developers?

July 11, 2023 • Hiring Developers

If you’re a recruiting manager or HR expert, you might be wondering where to go for the best Java developers. That’s what we’re going to break down for you today, with our expert tips and resources. Along the way, we’ll discover the best places to source top talent, from job boards and freelance platforms to developer communities and specialized Java platforms. Everything you need to navigate the recruitment process.

11 platforms and websites to hire java programmers easily

But before we dive into it, let’s learn a little about the role. After all, you can’t hire them effectively without knowing who they are and what they do.

What do Java Developers do?

You might be a little mystified by Java Developers and question what they actually do. This can be the case for many tech roles, especially those who work on back-end services (all the parts of a website or application that a user can’t see). And while you don’t need to know how to code yourself, you do need to understand their main duties and the skills and experience required.

A Java developer is primarily responsible for designing, developing, and managing Java-based applications and software. These back-end developers use their knowledge to help their clients develop products that meet customer needs.

They often work closely alongside web developers, designers, and others in the IT department throughout the development process.

They’ll need a variety of skills to be successful in their role. This includes proficiency in Java as you’d expect, but also programming languages such as Scala, Kotlin, and Groovy. They can also benefit from knowledge of frameworks and libraries like Spring, and Struts. Overall, they need to have excellent problem solving, adaptability, and the ability to work well in a team to be able to excel in their role.

There are lots of benefits to hiring dedicated Java Developers for your business. This, of course, includes the technical expertise we mentioned above, but also broadening your customer base, reduced software development time, robust security, and scalability. And given that JavaScript is the world’s most commonly used programming language, it’s vital that you entrust the work to experts.

Where to Find the best Java programmers for your development team?

So, now that you have a basic understanding of their job description and the benefits they can provide for your business, it is time to explore the hiring process. We’ll begin by taking a look at a few of the most popular platforms.

Job Boards and Freelance Platforms

We’re sure you’ve heard of this social media platform. In fact, it’s the most popular tool for recruiters. 98% of hiring teams use it to post job listings and source candidates. But what’s so great about it? How can it help you find the perfect Java dev?

Where LinkedIn really excels is in its search features. Say for example you need a specific skill. Well, hit ‘Java’ into the search box and you’ll be presented with a list of candidates with this skill. You can then narrow your search even further by sorting by industry, location, education, etc. Just be sure to keep inclusivity in mind throughout.

You can also make use of their tool, LinkedIn Recruiter, to facilitate the process, or Boolean search which makes looking for candidates a whole lot easier. Once you’ve found your ideal candidates, be sure to craft tailored and personalised introductions when you reach out to them.

Indeed

Moving on, we have one of the largest job boards, a platform which you are probably already familiar with. But you might not be using it to its fullest potential. So, what features does it offer for sourcing Java Developers?

First, of course, is the ability to post jobs for free. By making sure your job descriptions are top-notch, you’ll be well on your way to drawing in top applicants. Indeed also has a built-in ATS to help you sort through talent.

But you can also target relevant candidates by using their resume search tool. This is a great way to find passive candidates who aren’t actively looking for a new job.

If you still struggle, you always can make use of their targeted ads and sponsored jobs. These may provide the visibility you need to find the Java developer you’re seeking.

The jury is still out on whether LinkedIn or Indeed is better for sourcing candidates, but you don’t need to worry about this. Just know that when combined, they make a highly effective sourcing strategy.

🔖 Related read > Java Interview Questions for Developers

Upwork

This freelance platform is excellent for connecting companies and Java developers worldwide. You’ll no doubt find the right person for your needs among the approximately 18 million freelancers.

The platform has a number of features that will simplify screening and working with freelancers. That includes their Talent Scout program which matches the most skilled freelancers with clients. It also includes the website’s project management capabilities that allow you to set up milestones and to-do lists, set weekly hourly limits, offer mid-contract feedback and more. All of this protected by contracts and a secure payment system so you can collaborate with complete confidence.

Developer Communities and Forums

You may be surprised to know that there are websites that put millions of developers at your fingertips. These communities and forums belong in every technical recruiter’s toolkit. Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular options together.

Stack Overflow

This community, which is somewhat of a lifesaver for developers, is certainly familiar to anyone who has previously recruited or worked with them. They’ll often use it to find answers to their most puzzling questions, a vital tool for troubleshooting. It works like many other Q&A websites such as Quora or Yahoo Answers only the content focuses on technical matters.

Given that there are over 100+ million monthly visitors to the site, many of them developers, it’s only natural that it becomes the ideal place to search for talent. But how do you go about it? You can either search for skilled expertise by using tags, or you can use their dedicated recruiting service that allows you to search and sort developers like you would on LinkedIn. If you have the budget, their premium service certainly seems like the way to go.

GitHub

This hugely popular space where developers like to congregate works a little differently to Stack Overflow. Here developers can remotely work together, with the ability to store, track, and collaborate on projects. There are over 40 million users, so it’s another excellent place to build your talent pool.

Where do you begin? Start by making a free account. Then you can use their search tools and sort potential candidates by language, location, and followers. You can even search by programming language. Once you’ve found someone you like the look of, you’ll then want to check whether their profile includes an email address or another way of getting in touch.

It goes without saying that you need to leave an impression in your introduction, as competition for tech talent can be fierce. In any case, this platform is an amazing resource to have in your arsenal.

🔖Related read > How to Use GitHub to Find & Hire Developers in 2022

Java-specific Communities and Forums

There are also, of course, dedicated spaces where you can search for the perfect Java dev for your team. Take Reddit, for example. While you may be surprised to see the social networking platform appear on this list, it in fact is home to a thriving tech community. Search for Java and you’ll come across r/Java and r/learnjava, both of which have over 100k members. But how do you actually find talent here? Well, there are a variety of strategies, including utilizing Boolean search like you did for LinkedIn, performing X-Ray searches on Google, browsing or posting on r/forhire/ or r/hiring, and, of course, contacting members directly.

Alternatively, you could try a community such as JavaRach, a popular forum that also allows you to post job offers. While you’re there, this is also a valuable place to learn more about the role and connect with developer talent.

Specialized IT and Tech Job Boards

Don’t overlook IT-specific job sites; although having fewer users, they are nonetheless very effective in sourcing top talent. In fact, these niche spaces can often help you better target qualified candidates.

Toptal

When you want the best of the best, it’s a great idea to head to this freelance marketplace. That’s because they offer extensive screening of applicants (with skills and proficiency assessments) to ensure only the top 3% get in. What’s more, you don’t need to manually search for candidates this time as you’ll be automatically matched with an expert tasked with shortlisting developers for you. If you’re looking to save time and resources and find only the best candidates, Toptal is the way to go.

Codementor

This platform is unique in that it offers two different services: one-on-one live mentorship to help you debug and get answers to your queries, and project-based freelance work for when you need a code review or to bridge a skills gap. You can search for ‘mentors’ or freelancers by category: Web Development, Back-end, Data, DevOps & Operations, etc. You can even search by programming language (Java included, naturally). Each freelancer goes through a strict vetting process so you know you’re in safe hands. Need help for a longer-term project? Check out their Arc platform to find senior developers for full-time roles and 40+ hour contract projects.

Wellfound

Formerly known as AngelList Talent, this platform can be of great interest to both job seekers and recruiters. The difference this time around is that it is strictly focused on startups. Indeed, wellfound focuses on matching you with start-up ready candidates. There are around 8 M in total, so you know you’re never too far from that top tech talent. The platform boasts a variety of features that’ll surely scratch your recruiting itch, including extensive candidate information, assessment tools, a built-in ATS (with the option to integrate your own), free job posts, HR tools, and more. They can also handle the vetting for you with Curated. In short, an all-in-one package that can make finding Java developers that much easier.

Other Strategies To Find Java Developers

Let’s go over a couple of last-minute strategies you might not have considered before we wrap up. Sometimes the answers to our recruitment challenges are right in front of us.

Local Tech Meetups and Events

An avenue that had to be put on the back burner during the pandemic, in-person conferences, meetups, and events can be leveraged once more. These can be great for networking and gaining insight into the industry at the same time. Speaking at these events can also help improve your employer branding. There are, of course, many different types of events that may be of interest to a recruiter, from casual mixers and hackathons to job fairs and conferences. For help finding the right event for sourcing passive candidates, try simply searching, ‘tech event + [city name]’ or have a look on Eventbrite, Tech Meetups, or Meetup. Be sure to follow up with any leads promptly after the event.

Company Career Pages and Referrals

Finally, if you haven’t already, you might want to optimize your career pages. This means providing an easy application process, linking to social media pages, implementing responsive design, and working on your SEO. In short, doing whatever you can to provide a positive candidate experience. Be sure to also consider internal methods for sourcing candidates such as by leveraging employee referrals. After all, your current employees are often in the perfect position to know who would make a good culture fit on the team.