Web development is an ever-evolving field in the IT sector. Securing a Junior Web Developer Role in 2024 requires a blend of technical skills and practical experience. It’s different than walking in a park; it requires a whole lot of effort and dedication. However, if you work hard with dedication, it is achievable.

One thing here is that getting a Junior Web Developer role is easier than getting another fresher role in Data Analysis, Backend development, Data Science, etc. In this article, we have discussed 12 essential points to help you navigate your first web developer role.

Lastly, we have discussed some important tools and tips that would help you become a great candidate.

1. Master the Fundamentals (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript)

Before you start with web development, it is essential to learn about how does internet works and what’s the role of the browser. You would not need to dive deep into this. However, it builds an intuition about what you are going to do.

Also, it is essential to master HTML, CSS, and JavaScript before diving into frontend Frameworks and Libraries.

HTML/CSS

• HTML – HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is used to provide structure to web pages. If you think of your body as a web page, then the skeleton is similar to HTML.
• Semantic HTML – One can build a whole website using div only. However, it is important to know how to use correct HTML elements for their intended purpose to improve accessibility and SEO.
• CSS – CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheet. It is used to design the web pages. In other words, it helps you build beautiful web pages. Your skin plays the part of the CSS in your body.
• Responsive Web Design – Website are not limited to only large screens, or small screens and you don’t want different websites for different screen sizes. That’s where responsiveness comes into the picture. Learn how to create layouts that work on various devices using media queries, flexbox, and CSS grid.
• CSS Preprocessors – Apart from writing native CSS, you can learn more about CSS preprocessors like SASS or LESS that allow you to write maintainable and scalable CSS.

JavaScript

• Basics of JS – JavaScript allows you to add functionality to websites. You can think of your brain that adds functionality to your body, like body movements, blood circulation, respiration, etc. Start with learning the basics of JavaScript, such as if-else, loops, data types, functions, error handling, and classes.
• ES6+ Features – After JavaScript, master modern JavaScript features such as arrow functions, destructuring, promises, async/await, and modules. These allow you to build robust applications.
• DOM Manipulation – The browser creates a DOM Tree, known as a Document Object Model(DOM), from HTML and CSS. As a web developer, you’ll mostly interact with the DOM. Learn in-depth about DOM to create dynamic and interactive web pages.

2. Learn a Modern Frontend Framework (React, Angular, and Vue.Js)

Every website you visit can easily be created using HTML, CSS, and Vanilla JavaScript. However, as the website grows, it becomes difficult to manage the codes and files. Frontend frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js resolve several problems and are used to create single-page applications.

• React – React is a JavaScript library used to build user interfaces. It has several features, including component-based architecture, Virtual DOM, JSX, One-Way Data Binding, React Native, etc.
• Angular – Angular is a JavaScript framework developed by Google in 2010. It ships with several features that can be used to build simple and complex user interfaces.
• Vue.js – Vue.js was developed by a former Google Employee. It is considered the easiest framework to learn and is used to build User Interfaces.

Each has different ways to manage frontend components, allowing you to build frontend websites easily. However, it might be difficult for you to choose one of them. If you are very new to web development, you could choose either React or Angular because they have great communities and resources to learn. You can find a detailed comparison between react, angular, and vue.js here. you should be more focused on learning the ideas, not the code. Because the popularity and tech stacks can change anytime soon. Mastering the ideas will help you easily switch between different tech stacks.

3. Build a Portfolio Website

As we mentioned earlier, getting a job requires a blend of technical as well as practical experience. Learning a tool doesn’t guarantee you a job, but a good project does. Also, you must build a portfolio that showcases your skills and projects you’ve worked on.

Projects:

You gain practical experience by building projects and doing internships. Also, making one great project is much better than making many simple and mini projects. You select some diverse projects:

• E-commerce: You can build a fully functional e-commerce site with product listings, shopping cart functionality, and user authentication.
• Personal Blog: Create a blog where you can share your learning journey and thoughts on web development.
• Dashboards: Develop a dashboard to display data visualization using libraries like Chart.js and D3.js.

After completing any of your projects, you must deploy them on platforms like GitHub Pages, Netlify, or Vercel. Deployed projects are better than undeployed ones. You can also use GitHub to store and share your code, along with well-documented README files explaining the project’s setup and features.

4. Learn the Basics of Backend

Even if you’re focusing on front-end development, understanding backend basics is valuable. Nowadays, companies expect you to have knowledge of both frontend and backend. There are different backend frameworks to build backend services.

Node.js, Express, or Django

In the backend, you need to learn how to set up a basic server, handle routes, and serve static files. You should also learn about RESTful APIs, which enable communication between the front end and back end. Databases are used to store information, such as user data, product data, blog data, etc. Learn about different types of databases, such as relational and non-relational databases, such as MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc. If you are only familiar with JavaScript, you could opt for Node.js and Express to build the backend server. Otherwise, if you want to build backend using Django, Flask, etc. you would need to learn a new programming language. The idea remains the same, only the syntax changes.

5. Develop Problem-Solving Skills (DSA a Key Factor)

Web Development often requires problem-solving and debugging. Practicing problem-solving will help you become a good software engineer. Generally, you do not utilize the core idea of DSA during development, but you regularly use your problem-solving skills.

As a web developer, you would not need to learn every DSA concept.

Algorithms and Data Structures:

• Basic Concepts: Learn basic data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and trees, and algorithms like sorting and searching.
• Practical Applications: After learning the basics, use these concepts in your web development to optimize performance and manage state.

Use GeeksForGeeks, to practice and to solve DSA problems daily. Solving problems not only helps you become a better coder, but it is also rewarding. You can earn Geek Bits and redeem them for different prizes.

6. Get Comfortable with the Version Control System

Version control is an essential skill for any developer. All companies relies on version control system to manage their code. There are several version control systems Git, GitLab, BitKeeper etc.

Git Tutorial

Git and GitHub are the best options for a beginner level developer to learn.

• Learn the Basic Commands like clone, commit, push, pull, branch, merge, etc.
• Understand how to create branches for new features, merge them into the main branch, and resolve conflicts.
• Learn how to create and review pull requests on GitHub to collaborate with other developers.

After learning all of these, it’s time to find internships or freelance projects to gain real-world project experience.

7. Contribute to Open Source Projects

To gain valuable experience and stand out in the real world, you can contribute to open-source projects. Contributing to open source projects was never easy means its worth doing. It gives you an edge over other candidates and increases your chance of landing a high-paying job.

How to contribute to Open-Source Projects?

• Look for beginner-friendly open-source projects on GitHub.
• Navigate through the open issues.
• Create Pull requests and resolve the issue.
• Submit Pull Requests: Start with documentation or small bug fixes to get comfortable with the projects.

You might not be able to understand everything in starting. However, you must invest some time to learn and then jump into resolving issues. Follow this guide to learn more about how you can contribute to open-source projects.

8. Create a Strong Online Presence

Your online presence can significantly impact your job search. Finding a job not only requires clicking on the apply button, but it requires a strong online presence, too. When you reach out to people for reference, your chances are higher. There are two key factors to increase your social presence.

A. LinkedIn

Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date with a professional photo, a detailed summary, and your skills and experiences. Also, increase your networking by connecting with recruiters and people with the same interests.

B. Personal Website

Your portfolio, having your project links and descriptions, helps you showcase your skills and enthusiasm. Write blog posts about your learning journey, projects, and web development topics to demonstrate your knowledge and passion.

Here is the link to a simple portfolio website: /archive/simple-portfolio-website-design-using-html/

9. Attend Meetups and Networking Events

Networking is a key to landing your first job. Many companies conduct online and offline events in which you can connect with working professionals.

Meetups:

Find and join local web development meetups on platforms like meetup.com to connect with other developers. Attend events, participate in discussions, and share your experiences to build relationships.

Hackathons and Conferences:

You can participate in hackathons to work on real-world projects, collaborate with other developers, and showcase your skills. Hackathons are not only prize-oriented, but they also increase your chances of getting a job.

Attend web development conferences to learn about the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. This will keep you updated on the latest trends and technologies.

10. Seek Internship and Freelance Projects

Another best way to get real world experience is from internships and freelance projects.

Internships:

Look for internship opportunities at companies that align with your interests and career goals. Once you find one, use it as a chance to learn from experienced developers. Internships provide you with hands-on experience on real projects and help you understand the workflow in a professional environment.

Freelancing:

Finding freelancing projects can be difficult. You can sign up on freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal to find small projects. However, for beginners, it might take time to grow on these platforms.

Another way is to find someone near you who has a small business. You can build an e-commerce website for them. Working on real projects keeps you motivated and encourage to to complete the project, and you will not need to find users for your website.

11. Prepare for Technical Interviews

Technical interviews in big tech companies follow a series of interview rounds and preparing for them is essential.

Mock Interviews:

• Practice through Mock Interviews – Mock interviews help you prepare for the real interview. You can practice mock interviews with your friends having the same interests. You can both help each other. Also, you can use platforms like Pramp to simulate real interview scenarios. At the end of the interview, ask for feedback to identify areas of improvement and refine your responses.
• Technical Questions – Search for commonly asked interview questions related to web development such as coding challenges, system design, and problem-solving questions. If your interview includes DSA round, you can practice common interview questions for the same. Use the GeeksForGeeks Practice portal to prepare for your interview.

Preparing for technical interviews significantly increases your chances of getting hired.

12. Stay Updated with Industry Trends

Web development is a dynamic field, and staying updated is crucial. Developers often rewrite their code and change the tech stack for better performance. Staying up-to-date with the latest trends makes you irreplaceable.

How to stay updated with industry trends?

• Follow Blogs and Newsletters – Read the latest articles related to web development on GeeksForGeeks. Also, you can subscribe to popular web development blogs and newsletters to stay informed about the latest trends, tools, and best practices.
• YouTube Channels and Podcasts – You can subscribe to GeeksForGeeks YouTube Channels, you will regular updates on resume building, job searches, interview preparations etc. You can also subscribe to different YouTube channels and podcasts to stay updated on current topics.

13. Important Tools and Tips

• LinkedIn – LinkedIn is the best platform for connecting with working professionals and peers. Always keep your profile updated and share your work with your network.
• Naukri, Indeed, and Internshala are some platforms where you can find jobs and internships that match your skills and expertise.
• GeeksForGeeks Job Portal – GeeksForGeeks conducts hiring challenges every month and weekly coding contests, which you can use to find your first web developer role.
• Glassdoor – Use Glassdoor effectively to search about the roles, company cultures, base salary, and salary negotiations.
• Build a great resume – Make sure your resume is up-to-date and highlights your skills and experience related to the job you are applying for. You can also utilize ATS tools to improve your resume.

Conclusion

Getting a junior developer role requires a blend of technical and soft skills, practical experience, and proactive networking. By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to securing your first position in web development. Remember, continuous learning and sharing ideas are key to success.