A full stack developer is a competitive field. There is a lot of demand
for full stack developers, but then there are equally a lot of people who are
fighting for the same set of jobs. So how does one stand apart from other candidates?
The first step is to learn skills that are in high demand.
Then see what frameworks are trending.
Check your skill profile and begin with technologies with easy learning curve.
Start with the beginner’s guide to web development- HTML,
CSS and JS. Mastering JS is a great way to become a
full stack web developer fast.
JS is
not only a fundamental building block of web development, it also has an easy
learning curve and is a language that is used for both front-end and back-end
development.
What’s a portfolio?
A
portfolio is a collection of documents or a sample of work that you have done.
Maintained as hard copies as well online, portfolio are an important aspect of
your professional career. A portfolio will showcase your execution and finished
product. It is a great way to showcase your skills and experience that you
have.
Why do
you need a portfolio for your work?
It’s
a great addition to take for an interview along with your resume. As a full
stack developer, a good solid portfolio will set you apart from your
competitors. The other candidates may also have their certifications and
experience.
But,
if you are able to show your talent and creativity along with the core skills
that are required for that job, you have an almost sure shot chance at being
selected.
Your
portfolio should reinforce your resume.And, it is your best shot at impressing
the recruiters. Know that the hiring managers take a close look at the
portfolios,and sometimes, the candidate even lands a job that they might not be
as qualified as the other candidates.
To
have that competitive edge over others applying for the same job as you, a
portfolio is the most important weapon.
There
is a but… here. But, at the end of the day, even after impressing your
interviewers with your mad developing skills, you need to clear the rest of the
interview and HR interview.
How do
you get your portfolio ready?
First,
save all the work you do, finished and unfinished. For a full stack developer,
it is not necessary for you to display an entire website. A single web page is
sufficient. Do multiple projects, with different requirements. Also, you can
create modular projects that highlights your particular talents.
If you are a fresher, these are great options for you. If you haven’t
had a lot of time to practice, you would not have had the chance to do a
complete project. But, that also means that you will not be skill ready in
solving issues that come along with the integration part. Here is an article on
building a chatbot with full stack web development.
When
you have spare time, you should work on such projects and gain some experience
on the same. That project will be a great addition to not just your portfolio
but also your resume and a point to project in the interviews.
Then
go through the job profiles that you want to apply for. Then, get together a
portfolio that highlights your skills and experience with the tools that are
expected of you from that listing. This means that you should personalise your
portfolio to match the job for which you are going to apply.
Additionally,
keep an online copy of your portfolio, and as a full stack web developer, give
links to your websites or projects. Select projects and keep updating your
portfolio each time you apply for a job.
Tips and tricks for a great portfolio!
Showcase your best
Remember
to showcase your best projects. Save everything you do, but don’t include all
of them in your portfolio. Select the ones that showcase your work related
skills best. Use ones that display your creative strengths as well. These will
help you score brownie points with the hiring manager.
Focus on your strengths
Learn front-end
frameworks and tools. Learn back-end tools and languages. Learn full stack development tools and frameworks. These
are the steps that you would have followed through.
But
that does not mean that you have mastered them. It is easy to learn some new
tech. But that is not the same at being great at it. Select one or two of each
type of technology and become adept at it.
These
core skills should be the focus of your job search. When you use your portfolio
and resume to highlight these, you have greater chances at making a positive
impression on the interviewer.
Find your own projects
Yes,
you do need more projects. Taking online
courses on full stack web development where you work on 5–6 projects
is a good start. It is enough for a good portfolio. But, for a great portfolio,
you need to have to find your own projects. Maybe, even create your own model
requirements and work on it as a full project
And
always mention first the project(s) that you are currently working on. They are
good conversation starters. Also, current projects and interests is a topic
that is broached in every interview that you attend.
Keep multiple portfolios
Keeping
multiple profiles is smart work. The projects showcased in the portfolios may
be almost the same, but the highlights will be different and can be made to
work in your favour. A single portfolio of work experiences is not of any use.
Keep
one portfolio for each position and each skill set that is required. Add or
remove projects based on the skill profile.
Update job board profiles and LinkedIn
profile to match your application
This
might not relate directly to creating a portfolio, but it is a key hack to get
a job. Your paper and online persona must match. Every recruiter will
definitely go through your LinkedIn profile and visit our online portfolio.
Mismatch in the details will look bad on your part.
Update your portfolio, often!
Ideally,
you should modify/update your portfolio for every job you apply. Other times,
update your portfolio periodically. Do not forget to update your LinkedIn while
you make any changes to the portfolio.
Additionally,
as a full stack developer, you are in a position to be learning new skills. You
have to keep yourself updated with new technology and can add these to your
portfolio.
Know the market
The
requirements of every industry differs. The IT industry is not the only
industry hiring web developers. Sort through job listings from various job
boards. Search through the company’s professional presence. Research in-depth
about their needs. Design your portfolio such that they see a solution to their
requirements in your skills.
Keep track of your certifications
Portfolios
are a great medium not just to showcase your skills but also informed of the
fact that you have certifications for those skills. This is in addition to
mentioning your certifications in your resume.
Include misc details about you
Add
your career goals, work philosophy and resume and skill zone. Don’t forget to
post your contact details as well as a link to your resume and LinkedIn
profile. Also, link your portfolio to your git.
Certifications,
degrees, awards, even transcripts of college, professional memberships are good
to be mentioned. You can also attach about your community services experience(
a flyer or some material regarding whom you worked with.
Practice speaking about it
Though
not technically a part of creating a portfolio, this last step is equally
important as the rest of it. You are done with your portfolio for that
particular job. The next thing is to prepare how you’re going to explain it to
the interviewer.
This
is a very crucial step and is to avoid unintentional mistake of talking about
projects that you have not used in this portfolio but have used for another job
interview. This will also help you gain confidence and communicate more
effectively with the hiring manager.
Summary:
A
portfolio is a collection of your best works that you are going to send/show
the interviewer along with your resume.
You
need a portfolio to set you apart from other candidates.
Keep
multiple portfolios depending upon the type of job you are searching for.
Your
strengths and skills must shine through your projects along with your
creativity.
Don’t
forget to add your contact details and professional profile.
Java Full Stack Training in Bangalore
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