As a front-end developer you’re accustomed to presenting your work to the world. You have a head start in your job hunt because you know how to create excellent user experiences. This front-end developer CV example and guide offer ideas for translating that into a superstar CV!
All excellent CVs combine user-friendliness with a convincing case for employment. The tricky part can be finding the right balance between an exciting design and one that overwhelms your message. It’s important to convey your professional strengths in a balanced, practical manner. So how can you achieve this? That’s where we come in! CVapp.ie has a wealth of resources for job hunters, including our professional CV examples to help you stand out to potential employers.
Within this CV guide and our corresponding front-end developer CV examples, you’ll find information on the following topics:
- What does a front-end developer do?
- The framework for writing a front-end developer CV
- How to format a professional front-end developer CV
- Advice on the summary, employment history, education, and skills sections
- Ideas for creating a professional layout and additional design hints.
Ok, so what does a front-end developer do?
Front-end developers are the coders of all the user-facing elements of websites, web applications, and mobile applications. They interpret the needs of the company and its customers and create easy-to-use, interactive web apps. Front-end developers must be adept at both programming languages and design techniques.
Common languages used by front-end developers are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These developers build the navigation, layout, and buttons that allow users to move easily around applications. They also ensure that user interfaces work properly.
How to write a successful front-end developer CV
The words you choose in your front-end developer CV carry weight – especially because they are limited. But before you focus on what to say, you need to know the framework in which to say them.
Your CV should contain the following standard elements:
- The CV header
- The CV professional summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The CV skills section
- The education section
Account for algorithms!
As a front-end developer, you know that a framework is merely the beginning. Although it may seem as though it will be difficult to create something unique out of something standard, that is far from the case. In fact, recruiters can sniff out a generic CV and inauthentic pretty quickly. That means you need to approach each application with fresh eyes and tailor each job application to every potential employer.
Algorithms rule the online world, and job applications are no different. The Applicant Tracking System, which will analyse your application, will scan and sort CVs based partly on keywords and phrases attached to the job listing. Increase your chances by using the exact phrasing and skills you know your prospective employer seeks. This has the added benefit of telling software recruiters that you understand the job and its requirements.
Choosing the best CV format for a front-end developer
Most professional CVs follow reverse chronological order. We recommend that you use this method in most cases! You need to decide whether you can accommodate all your technical skills within this style of CV. If not, you may consider developing a functional CV, which expands the skills section at the expense of the space for your employment history. If you’re a newly certified developer, you may consider a hybrid format.
Now let’s get to the content of your front-end developer CV.
CV professional summary example
Although it contains the word “summary,” this section of your front-end developer CV is more akin to a professional profile. In about 200-400 words, you need to highlight your experiences and your biggest career successes.
This is the only section of your CV written in full sentences, but be careful not to waste words. Below are CV examples for editing yourself to maximise the amount of information you can include:
| Good | Better |
| I have more than 10 years of experience working with JavaScript. | In 10-plus years of JavaScript experience, I have enhanced dozens of applications. |
| My coding philosophy is fewer lines make for better code. | Streamlining code creates more nimble applications. |
To show that you really want this job, consider adding a sentence about why you’re applying to the company and what value you will bring.
If you’re searching for more inspiration, click over to other CV samples in our IT category, including web developer CV example, software developer CV sample, programmer CV example, software engineer CV sample, and full stack developer CV example.
Experienced Front End Developer with over 10 years experience proficient in all stages of advanced web development and passionate about creating solutions for clients. Adept in an assortment of technologies, including Java, Tomcat, and Microsoft SQL Server. Knowledgeable in user interface, testing, and debugging processes.
Employment history sample
Just as your summary is more than an outline of your career, the employment history section of your front-end developer CVis more than a listing of your responsibilities. Instead, illustrate that you’ve learned and grown on the job and have some significant successes to show for it.
Elegant code gets the job down with few wasted lines; in elegant CVs, each word counts. Start each item with a strong action word followed by the results of your action. This section comprises bulleted items, each one highlighting a career success that shows off the skills you will use to further the goals of your new employer.
Front End Developer at DOTDOTDublin, Cork
January 2020 — Present
- Developed a responsive website that is optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, increasing user engagement by 45%
- Implemented a single-page application using React and Redux that improved overall performance and usability
- Employed AJAX and JSON technologies to create a seamless data exchange between the front-end and back-end
- Integrated third-party APIs to provide additional functionality and improve user experience
Front End Developer at Kearney Solutions, Cork
July 2012 — December 2019
- Developed a custom theme for a content management system (CMS) that improved the look and feel of the website
- Utilized version control systems such as Git to manage code changes and collaborate with other developers
- Developed unit tests to ensure code integrity and reduce the number of bugs found in production
- Integrated third-party APIs to provide additional functionality and improve user experience
CV skills example
A great front-end developer CV will use the skills section to focus a recruiter’s eyes on the high-level attributes necessary for the job. A typical skills section contains 4-7 attributes carefully correlated to target the position you are applying for.
If you choose the functional format, you can expand this section to include all the technical knowledge you have that matches the job requirements. Because your job is skills-focused, you may consider listing not only the ability but your expertise level.
- C++
- Bootstrap
- React
- HTML5
- Git
- JavaScript
Front-end developer CV education example
In your profession, you may need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, unless you have a professional portfolio. The education section of your front-end developer CV is the place to list all your academic achievements. You should also include any IT certifications you have earned. If you have a master’s degree or higher, there’s no need to include your high school diploma here.
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, University College Cork, Cork
September 2011 — June 2015
Formatting your CV
This is where your expertise in user-friendliness will stand you in good stead. The main goal of your front-end developer CV design is to grab the attention of recruiters and create a smooth visual path through your document.
Keep in mind that you want your CV to offer a professional impression, so steer clear of overly ornate or colourful designs that will detract from the content (although, you know this – it’s your business!).
As you design, remember these CV-specific tips:
- Keep your section names simple so recruiters can easily find what they need
- If you choose to embellish your header, make sure your name, email address, best phone number, and title stand out
- Remember that the best fonts for the web may be different from the best print fonts
- Use a CV builder tool (like the one on our CVapp.ie website!) to link from your CV directly to your portfolio.
Key takeaways for a front-end developer CV
- Front-end developers with experience and up-to-date skills are prized in the IT world.
- Your knowledge in creating great user experiences will also help you develop a compelling CV
- A functional CV format may suit you best if you have expertise in multiple software languages and other highly technical knowledge.
- If you don’t want to code more after a hard day’s work, take advantage of our expertly-designed CV templates to give your job hunt
