Top 10 Front End Skills You Need to Get Hired in 2021

You might have just graduated from your coding Bootcamp and are now on the hunt for your first job as a Front End Developer. But do you know? Today front-end developers earn the second highest salary compared to computer programmers, back-end developers, software engineers, and web designers.

No doubt that a front-end developer is a booming job profile today, but I still find many are confused about the skills they should focus on to get hired in 2021. 

I got this! This article will outline the top must-have Front End Developer skills that will help you stand out in a sea of qualified applicants and allow you to land your dream job.

Let’s dive into the list of top front-end developer skills.

1) JavaScript

One of the essential front-end developer skills you should have is JavaScript. This popular programming language is used on many websites, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter. It’s a must-have skill that will serve you well in any role involving front-end development. JavaScript can be challenging for beginners, but there are plenty of resources available to learn it properly.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more visual approach, several interactive coding platforms make learning easier and less daunting. For example, CodeCademy has an excellent track for learning JS and many other coding languages like Python or Ruby on Rails.

2) Responsive Web Design

A few years ago, responsive web design (RWD) was not only a buzzword but something you probably had no clue how to do. Fortunately, RWD has become extremely popular among large and small businesses because it makes sense. Your audience is most likely viewing your website on various devices, including desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

With RWD, your site will automatically adjust its content to fit these various screen sizes rather than leave you with multiple pages for multiple resolutions or mobile-only places that don’t play nice with search engines.

3) CSS3/CSS Preprocessors

CSS3 is a language for describing the rendering of documents (the styling and layout) on screen, on paper, in speech, etc. CSS preprocessors allow you to use techniques such as variables, functions, and mixins without sacrificing backward compatibility.

It's worth noting that while many companies still require at least some experience with HTML5 and JavaScript (ES6), these languages aren't always written in. Being a front-end developer means mastering both technologies. Using a templating engine like  Handlebars or Jade is likely easier for you or your company than trying to remember all of JavaScript's new features.

4) HTML5 and Semantic Markup

HTML5 and semantic markup can improve both accessibility and SEO. It’s not enough for a site to simply have pages with information; it must be accessible via search engines. Semantic HTML tags (like <header> or <nav>) provide a way for search engines to recognize content more easily, which improves accessibility. It’s also easier for people to use screen readers or other assistive technology like VoiceOver on iOS devices.

Semantic markup helps build a framework that allows machines and humans alike to understand your content better. Creating an accessible site is necessary not only because it’s good practice but because Google punishes sites that aren’t accessible with lower rankings.

5) Responsive Images

With all devices and browser compatibility on today’s web, we need a way of ensuring that images (and other content) are served to users based on their device and resolution. It is where responsive photos come into play. It allows us to do different-sized versions of an image based on what your browser supports.

Responsive images ensure we don't compromise how things look for mobile users because they can't support higher resolutions. The most popular responsive image syntax is called srcset. It doesn't work on legacy browsers or with CSS filters/effects, so you should use srcset with media queries for best results.

6) Sass/Less CSS Frameworks

Bootstrap and Foundation are two of many CSS frameworks available for front-end developers. Bootstrap and Foundation both help you quickly build custom interfaces without having to worry about creating your code; while convenient, using these types of frameworks can cause problems if they’re not up-to-date with current design trends. 

In the future, it will become important for front-end developers to know how to use languages like Sass and Less to work with these types of frameworks more easily. A developer will also become more familiar with writing efficient code optimized for mobile devices—crucial as responsive designs expand across industries. 

For instance, instead of writing something like  this:

.sidebar {

It’s better to use the following, which uses variables and more efficient syntax for app performance:

@variables -- sidebar-margin ; @sidebar-width : 320 px ; .sidebar { margin : var (-- sidebar - margin ) px; }

This will also make it easier for you to add media queries when building responsive designs.

7). Debugging Tools

Software development's future is already here, but it's tough for developers to keep up with all of its changes. The rate at which new languages, frameworks, and tools appear can make keeping up a full-time job. To stay competitive with emerging technologies, learn some debugging tools—not only will they help you solve bugs faster and more efficiently, but you'll also be able to demonstrate your problem-solving skills during an interview. Here are five of our favorites :

1. Web Developer Toolbox for Chrome  – A collection of tools that help you view which code is running on your site and lets you edit files without ever having to leave the browser. 

2. Firebug for Firefox – Inspect HTML and CSS in your browser and modify any element’s CSS properties live within the page.

3. JavaScript Console – Easily inspect variables, arrays, and objects as you work on your site’s code. 

4. Voice Debugger – Use speech recognition to view variables’ values within a page in Chrome or Firefox.  

5. CSS Lint   – Scan your CSS for errors and potential improvements.

8) User Interface (UI) Frameworks

There are dozens of UI frameworks for building user interfaces. You don’t need them all, but having at least a good handle on one framework will make you much more desirable than someone who has no experience with any UI frameworks. These frameworks aren’t just a way to build nice-looking apps; they make it easier to add features (like clickable buttons) and make your apps faster and better looking.

If you don’t know what I mean by a UI framework, then learn Bootstrap or Foundation first—these are two of the most popular out there that work well for nearly any type of project.

9) Code Editor/IDEs

Learning how to use a code editor or integrated development environment is essential for a web developer. These specialized applications help you write and edit code but have many other helpful features built right in. Things like syntax highlighting, live preview, color coding, auto-completion, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and more can save you an immense amount of time as you work through your next project. 

There are several different editors/IDEs out there, so check out which one might be best for you. It is now an indispensable part of every industry, and the skills needed to become a front-end developer are constantly evolving. Learning how to install CSS frameworks quickly, debug programs efficiently, and add responsive design features with ease will make you more valuable—and ensure your job security in the years to come.

10). Create Great Typography With Font Families, Typefaces & Glyphs

Don’t just think about how your text will look when it’s written—think about how you will read it. An often-overlooked aspect of design, typography makes a massive difference in whether or not someone will read what you’ve written.

For example, if you were writing a headline for an ad, would Get Your Hard Hat On. We’re Digging! be better than Dig It? (We Dig!) Just as with anything else on your resume, taking time to learn some typography basics can help you improve your typing skills and make them more understandable and legible. 

Here are some basic typography terms you should know: 

1. Font – A font is a set of characters or symbols that share the same design. 

2. Typeface – All characters in one particular text style, such as Arial or Times New Roman. 

3. Sans-serif – A sans serif typeface has a sleek, modern look. 

4. Serif – A serif typeface is more traditional looking and easier to read in long passages. San serifs are often used in body text because they’re more legible, while serifs are used in headlines. 

5. Glyph – Particular shape of a letter or symbol within a font such as a letter "A" or the numeral "1." 

6. Cursive – This refers to a style of handwriting that flows and is generally used for display purposes. 

7. Kerning – Adjusting the space between characters to improve legibility.

Final Words

Front-end developer skills are constantly changing. But, what won't change is how important it is for a prospective employer to see that you have these essential skills on your resume.

If you're interested in staying up-to-date with today's trends and securing an interview as quickly as possible, make sure these critical skills are represented on your CV/resume.

Which of these do you already possess?  Let me know this in the comment section.