full stack developer

Although full stack developers’ specific, day-to-day duties may vary from company to company, they all share these general tasks in common:

• developing software components and applications: As a full stack developer, part of your job is to brainstorm with other team members on the features of a website or an application. Once you have an idea of what the application should look like, the coding work begins. Your job is to organize the logic of a system and build the underlying architecture and framework necessary to develop the website.
• incorporating new features to websites: A full stack developer continually monitors websites and software for bugs. Your job is to integrate new features to improve websites' functionality. You also check the user interface, continuously optimizing for speed and enhancing users’ experience.
• developing functional databases and servers: Every application or website needs databases and a server to process and store data. As a full stack developer, you incorporate functional databases and other tools that improve site interaction and functionality of the website.
• keeping up with the emerging technology: As a full stack developer, you need to keep up with emerging technologies to ensure the back-end and front-end of applications serve the users' needs. You should also test the websites regularly to ensure cross-platform compatibility and to maintain responsive designs.
• communicating emerging technologies and features to decision-makers: It is important to know the best time to scale your employer's website to meet business needs. Your job is to create a proposal and keep the management informed on improving security and scaling the website performance.

Your work environment as a full stack developer depends largely on your company’s work culture, so it is important to do your research as you apply around. You may find yourself working for a small startup or a blue-chip tech giant, each having its own, unique culture. You will spend the majority of your time around computers and at a desk, whether you’re in the office or are a remote worker (more on that in the “work schedule” section).

The job also doesn’t involve traveling unless you need to attend conferences, conventions, or workshops. If you work in a technology consultancy firm, you have to meet clients to discuss the features they need for their websites.

Because full stack developers are in such high demand, the job often comes with perks, such as bonuses, good insurance, and PTO (personal time off), but this can vary from company to company.

As a full stack developer you will likely work alongside software engineers, .NET developers, back-end developers, and front-end developers. You can also work with mobile developers, web developers, UX designers, and cloud engineers as well as other specialists that could include project managers, programmers, and IT specialists.

While working as a full stack developer has traditionally been a 9-to-5 office job, it is becoming increasingly common for full stack developers to work remotely or on a hybrid schedule. Some full stack developers with experience under their belt work as freelancers, so they set their own schedules and choose their own clients. Still, most companies run on the traditional, in-office, 40-hour workweek schedule, but there are part-time positions and short-term contract jobs available for full stack developers, too. Sometimes, full stack developers may need to work evenings or even weekends to get big projects done.

Full stack developers have various skills in web development and thus have an abundance of career prospects. For instance, it is possible to become a software engineer or the lead programmer with additional qualifications. Since you handle both aspects of web development, you can become the project leader of various software development projects. Alternatively, you may move to other IT fields, like systems analytics and IT administration. Some full stack developers even become consultants or college lecturers.

As for job market growth, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 23% growth for web developers and designers, which is much faster than other jobs. As technology continues to develop exponentially, full stack developers are becoming ever more indispensable.

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 full stack 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!

If you are passionate about computers, programming and design, then full stack development is a great career choice! Because the job is in such high demand, full stack developers often get great perks and benefits. Many full stack developers work as freelancers who make their own schedules and choose their own clients, while others work remotely. Others prefer the stability of a 9-to-5 schedule. With your array of skills as a full stack developer, all of these options are available to you.

Being a full stack developer can be a demanding job but one that brings great satisfaction. As a full stack developer, you will need to be fluent in many programming languages, understand how to work as both a front-end and back-end developer, and understand the needs of web users better than they understand their own needs. Big projects and important clients may mean that some work weeks will be longer than others, but for those whose hearts are in technology and coding, the work is often deeply fulfilling and fun.

Full stack developers are well paid. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the average salary for a web developer and designer is $78,300 a year or $37.65 an hour. As a full stack developer, specifically, you may make much more than even that due to your highly specialized skillset. Our full stack developer salary page lists the top-paying cities for full stack developers as well over $100,000!

Most full stack developers have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or a degree in a related field. Classes in graphic design and digital media will help immensely, too. However, a degree is not absolutely necessary. You can take “boot camps” or certification courses in full stack development as a way to get a foot in the industry. Regardless of the path you choose to become a full stack developer, you will need to study all things computers. You will need to become fluent in several coding languages to excel as a developer.

While the duties of full stack developers and software engineers can overlap, the jobs have very different roles. Full stack developers work more holistically, meaning they see a project (literally) from end-to-end. You will work on all aspects of an application or website, from the foundational coding to the end-user experience. Software engineers, on the other hand, are more “in the weeds,” so to speak. They specialize more in just coding and developing an application. They often solve problems and perform debugging and have a deep knowledge of coding languages. If you’re a full stack developer, you are also partly or fully a software engineer.

Applying for a full stack developer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our full stack 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!