⚡️ Front-End - Skills required to land a job

JuSt LeArN rEaCt, DoUgH! Nope, not enough. Becoming a Pro in the field requires mastering a range of technologies that power the look, feel, and functionality of websites and applications. Diving into git, HTML5, SEO and the OSI model will help you build a broad foundation, stand out in the job market, and position yourself as a strong candidate during the hiring process.

1. HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

HTML - the backbone of web development. It structures the content on the web, forming the skeleton of every webpage you’ll work on. Learn how to use:

• HTML5: The latest standard of HTML, offering better support for multimedia and modern web applications.

Key Concepts:

• Semantic HTML (like <article>, <section>)
• Forms and Input Validation
• Accessibility (using ARIA roles and tags)

2. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

CSS controls how HTML elements are displayed. It’s all about design and layout. Modern web development requires mastering:

• CSS3: The latest version of CSS with new properties like transitions, animations, and responsive layouts.
• Responsive Design: Using media queries, Flexbox, and Grid to ensure your designs work on all devices.

Key Concepts:

• CSS Grid and Flexbox for layout
• Media Queries for responsiveness
• Preprocessors like SASS for writing efficient, scalable CSS code

3. JavaScript

JavaScript is the programming language that makes websites interactive. It’s a must-know for any front-end developer. Begin with vanilla JS and then explore modern frameworks.

• ES6+ (ECMAScript): Learn the latest JavaScript features like arrow functions, [promises]/en/javascript/promises-en.html, and async/await.

Key Concepts:

• DOM Manipulation (e.g., document.querySelector())
• Event Handling (clicks, form submissions)
• Asynchronous Programming (fetch API, Promises)

4. Version Control (Git and GitHub)

Version control allows you to track changes in your code, collaborate with others, and manage your projects.

• Git: Learn commands like clone, commit, push, and merge.
• GitHub: A platform for hosting and sharing code repositories, and working with version control on real-world projects.

Key Concepts:

• Creating branches for new features
• Pull Requests and Code Reviews
• GitHub Issues for task management

5. Responsive Frameworks (Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS)

Responsive frameworks provide pre-designed components and utilities that help build responsive, mobile-first designs quickly.

• Bootstrap: Popular for rapid development, with a collection of responsive design elements.
• Tailwind CSS: A utility-first CSS framework that allows you to build custom designs without writing your own CSS.

Key Concepts:

• Using a grid system
• Customizing components with utility classes
• Speeding up development with pre-built elements

6. JavaScript Frameworks (React, Vue.js, Angular)

To build modern, dynamic web applications, mastering a JavaScript framework is essential. These are the most in-demand:

• React: A library for building user interfaces using a component-based architecture. Highly popular in the job market.
• Vue.js: Easier to pick up, with an approachable learning curve.
• Angular: A full-fledged framework backed by Google, used in more complex applications.

Key Concepts:

• State Management (React’s useState, Vue’s reactive properties)
• Component Reusability
• Routing (React Router, Vue Router)

7. API Integration and RESTful Services

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) allow you to connect your front-end application to back-end services, pulling in data dynamically.

• REST APIs: Learn to fetch and send data using APIs, and understand the basics of HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
• JSON: Learn how to handle data in JSON format, as it’s the standard for web APIs.

Key Concepts:

• Fetching data using fetch or Axios
• Displaying dynamic data from APIs
• Handling errors and loading states

8. Testing and Debugging (Chrome DevTools, Jest)

Professional developers are expected to write clean, bug-free code. Learning how to test and debug is crucial:

• Chrome DevTools: Use built-in browser tools to inspect elements, debug JavaScript, and analyze performance.
• Jest: A JavaScript testing framework used to ensure your code behaves as expected.

Key Concepts:

• Breakpoints and stepping through code
• Network inspection for API calls
• Writing unit tests with Jest

9. Package Managers (npm, Yarn)

Most modern JavaScript projects rely on packages for added functionality, and managing them is essential:

• npm: Node.js’ default package manager.
• Yarn: A fast, secure alternative to npm.

Key Concepts:

• Installing and updating packages
• Managing dependencies in package.json
• Running project scripts like npm start or yarn build

10. Soft Skills: Problem Solving and Collaboration

While technical skills are critical, many employers look for strong soft skills in front-end developers:

• Problem Solving: Your ability to debug issues and think critically will set you apart.
• Collaboration: Front-end developers work closely with designers, back-end developers, and other team members, so communication and teamwork are key.

What Salaries do Front-End Developers earn - Comparison

The average salary for front-end developers can vary significantly depending on the country and level of experience. Here is a brief overview of the salary expectations for front-end developers across various regions in 2024:

• United States: The average front-end developer salary is around $90,695 per year, though it ranges from $67,922 for junior developers to $185,239 for senior developers. The average bonus is approximately $5,000 annually. Source.
• Germany: In Berlin and Frankfurt, front-end developers earn about €68,000 to €69,000 annually. These salaries can increase with seniority. Source.
• Australia: Front-end developers earn between 44,200 AUD and 82,400 AUD per year, depending on their experience level. Source.
• Canada: Salaries range from $40,381 for juniors to about $92,244 for experienced developers. Ottawa offers some of the highest wages for front-end developers. Source.
• Switzerland: Salaries are quite high, with junior developers making around CHF 61,223, and senior developers earning as much as CHF 108,812 annually. Source.
• Israel: Salaries for front-end developers typically range from $44,114 to $101,095, depending on experience. Source.
• Netherlands: In cities like Amsterdam, developers can earn around €63,176 per year. Source.
• Nordic Countries: In Denmark and Norway, the salary for front-end developers ranges from $63,108 to $76,693. Source.

Here’s a summary table to compare:

Salaries can vary based on experience, industry demand, and location, with countries like the U.S. and Switzerland offering some of the highest salaries.

Sources

• https://itentio.com/blog/frontend-developer-salary-in-poland-2024/
• https://codesubmit.io/blog/software-engineer-salary-by-country/
• https://sunbytes.io/10-countries-with-the-highest-front-end-web-developer-salary/
• https://mikkegoes.com/front-end-developer-salary/