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Mobile Application Developer Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

What Does a Mobile Application Developer Do?

Mobile application developers develop, maintain, and design mobile applications for various platforms, such as iOS and Android. Working with project managers and stakeholders, they design and develop mobile applications that meet project requirements. Their job also entails making mobile applications efficient, responsive, and easy to use. Developing these mobile applications requires knowledge of programming languages such as Swift, Java, and Kotlin.

Programming skills and experience with mobile development frameworks and tools are essential for successful mobile application developers. They have a thorough understanding of software architecture and design patterns, as well as software life cycle methodologies. As well as having strong problem-solving skills, they can also work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

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National Average Salary

Mobile application developer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.

The average U.S. salary for a Mobile Application Developer is:

$104,200

Mobile Application Developer Job Descriptions

It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a mobile application developer. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.

Candidate Certifications to Look For

  • Amazon Web Services Certified Developer. This certification is for candidates who will be implementing the AWS platform, which also helps with building and running applications. The cost is $150 and it takes 130 minutes to complete the exam.
  • Microsoft Azure Developer Certification. For this certification, candidates must be familiar with basic Microsoft technology first. When it comes to Microsoft, their certifications are some of the best ones to have and impress employers. Microsoft Azure helps candidates build, manage, and deploy applications.
  • Associate Android Developer Certification. This certification is for entry-level developers who want to show they have the skills needed to work as an entry-level mobile developer. The certificate is given by Google and is considered a good starting point for those developers who want to specialize in this area.

How to Hire a Mobile Application Developer

When hiring a mobile application developer, first consider the following:

  • Recruiting: Do you have the knowledge, tools, and resources to attract and screen candidates?
  • Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid or junior-level skills and experience suffice?
  • Duration: Is this a one-time project or an ongoing need?
  • Management: Do you have the time and expertise to direct the work effectively?
  • Urgency: How soon does the work need to be completed?
  • Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?

Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, great options exist for every scenario. These are our recommendations:

1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)

The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.

This is the best route to take when:

  • You need to fill the position quickly
  • You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
  • Your position is suited for temporary hiring services, contract staffing, or contract-to-hire recruiting, and you intend to direct the work activity.
  • You are hiring an employee as a direct placement but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff. 
  • You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets
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2. Hire an experienced freelancer

The freelance, or gig, economy continues to grow, with more talent available daily. Freelancers provide high-quality work without a long-term commitment. They can offer you a fresh perspective, more flexibility, and increase efficiency. While the freelance market isn’t ideal for every position, mobile application developers are often a great fit. 

We recommend this option when:

  • Your need is project-based
  • The work can be performed remotely
  • You do not intend to direct the daily work activity
  • You are hiring for expertise your internal team does not possess
  • You do not require an employee to work onsite or follow a specific schedule

Here are some popular freelance platforms that we recommend when hiring a mobile application developer:

Toptal

Toptal is an exclusive network of the top freelance software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers in the world. Toptal vets its freelancers before making them accessible, ensuring their legitimacy. Top companies hire Toptal freelancers for their most important projects. Hiring a mobile application developer on Toptal can help you quickly get the results you need.

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Upwork

Upwork is a freelance talent network that helps individuals connect with experts in a variety of fields to accomplish project-based needs. When you have a specific, well-defined goal in mind, this can be a great path to hiring an experienced mobile application developer. If you are satisfied with the outcome you can continue to book the same freelancer through Upwork’s easy-to-use project interface.

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3. Advertise your opening on a top job board

Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice. 

We recommend using a job board when:

  • Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
  • You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort 
  • You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
  • You are prepared to respond to all applicants

We recommend CareerBuilder for mobile application developer openings:

CareerBuilder

CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.

4. Leverage your internal resources

You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates. 

A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.

Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.

We recommend these options when:

  • Your brand has great name recognition
  • You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
  • You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
  • You have an effective employee referral program in place

If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.

Sample Interview Questions

  • In your work, which platforms and tools have you used to develop mobile applications?
  • When developing mobile applications, how do you ensure they are user-friendly, efficient, and responsive?
  • How do you develop mobile applications using Swift, Java, and Kotlin programming languages?
  • What measures do you take to prevent potential security breaches in the mobile applications you develop?
  • In your work, how do you apply methodologies such as Agile or Waterfall to software development?
  • When developing mobile applications, how do you ensure accessibility for users with disabilities?
  • How would you manage your workload when working on several mobile application development projects simultaneously?
  • What was the most challenging technical problem you faced during the development of a mobile application?
  • In terms of meeting project requirements and deadlines, how do you work with project managers and stakeholders?

Need help hiring a Mobile Application Developer?

We match top professionals with great employers across the country. From filling urgent job openings to developing long-term hiring strategies, our team is here to help. Review our staffing solutions, browse our award-winning Staffing Corner blog, or call today. We look forward to connecting with you soon.

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