front end developer

What does a front end developer do? Front end developers look at websites and think: "How can I make this more appealing and easier to use?" Responsive web design is one of your priorities. Visitors shouldn't have to use the "right" device; instead, the website should cater to them. You ensure that sites automatically adjust to different devices and browser sizes, providing easy access.

Likewise, you decide whether your client needs a static or dynamic website. A static website looks the same for every visitor, which works for companies that don't need customized content, but some operations need dynamic sites that adjust to their viewers. For example, a real estate website needs to show different properties according to the visitor's location.

Social media and high-speed internet have reduced people's attention spans. They want information immediately, and if they can't find it, they'll jump to a competitor's site. You figure out how to grab their attention and keep them browsing for as long as possible. If it takes too long to find a certain page, you discover how to reduce the clicks. When sites look tedious, you make them more engaging.

You'll also design website layouts with clean, organized content and work with the right software for your project. Like the site itself, your coding will be clear and concise so that others can understand the code after you leave. Sometimes, you use code that someone else wrote; other times, you start from the beginning.

Front end developers work indoors in office settings. You could work directly for one business and have an office in their building. A company could also temporarily contract you and ask you to visit their location for the project's entire duration. Either way, you'll have to commute.

You could also serve multiple clients as a freelancer. Since you work online, you could set up a home office although you might have occasional face-to-face meetings with your customers. You could also buy or rent a building or an office in a public workspace, which may have a cafeteria and meeting rooms.

If you're part of a company's in-house team, you'll likely work with fellow front end developers, plus back end developers. Other colleagues could include graphic designers, app builders, IT workers, software engineers, and additional technology experts. Developers who work for single businesses may also interact with supervisors, CEOs, HR managers, secretaries, customer service representatives, cafeteria workers, payroll managers, and other employees. Periodically, you may interact with developers at networking events and conferences.

Front end developers who work for in-house teams usually work 40 hours a week during regular business hours. However, your employer could ask you to work on nights and weekends when a project runs behind, a client requests changes, or you have a deadline approaching. You can expect to get paid time off for major holidays.

Freelancing hours can vary. Generally, you choose your own hours, which may include early mornings, nights, and weekends. You could also choose to work regular 9-to-5 hours if you prefer the structure. At times, you may have to work overtime, but freelancers usually don't receive overtime pay.

You may complete work activities outside of your regular hours, such as learning new software and programming languages, joining online groups, attending conferences, networking with industry leaders, and managing your LinkedIn profile. Freelancers also spend unpaid time searching for clients.

Front end developers join an in-demand field because every operation with a website needs your services. Without you, websites would be clunky, slow, and difficult to use. You also help businesses compete in the mobile age by perfecting their sites for tablets and smartphones. With your knowledge, they could double or triple their conversion rates.

As you learn more about programming and software, you'll become increasingly valuable. Earning years of experience also makes you a sought-after expert in your field. You could start mentoring other developers and seek jobs from high-paying clients, such as retail and restaurant chains. More prestigious jobs also come with better benefits packages.

Related roles include JavaScript developers, full stack web developers, back-end software engineers, PHP developers, and software development architects. If you enjoy working with software and programming languages, you could build a career out of working with one program. Clients will seek you out because they need your expertise.

Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:

• being paid weekly
• flexibility
• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a front end developer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!

While front end developers know how to use graphic design programs, you typically don't create graphics or videos, choose color schemes, or develop logos and branding. Instead, you plan functional website layouts and work with graphic designers to make an appealing site. Occasionally, you could make visual suggestions that make the site more attractive.

Front end developers build the website that you see in front of you whereas back end developers keep everything running behind the scenes. You'll acquire back end developer knowledge throughout your career and possibly become a full stack developer who does everything. However, people who work solely as front end developers still provide valuable, specialized services.

Every front end developer needs to learn how to use CSS, HTML, and JavaScript because they're the building blocks of the Internet. Supplementing your knowledge with other languages, extensions, and libraries gives you access to more jobs and refines your foundational knowledge. You'll learn new skills throughout your career as technology continues to advance.

You don't fully design mobile apps, but you'll refine them so that they're easy to access on smart devices. You may work with app developers if your client has recently entered the mobile field.

While beginner developers in low-paying industries could make about $30,000, you could earn over $100,000 if you advance to a high-paying industry and earn years of knowledge and experience. Freelancers may earn more because you can set your own prices and potentially earn tips. Companies may offer bonuses when your team performs well, especially around the holidays.

Applying for a front end developer job is easy create a Randstad profile and search our front end developer jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!