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Belize is a small Central American country bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. It is home to incredible natural beauty, including lush rainforests, exotic wildlife, and stunning beaches. Belize is also known for its diverse culture, with influences from the Maya, Mestizo, and Garifuna peoples. The country's rich history, unique attractions, and warm hospitality offer visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. Belize is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Belize are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Belize you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Belize, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.
Belize does not have an extensive tech talent pool. According to the World Bank, only 5% of the population is employed in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. This is significantly lower than the global average of around 8%. As of 2019, there were only 890 ICT professionals in the country, of which only 7% were women. Additionally, only 3% of the ICT workforce had level-3 qualifications or higher. This indicates that the majority of Belize’s tech talent is concentrated at the basic level. Furthermore, the Lighthouse Research survey found that 82% of the respondents from Belize had a low digital proficiency (level 1 or 2). This suggests that the majority of Belize’s tech talent is not well-equipped to meet the demands of the digital economy.
The tech ecosystem in Belize is still in its early stages of development. There are a few tech startups in the country, including Taxify Belize, a taxi booking and payment app, and Ting, a mobile broadband provider. There are a few tech hubs, such as the Belize Tech Hub, which serves as an incubator and accelerator for tech startups. The government and organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank have been investing in the country’s tech ecosystem to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. There are also some organizations promoting tech education, such as the Belize Computer Science Association, which provides tech education and training to people in Belize.
1. Belize Technology Summit
2. Belize Tech Meetup
3. Belize Technology Forum
4. Belize Technology Network
5. Belize Hackerspace
6. Belize Innovation Hub
7. Belize Entrepreneur Network
8. Belize Digital Innovation Hub
9. Belize Tech Academy
10. Belize Cloud Computing Group
1. Utilize online job boards and recruitment websites: There are numerous online job boards and recruitment websites that specialize in software development talent in Belize. Leverage these sites to post job openings and search for potential candidates.
2. Attend local tech events: Belize is home to many tech-focused events and conferences, including the Belize Technology Expo and the Belize Software Development Conference. Attending these events is a great way to meet potential candidates face-to-face and develop relationships with the local tech community.
3. Leverage professional networks: Leverage your existing connections and networks to source software development talent in Belize. Ask contacts and colleagues if they know anyone who is looking for employment, or if they can refer you to other professionals who may have access to potential candidates.
4. Use social media: Use social media networks to post job openings and search for potential candidates. Utilize platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to reach out to potential candidates and engage with the local software development community.
5. Utilize online forums: Online forums are a great way to connect with potential candidates. Join relevant forums, such as the Belize Technology Forum, to build relationships with local software developers and find potential candidates.
The best way to find developer talent in Belize is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.
Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.
An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.
An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.
1. LinkedIn
2. Indeed
3. Glassdoor
4. Craigslist
5. Belize Job Network
6. Belize Times Jobs
7. Belize Career Center
8. Belize Job Bank
9. BelizeWork
10. Belizean Jobs
If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.
1. Upwork
2. Freelancer
3. Fiverr
4. PeoplePerHour
5. FlexJobs
6. Belizejobs.bz
7. Craigslist
8. LinkedIn
9. Indeed
10. BelizeWork.com
When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.
In Belize, the average salary for a junior developer is approximately US$28,000 per year. This salary is typically made up of a base salary, plus any bonuses or commissions that may be earned. The base salary for a junior developer in Belize is typically around US$20,000 per year. Commissions and bonuses can vary significantly depending on the employer and how much experience the junior developer has. Additionally, the cost of living in Belize is relatively low, meaning that a junior developer's salary can go further compared to other countries.
The average salary for a senior developer in Belize is around BZ$36,000 per year. This is significantly higher than the national average salary of BZ$20,000 per year. Senior developers in Belize typically have a minimum of five to seven years of experience in software development, and their main responsibilities include developing complex software applications, debugging code, and maintaining and improving existing software applications. They often work in teams and collaborate with other developers, designers, and managers to ensure the successful completion of projects.
Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Belize. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Belize. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Belize.
An Employer of Record (EOR) is an arrangement between a company and a third party service provider that provides a business with the ability to employ foreign workers in Belize without having to set up a local legal entity. The EOR takes on the responsibility of employing the foreign workers, handling payroll, and providing benefits, such as visa sponsorship, health insurance, and other employee support services. This arrangement can be beneficial for companies that are looking to expand their operations or hire international talent, but don’t want to go through the hassle and expense of establishing a legal entity in Belize.
Here’s how to use an Employer of Record in Belize:
1. Choose an Employer of Record.
When selecting an EOR in Belize, be sure to research the company and make sure they are qualified to handle the type of employment you’re looking for. You should also make sure that the company is compliant with all relevant labor laws and regulations in Belize.
2. Sign an Agreement.
Once you’ve chosen an EOR, you’ll need to sign an agreement that outlines the terms of the employment arrangement, including the details of the employee’s compensation and benefits.
3. Handle Onboarding.
The EOR will take care of the onboarding process for the foreign workers, including providing visa sponsorship, handling immigration paperwork, and providing any necessary training and orientation.
4. Manage Payroll.
The EOR will handle payroll and other administrative tasks, such as issuing paychecks, filing taxes, and providing employee benefits.
5. Monitor Compliance.
The EOR will also ensure that all laws and regulations related to employment in Belize are being followed. This includes making sure that employees are receiving proper wages, benefits, and other protections.
By using an Employer of Record in Belize, companies can access international talent without having to go through the process of setting up a legal entity in the country. This can save time and money while providing a reliable solution for companies looking to expand their operations.
Across GitHub, Stack Overflow and LinkedIn, including emails
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