In the realm of programming, the landscape is vast and teeming with various languages, each with its own nuances and specialties. It is no secret that the choice of programming language can significantly impact the development process, and ultimately, the final product. Among these myriad languages, Rust has carved out a niche for itself, admired for its efficiency, performance, reliability, and most notably, its memory safety without a garbage collector. Hiring a Rust developer is not as straightforward as one may initially think. Here's my retrospective wisdom, a compilation of nine things I wish I had grasped earlier about Rust developers before recruiting one.

• Proficiency in Rust Necessitates a High Level of Skill: Rust has a steep learning curve. It demands a strong understanding of system-level details, such as memory management and concurrency, as well as sophisticated programming concepts like ownership, borrowing, and lifetimes unique to Rust. Therefore, a competent Rust developer is often a highly skilled programmer, having honed their skills in languages such as C++ before transitioning to Rust.
• Rust Developers are Likely Versatile: Rust’s syntax is influenced by numerous languages like C++, Python, JavaScript, and Ruby, hence a proficient Rust developer often exhibits versatility and adaptability, having dabbled in different codes prior to Rust. This makes them an asset in diverse fields, from web development to game programming.
• The Need for Rust Developers is Niche but Growing: Rust is not the most commonly used language. According to the 2020 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, only 5.1% of respondents use Rust. However, it topped the "most loved languages" list for the fifth year, indicating its increasing popularity. Consequently, while finding an experienced Rust developer might be a challenging task now, the trend is set to change.
• Rust Developers are Well-Versed in Error Handling: Rust’s compiler, rustc, is celebrated for its helpful error messages. A principled Rust developer will be proficient at reading and understanding these messages - and correcting the related issues. This capability of efficient and accurate error handling minimizes debugging time, enhancing productivity.
• Rust Developers are Likely Detail-Oriented: Rust enforces strict discipline at compile time. Even minor oversights that might slip through in other languages are caught during the compilation in Rust. This necessitates a keen eye for detail and a meticulous approach in Rust developers.
• They Will Prioritize Performance and Safety: Rust offers memory safety without a garbage collector and is noted for preventing null and dangling pointers. As a result, Rust developers lean towards creating highly efficient, fast, and safe code, diminishing the likelihood of crashes and security vulnerabilities.
• Expect Longer Development Time: The tradeoff for Rust's performance and safety is often longer development time. Its strict compiler and the complexity of its unique features can slow down the development process. A Rust developer might require more time to deliver a product compared to developers using languages with less stringent safety checks.
• Community and Library Support is Budding: While Rust has a growing and enthusiastic community, it falls short compared to languages that have been around longer. This means your Rust developer might sometimes have to create solutions from scratch rather than relying on pre-existing libraries.
• They're Likely Passionate About Programming: Given Rust's complexity and the effort required to learn it, it is often not the first choice for casual programmers. So, if you're hiring a Rust developer, you're probably hiring someone who is passionate about programming and dedicated to mastering challenging concepts.

In the grand scheme of recruiting, acquiring a Rust developer is a strategic move. They bring along a unique set of skills and a perspective honed by the challenging yet rewarding natures of Rust. Understanding these intricacies will help you significantly in your hiring process, ensuring you make the most of the Rust renaissance.