With roles in the tech world evolving so quickly, for developers, staying on top of the changes can be challenging. Front-end developers are no different. Building the front-end piece of websites and web applications, or the interface that users see and use, this role has changed hugely since the inception of Web 1.0.
In 2024, how can you stay competitive in the jobs market, and what skills are the ones you most need to hone?
Below, we take a look at the five key competencies every front-end developer needs to have under their belt.
1. HTML and CSS
The building blocks of front-end development, every front-end developer needs to be proficient in HTML and CSS, as these two languages are used to create the structure and style of websites. HTML is the foundation of all web pages and web applications. Without a solid understanding of HTML, it will be difficult to create effective and efficient webpages, it goes hand-in-glove with CSS, a style sheet language used to style the appearance of HTML elements on a web page.
2. JavaScript
JavaScript is a programming language that is used to add interactivity to websites. Front-end developers need to be able to code in JavaScript in order to create dynamic user interfaces such as form validation, drop-down menus, and photo galleries, among many other uses.
3. jQuery
A key skill for front-end developers is the ability to use the jQuery library. This is a JavaScript repository which makes it easy to add interactive features to web pages. It is used by millions of websites, including some of the biggest names on the internet. If you want to be a front-end developer, you need to be able to use jQuery.
4. AJAX
AJAX is a technique for loading data from a server without refreshing the page. This allows for smoother, more responsive user interfaces. Front-end developers need to know how to use AJAX in order to create rich, dynamic web applications.
5. Bootstrap
Bootstrap is a popular framework for creating responsive websites and as such is one of the most popular front-end development frameworks. Free and open-source, it includes HTML- and CSS-based design templates for typography, forms, buttons, navigation, and other interface components. Bootstrap is easy to use and helps developers to create responsive websites that look good on all devices, from phones to laptops and desktop computers.
Lastly, it’s also really important for front-end designers to think visually, and to think about design and understand design principles. Being able to visualize your end result is key – so being able to work in Adobe Photoshop or Sketch Application is another great skill to have.
If you’ve got all five key competencies in the bag and you’re looking to upgrade your front-end career this year, we’ve got you covered with three front-end roles below. As always there are plenty more exciting jobs to discover on the Hackr.io Job Board too.
100 Front End Interview Questions Challenge
Front End Developer, Better Than Good Inc., Remote
This remote position for a Front End Developer is a chance to work at a social networking startup that is poised to decentralize the future of work.
You’ll be a talented design-minded developer with lots of dynamic front-end experience with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making and an empathetic lens on optimizing user-centric experiences. You’ll use markup languages like HTML to create user-friendly web pages, optimize applications for maximum speed and design mobile-based features.
Front End Developer, Loxia Technologies // Virtu Medical, Miramar
Loxia Technologies is looking for a Front-End Software Engineer to build out the next generation of its platform.
You will be responsible for building the ‘client-side’ of its web applications and you’ll need to have five-plus years of experience with front-end languages and frameworks such as JavaScript, Angular, Node.js, and Typescript as well as expertise in building layouts with CSS and HTML.
Front-End Engineer, Scale Computing, Remote
Scale Computing is seeking a Front-End Engineer who is smart, curious, and loves the challenge of solving problems that can make a big impact.
If you enjoy working on a variety of projects that will keep your skills sharp and embrace researching the right solutions, this is a great opportunity. You will be joining a team of front-end engineers who are passionate about creating a great UI while having fun doing it.
Get the full job description here.
Find a new career where you can put your programming skills to the test on the Hackr.io Job Board
