The idiosyncratic world of Perl development possesses a certain mystique, one that might initially appear complex and overwhelming to the uninitiated. However, having navigated through this enigmatic landscape, I have gleaned valuable insights that I wish I had grasped prior to onboard my first Perl coder. These insights, of course, are not prescriptive formulae but rather heuristic guidelines that might serve to steer your decision-making process in the right direction.

• Understanding the Perl philosophy: Perl, an acronym for Practical Extraction and Report Language, epitomizes the "there's more than one way to do it" philosophy. This flexibility means that Perl developers are often atypical programmers, favoring creative, innovative approaches to problem-solving. It's essential to understand this mindset before hiring a Perl developer, as it necessitates a work environment that encourages and rewards creative thinking.

• Perl’s relevance in today's development landscape: Despite being a relatively older language (first appearing in 1987), Perl remains relevant in the contemporary programming milieu. Its power in handling regular expressions, text manipulation, and various scripting tasks make it a staple in sectors like Bioinformatics. The codebase of many longstanding companies often has Perl interspersed throughout, resulting in steady demand for Perl developers.

• Specialized, not obsolete: Tied to the previous point, Perl has a reputation of being an obsolete language. Although it's not as trendy as Python or JavaScript, it has its niche where it outperforms other languages. Hiring a Perl developer is not an exercise in technological antiquarianism, but rather a strategic decision to leverage the distinct strengths of this unique language.

• Perl community: The Perl community, albeit smaller than some other languages, is committed and deeply engaged. Perl's CPAN (Comprehensive Perl Archive Network) is a robust resource, housing a plethora of modules written by Perl developers. Hiring a Perl developer is akin to tapping into an entire community's collective intellect.

• Perl's learning curve: Perl is infamous for its steep learning curve due to its syntactic flexibility. This means that Perl developers are likely to be highly skilled and experienced programmers, having mastered the art of navigating through this complex language.

• Cost-effectiveness: Perl developers, given their relatively rare skill set, may command higher remuneration. However, they can potentially deliver superior value due to Perl’s power and efficiency in the right contexts.

• Perl’s role in web development: Perl was instrumental in the early days of the web. While it may not be the go-to language for modern web development, frameworks like Catalyst and Dancer make Perl a viable option for specific web applications.

• Perl 5 Vs. Perl 6: Perl 6, now known as Raku, is not a direct upgrade of Perl 5. They are distinct languages that coexist. Be crystal clear about which version of Perl your project requires before you hire a developer.

• Maintenance and optimization: Perl’s flexibility can lead to 'write-only' code, i.e., code that can be written but is difficult to read and maintain. It's essential to hire Perl developers who prioritize clean, maintainable code.

As with any hiring decision, context is key. Hiring a Perl developer does not merely entail acquiring a set of technical skills; it involves embedding into your team a philosophy, a community, and a unique way of tackling problems. Appreciate the distinctive nature of the Perl ecosystem, and you'll be well on your way to making informed, effective hiring decisions.