How to Write a Web Developer CV (With Examples)

If you’re a web developer looking to catch the eye of potential employers and land that crucial interview, you know how important it is to have a CV or resume that stands out.

This article is designed to provide you with clear, straightforward advice on crafting a document that not only showcases your skills and experiences but also paves the way for a Web Developer interview.

We’ll walk you through the essential components of a successful CV, offer tips on highlighting your technical and soft skills, and provide real examples to help you understand how to apply these tips in practice. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, this guide is tailored to help you present your professional story in the most compelling way.

Read The Job Description / Advert

The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.

When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.

Research The Company

Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.

• Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
• Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
• Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far

See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.

Find A Good CV Template

When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.

This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)

Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’

A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.

Detail Your Employment History

Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.

As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.

When writing about your responsibilities on your CV, focus on how you’ve made a real impact in your role as a Web Developer. Instead of simply stating “Developed websites for various clients,” you could say, “Developed and launched over 20 custom websites for diverse clients, enhancing user experience and client satisfaction by 30%.” This way, you’re not just listing a task; you’re showing how your work as a Web Developer has led to successful outcomes. It’s about turning a basic job description into a story of your achievements and the positive effects of your work.

Detail Your Education History

Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.

Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.

Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.

CV Structure

Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.

We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.

A fairly typical structure would go:

1. Name and contact info
2. Professional Summary
3. Current (or most recent employment)
4. Education & Professional Qualifications
5. Employment History

WHAT NOT TO DO

Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.

• Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
• Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
• Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
• Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
• Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
• Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.

Web Developer CV Tips – Recap

Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:

Understand the Role and Tailor Your CV Accordingly 🎯 Every web development job has its unique requirements. Before you start writing your CV, make sure to read the job description carefully. Tailor your CV to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role. If the job emphasizes front-end development, for instance, focus on your expertise in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React or Angular.

Highlight Technical Skills 💻 As a Web Developer, your technical skills are your strongest asset. Create a section dedicated to your technical abilities. Include programming languages, frameworks, libraries, and tools you’re proficient with. Don’t forget to mention any experience with version control systems like Git, as well as your proficiency in database management.

Showcase Your Projects 🌐 Include a portfolio section where you can showcase the projects you’ve worked on. Provide links to websites, GitHub repositories, or project case studies. This not only demonstrates your technical skills but also gives potential employers insight into your practical experience and problem-solving abilities.

Quantify Your Achievements 📈 Whenever possible, use numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements. For example, instead of saying “Improved website performance,” say “Optimized website performance, resulting in a 40% reduction in load time.” This provides concrete evidence of your impact.

Include Soft Skills and Certifications 🤝 While technical prowess is crucial, don’t overlook soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Also, if you have any relevant certifications, such as a certification in a specific programming language or framework, make sure to include these in your CV.

Keep It Concise and Error-Free ✂️ Aim for a clear, concise, and well-structured CV. Avoid long paragraphs and unnecessary jargon. Keep it to a maximum of two pages. Proofread your CV multiple times to eliminate typos and grammatical errors, as these can be a major turn-off for employers.

Update Regularly 🔄 The tech industry is always evolving, and so should your CV. Regularly update your CV to include new skills, projects, and experiences. This ensures that your CV remains relevant and reflects your current capabilities.

Web Developer CV Sample

Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.

Click here to see page 2…