Becoming a stack developer means understanding this programming architecture’s basic and advanced principles. You’ll work on the software development’s client and server side. Hence, it would be best to work with various functions of database, server, API, and front- and back-end technologies. If these pieces of information sound interesting, continue reading to learn how you can become a successful stack developer.
1 Gain The Necessary Skills as a Stack Developer
In a perfect world, you can become a full-stack developer overnight. But that event is improbable as you must first gain different skills and understand various programming tools.
Some of the areas you need to be knowledgeable about if you want to become a successful stack developer are:
Front-End Technology
Become a master of essential front-end technologies like CSS3, HTML5, and JavaScript. Companies will be looking to hire you if you have extra knowledge in full-stack development with React and NodeJS, along with other third-party libraries.
Development Languages
As a full-stack software engineer, you should know at least one server-side development language. Some examples include Java, Python, and Ruby.
Web Design
Understand the knowledge and principles of web design to help organizations and their clients in the development and repair of prototype and UI/UX designs.
Stack Developer: Server
Many companies want to hire a stack developer exposed to servers like Apache or Nginx. Moreover, learning the ins and outs of the Linux operating system can help significantly in administering servers.
Other skills to add to your technical resume as a stack developer may include the understanding of automated processes of testing, documenting, and deploying code. You should also know different security concerns and protocols to combat and solve software vulnerabilities.
2 Master One Technology
The path to becoming a successful stack developer means expanding your scope of knowledge to new horizons. Your life in the software department will be an endless pursuit of learning. But it doesn’t mean you should try to master all stack development procedures coming your way.
Instead, master one technology while maintaining familiarity with the rest. Therefore, you can focus on a particular programming language or tool. But, you may also help with other programming tasks, thanks to the additional software knowledge you have accumulated.
You might now wonder what the best technology to learn would be. The “best” learning technology is relative, as the answer depends on several factors. Nonetheless, choose a particular technology that’s quite popular among different clients.
Selecting a famous technology may help you maintain a competitive edge among other professionals in the field.
3 Build Your Portfolio To Become A Stack Developer
You don’t need to become a full-time stack developer under a company from the start. Instead, you may want to start your full-stack development journey as a freelancer.
As a freelancer, you can take on different stack development jobs with varying difficulty levels. Moreover, you can choose which jobs to take and refuse. Conversely, if you work under an organization immediately, you might not have enough exposure to handling different programming concerns.
Remember that all good coding jobs are worthwhile, regardless of the difficulty level. Even if the programming job only requires five minutes, you’ll still learn something from the task. The extra knowledge gained will always count, and you can add experience to your portfolio and resume.
Also, note that every stack developer has to start at the beginning. Hence, don’t feel discouraged if you don’t land a particular role in a specific company. You can begin with other job descriptions before becoming a full-stack developer. Some examples of these other job titles are:
- Junior Full Stack Developer
- Software Development Engineer
- API Engineer
Another way to build your portfolio to become a successful stack developer is to make something of your own. Create a high-quality product. Let other users utilize your personally-developed code or software to help build trust within the IT community.
Use this opportunity to see, feel, and experience the developed end product. Build the application from scratch and secure its parameters to reduce the risks of invading malware. Aim to create a level of dedication that translates to well-built code or software.
4 Update And Upgrade Your Resume
To be a successful stack developer, you must update and upgrade your software engineer resume. What does this mean? It means that you must ensure that all the details in your resume contain your most recent job experience, educational attainment, training, or certification. With an updated skill set, prospective employers can quickly determine your fit for the job. Check the following tips when updating and upgrading your software engineer resume:
- Clearly list all your relevant technical skills and be specific, such as Laravel for PHP. In this way, the hiring manager won’t be guessing what PHP framework you’re familiar with if you list it as PHP skills alone.
- Show the hiring manager your deep and high-level skills by not listing too many skills. If you tend to write too many skills, it indicates you have broad knowledge but are not specialized enough for the job. Just list the major ones in your resume that are relevant to your future job as a stack developer.
- Show your expertise in language and skill. For instance, mention the specifics of being a C++ prodigy, employing it in your resume summary and work experience sections. Position the use of C++ based on your accomplishments and not just job duties.
- Target your resume or CV for one job at a time to increase the likelihood of success. Research the company by familiarizing yourself with its products and the technologies behind them, and then customize your resume. Optimize your resume’s introduction and work experience sections by addressing the job’s needs with your related software engineering background.
Final Words To Become A Stack Developer
Becoming a successful stack developer might be long and arduous, but it’s not impossible. Acquire the right skills, master one technology, and build your portfolio. Follow these guidelines, and you can be bumping fists with other successful full-stack developers in the industry over time.
