Front End Developer Requirements

Front End Developers are responsible for building the front end, or user-side, of websites and web applications. Responsibilities for Front End Developers include updating websites to meet current standards, creating prototypes from wireframes, and designing the look of a website or app to provide a satisfying appearance that fits the requirements dictated by an employer or client. A Front End Developer must also understand the fundamentals of web development and possess a high-level understanding about which technologies best fit front end web design and development.

While many Front End Developers have four-year computer science degrees, thorough coding knowledge and experience can also qualify a person for the profession without needing a college degree. Individuals can make themselves more marketable by demonstrating proficiency with skills in coding and programming languages like HTML, CSS, C#, JavaScript, and SQL, which are required for working in front end web development. Methods for gaining employment as a Front End Developer include getting certifications or possessing a portfolio displaying projects that may appeal to potential employers. Front End Developers usually work with Back End Developers, Designers, Project Managers, and Product Managers among others. In a nutshell, duties for Front End Developers include building, maintaining, and troubleshooting websites, apps, and other web-related platforms.

Front End Developers should also possess strong time management skills, the ability to communicate well with colleagues, and exhibit good business sense. Front End Developers can also find plenty of opportunities as independent contractors or freelancers, earning around the same as someone working full-time at a corporation or government agency.

What is a Front End Developer?

Becoming a Front End Developer involves building websites and applications using common front end web development languages. The front end of a website is what users see on their web browsers and is built using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other coding languages. 

Web development includes creating websites and apps from scratch. This means applying front end, back end, and full stack web development procedures. Front end development focuses on how a user interacts with a website while back end development concerns the functionality of that website within browsers like Chrome and Safari, for example. Full stack development combines both those functions.

Skills needed for becoming a Front End Developer can also qualify you for working as a Web Developer or Web Designer.

Read more about what a Front End Developer does.

Education

You don't need a college degree to become a Front End Developer. While a degree is not strictly required, many Front End Developers do have four-year degrees in computer science. However, you can make yourself appealing to potential employers by learning the necessary skills required for working in front end web development without needing to attend college.

Noble Desktop offers various coding bootcamps and courses for individuals with no employment experience nor a college degree for working as Front End Developers. These courses provide training on how to create websites and web apps using coding and programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Many people prefer in-person training and feel more comfortable learning inside a classroom environment with an instructor standing right there in front of them. However, others might choose virtual learning, which provides the advantage of training at home with the same quality of instruction that they would get from an in-person class.

Whichever method for learning a person chooses, either in-person or live online training should provide an appropriate way for learning front end web development. People also have the option of taking on-demand or self-paced classes that allow them to learn at their own pace on their own time.

Read more about if you need a degree to become a Front End Developer.

Experience

Front End Developers should have several years of experience in creating websites, web applications, or software. Front End Developers must have experience with programming languages and web development. This includes thorough knowledge in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery. A Front End Developer should have experience with testing and debugging browsers, applying search engine optimization (SEO), and working with the Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, and content management platforms like Drupal and WordPress.

A Front End Developer should be in a constant state of self-education with technologies and on the lookout for the most recent updates and latest approaches in web development. Best practices are constantly changing with today’s perpetually evolving digital environment, so constantly learning new information is a career requirement. Front End Developers have options for finding full-time or part-time employment either working at a location or working remotely. Many prefer the freedom of working freelance, which is a viable option.

Employers will likely prefer Front End Developers who have good communication skills since the position requires working with others, including Back End Developers and Project Managers. Experience with being detail-oriented, self-motivated, and a problem-solver who possesses an aptitude for critical thinking all contribute to an individual’s appeal as a Front End Developer.

Skills

A Front End Developer must understand the basics for developing and building websites. The front end of a website is what users see on their web browsers and is constructed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript coding. Other skills required include knowledge of JavaScript frameworks and libraries such as React and Node.js.

A Front End Developer focuses on how a user interacts with a website. Web development courses and bootcamps could enhance skills associated with front end web development. Working in front end web development requires a detail-oriented attitude and self-motivation. A Front End Developer must be a problem-solver who has no problems working under pressure or meeting deadlines. The profession also demands being able to adapt to change, as there are always new methods for doing things when working with technology.

Read more about what skills you need to become a Front End Developer.

Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of examples of your work that reflects your accomplishments, skills, and experience in a specific discipline. Anyone seeking to become a Front End Developer should compile a portfolio that showcases skills, completed projects, and experience working in front end web development.

A portfolio can be a critical element for getting hired. For a Front End Developer, the content of a portfolio should display skills with coding and design that make the candidate standout from others with an emphasis on efficiency in handling user interface (UI) and the user experience (UX).

For working in front end web development, a portfolio should emphasize coding and skills with design that includes handling fonts, color palettes, and layouts.

A website can be used as a portfolio and include screenshots and other examples of a candidate’s work. Of course, as an example of that work, the website should have a professional and attractive look that should appeal to potential employers as something from someone they would like to be associated with. A portfolio should display a candidate’s best work along with an engaging design. The purpose of a portfolio is to provide credibility and brand recognition for an individual as a job prospect along with displaying the person’s personality and creativity through the design and composition of the website.

Because the point of a portfolio is to attract employment or clients, the candidate should be sure to include contact information or a contact form prominently on the website.

Resume & LinkedIn Profile

When searching for work as a Front End Developer, you will need to create a resume that displays your skills in front end web development along with details about your education, work experience, and additional training.

Your resume should be no longer than two pages and must concisely present your background and qualifications: 

• A good resume starts with an engaging summary that states your career objectives.
• List your work history in reverse-chronological order with a brief description of your job responsibilities.
• Include details on your educational background with details on degrees, certifications, workshops, foreign languages, and other relevant learning experiences.
• Briefly discuss any self-training related to front end web development. 

It would also be beneficial to establish an account with LinkedIn, which is a social media platform focused on connecting people seeking work with employers looking to find the right people to fill positions. LinkedIn provides a great venue for connecting or reconnecting with former employers and coworkers as well as providing opportunities with networking for potential job opportunities. Creating an account and profile allows your resume to be seen by companies and individuals who may have never met you but find out that your skills fit what they’re looking for.

Noble Desktop provides advice for building your resume with tips for using LinkedIn.

References

Finding qualified people who will speak for you is essential in finding work in any walk of life. Getting references to work as a Front End Developer is vital. As with any line of work, getting good references from past employers can provide strong support for getting any job you’re seeking. In addition to current and past employers, recommendations from current and former coworkers or people in the field who are familiar with your work and background can help you accomplish your goals. References do not have to relate directly to the field you’re hoping to enter as general character is important, but work-related references are crucial. Although it’s important that people speak well about you, it is also important that what they have to say about you is relevant to whatever job you’re seeking. Therefore, teachers also provide good references, but you should avoid using friends or relatives. 

As stated, if you have done independent work, client recommendations can provide a strong endorsement of your abilities and should appeal to potential employers or other clients.

Learn the Skills to Become a Front End Developer at Noble Desktop

People have several options for learning to become a Front End Developer, which include in-person and live online training courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide real-time hands-on instruction. Noble Desktop offers several live online Web Development courses.

For example, with hardly any prior coding experience, an individual could complete the Front End Web Development Certificate and get headed in the right direction for their new career with training in how to build the user side of a responsive website. This course aims to keep class sizes small so that students can receive tailored advice and guidance from their instructors.

If you would like to learn about designing websites or email programs from coding with HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, you can train for the Web Design Certificate. In addition, this course will teach you how to build websites using WordPress.

If you would like to learn about more options for building websites or apps from scratch through skills in front end web development, Noble Desktop provides information on their Learn Front End Web Development page, which can guide you through learning about several options for becoming a Front End Developer, including what free resources are available and career advice.

Key Takeaways

• While many Front End Developers have computer science degrees, possessing coding skills and experience are also essential in qualifying for work in the profession without needing a degree.
• Becoming a Front End Developer involves building websites and applications from knowledge of front end web development, which included skills with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• You don’t need a college degree to become a Front End Developer.
• Front End Developers should have several years of experience in creating websites, web applications, and software.
• A Front End Developer must understand the basics for designing and building websites.
• Anyone seeking to become a Front End Developer should compile a portfolio that showcases skills, completed projects, and work experience in front end web development.
• Anyone searching for work as a Front End Developer will need to create a resume that displays skills related to front end web development along with educational background.
• Providing references can help in finding work as a Front End Developer with recommendations from past employers, former coworkers, clients, and people in the field who are familiar with your work.
• Noble Desktop provides several options for training to become a Front End Developer with in-person and live online courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide real-time, hands-on instruction.