What To Look For In A Freelance Web Developer Resume
How can you ensure you’re hiring an exceptional freelance web developer?
With the current tech talent shortage, even big companies are experiencing difficulty recruiting skilled freelance developers. For 2023 alone, over 54% of employers report their organizations experience skill shortages in tech.
And to think that there are about 27.7 million developers worldwide? It’s crazy that many are still struggling to find their ideal candidate.
But given our expertise in assisting businesses to connect with tech talent, we know the hiring struggles you are experiencing. And we’re here to help you get through it!
Let’s start with the basics…
Assessing a Web Developer’s Resume and Portfolio
When hiring a freelance web developer, or any role, checking their credentials is vital. And you can do this by looking at their resume and portfolio.
An ideal freelance web developer’s resume must include skills, experience, and education. It should be easy to read and well-organized, using bullet points to emphasize achievements and abilities.
On the other hand, a freelance web developer’s portfolio is equally important. It should showcase their best work and demonstrate how they create websites using their skills and expertise. Ask about the skill requirements and timeline they needed for their past work. This will help you assess whether they’re the right fit for your project or business.
Still a bit confused about who to hire? Let’s explore further… Below are the steps you can follow when vetting potential web developers:
How to Screen a Web Developer Resume and Portfolio?
Finding the right candidate is crucial for success. To ensure you're making the right choice, here’s how to screen the best resume and portfolio effectively.
Step 1: Review the resume
Begin by checking the candidate's contact information. Ensure it's up-to-date and includes their full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if available).
Next, there should be a professional summary. This section provides a quick overview of the candidate's skills and experience. Look for relevant keywords and a clear understanding of their career goals.
Examine the candidate's work history. Pay attention to:
- Relevant Experience: Does the candidate have experience working on projects similar to yours?
- Responsibilities: What were their key responsibilities in previous roles?
- Achievements: Did they accomplish anything noteworthy in their past positions?
Then, review the candidate's education section.. Look for degrees or certifications related to web development. Keep an eye out for relevant coursework or additional training.
You should also check the list of technical skills. Check for experiences they possess in programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Remember soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
Step 2: Examine the portfolio
A diverse portfolio is a good sign. Look for various projects like websites, web applications, and eCommerce platforms. This demonstrates adaptability and a broad skill set.
But remember, it's not about how many projects are in the portfolio, but rather the quality of work. Assess the design, functionality, and user experience of the showcased projects.
And review code samples. This will give you insight into the developer's coding style, organization, and attention to detail.
Step 3: Evaluate soft skills
Do you agree that web development is not just about coding? The skills section should also contain a developer's soft skills. They are equally important. So, look for evidence of:
- Communication: Can they explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders?
- Problem-solving: Have they faced challenges in their projects, and how did they overcome them?
- Teamwork: Did they collaborate effectively with designers, project managers, or other team members?
Step 4: Assess cultural fit
Consider whether the candidate would fit your organization's culture well. Assess their values, work ethic, and attitude. Cultural alignment can contribute to a harmonious and productive work environment.
Step 5: Contact references
If you're impressed with the resume and portfolio, contact the candidate's provided references. Ask about their experience working with the candidate and whether they would recommend them for the job.
Screening web developer resumes and portfolios is a critical step in finding the right talent. By following these steps, you can identify candidates with the skills, experience, and qualities needed for your project or organization. Remember, hiring a web developer is not just about technical proficiency; it's also about finding someone who can contribute positively to your team and project's success.
Key Qualifications of Skilled Web Developers
What makes a web developer qualified? Your web development applicants should highlight their essential qualifications to stand out against their competition, making it easier for you to gauge their capabilities.
Here are some essential qualifications you should keep an eye on:
Technical skills and programming languages
To succeed in hiring a skilled web developer, don’t forget to check if they have a strong foundation in technical skills and programming languages.
They should be proficient in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. These three are the most popular programming languages of all. They should also have experience with React, Angular, and Vue frameworks. While not a requirement but an advantage, familiarity with server-side programming languages, such as PHP, Python, or Ruby on Rails, should also be considered.
Experience with web development
A web developer’s resume should showcase their expertise in developing websites and web applications. See if they have experience developing the following:
- Responsive websites
- eCommerce sites
- Content management systems (CMS)
- Databases and application programming interfaces (APIs)
Understands Responsive Web Design (RWD) and mobile optimization
Did you know that around 74% of online users will return to a mobile-friendly website? This number solidifies the importance of having responsive designs. That’s a massive chunk of potential customers for businesses.
Proficiency in frontend and backend
A web developer proficient in frontend and backend development is an excellent addition to your software development project. Also known as full-stack developers, they can create user interfaces and maintain server-side applications.
Familiarity with web security best practices
Web security is critical. As a business, you must secure your data and your customers. Every 44 seconds, a cyberattack occurs. And while the number of breaches isn’t increasing, it’s becoming more costly for a business to resolve today. Because of this, developers applying should know about web security best practices.
Your potential web developer must showcase their experience implementing security measures such as SSL, encryption, and authentication. They should also demonstrate knowledge of common security vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them.
These key qualifications are essential in crafting a job description for a web developer. Ensure they are crafted accurately, highlighting the qualifications most relevant to the job title.
What to Review Before Interviewing A Freelance Web Developer?
- Portfolio and previous work
As mentioned, a strong portfolio of previous work is one of the most important things to look for in a freelance web developer. You want evidence that the developer has experience building visually appealing, user-friendly, and functional websites.
Pro-tip: Look closely at the developer's portfolio and ask for references from previous clients to understand their work style and quality.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
Freelance web developers often work remotely and independently, so finding someone who can manage their time effectively and meet deadlines is important.
Pro-tip: Look for candidates who have experience working independently and can demonstrate a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget. Chances are, you are just one of their clients.
- Communication skills and responsiveness
Effective communication is key to a successful freelance web development project. You want to find someone who can clearly and proactively communicate with you throughout the project, whether to ask questions, provide updates, or address concerns.
Pro-tip: Look for candidates who are responsive to emails and other forms of communication and who can explain technical concepts in a way that's easy to understand.
- Handling multiple clients and projects
As we’ve said, freelance web developers often work on multiple projects simultaneously. It is important to find someone who can juggle multiple priorities and manage their workload effectively.
Pro-tip: Look for candidates who can demonstrate strong time-management skills.
- Self-motivation and problem-solving abilities
Freelancers are responsible for independently solving problems and finding solutions to technical challenges.
Pro-tip: Look for self-motivated candidates who can demonstrate a track record of solving complex technical problems. You want someone who is resourceful and can work independently to find solutions to issues as they arise.
There are many benefits to working with a freelance web developer, but one common concern businesses have is their commitment, given their nature of taking more than one client at a time. This makes finding someone who can dedicate time to your software development project all the more crucial.
Freelance vs. Remote Developers: Who Do You Really Need?
We get it.
You’re probably looking into hiring a freelance developer because of the flexibility and many other benefits they offer your business. But there’s another alternative you can explore: hiring remote web developers.
Remote developers provide almost the same benefits and additional perks like exclusivity to your business.
Why go for remote web developers?
Remote work isn’t going anywhere, and many businesses see its advantages. Whether you’re a startup or a large corporation, collaboration with a remote developer can offer numerous perks.
Cost Savings
The primary advantage of hiring a remote developer is the savings that can benefit your business. A remote staff is more cost-effective than an in-house team, enabling up to 80% savings (especially if you partner with an experienced remote staffing company like MultiplyMii in hiring your tech talent).
Reduced Overhead
We've said time and time again that remote staffing can help save on overhead costs. But to give you a clearer idea, here's a list of things remote work allows you to save on:
- Rent and utilities
- Relocation costs
- Cleaning services
- Security costs
- Food costs
- Office equipment costs
- Tax costs
Embracing remote work can lead to significant savings in these areas, making it a cost-effective choice.
Flexibility
Remote staff can adapt to your project's timeline and deadlines, even in a different time zone. This flexibility can help your business adjust to changing market demands more efficiently.
Reduced Turnover
Employee turnover can be costly and disruptive.
Remote web developers tend to have lower turnover rates because they have more control over their work environment and schedules. This stability can provide consistency and reliability for your projects.
Bring Aboard the Right Developer to Your Development Project
Don’t leave your development project’s success to chance.
Partner with MultiplyMii today and onboard the tech talent you need!
Whether you’re embarking on a new venture or expanding your team, we can help you find skilled remote Filipino web developers who can make all the difference in your project.
With our track record, you can rest assured that we can source, vet, and connect you with your ideal candidate.
We’ll assign a dedicated recruiter to assist you, ensuring you have all your needed help.
So, what are you waiting for?
Book a discovery call with us today, and let us start paving the way for your success!
