Web Developer Requirements

While the job requirements for a Web Developer can vary from job to job and industry to industry, there are some non-negotiable requirements for the hiring process across-the-board. Regardless of your field or industry of interest, you’ll be required to demonstrate your abilities and give evidence of the relevant experience and education you’ve gained. 

To be hired as a Web Developer, you will need a portfolio website that exhibits your projects and showcases the web development skills you have built. You must also create a resume that you can provide to employers during your job search to give them an outline of your most important qualifications. Another critical requirement is creating a LinkedIn page—or updating the one you already have—that lists your experience, education, and professional accomplishments. If you don’t have an existing LinkedIn page, create one while studying web development to build your connections and network. Be sure not to omit any of these items. Your portfolio, resume, and LinkedIn page will all be vital to your job search success.

What is a Web Developer?

A Web Developer builds websites and web applications for companies or clients who hire them to create a product that serves a specific purpose. They are responsible for meeting the project objectives while providing a positive experience for the end user. Web Developers write and test the product’s code and are often responsible for maintaining performance and capacity. 

Various specializations fall under the Web Development umbrella. A front end developer focuses on the visual elements of a website or application—that is, the interface that the end user sees and interacts with. A back end developer designs and creates the site’s behind-the-scenes structure and functionality. However, the type of web developer most desirable to employers is a full stack developer with front end and back-end development skills.

Web developers may work solo or as part of a team, often depending on whether they are freelance or work full-time for a particular company. Almost any business in any industry needs a web developer, but whether they have a web development team or hire a freelance developer will depend on their circumstances. Businesses need web developers because having an online presence increases their client base. Many businesses also need web developers because they want to connect with potential customers through their own web applications. 

Read more about what a Web Developer does.

Education

If you don’t have a college degree, or you do have one, but it is not in a field directly relevant to web development, don’t worry! To become a Web Developer, you don’t need a computer science or IT degree. A two-year or four-year computer science degree is just one way to become a Web Developer, but you can take many other paths. A bootcamp is an effective way for aspiring Web Developers to learn coding and other necessary skills.

 Additionally, even if you don’t have a degree, you may have already acquired crucial soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, in your current position, especially if your job involves customer service or mastery of technical procedures. Or perhaps you do have a college degree but fear it may be irrelevant to your web development aspirations. You may be surprised to find that just about any college degree can contribute something to your qualifications. College teaches study skills applicable across fields. 

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

Experience

Once you complete your web development training, finding an entry-level web development job should be reasonably straightforward, even if you have no previous experience in the field. However, your odds significantly increase if you’ve also completed an internship or relevant volunteer work. 

The web development positions employers are trying to fill and what they consider entry-level can vary. Junior Web Developer jobs usually require one to two years of professional or internship experience. You will need two to five years of web development experience to be hired for a mid-level position. The Senior Developer title is typically reserved for those with five to eight years in the field, with Lead Developer positions going to those with more than eight years of experience. 

If you’re still deciding whether to pursue a web development career, it will take some time before you move beyond a junior-level position. But don’t let that discourage you. Jobs in most fields require you to build experience over time before moving up the ladder. However, your skills and performance are in your control and will determine when you get promoted or hired for a higher-level position. 

Skills

You do not need a degree to become a Web Developer. Up to two-thirds of entry-level web development roles do not list a degree as a requirement. In fact, you can become a Web Developer if you have a certificate or certification to demonstrate the relevant skills and knowledge. Many bootcamps and certificate programs can provide you with these types of credentials. 

Once you have completed your web development education, there are a few “must-haves” for your job search. Every Web Developer must have a website that displays their portfolio. This portfolio must demonstrate the candidate’s skills and showcase the type of work they can create. You will also need a resume, which should be no more than two pages. One page is acceptable, too, especially if you are new to the field. While the resume highlights your most significant accomplishments, you also need a LinkedIn profile that comprehensively lists your experience, education, certificates and certifications, and professional accomplishments.

Read more about the job requirements for a Web Developer.

Portfolio

One of the most important things you will need to be hired as a Web Developer is a website with a professional portfolio demonstrating your skills and the quality of your work. Your portfolio must include several fully developed and polished web development projects with code samples and relevant screenshots. 

Your portfolio must also provide enough context for a hiring manager to understand the project's scope, providing details that include who you created it for, the project’s criteria, and when you built it. You might also provide prospective employers with a brief narrative sharing your process and what you learned on each project. This personal story will help hiring managers understand how you think and how you approach your work, which can make you stand out as a memorable and thoughtful candidate.

Resume & LinkedIn Profile

A polished resume and an active LinkedIn profile are essential when applying for a Web Developer job. They should highlight the work relevant to the positions you are seeking. If you’re applying for an entry-level or junior role, your resume should only be one page. Two pages is acceptable if you have changed careers and have a lot of relevant experience from your previous field. The primary purpose of your resume is to demonstrate your most essential qualifications for the job in a quick and easy-to-read format. 

Here are some tips on how to make an effective resume. In contrast, your LinkedIn profile can comprehensively list your experience and work accomplishments so that you can include every position, experience, and skill relevant to your work. You never know what a hiring manager or recruiter scrolling through your profile might find relevant, and you’re not limited by space. To set yourself up for success, you can use these tips to create a more robust LinkedIn profile.

References

References do not go on your resume, but you should create a professional reference sheet. Potential employers considering your application will ask you for references they can contact. Always ask potential references for permission so they are not caught off guard when they are called. You should also let your references know what job you are seeking. It’s a good idea to provide them with the job posting so they can tie their comments to the specific qualifications of the job. Someone you list as a reference should be able to speak positively and at length about your work ethic and other critical qualities you would bring to the position. They don't need to be Web Developers, although that might be helpful. Ideally, your references will have been your supervisors in a work context, but listing a colleague is okay if they know your work better or would provide more positive commentary. 

An instructor would be appropriate if you’re just getting out of school and don’t yet have someone who has been your supervisor or colleague in a work context. However, you should never use a friend or family member as a reference. Employers will assume that anyone in your inner circle will be biased in your favor. It is also unlikely that your family member or friend can speak to the skills you would bring to bear in the workplace.

Learn the Skills to Become a Web Developer at Noble Desktop

To become a Web Developer, you must learn specific skills critical to the job. Noble Desktop can help you build these skills through in-person or live online instruction. Either way, you’ll have access to expert instructors who can clarify issues when you are confused, provide feedback on your work, and guide you through becoming a Web Developer. Small class sizes and the option to retake any course for free once you’ve completed it are additional incentives for studying with Noble Desktop.

Noble offers several relevant certificate programs demonstrating your Web Developer skills and qualifications to share with potential employers and support you in your job search. Completing the software engineering certificate gives you the broadest qualifications and career path options. If you are primarily interested in developing for the front end, consider the front end web development certificate. JavaScript is becoming increasingly popular for web development, so completing the certificate in JavaScript will boost your resume. Opt for the full stack development certificate if you're interested in front end and back end programming. And if you prefer behind-the-scenes programming, pursue the certificate in Python development.

If you’re a beginner in web development, Noble’s hub of articles and resources on web development is a great place to start and plan your learning path. Noble’s web development courses are excellent if you’re eager to start learning but not yet ready to commit to a full certificate.

Key Takeaways

• You do not need a degree to become a Web Developer. Instead, you can do a bootcamp or certificate in web development
• How much experience you need will depend on the job level you seek
• To get hired as a Web Developer, you will need a portfolio website, a resume, and a LinkedIn profile
• Your portfolio should showcase your skills and the types of projects you can build
• Your resume should be one or two pages that highlight your most essential experiences and accomplishments
• Your LinkedIn profile can provide a complete record of the education and experience you would bring to a new role
• You will need professional references willing and able to speak in enthusiastic detail about your work ethic, soft skills, and technical expertise
• You can receive comprehensive training to become a Web Developer through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop