5 Tips for Writing a Great Web Developer Resume

There are many positions for professional web developers today. However, to secure an interview and get hired for your dream job, a strong resume is critical. Writing the perfect one is not easy. Many candidates wonder what their resume should look like and what it should include, and this can vary because it represents different things to different people. To some, it’s a document that lists your work experience, to others, it’s a document that lists everything you’ve ever done. In the end, a web developer’s resume is one of the keys to success, despite variations in appearance.

“Every corporate job opening on average attracts 250 resumes,” says Glassdoor. Only 4-6 of those applicants will receive an interview. That’s why the art of crafting a web developer resume must not be approached lightly. We’ve outlined the top five tips to ensure that your resume stands out, helping you impress recruiters and find your dream job.  

5 Tips For Your Coding Resume

1) Determine Your Objective

Before you start looking for an entry-level web developer job, you should first determine what kind of developer you want to be. This will help you identify your goal. Take the time to ask and answer this question, and then determine the area of web development you want to work in—for instance, you may want to showcase that you’re skilled in time management and have expertise in Ruby or Python. Once you’ve been able to identify your career goals, you’ll have a direction for your resume and job search.

2) List Your Best Achievements

Not all of your achievements should be included in your resume, but you should mention those that are applicable to the job you’re applying for. If you worked in retail as a teenager, this may not be an achievement that is essential to include in a web developer resume. However, you may have transferable skills such as prioritization, communication, and leadership. Each of these will make you an excellent candidate for a wide range of web development roles.

3) Choose a Good Format and Order

What will carry the most weight for the role you’re applying to? What should be front and center on your resume? What’s going to persuade your future employer to choose you over other candidates? These are critical questions to ask yourself when crafting a resume. Always begin with your elevator pitch, or objective statement, which contains a short overview of who you are while convincing the reader that you are the best candidate for the role.

Next, list your abilities. For web developer jobs, this includes the programming languages you’re well versed in, but it doesn’t mean you need to list each skill. For instance, proficiency in Microsoft Office is a skill that most employers expect you to have, so it can be left out. Instead, attempt to concentrate on your top five or six technical strengths. Then, list your experience, but as we mentioned, only the experience that is directly linked to the work you’re applying for. Next, you’ll want to highlight projects that you’ve accomplished while learning to code (such as coding boot camp assignments) And lastly, list your education, beginning with your latest achievement and working backward.

4) Craft a Solid Opening Statement

Like any other document you read, when a hiring manager first looks at a candidate’s resume, they begin at the top and work their way down. That’s why we suggest developing a powerful opening statement that will leave a good impression with the reader. This section should showcase your strengths and passions, for example: “An ambitious problem-solver with demonstrated expertise in front-end development. Passionate about generating work that exceeds expectations and speaks to the mission of the client.” 

As mentioned in Business Insider, “the skills segment of the CV is, according to most employers, the most important.” Why? Because many candidates may lack experience, but their skills and abilities match what the employer is looking for. That’s why the “skills” section should be positioned at the top of the resume—right under your objective statement—to grab the reader’s attention.

Take a look at our previous blog post that outlines Why Employers are Drawn to Online Boot Camp Learners

5) Tailor Your Resume Each Time

During your search, you’ll likely be applying to hundreds of web developer jobs. It is essential to read through each job description and tailor your web developer resume to reflect the position and the needs of the company you’re applying to. Make use of all your knowledge and never sell yourself short.

In addition, use keywords that are vital to your work. Many recruiters use an applicant tracking system (ATS) that filters keywords through resumes, eventually determining which ones are the best match. When selecting which keywords to use, refer to the job description and business website for each position. You may need to change your resume for every job you apply to depending on what keywords are used.

In the experience section, it’s not necessary to list every responsibility of each job you’ve held, but rather the responsibilities that are most relevant to the web developer jobs you are applying for. Also, be sure to tailor your resume to the culture of the company itself. Once you’ve completed research on Glassdoor and other work sites, you will start to notice phrases like “collaboration” and “communication.” Use these keywords and provide examples of how you fit into the company’s workplace culture.

Once you master the art of constructing a strong web developer resume, you’ll get through the pre-interview gatekeepers and into the interview stage, bringing you one step closer to your dream coding career or even freelance web developer job. 

Check out our sample resume below for even more tips:

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Our coding boot camp program is designed to help you in your job search after you learn to code. Our success and career services teams provide a wide list of services that prepare you to be competitive in the job market upon completion. These services include:

• Live Office Hours
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