As the world becomes increasingly digital, there are new developments to be carried out every day. That’s why almost every company needs a front-end engineer to take care of it. Front-end developers are the ones who design and implement the interface that users will interact with, whether it’s while they use a mobile app or browse using their desktop, computer, or laptop.
When designing websites and apps, a UX/UI designer creates the look and feel of it. They insert text boxes with content written by a content designer and add a search engine, image boxes, and everything an app or website might need. It’s the front-end engineer‘s responsibility to make it look as it should through the code they write.
Top 7 skills to find the best front-end engineer job
A front-end engineer’s resume must include specific abilities in order to be considered in a company’s talent search. That’s why there are some areas in which a front-end engineer has to be specialized.
While a back-end development specializes on the side of the app or website users don’t see (i.e., the server-side), a front-end software engineers focus on the user-facing interface. In other words, they are responsible for properly implementing anything that people will interact with on a website or application. Still, both must work together to make everything go as it should.
To become an expert front-end developer, it is necessary to learn certain technical skills, such as the ones we will share below:
HTML and CSS
Both HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) are basic components when it comes to writing web code, and are the most used by front-end developers.
HTML is used to create the foundation of a website, while CSS is used to style it. Together they make the perfect team for successful web development.
Mastering both languages is key to becoming a successful front-end designer.
JavaScript
Do you want to add a map that refreshes in real-time to your web? JavaScript is the answer.
This is the most popular programming language amongst front-end developers. It’s used for implementing any interactive feature of a site. A button with animations? JavaScript. A page that doesn’t reload every time something new is saved? JavaScript. It’s all in one place!
There isn’t any qualified front-end developer out there who is not an expert in this programming language.
jQuery
JavaScript uses libraries such as jQuery which come with a collection of plugins and extensions that make using JavaScript much easier.
With jQuery, the developer no longer has to write code from scratch every time. It compresses a piece of code that could take many, many lines, into a single line.
Frameworks
Frameworks are collections that work to save you from having to design the entire code from scratch.
The most widely used are JavaScript and CSS.
They perform specific tasks by supplying common functionality.
APIs and RESTFUL services
REST stands for Representational State Transfer. These are guidelines and best practices that set the specifications for communicating with a web service through a website.
A RESTFUL API is used to send a request to a particular address. That way, the required information is retrieved and displayed.
Through these APIs, a website becomes scalable and works in a more stable and flexible manner.
Version Control
In case something goes wrong, you shouldn’t have to start from scratch. That’s what version control is for: to keep track of the code and fix any mistakes.
If something does go wrong, you can go back to the previous version to understand what happened without having to start over.
Testing
Prior to putting development into production, it is crucial to test it to ensure there are no bugs. It’s just as important to test it once it’s actually implemented.
The only way to find bugs and fix them is through these tests.
On top of all of that, front-end developers must also have soft skills.
Great communication skills play an important role for the development of successful development. Software development teams are usually composed of several people and, generally speaking, they are in constant contact with other departments. Teamwork skills are a plus in this profession.
In addition, it’s useful for front-end developers to know how to manage crises. They must know how to resolve any issues that may occur in the process of successfully developing a website or an app.
What’s the average salary for a front-end software engineer?
A front-end developer’s salary depends on both their amount of work experience and location.
For example, in the United States, a Junior front-end developer earns $60,000, a Middle developer $87,000, and a Senior developer $140,000 annually. But, what about the rest of the countries?
- Germany: A Senior developer makes about $77,000 per year.
- Canada: The average maximum annual salary is $75,000 in Toronto.
- Australia: It can go up to $180,000 per year in Perth
As for Latin America, in Argentina, a Senior developer earns $82,700 annually. Similarly, Colombia averages at $81,900 per year. While in Brazil, the average annual salary is $71,900.
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