Tips for creating a great full stack developer portfolio

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. Read our ‘Ultimate guide to full stack web development’. 

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.

Read more: What is the salary drawn by a full stack web developer?                      

What is MEAN stack? How to become a MEAN stack developer?                       

What top web design tools should you learn/use in 2022?

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. Check out our article on interview frequently asked questions and tips to answer.

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 personalize 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.

Read more: All You Need To Know About Full Stack Developer Skills  

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. Check out the roadmap to full stack web development skills to learn.

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 teadd 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.

FAQs

1. What should a developer portfolio include?

• Easy-to-find contact information. 
• Bio/about section. 
• Relevant experience. 
• Provide context. 
• Relevant skills. 
• Personal projects. 
• Documented source code. 
• Education.

2. What are the most important qualities that a full stack developer must have?

Knowledge in networking, databases, user interfaces, APIs, and security, as well as web design and web/app development (research, design, HTML/CSS, JS, PHP, Ruby, Node, and so on) are essential. The abilities required for a full stack developer to succeed change depending on the stack.

3. How do you create a portfolio code?

Sign up or log in with social media. You'll also be able to choose a domain (website address) for your portfolio site.

Tell us a little about your work. Answer a few questions and our portfolio maker creates the website for you.

Add your images. 

Publish your site—and you're online!

4. How do I make a portfolio?

1. Be thoughtful about what you include.
2. Select only your strongest pieces. 
3. Showcase your most unique and creative work. 
4. Go for variety. 
5. Decide on how many pieces to include.
6. Go high-resolution. 
7. Stay current.

5. What is a portfolio format?

A portfolio is a showcase of your professional talents and experiences, and it should be presented in your own unique way. In a typical career portfolio, you'll find the following items: Originality Statement: A paragraph stating that this is your work and that it should be kept private.

6. What do you think is the purpose of portfolio?

A portfolio is a dynamic, evolving collection of records that documents your achievements, talents, experiences, and characteristics. It includes samples of some of your best work, as well as information on your life experiences, values, and accomplishments.