Being a web developer is a complex role. From crafting efficient code to staying updated on emerging technologies, you manage to do it all without breaking a sweat. So, why does it feel challenging to turn your skills and experiences into a compelling resume?
While it might seem overwhelming initially, you’re completely capable of landing your dream job. All you need is a bit of guidance. Follow the steps in this guide to create a resume that will undoubtedly secure you that interview!
This guide will show you:
- Popular web developer resume examples.
- How to write an engaging web developer resume.
- Web developer resumes for different stages in your career.
- Why web developers should be writing cover letters.
- Key takeaways to help you in your job search.
Need to debug your resume right away? Get support with our Resume Maker. Choose a design suitable for a career in the tech industry and get section-by-section advice, including auto-generated text you can easily edit.
Web developer resume examples
Why this is a standout web developer resume sample
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Demonstrates a comprehensive skill set
Web developers require a blend of technical and soft skills, and this resume effectively covers a wide range of abilities, from game design to team collaboration.
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Includes a career objective
When your career is just starting out, you may have little work history to speak of. A career objective can fill in the gaps and serve to highlight the breadth of your abilities, including those you honed outside of the workplace.
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Highlights relevant projects
The candidate has included a Projects section, showcasing their practical experience and ability to apply skills in real-world scenarios. This candidate clearly demonstrates their capacity to help develop games for mobile and PC.
Why this is an exceptional web developer resume sample
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Work history takes center stage
This web developer effectively outlines their extensive expertise by incorporating it into a comprehensive, detailed work history section using a chronological resume format.
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Highlights relevant certifications
This candidate adds a professional certification near the bottom of the resume. Certifications can show you have a serious commitment to your career field.
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Emphasizes achievements effectively
The candidate’s productivity is underscored by incorporating tangible metrics, such as the number of customers served. They also effectively cite the number of relevant coding languages they know throughout the resume.
Looking for a specific job title? Check out more resume examples related to your career field:
Browse other popular samples
Choose a format for your web developer resume
Consider your resume as a testament to your journey as a web developer. It’s your opportunity to showcase your technical prowess and problem-solving skills, plus the career milestones you’ve achieved along the way.
Your resume format plays a central role in telling this story. There are three main formats to choose from, and each one is suitable for a different stage in your career as a web developer.
- Chronological resume format: Perfect for seasoned web developers, this format emphasizes your work history. If you’ve been in the tech industry for a while, this format allows you to highlight your skills within the context of each job you’ve held, starting with the most recent and working backward. Plus, it’s widely popular with job seekers and hiring managers alike.
- Functional resume format: If you’re pivoting into a new tech specialty, this skills-based format can be your ally. For example, if you’re transitioning from front-end to full-stack development, this format can easily emphasize skills like coding or project management, which are applicable to a wide variety of jobs.
- Combination resume format: If you’re a web developer at a midpoint in your career, this hybrid format allows you to balance showcasing your skills and experience. For example, if you’re aiming for a team lead position, this format helps you highlight your coding successes and leadership skills without losing sight of your impressive work history.
After you’ve selected the right format, the next step is to choose a visually appealing and professional design.
Which resume template is right for you?
As a web developer, your resume template should reflect your knack for design and functionality. While it should be visually appealing, it should also be easy to navigate, much like the websites and applications you create.
Consider using a modern template for a touch of color and eye-catching formatting without being excessively busy or cluttered. The modern template’s mix of simplicity and sophistication align well with the tech industry’s ethos, making it an excellent choice for web developers.
While modern templates are a great choice, there’s also something to be said for a simple template. As a web developer, you understand that sometimes the most effective designs are the simplest ones. This classic style will make your resume appear organized, straightforward and easy to digest.
Remember, eye-tracking studies have found that hiring managers often skim resumes in seconds, so choose a template that makes your key skills, experiences and accomplishments easy to spot. Clear section headings, bullet points and ample white space can help guide the reader’s eye.
Looking for a specific file format? Check out our Word resume templates or opt for a Google Doc template.
Now it’s time to make a resume that does justice to your web development skills and achievements.
How to write a web developer resume in 5 easy steps
The journey to your dream job begins with an impressive resume.
How do you do it? Let’s break it down into five simple, easy-to-follow steps.
Step 1
Study the web developer job listing carefully
Job advertisements offer a wealth of information. By analyzing these ads, you can identify key skills and technologies — such as JavaScript, Python or React — that are in demand and continuously evolving in the tech industry. You can also see exactly what specific companies or agencies expect you to know and tailor your resume accordingly.
This is important because employers in the tech industry use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out candidates who don’t satisfy certain criteria. These criteria typically involve a set of keywords related to skills and qualifications.
A well-written web developer resume is customized to include keywords showing employers you have what it takes to perform the role. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume.
To make an ATS-friendly resume, you’ll need to customize it based on what you find in the job description. You’ll improve your chances of landing an interview if you incorporate the keywords correctly.
For example, if the job description for the web developer role you seek asks for experience with Node.js, Ruby, Vue.js and Scrum frameworks, you’ll want to be sure to use those exact words in your web developer resume — as long as they apply to your experience.
Meanwhile, look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add your identified keywords. Then, go through your resume and make sure what you wrote matches the wording in the job description so that the ATS recognizes it.
By incorporating the relevant keywords found in the job ad into your resume — like “JavaScript” and “Agile methodologies” — you’ll successfully navigate the ATS, bringing you one step closer to your resume being reviewed by a real person and not just a machine.
Now, it’s time to start writing. Don’t worry — it’s much easier than untangling a web of intricate algorithms. While it may sound like a lot, once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your web developer resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.
Step 2
Make a compelling professional summary or objective statement
Start by crafting a strong resume profile. Resume profiles can be either professional summaries or career objectives. Both are fittin for web developers depending on your experience level and other factors.
Professional summaries provide a brief overview of your career. They are ideal for developers with a consistent work history, particularly those who have major quantifiable achievements to highlight. Anything from improving website load times to increasing user engagement rates would count.
Career objectives, in contrast, outline your career goals and aspirations. They are well-designed for developers who are new to the field, such as recent graduates or career switchers. They offer an opportunity to spotlight transferable skills and the unique value you can bring to a new organization.
Next, let’s see how each of these sounds in practice.
Web developer professional summary example:
Passionate web developer with over 8 years of experience specializing in front-end development and UX design. Proven track record in improving website performance and user engagement, with a 40% increase in average session duration. Known for exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to deliver high-quality code under tight deadlines.
Web developer resume objective example:
Recent graduate of XYZ Coding Bootcamp seeking to apply knowledge of full-stack web development and strong problem-solving skills as a web developer at Tech Co. Passionate about creating user-friendly digital experiences and committed to continuous learning in the ever-evolving tech industry.
Step 3
Put a spotlight on your most relevant developer skills
As a web developer, you possess a wide array of skills — it’s time to make them stand out on your resume. Your skills section should highlight a mix of technical and interpersonal abilities.
Hard skills illustrate your proficiency in areas like programming languages, web frameworks and database management, while soft skills draw attention to interpersonal strengths like communicating effectively and working collaboratively within a team. Of course, in a rapidly evolving field like web development, keeping your technical skills up to date is crucial.
Let’s look at examples of skills that web developers often include on their resumes.
Technical and Soft Skills for a Web Developer Resume
- JavaScript
- HTML/CSS
- React.js
- Database management
- API integration
- Responsive design
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability
Here is an example of a strong web developer skills section:
- Proficient in JavaScript, HTML/CSS and React.js.
- Experienced in responsive design and API integration.
- Exceptional communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in managing databases and ensuring data integrity.
- Competent in debugging and code optimization.
- Excellent attention to detail and time management skills.
As a web developer, it’s easy to lean into your computer skills and coding languages since that’s the core of your job. But employers highly value coders who are great collaborators, so don’t short change people skills on your resume.
Step 4
Build a compelling work experience section
Your resume is a professional blueprint that outlines your skills and experiences. The best way to highlight your accomplishments is by detailing work experience on your resume.
List your roles, starting with the most recent, with bullet points emphasizing your responsibilities and achievements for each one.
Additionally, every resume would benefit from action words. These dynamic verbs, like “built,” “managed” and “drove,” can give new life to older experiences by making them feel active and visual.
Here’s an example of a compelling web developer work history entry:
Web Developer, Tech Inc.
Detroit, MI
January 2018 – Current
- Work within a team of over a dozen developers, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Develop and maintain high-quality web applications, improving site performance speed by 10%.
- Implemented personalized solutions for clients, leading to a 20% increase in client satisfaction rates.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with design and marketing teams to optimize user experience, resulting in a 15% increase in user engagement and 30% increase in time on site.
- Keep pace with emerging web technologies and tools, leading to early adoption of innovative solutions for improved project outcomes.
As the example illustrates, quantifiable metrics can put a specific value on your contributions. Being a web developer is about delivering measurable results, and the numbers speak volumes about your abilities.
Step 5
Add your education and training
In the tech industry, credentials are crucial to your professional journey.
Most web developers hold degrees in computer science or related fields, but the industry prides itself on hiring anyone who is qualified, which means self-taught job seekers or others from different educational backgrounds are welcome to apply.
What does this mean for the education section of your resume? Start by adding your highest level of education first, such as a master’s or bachelor’s degree.
Next, you’ll want to mention any relevant certifications you’ve earned. This could include certifications in specific programming languages, web development frameworks or even project management courses if you’re aiming for a leadership role in a tech company.
How to list your web developer education:
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science
State University, Austin, TX
Certified JavaScript Developer
Professional Certification Institute, San Diego, CA
High School Diploma
City High School, Los Angeles, CA
Optional sections for your web developer resume
Projects
Tangible projects and important initiatives form the backbone of a compelling developer resume. These showcase your ability to turn coding knowledge and insights into concrete results.
Featuring significant projects in your resume provides insight into your technical and problem-solving skills. It’s particularly effective when these skills align with the requirements of your target role, underlining your expertise in the field.
How to list projects on your web developer resume:
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Development of E-commerce Platform
Led the development of an e-commerce platform, improving user experience and increasing sales by 20%. -
Community Coding Initiative
Spearheaded a community coding project to improve access to coding education, resulting in a 15% increase in community engagement. -
Website Optimization Project
Implemented a project to improve website performance, leading to a 30% increase in page load speed and a 20% increase in user retention rates over two years.
Awards and professional affiliations
As you prepare your web developer resume, consider highlighting your most remarkable achievements with an awards section. These recognitions can show off your innovative work, excellence in coding or contributions to major tech projects. They should underscore your potential to provide value to any tech organization.
Similarly, spotlighting professional affiliations or memberships can give you an edge in a competitive field. These credentials display your commitment to continually developing your expertise and knowledge in the field of web development.
How to list awards on your web developer resume:
Best Web Developer – September 2024
- Received recognition at the National Tech Awards for creating an innovative web application that improved user experience and increased website traffic by 30%.
Best Tech Blog Article – May 2020
- Awarded by the American Tech Association for a published article on the implications of AI in web development.
Programming languages
In the diverse field of web development, your proficiency in multiple programming languages can be evidence of your adaptability and technical skills. Mastering various languages significantly broadens your ability to develop diverse web applications and solutions. These skills can give you an edge in a competitive field.
How to list languages on your web developer resume:
- Proficient in JavaScript, Python and Ruby
- Familiar with Swift and Kotlin
Interests and hobbies
Adding hobbies and interests to your web developer resume can provide a peek into your personality and other interests, supplementing your professional accomplishments. However, it’s crucial to maintain a balance — your chosen hobbies should reflect transferable skills and be pertinent to the tech field.
For example, participating in coding challenges can underscore your dedication to improving your skills, while blogging about the latest tech trends can highlight your passion and commitment to staying updated in the field.
How to list interests and hobbies on your web developer resume:
- Participate in coding challenges and hackathons.
- Mentor aspiring web developers.
- Maintain a blog on tech trends and innovative coding techniques.
Continuing education
In the ever-evolving field of web development, continuing education is a must. Whether it’s attending workshops, completing online courses or earning advanced certifications, showing your commitment to learning and staying current in your field can give you an edge.
How to list continuing education on your web developer resume:
- Advanced JavaScript Certification, State Tech Academy
- React Workshop, National Tech Institute
- Online Course in AI and Machine Learning, Tech Online Learning Center
Volunteer work
Volunteer work, especially when it’s related to your field, can be a valuable addition to your resume. It shows your dedication to the community and your willingness to use your skills to benefit others.
How to list volunteer work on your web developer resume:
- Provided web development services for local nonprofit organizations.
- Volunteered at a local school, teaching basic coding to students.
- Organized a charity event to raise funds for tech education in underserved communities.
Add a cover letter
When there’s a lot of competition, a good cover letter can help you get noticed.
True, you might not always need a cover letter, especially in tech jobs. But it’s a great chance to highlight your main skills and experiences that your resume doesn’t show. Why not take this opportunity?
It’s also the perfect platform to share your journey into the world of web development or your aspirations in this field. Maybe you want to recount the satisfaction of solving a complex coding problem or the excitement of developing a user-friendly application.
If you’re unsure where to start, our guide on how to write a cover letter and successful cover letters examples can provide some inspiration and show you why some cover letters stand out more than others.
To ensure your cover letter looks as professional as your code, choose a cover letter template to customize in our Cover Letter Builder. Ideally, it should follow the same formatting as your resume.
Remember that a cover letter is more than just an accessory to your resume. It’s a chance to let your passion for coding and problem-solving shine through, bringing you one step closer to landing your a job.
Web developer resume — key takeaways
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Customize your resume to the job description
Align your resume to each job description, including web development skills, languages and frameworks mentioned in the listing.
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Quantify your achievements
Whenever possible, include metrics to showcase your success, such as the number of projects completed or the percentage increase in website performance.
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Include a mix of skills
Showcase both your technical and interpersonal skills. From coding languages to project management, a balanced skill set is key.
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Showcase relevant credentials
Include any web development-related certifications, such as Certified Web Developer or Certified JavaScript Developer.
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Highlight your practical experiences
Your practical experiences are crucial in web development. Be sure to detail the type of projects, the technologies you used and any significant accomplishments during this period.
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Include any specializations or unique skills
If you’ve specialized in certain areas or have unique skills like machine learning or cybersecurity, be sure to include this information. It shows your commitment to advancing in the field.
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Consider adding a cover letter
Your words matter even in a field as technical as web development. Make the case for being the best candidate with a well-written cover letter.
Frequently asked questions from job seekers
- How do I list references on a resume?
- How important is font size on a resume?
- How do I prepare for a phone interview?
- What are computer skills and why are they important?
- How do I list technical skills on my resume?
- What questions should I expect to answer in an interview?
- How do I prepare for an interview?
- What are core competencies and how do I list them on a resume?
Was this information about Web Developer Resume: Examples, Templates & Tips For 2024 helpful? Let us know!
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
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