Hiring a React.js Developer: What to Look For
A practical checklist for hiring a React.js developer — skills, portfolio signals, and questions to ask first.
If you're about to hire a React.js developer and you're not technical, the whole thing can feel like a guessing game. Everyone says the right words. Everyone has "5 years of experience." So how do you tell the real ones apart?
I've been on both sides of this — hired, and helping founders vet other developers. Here's the practical checklist I'd actually use, in plain language.
The trick isn't testing whether someone knows React.js. Almost everyone does. The trick is checking whether they can turn your problem into a shipped, maintainable product.
First, "React" vs "React.js" — same thing
Quick myth-buster: React and React.js are the same library. "React.js" is just the older, fuller name people still type. If a candidate makes a big deal of the distinction, that's neither good nor bad — it's just naming. Don't let vocabulary distract you from substance.
The must-have skills
- Modern React — hooks, composition, and clean component structure
- TypeScript fluency (not just "I've seen it")
- Sensible state and data fetching without dragging in five libraries
- Understanding of performance, accessibility, and responsive UI
- Git, and the ability to work in small, reviewable steps
Bonus, and the one I weigh heavily: can they deploy and run what they build? A developer who owns the path to production saves you a second hire.
How to read a portfolio (even if you're non-technical)
Forget the screenshots. Click the live links. Is it fast? Does it work on your phone? Does it feel finished, or like a tutorial? Then ask them to walk you through one project: a strong developer explains the problem and the trade-offs, not just the tech stack. If every answer is a buzzword, that's your signal.
Questions I'd ask first
"Tell me about a time something broke in production — what happened and what did you do?" "Why did you choose X over Y in this project?" "What would you push back on if I asked for it?" The best answers are specific and a little opinionated. Vague, agreeable answers usually mean thin experience.
Pricing, briefly
Expect freelance day rates roughly €350–700 for a confirmed-to-senior React.js developer, more for someone full-stack who deploys. Cheaper isn't a deal if it means rework; pricier isn't safety if they can't show results.
Hire me
If you'd rather skip the vetting and work with someone who ships React.js products end-to-end, that's me. Take a look at my projects to see how I work, then get in touch.
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