Best Practices for Hiring Top Talent: A Recruiter’s Guide

Published on
Aug 15, 2025
Written by
Juan David Rodríguez
EDITED by
Maria del Mar Agudelo
Read time
10 Minutes
Category
Talent Insights

When you start looking for remote Latin American developers, it is not only about filling a role, it is about finding someone who can truly move your project forward. That is where understanding the best practices for hiring top talent becomes essential. These practices are not abstract ideas, they are concrete steps that help you identify developers who are skilled, reliable, and aligned with your business goals. For example, hiring a junior programmer in Colombia might save costs while still delivering solid results, while choosing a senior developer in Brazil could give your team the leadership it needs to scale faster. In the following sections, you will find straightforward and practical advice you can use right away, even if you are not a technical expert, to ensure you make the right hiring decisions.

What does recruiting top talent mean?

Recruiting top talent is about more than just checking off a list of technical skills. It means finding professionals who can code well, communicate clearly, adapt to remote work challenges, and take the initiative when problems arise. In practice, it often comes down to striking the right balance between skills, attitude, and cost.

The key takeaway is that top talent isn't necessarily the person with the most impressive résumé or the longest list of certifications. Rather, it is the professional who best fits your specific needs and consistently delivers results you can count on.

Best Practices for Hiring Top Talent

Applying the best practices for hiring top talent is essential if you want to build a strong and reliable remote team. When you are working with Latin American developers, these practices help you identify professionals who not only have the technical skills but also the communication and adaptability your project needs.

Write clear job descriptions: One of the best practices for hiring top talent is to be specific from the start. Outline responsibilities, required skills, time zone expectations, and the tools your team uses. This transparency helps attract candidates who are genuinely a good fit.

Use practical test tasks: Another important best practice for hiring top talent is asking candidates to complete a task that mirrors real work, such as developing a simple login feature. It shows their problem-solving approach and whether their skills align with your requirements.

Focus on communication skills: The best practices for hiring top talent go beyond technical ability. During interviews, explore how candidates handle shifting priorities or unexpected challenges. Strong communication is often what makes a remote developer successful.

Start with a trial period: One of the most effective best practices for hiring top talent is offering a short trial, typically two to four weeks. It reduces risk and helps you see how the developer adapts to your workflow before making a long-term commitment.

By following these best practices for hiring top talent, you increase the chances of finding Latin American developers who not only deliver results but also fit seamlessly into your team.

Learn more about hiring LATAM developers through staff augmentation.

Our thoughts on the pricing structure of Toptal 

While it's not possible for us to find details about how much of what a client pays ultimately goes to a candidate, we believe clients looking for transparent and straightforward pricing may want to look at other alternatives.

Our opinion is that if they are charging a client more than $12,000 monthly for a developer, they should at the very least be giving $9,600 to the candidate, but it's likely that it's even less than that.


What Hiring Managers Should Ask Before Choosing a Talent Partner

Before partnering with any talent provider — whether Toptal, Teilur, or others — hiring managers should consider asking the following key questions:

  • What percentage of the fee actually goes to the talent?

  • Are replacement or satisfaction guarantees included in the contract?

  • How are regional salary benchmarks determined?

  • Is there full transparency in how rates are broken down?

  • What is the long-term cost difference between hiring directly and through a platform?

These questions can help businesses make informed decisions and ensure that pricing aligns with both market realities and ethical compensation practices.

Toptal vs Teilur Talent Comparison
Concept Toptal Teilur Talent
Transparency Pricing details are not publicly disclosed. Clients see a blended hourly rate that includes both Toptal’s fee and the freelancer’s pay. Fully transparent rate breakdown. Clients see exactly how much goes to the talent and how much is retained by Teilur as a service fee.
Commission / Markup Estimated at up to ~50% based on third-party reports and client testimonials. The exact markup percentage is not officially stated. Capped at 20%, ensuring that at least 80% of the client’s payment goes directly to the developer.
Monthly Subscription Fee $79/month, non-optional, grants access to Toptal’s vetted talent network. (Source: Toptal website). No subscription fees. Clients only pay when hiring or engaging talent.
Initial Deposit $500 refundable deposit required to begin a talent search. No upfront deposit required to start the matching process.
Trial Policy Two-week no-risk trial. Clients are billed only if satisfied with the match. N/A (direct matching) – Teilur focuses on pre-vetted, long-term placements with transparent trial terms discussed case by case.
Pricing Range (Developers) $60–$200+ per hour depending on experience and project complexity (includes platform markup). $6,000–$7,000/month for senior LATAM developers, equivalent to ~$35–$45/hour — transparent, with no hidden markups.
Payment Structure Bi-monthly invoices; payment terms like Net 10. Includes blended rate. Monthly invoices with clear cost breakdown (talent pay + Teilur fee).

How to Attract Top Talent to Your Company

Attracting talent isn't just about offering a good salary. To attract the best, especially in competitive markets such as Latin America, you need to do more. Here are four effective practices:

1. Make your growth plan clear.

Don't just say there are "development opportunities." Be specific. Are there weekly mentoring sessions? Is there a clear roadmap of roles and responsibilities? The best candidates want to know if they will be able to advance professionally within the team.

2. Real flexibility, not just in the contract.

Offering remote work is not enough if you require fixed hours or micromanagement. Many developers value being able to organize their time as long as they meet their goals. Tools like Asana or Notion help keep you on track without micromanaging the team all day.

3. Be clear about your culture and processes.

Avoid clichés like "dynamic environment." Explain how decisions are made, how feedback is given, and what a typical day looks like. This clarity helps you filter better and attracts people who fit in with your way of working.

Attracting top talent to your company largely depends on experience: how you make candidates feel before and after hiring. Improving these aspects will make it much easier for you to stand out from other offers.

Learn more about the best high-volume hiring solutions for recruitment outsourcing.

Why Teilur Talent is the best choice for hiring top talent

Hiring talent shouldn't feel like a gamble. At Teilur Talent, we help companies find developers who fit their team and their vacancy.

How do we do it?

  • We talk to candidates before you do. We evaluate not only technical skills, but also what kind of company candidates are looking for.
  • We keep everything clear. Our commission is fixed at 20%, with no hidden costs.
  • We think long term. Our 90% retention rate is a testament to our focus on lasting relationships.

Plus, we don't disappear after the match. We regularly check in with you and the developer to ensure everything is working well from the start.

This approach has been successful for U.S. startups that now have strong teams in Latin America. These teams work in the same time zone and share similar values. If you're looking for a simpler, more effective hiring process, this model can save you time and headaches.

Learn more about how Teilur Talent is disrupting the recruiting industry with transparent pricing.

Toptal vs Teilur Talent Comparison
Concept Toptal Teilur Talent
Business Model Global freelance marketplace connecting clients with vetted professionals in software, design, and finance. LATAM-focused recruitment company connecting businesses with full-time remote developers and tech professionals.
Selectivity Claim Claims to accept less than 3% of applicants, based on its internal screening process. Works only with pre-vetted, bilingual professionals in LATAM, selected for technical and communication skills.
Recruitment Process Multi-stage: timed skills test → English interview → real-world project → live screen evaluation. Direct evaluation of experience, portfolio, and communication ability. Matches candidates by vertical (QA, Software, Cybersecurity, Data & BI) and company culture.
Trial or Test Period Offers a two-week trial, refundable if client isn’t satisfied. No fixed trial period — focuses on long-term retention and transparent onboarding.
Contract Type Typically weekly contracts (20 or 40 hours) with limited flexibility for short-term projects. Flexible monthly agreements, allowing scalability per project scope and company needs.
Transparency Pricing details not publicly disclosed. Clients see a blended hourly rate including Toptal’s markup. Fully transparent pricing model. Clients see how much goes to the developer and how much is Teilur’s service fee.
Commission / Markup Estimated around 40–50%, based on user reports and external reviews. Capped at 20%. At least 80% of client payment goes directly to the developer.
Initial Deposit Requires a $500 refundable deposit to start the search process. No upfront deposit required.
Client Support Account managers available during hiring and engagement. Support quality varies by project. Personalized support from start to finish, ensuring alignment for both client and talent.
Developer Pay Transparency Developers are contractually restricted from disclosing their actual pay rates. Developers know their full compensation and see transparent rate breakdowns.
Geographic Focus Global, with talent from Eastern Europe, Asia, and LATAM. Exclusive to Latin America, optimizing time-zone alignment and cultural fit.
Turnover Rate Not publicly disclosed. Reported below 15%, reflecting strong retention and satisfaction.
Best For Large enterprises or teams needing globally distributed freelance specialists. U.S. and international companies seeking transparent, long-term partnerships with vetted LATAM developers.

FAQ

What are the best practices of talent management?
The best practices of talent management include setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and offering real opportunities for professional growth. In the case of developers, it is useful to schedule frequent one-on-one meetings, define clear goals in the roadmap, and encourage collaboration among peers. 

What's your secret to recruiting top talent?
Our approach to finding exceptional talent starts with clearly defining what we need. It's not just a list of tasks, but explaining what the day-to-day is like, what results are expected, and how we communicate within the team. Throughout the process, we maintain open communication so that both parties are sure it's a good match before moving forward.

Which of the following is a strategy for attracting top talent?
An effective strategy for attracting good talent is to offer flexible schedules and opportunities for professional growth. Although salary is always important, many people value being able to organize their time, learn new things, and feel part of a team that helps them grow. Presenting this clearly from the outset can make all the difference.

What is a tactic to increase recruitment of great talent?
One tactic that works very well is to offer a paid trial project. This experience allows both parties to see what it would be like to work together in real conditions. It helps to assess skills, communication, and commitment without taking unnecessary risks, and it also conveys confidence and professionalism to the candidate.

Need help with cost expectations?

Our hiring costs vary depending on the candidate's accepted offer. Use our calculator to estimate costs for different roles.

These are our recommended salaries, but clients are free to set their own rates.

Estimate cost
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Expected monthly cost

$

0

Candidate's salary
$

0

Teilur's fee
$

0

Total payment
$

0

Start hiring empezar aplicación
Median:
$
0
Min:
$
0
Max:
$
0

Client Reviews

Teilur Talent
Teilur Talent Reviews
Madhulika Sharma

Teilur Talent featured in...

"Argentina offers highly competitive labor costs compared to other nearshoring destinations. With a strong focus on software and IT services, Argentina's tech talent pool is growing, and the country is already a resource for tech giants like Google."

Teilur Talent featured in...

"Brazil offers an attractive combination of cost-effectiveness and high-quality talent. With reportedly more than 500,000 software developers and an impressive annual growth rate, Brazil boasts the largest tech talent pool in LATAM."

Teilur Talent featured in...

"Teilur Talent recognized as the top IT Recruiting & Staffing firm in Latin America, Teilur Talent has made valuable contributions towards making the IT workspace more efficient and streamlined."

Teilur Talent featured in...

"Teilur Talent is the world’s first talent development network connecting U.S. tech startups and remote developers from Latin America!"

At Teilur, Inc, we are committed to accuracy and fairness in all our content. Our discussions and comparisons, particularly those concerning other businesses in the recruitment industry, are grounded in the best interpretations made by our dedicated staff, based on publicly available information. We hold a deep respect for the unique qualities of each organization within our field and strive to offer valuable insights rooted in our core beliefs about the recruitment industry's workings. If you encounter any factual inaccuracies in our content, we encourage you to reach out to us at content-research@teilurtalent.com with the specific URL in question. Your feedback is invaluable, and we are committed to reviewing and addressing your concerns.

Got questions? We've got answers.

1

How is Teilur Talent different from other tech recruiting companies in LATAM?

At Teilur Talent, we take a mission-focused approach to recruiting, ensuring that our candidates are aligned with your company's vision and goals. Unlike other tech recruiting companies in LATAM, who may focus solely on technical skills, we prioritize the cultural fit and dedication of our team members to your company. For this reason, we do not support project contractor or freelancer roles. Instead, we focus on fully devoted team members who will help you achieve long-term success.

2

How does Teilur Talent attract and retain the best talent compared to other companies?

At Teilur Talent, we offer our candidates competitive salaries that are 2x to 3x higher than what tech companies would pay locally. This allows us to attract top talent and retain highly motivated and loyal team members. Additionally, we focus on finding candidates whose values align with the purpose, vision, and mission of our clients. This approach ensures that our engineers and tech talent are not just coding and completing task rather, they become part of a greater purpose, which gives them meaning and helps us attract and retain the best talent.

3

What are the typical tech roles that Teilur Talent recruits for?

At Teilur Talent, we specialize in recruiting for a wide range of tech roles that are typically in high demand. These include positions such as DevOps engineers, AI Developers, QA analysts and engineers, back-end and front-end developers, data scientists, product managers, business developers, and technical sales positions. Essentially, we recruit for most roles that are needed in B2B and B2C tech-focused businesses.

4

What are Teilur Talent's fees and pricing structure?

At Teilur Talent, we believe in transparency. We charge a flat rate fee of 20% of what the client pays. This way, our clients know exactly what they are paying for and how much the candidate gets. As an example: If a client hires a software engineer for $60,000 per year ($5,000 per month), Teilur's monthly fee would be $1,000 (20% of $5,000). We don't believe in hidden fees or unwanted surprises, so we disclose all costs upfront to both candidates hired and companies. When exploring other alternatives, make sure they are transparent about their pricing. We believe this is paramount for the benefit of all parties involved in this new era of remote work.

5

What is the candidate screening process at Teilur Talent, and how do you ensure a good fit for my company?

At Teilur Talent, we take candidate screening very seriously. We use a multi-layered approach to find the best candidates for our clients, starting with screening thousands of candidates from our internal and proprietary networks. We leverage AI technology to assess whether a candidate matches the technical skills required for a given job opening. We also perform additional personal evaluations to ensure that the candidate has the soft skills, culture fit, and English language skills required to excel in their new role. Our rigorous screening process ensures that only the best candidates make it through to our clients, saving them time and helping them find the best talent for their teams.