How To Get A Job As A Junior Developer

Whether you're cocky-taught, a bootcamp grad or have a higher degree, when you lot're a fresh-faced coder, landing that first web developer job tin be catchy.

You know you've got the skills to do the job. The question is, how do you communicate that to hiring managers? How do you impress at the interview phase? How do you make sure you fifty-fifty go an interview in the first place?

In this guide, we'll show yous how to get hired as a web developer. Use this clickable menu to skip to the section y'all're most interested in:

Is it possible to get a web developer job without professional person experience?
How to gain experience that volition aid you land a job
Where to expect for web developer jobs
How to make sure your application stands out (including portfolio tips)
How to network as a newbie in the web development industry
How to ace your start spider web development interview

1. Is it possible to become a web programmer task without professional experience?

Information technology'due south that classic conundrum that many jobseekers and career-changers face. Lots of employers want you to have experience, but how practise you get experience without a job?

The great news is that web developers are at a item reward hither. Because coding has so many applications and there'south and then much demand for these skills, there are a whole host of projects and ways that you can build upwardly your experience.

How career-alter programs tin can help

A lot of these examples volition be detailed more in the next department, just for at present we'd like to talk about how career-change programs such as our Full-Stack Web Development Program are designed to build on this demand and permit you to walk into a professional person job after you complete it.

Essentially, the programme is designed to give yous experience as y'all go through the programme itself. We've purposefully chosen subjects and projects which are relevant to areas that are easy to break into as someone who has inverse careers into coding.

Career-changers already take experience

If you're fretting nigh this need for real-world experience when applying for web development roles, recall that as a career-changer you already have real-globe experience. Past harnessing that experience from your previous career and combining it with the applied coding skills and projects you've worked on, you lot can develop your own personal make to impress employers.

Non convinced it'south possible? If you any developers you lot might know how they got into coding, you'd be surprised how many of them came from surprising backgrounds. At CareerFoundry nosotros've helped dancers, community managers, and Uber drivers successfully become professional person developers.

2. How can I gain valuable experience that will assist me land a job?

Fortunately for spider web developers, there are plenty of ways to put your in-demand skills to good utilise. Here's how yous tin can get easily-on with programming before you're officially hired:

Volunteer your programming skills

Volunteering is a bang-up way to gain real-world experience and add some interesting projects to your portfolio. Not only volition you be gaining valuable experience; you'll also be giving something back to the community. Win-win!

Pick upwards freelance piece of work

When you're trying to establish yourself every bit a bonafide developer, freelance gigs will help y'all to build credibility. Check sites similar Upwork and fiverr for ad-hoc projects. It may also be worth approaching smaller local companies to run across if they could employ your services. This might non be the about lucrative endeavor of your career, but it sends a clear message to employers: you've got existent-globe skills and you're ready to use them!

Become involved in open-source projects

Open-source projects consist of publicly available source code that anyone can alter—and they're dandy for new developers. Also as putting your skills into practice, open source projects requite y'all the opportunity to work collaboratively with other developers. You can notice a wide range of open source projects on GitHub.

Never cease building!

When it comes to disarming employers that yous're job-gear up, it'due south all most getting easily-on and putting your skills into action. Information technology's therefore really important to go along learning and building. The more projects you work on—be they open source, volunteer or freelance—the more you will have to talk near in the interview room.

Keeping up with projects and trying new things out is a great manner to improve your coding chops. If you desire to bring your CSS skills upwards a level, this video from our in-house developer Abhishek goes through adding custom fonts and hi-allegiance screens:

3. Where should I look for web development jobs?

While gaining every bit much real-world experience equally possible, yous as well need to come up with a solid chore-search strategy.

Web development is an extremely broad field, and there are then many different avenues you lot can pursue. Before you start browsing for jobs, you need to consider what you're looking for and utilise this to streamline your search.

Tailoring your job search

Your job search should be tailored to both your existing skills and your goals for the time to come. If y'all want to focus on frontend development, it makes sense to apply for frontend roles. Still, if you have plans to co-operative out into backend development later on, check for roles that might arrange this.

At the aforementioned time, think about the kind of setting you lot would most like to work in. Before y'all outset searching, consider the post-obit questions:

What specific surface area of web development practice you want to focus on?
Would you thrive in a startup environment, or are you more at home in a large corporation?
Do you want to be office of a small or big team?
What industries and products are you passionate about?
Would you prefer to piece of work in-function, remotely, or in a hybrid of the 2?
Are you willing to travel or relocate?

We're not encouraging you to be fussy. However, having a good idea of what you want will make your job search much more efficient.

Spider web development chore titles

We've already seen that the world of coding is absolutely filled with its ain buzzwords to learn. Unfortunately this doesn't stop at the different tools and technologies yous'll exist using—in that location's a wide multifariousness of chore titles in the field besides.

To help yous out with decoding some of these, we've nerveless a few of the more common ones and what they generally mean.

Frontend Programmer

Also known as customer-side development, these developers focus on what the users interact with on websites. We've created an article with all the steps you need to become a frontend developer. Considering a lot of their work is to exercise with building style elements for webpages and apps, frontend developers usually find themselves working with UX designers. Yous can learn more almost information technology in this guide to the UX-web dev relationship.

Backend Developer

Otherwise known every bit server-side development, backend developers work more with the organizing and storing of information in databases. If you want to learn more, nosotros've illustrated the departure between frontend and backend development using…well…canis familiaris treats.

Total-stack Developer

The final piece of the puzzle, these are developers who are expected to be able to comport out front- and backend development. Because of the wide range of expertise required, full-stack developer salaries are often quite a bit higher than their counterparts.

Software Engineer

While these terms originally denoted different roles, they are used and so interchangeably of tardily that it's e'er worth checking out the rest of the job ad to see what skills and tools they are looking for. We've created a guide to try to untangle web development from software engineering. Generally, engineer positions command a higher salary than programmer ones.

Programmer

Don't worry, a programmer and a developer are essentially ane and the aforementioned.

iOS / Android Developer

These are programmers who are skilled in working in Mobile App evolution, either Apple'southward iOS organization or the Android organisation common on the majority of smartphones and tablets.

Ultimately when you lot're looking at job ads, it'southward important to acquit in mind that the meanings behind titles tin can modify depending on country, industry, and visitor. Because of this, brand sure that you lot examine the job ad itself, to come across which technologies they are asking for and tasks the visitor is expecting. This should give you a better idea.

Useful web evolution job portals

At present yous know what you lot're looking for, it volition exist much easier to find suitable roles. In that location are enough of places to expect for spider web developer jobs. Some of the most pop online portals include:

LinkedIn
Indeed
Glassdoor
StackOverflow
AngelList
Accurate Jobs
IT Task Pro
CyberCoders
Smashing Jobs

Likewise the internet, opportunity may also exist lurking in the offline world too. Don't be shy most request your friends or industry contacts if they know of anyone hiring. If you are yet to build a network, nosotros've got more tips on that in section four.

4. How can I make sure my application stands out?

The adjacent challenge in landing your commencement web evolution job is to secure an interview.

While information technology's not uncommon for experienced developers to be headhunted (programmers are in high demand, later on all!), those new to the industry have some convincing to do.

So how can yous stand up out from dozens, possibly hundreds, of other applicants? Let'southward have a look at some cardinal strategies.

Tailor your resumé and embrace letter

Job hunting is extremely fourth dimension-consuming, and we're all guilty of firing off loads of generic applications at one time. Nonetheless, recruiters will spot this a mile abroad, and this one-size-fits-all approach rarely pays off.

If yous are serious about landing a web developer function, you must tailor your resumé and cover letter to each job you lot utilise for.

Pay attending to:

Vocabulary: Recruiters volition be skimming your resumé for certain keywords. Pick out the most important keywords from the job clarification and optimize your resumé for those exact terms. For the job clarification below, y'all might focus on the post-obit keywords: HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Design Thinking, agile development, JQuery, willing to travel.
Highlighting the right skills: In both your resumé and cover letter, it'south important to highlight the skills and experience that match you to the chore. Even if you have an impressively broad skillset, emphasize those skills that are essential to the role.
Providing relevant examples: Give generic claims and vague, sweeping statements a wide berth. Instead of declaring yourself "an excellent team thespian", provide physical examples of when you've demonstrated this.

A job advert from Indeed.com for an entry level frontend developer

An example of a job ad for an Entry-Level Frontend Developer taken from indeed.com.

Optimize your online profiles

When it comes to finding a job, your online presence can make or break your chances of success. Near recruiters nowadays will search for you online, then make sure y'all're making a good impression. Watch this video on how to print recruiters in the tech field, and keep reading for the first steps you tin can take to improve your online presence.

Kickoff by optimizing your professional profiles on sites like LinkedIn and AngelList. Make certain all the information about your skills, experience and qualifications is up-to-date, and upload a professional person photo (not a selfie).

Reinforce your skills with a curtailed, captivating heading that sums you up in one or 2 sentences. For example:

"Frontend developer proficient in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, with extensive experience in the payment technology sector."

Once more, pay attention to keywords hither: recruiters may be scanning for certain terms, so lucifer your vocabulary to the kinds of jobs you're looking for.

Finally, make sure your social media profiles are either set to individual or clear of whatsoever content that might deter an employer.

Polish your portfolio

A crucial part of your application packet is your spider web developer portfolio. Your portfolio is a personal website that should:

Introduce you to potential employers, clients and contacts
Summarize your skills and areas of expertise
Showcase projects you've worked on
Provide contact details
Share links to your GitHub projects and social media accounts

Before applying for jobs, get your portfolio upwards-to-date with all your latest (and best) projects together with the right contact details.

And call up: Your portfolio website is not just a platform for hosting your projects—it'due south a portfolio slice in itself! Go the extra mile to code in some quirky functionalities and testify what y'all tin practise equally a programmer.

To let you know what a great site looks similar, nosotros've gathered 38 web developer portfolio examples for you in this guide. If y'all don't have the time for all of those, accept a look at these portfolios for inspiration:

Matthew Williams, full-stack web developer
Josue Espinosa, software engineer (don't worry—we've created a guide to find what's the difference betwixt software engineers and web developers)

A screenshot of a web developer portfolio
Web developer portfolio inspiration: Josue Espinosa

Web developer portfolio inspiration: Kathryn McClintock

Nonetheless another way to show employers what you're made of: sharing your code on GitHub.

We take a full guide to GitHub for beginners, simply essentially information technology'southward a spider web platform which hosts code repositories. It's considered the manufacture standard tool for version control—something we can also explicate. On elevation of this, GitHub also makes information technology piece of cake to follow certain coding best practices—making it a nifty tool for beginners.

Creating a GitHub business relationship and making regular contributions shows potential employers that y'all're actively using and expanding your skillset. Non simply that: they'll likewise want to run across how clean you keep your lawmaking!

Make certain you have an active GitHub account in identify earlier you send out any applications, and exist sure to include a link in your resumé.

If you like, you tin acquire more nigh why GitHub is so important to spider web developers.

5. How can I grow my network and come across new people in the industry?

For anyone looking to break into the web evolution industry, networking is primal. It's not simply about finding job opportunities, either; for both new and experienced developers alike, networking tin can exist a great source of support, mentorship and knowledge exchange. Focus on building a solid community around you and you lot'll naturally open up up more professional doors.

If you are completely new to the field, networking can seem like a pretty daunting task — but don't worry. At that place are enough of ways to meet fellow developers without necessarily feeling like you're networking.

Take function in a hackathon

Hackathons provide the perfect opportunity to practise your skills and meet new people. A hackathon is basically a blueprint sprint for programmers, bringing lots of developers together to collaborate on various projects. You'll be working every bit part of a team, and then yous'll easily get talking to people while learning a lot from those effectually you lot.

Here are some useful websites for finding hackathons in your area:

Angelhack
Hackalist
Devpost
Major League Hacking

Nourish tech meetups

If the idea of a hackathon seems too intense, try attending tech meetups instead. Meetup.com has something for everyone, ranging from coincidental beginners' groups to more formal workshops. You don't demand to stick purely to web development groups, either; free or depression-cost meetups are a great mode to explore your wider interests, be it web design, virtual reality, gaming, or something else entirely.

Existent-life networking: A word on mindset

For many of us, the thought of standing awkwardly in a room full of strangers, trying to strike up a conversation while handing out business cards, is the very definition of a nightmare. This is why, when it comes to in-person networking, it'south then important to go in with the right mindset. Endeavour not to fixate on the thought that you are there to sell yourself. Rather, focus on the topic at hand and use information technology to constitute common ground with those around you. It'due south non about coming away with a job offer — networking should be seen as a long-term strategy. Make genuine connections with people and, over fourth dimension, your network (and professional opportunities!) will grow organically.

Join online communities

Of course, there are also plenty of networking opportunities in the online world, with StackOverflow, WebDeveloper.com, GitHub, CodeProject, and Bytes amidst the most popular hangouts for developers. Appoint in discussions, share your piece of work and keep up with the latest industry news while making valuable contacts forth the way.

A junior web developer attends his first interview

vi. How tin can I impress at interview?

You lot've gained hands-on experience, networked difficult and sent an outstanding application. Finally, yous've landed an interview! At present for the final hurdle: acing the interview and securing your first web programmer function.

When it comes to giving a proficient interview, yous need to convince the interviewer that you lot've mastered the right skills and tin striking the basis running. At the same fourth dimension, you need to demonstrate 18-carat passion and enthusiasm for the role.

To help you go started, we've crafted a guide to the most popular web developer interview questions. For now, here'due south how can you put your best human foot frontwards:

Prepare for a coding challenge or technical test

It's highly likely that y'all'll be asked to take a coding challenge or technical test as part of the interview process. Employers want to encounter that you're fully comfortable with at to the lowest degree HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery, so be prepare to demonstrate this.

At the aforementioned fourth dimension, be honest virtually what you do and don't know. If you're going for your showtime ever spider web developer role, yous're not expected to know everything. Emphasize the fact that, while you don't know XYZ yet, you are a quick learner and would be nifty to pick it up. This will earn you much more credibility than pretending to be an expert.

Research and engage

This seems like the most obvious interview advice: researching the company and knowing what they do. However, this doesn't mean scanning their "About" page and being able to recite their products and services. Employers desire to see that you truly grasp what the company does — and most importantly, where your role as web programmer fits into this.

Make sure y'all tin can talk confidently and knowledgeably almost their mission and how you tin contribute. Frame your answers inside the context of the company, and ask questions that prove you're interested and engaged.

Before your interview:

Check the company's social media accounts for all their latest news and updates.
Exercise some inquiry into the person who is conducting your interview. This may assist you to find some common ground!
Inquiry the company's industry or niche so you're aware of the key trends and challenges they face.

Don't forget about teamwork!

A big office of being a good spider web developer is teamwork. You won't just be coding behind a computer: you'll need to interact with designers, other developers, marketers, product owners, even the CEO.

Amongst all the technicalities, solid communication skills and team spirit will earn you significant bonus points. At the end of the twenty-four hours, employers want to exist sure that you'll piece of work well with others and bring a positive attitude to the role. Convey this in your interview and yous'll exist well on your way to a job offer!

Final thoughts

So there you have it: the ultimate starter pack for landing your very first web developer role. Hopefully now y'all'll feel a lot better about the direction you need to go in, likewise as how to get there.

Keen to learn more near the globe of programming? Effort these for farther reading:

What does it accept to become a web programmer? Everything yous demand to know to go started
How much will I earn as a web programmer?
What is a typical twenty-four hours in the life of a web programmer?