When retaining software developers, the strongest tech teams have nailed down exactly what they can do to keep their staff members content and working at their highest potential. So if you’re looking to build a team that works well together and continuously reaches its goals, developer retention is something you’ll want to focus on.
Retaining employees will allow your team to thrive as a unit while keeping recruitment costs down, saving you time in the long run. However, turnover costs can be hefty, and they’re not something you’ll want to deal with regularly.
The last thing you want is to hire flaky team members who can’t get into a groove before it’s time for them to leave. The longer a developer stays, the more they can get to know your organization and what’s expected of them.
Having engaged employees will help your business grow, so here’s what you can do to ensure your developers stick around for the long haul.
Have a Detailed Onboarding Process
Your onboarding process should act as a strong welcome for each of your developers. You want to integrate them into your company and leave them feeling excited about the role they’ll be playing in its success.
With so many software developers working remotely these days, it’s even more important to have a detailed onboarding process, as you might not be able to welcome them in person.
Starting a new hire off on the highest note will help them feel comfortable and respected from day one. Take a look at your current onboarding process and ask yourself these questions:
- Am I ensuring my developer feels welcome and can ask questions?
- Am I providing clear guidelines for their responsibilities?
- Do they know how they can succeed in their role?
- Do they have access to all of the tools and resources they need?
Speaking with current employees about their onboarding experience is a helpful way to gather feedback and update your process. Your onboarding should be a positive experience that gives remote developers a sense of belonging from the very beginning.
Provide Constructive Feedback
If your developers don’t feel supported or fulfilled, chances are, they’re going to walk out the door sooner than you’d like them to. To prevent this from happening, think about how you provide feedback to your employees.
The more you’re able to help them, the more comfortable they’ll feel asking questions and ensuring they do their job right – the first time. So be detailed in your assignments as soon as onboarding begins, and remember to let them know you’re there to help them improve.
When your remote developers know that you want them to grow, they’ll be more apt to want to do so alongside your entire time.
Invest in Company Culture
Company culture plays a significant factor in developer retention. Providing flexibility, a comfortable environment, and prioritizing a work/life balance is crucial so that employees feel motivated to stick around.
Implement an open-door policy so that each of your team members knows they can speak with those leading your organization should they ever feel the need to do so. Make time to sit down with all of your remote developers at least quarterly, checking in on their progress and what you can do to help them succeed.
As a manager, your job is to keep your team running like a well-oiled machine. This means being there for them and ensuring they have the right support system to get their job done.
Invest in Their Careers
Getting the most out of your remote team means you’ll need to put the most in. Are you currently investing in the careers of your software developers? What can you do to help them grow?
Show them you’re there to aid them in their career development, whether it’s providing them with updated training or specializations that will foster their growth. Provide excellent pay and think about how you can maintain a healthy work/life balance.
Those quarterly check-ins we touched on earlier are an excellent time for you to talk career goals with each of your developers, making a note of how you can propel them forward.
Provide 1:1 Support
An email here and there isn’t going to be enough to keep your developers motivated to do their best work. If your schedule doesn’t allow it, make sure your employees have someone they can talk to should they need 1:1 support.
This personal support makes team members feel comfortable, as they understand that there’s someone there to help them at all times. Monthly team meetings won’t cut it anymore – high-quality developers are looking for an organization that can help them thrive instead of just expecting them to do their job and stay silent.
Welcome Feedback
Just as you should be providing your software developers with feedback, they should provide you with the same. If you’re going to improve as a company, feedback will be essential.
Sometimes, remote developers can feel cut off from the rest of the organization, as they might never be coming into an office environment. In this case, you’ll need to put forth an adequate amount of effort to include them and welcome their feedback.
Facilitate open communication and address any issues as soon as they present themselves, rather than waiting until a problem grows. A skilled project manager will accept feedback and implement changes that allow all developers to feel comfortable and confident in their position.
Minimize Distractions
Your developers aren’t going to feel as though they can get their work done should they be pulled in different directions day in and day out. Stripping down the noise and side projects and allowing them to stay in their zone of genius will help them be more productive.
Yes, it’s natural to have project changes and updates, but talk about these openly with your software developers and remind them that their feedback will allow both of you to work at your best. Keep your team focused by making sure each developer sticks to their responsibilities and doesn’t feel like they need to be a juggling act.
Recognize Their Hard Work
One of the best ways to retain employees is by recognizing the hard work they’re putting in. Let your developers know that you appreciate them and commend them for each job well done.
Whether you establish a rewards system or simply recognize each of your employees regularly, small acts like this work wonders for morale. If you want to retain your developers, let them know that they’re an integral part of your organization.
Retaining your strongest team members is an obvious yet often ignored thing for businesses to prioritize. However, with the right onboarding and proper systems in place, you can boost the retention of your software developers.
If you’re struggling even to find top talent, that’s what CodersLink is here for. Our experts have helped companies just like yours operate and improve their remote development teams.
Let this be the year you build an inclusive, productive team that works together to meet your company’s goals. Send us a message today to get started and learn more about how to attract and retain the best developers.
