A front-end web developer is responsible for implementing visual and interactive elements that users engage with through their web browser when using a web application. They are usually supported by back-end web developers, who are responsible for server-side application logic and integration of the work front-end developers do.
A front-end web developer is probably what most people think of as a “web developer”. A front-end web developer is responsible for implementing visual elements that users see and interact with in a web application. They are usually supported by back-end web developers, who are responsible for server-side application logic and integration of the work front-end developers do.
Writing a good job description and a corresponding job ad requires proper separation of concerns. Posting a generic web developer job description in your ad when you are looking for an advanced front-end web developer, will bring numerous applications from people who are specialized in building back-end web services, or web designers who have absolutely no knowledge about programming.
There are technologies and knowledge that are common to all web developer jobs. This article will provide you with a sample front-end web developer job description that will help you write a perfect job ad and assure that you easily find and hire the person that matches your specific criteria.
Front-End Web Developer - Job Description and Ad Template
Copy this template, and modify it as your own:
Company Introduction
{{Write a short and catchy paragraph about your company. Make sure to provide information about the company culture, perks, and benefits. Mention office hours, remote working possibilities, and everything else you think makes your company interesting.}}
Job Description
We are looking for a Front-End Web Developer who is motivated to combine the art of design with the art of programming. Responsibilities will include translation of the UI/UX design wireframes to actual code that will produce visual elements of the application. You will work with the UI/UX designer and bridge the gap between graphical design and technical implementation, taking an active role on both sides and defining how the application looks as well as how it works.
Responsibilities
Develop new user-facing features
Build reusable code and libraries for future use
Ensure the technical feasibility of UI/UX designs
Optimize application for maximum speed and scalability
Assure that all user input is validated before submitting to back-end
Collaborate with other team members and stakeholders
{{Add other responsibilities that are relevant}}
Skills And Qualifications
Proficient understanding of web markup, including HTML5, CSS3
Basic understanding of server-side CSS pre-processing platforms, such as LESS and SASS
Proficient understanding of client-side scripting and JavaScript frameworks, including jQuery
Note: Every front-end developer is expected to have a proficient knowledge of JavaScript, while most front-end developers should know jQuery.
Good understanding of {{Depending on the specific case, a developer should have the knowledge of advanced JavaScript libraries and frameworks, such as AngularJS, KnockoutJS, BackboneJS, ReactJS, DurandalJS etc.}}
Good understanding of asynchronous request handling, partial page updates, and AJAX
Basic knowledge of image authoring tools, to be able to crop, resize, or perform small adjustments on an image. Familiarity with tools such as as Gimp or Photoshop is a plus.
Note: A UI/UX designer is expected to deliver finished resources for the developer to incorporate into the app. However, quite often a front-end web developer needs to make some small adjustments.
Proficient understanding of cross-browser compatibility issues and ways to work around them.
Proficient understanding of code versioning tools, such as {{Git / Mercurial / SVN}}
Good understanding of SEO principles and ensuring that application will adhere to them.
{{Make sure to mention any other framework, library, or any other technology related to your development stack}}
{{List education level or certification you require}}
Front-end developers are experts in the practice of creating HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more for a website or web application while keeping an eye on UI and UX. The questions presented in this guide help identify those front-end developers with the experience to produce masterful results.
Toptal is a marketplace for top Front-end developers and coders. CEOs, CTOs, and management at top companies and start-ups work with Toptal Front-end freelancers to augment their development teams for Front-end development, app development, web development, and other software development projects to achieve their business needs.
United StatesFreelance Front-end Developer at Toptal Since March 19, 2017
Johnathan has 15 years of experience writing web apps that span consumer productivity software to mission-critical financial trading platforms. He has extensive knowledge of front-end JavaScript and browser APIs as well as significant experience with popular frameworks and libraries like React and Redux. Johnathan's deep full-stack experience includes Node.js and Express, MongoDB as well as more traditional technologies like PHP, ASP.NET, and MySQL.
JapanFreelance Front-end Developer at Toptal Since October 18, 2018
As a full-stack developer, Isa has been collaborating with a variety of companies including small startups and big communities, which has made him intimately familiar with all the stages of the web lifecycle from the initial architecture to final deployment. Recently, he has worked on several cryptocurrency projects piling up great knowledge on blockchain tech. He is also not new to the remote freelancing scene, so he is extremely flexible with his working hours.
SerbiaFreelance Front-end Developer at Toptal Since March 20, 2017
Ugljesa is a passionate software engineer who started programming in grade school. After getting his bachelor's degree in computer science, he worked for two large international companies–developing mostly web applications for several years. Ugljesa is accustomed to a distributed environment and working with remote clients using agile methodologies.
United KingdomFreelance Front-end Developer at Toptal Since January 21, 2019
Prashant is a full-stack developer with a broad and versatile coding skill set. He quickly helps startups and enterprises with prototypes and ideas by efficiently building those things into reality. His expertise lies in building MVPs, apps, enterprise software, scalable microservices, web crawlers, REST and Socket APIs, infrastructure modeling, AWS, and deployments. Prashant is the go-to guy for any of your development needs.
United StatesFreelance Front-end Developer at Toptal Since December 6, 2014
Carlos is a professional software engineer and full-stack web developer specializing in the Ruby on Rails framework. He has worked with tech companies for over a decade, helping to build technology-based businesses from the ground up. He has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Williams College.
SingaporeFreelance Front-end Developer at Toptal Since August 30, 2016
Andrei is an experienced full-stack web developer with almost a decade of experience working with a large variety of technologies—over half of that working remotely. He is equally comfortable collaborating with a team of developers or flying solo. He has worked with satisfied clients from the US, Australia, Kuwait, and Russia.
United StatesFreelance Front-end Developer at Toptal Since December 13, 2013
Eric is a software programmer and teaches others how to program as well. He has been doing this since the summer of 1997. He has had the chance to travel throughout North America, Europe and India working with awesome people to solve challenging problems and to help people build their careers with new programming skills. He is very grateful for all of the exciting lessons learned and challenging problems solved through his collaboration with others so he could help the larger world community.
