Websites are an integral component of any business. According to research by techjury, there are approximately 4.3 billion internet users in the world, which makes the internet the single largest source for an audience. Organizations have identified this factor, and every business today has a website that represents them online. In fact, many companies, like ecommerce stores and food and beverage companies, for example, make their largest profits directly from their website.
The requirement for website development, revamping and maintenance makes web developers sought-after candidates for every company. As a web developer, your options are many, and by regularly upskilling yourself, you can ensure a lucrative career. Before you attend your next interview, make sure to go through interview questions and answers online to be prepared. In this article, we cover seven tips for web developers to crack their next interview.
1. Learn how to design
In most companies, design and development are handled by different teams, and rightly so since they are two different disciplines that require a different skillset. The former is in the creative field, and the latter is technical. However, a candidate who can handle both is always going to be preferred. As a developer, you need to know the basics of design, the rules of UI and UX, and understand brand guidelines. These basic design skills will help you be more involved in the project and be a plus point to crack your next interview.
2. Be proficient in basic languages
Every web developer needs to have a strong grasp on the ground level languages: HTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript. Whether you develop on WordPress or code in Angular, your knowledge on these four languages will be tested. Prepare by going through knowledgebase articles for each of these and looking for interview questions online, especially JavaScript interview questions because a lot of companies look for animations that are triggered through JavaScript.
3. Learn multiple platforms
Technology is ever-evolving. Make it a point to stay updated and learn new languages on a regular basis. Many websites and web apps today are built on different platforms: AngularJS, Python, React, Django, etc. Knowing more than just the basic languages will give you an edge over other candidates and pave the way for faster career growth.
4. Learn the basics of editing tools
We have already discussed how important it is to add design as a skill to your portfolio. One way to do this would be to learn how to use editing tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator. This will also reduce your dependency on the design team whenever you need basic design edits like resizing or recolouring of images or layouts. Not only will you be able to complete projects faster, but you will also add bonus skills to your resume that interviewers pick up on.
5. Create an online portfolio
The best resume for a web developer is a website! If you can create a visually stunning website that is also agile, you can impress interviewers just by showcasing it. An online portfolio is a great way to show in real-time what you’re capable of, and also to showcase all your previous projects. It also helps potential employers find you online.
6. Be prepared to create a mock website
Companies nowadays place a premium on seeing you walk the talk. Rather than asking you a bunch of questions, they give you a single page design and ask you to develop it at the interview. There usually aren’t any restrictions and interviewers let you choose the language and platform (unless the interview is for a specific language). Go into the interview prepared for this scenario by deciding beforehand what your strengths are and what platform you can complete this task on within the fastest time possible.
7. Relax, there are plenty of opportunities
We began this article by giving you an idea of how much in demand web developers are. With many start-ups springing up and companies constantly revamping their websites, there are going to be numerous opportunities for you to land a well-paying web developer job. You can also look for freelance projects online on websites like Fiverr.
Ace your next web development interview
These are some core areas that every web developer needs to be proficient at. With the stiff competition today, mastering just one skill is never enough. Fortunately, there are a plethora of web development online courses and articles that will help you prepare and bag a career-defining web development job.
