Full Stack Developer Resume Examples & Samples for 2022

Full Stack Developer Resume Overview

If you’ve always been a tech wizard, you may be considering a career as a full stack developer. Whether you’re helping companies deliver their products to the world or developing technology of your own, the skills required of software developers, including full stack developers, are in increasingly high demand. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2019 and 2029, software developers will see a growth of 22% in job outlook. These positions are in high demand, and companies are looking to work with the best and the brightest to make their visions come to life.

Thinkful, a company offering courses for people looking to break into the technology sector, says, “The life of a full stack developer is full of challenges and rewards. You’ll have to keep learning new skills as technologies evolve. In return, you’ll enjoy high salaries and lots of opportunities to move up the ranks.”

When it comes time to apply for jobs as a full stack developer, you’ll need a perfectly polished full stack developer CV to present to potential employers. You may have all the skills required for the job, or you may be just beginning your career journey -- either way, you’ll find absolutely everything you need to know about writing a full stack developer resume here.

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What is a Full Stack Developer?

Each website and app you visit every day is actually made up of two different parts. The front end, or client side, is what you interact with. Front end development focuses on making the application attractive and usable for everyone. Without front end developers, you’d never see a Tweet, watch a video, or read a testimonial on a website.

The other side of development is the back end, or server side. This is where skilled developers write code in order to make the application function from a technical perspective. While you, as a user, will usually never view or interact with the back end, without it, there would be no product.

Often, a software developer specializes in one of these areas of development. However, a full stack developer has developed the skills necessary to work on both the front and back ends of a product. Large tech companies employ full stack developers to work across teams and departments, since they’re able to contribute to more of the development process than developers who focus on a specific end of the product. Smaller companies also often seek out full stack developers to manage their entire development processes. Because full stack developers have such a large range of knowledge and responsibilities, they often enjoy high salaries and respect.

Full Stack Developer Resume Examples

Your headline should be short and to the point. This is the very first thing a recruiter will see, so make sure you’re putting your absolute best foot forward. Highlight your level of experience if you aren’t applying for entry-level positions, or your recent academic accomplishment if you’re a new graduate. Make sure to read the job description carefully and adjust your resume to fit it -- as long as what you’re saying is true, of course! For example, if your preferred programming language is Ruby, make sure you’re only applying for full stack developer jobs that use Ruby as the primary programming language.

Many recruiters and companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems to automate and streamline the recruitment process. While this is a great benefit for companies, some applicants have been met with the frustration of their resumes not ever being seen by a real person -- if the resume doesn’t get past the ATS software, it’s usually discarded. Thankfully, VisualCV’s resume templates have been specifically designed to beat applicant tracking systems, making your full stack developer resume much more likely to make it in front of the right person.

Full stack developer with five years of experience looking for a new opportunity in the financial technology industry. Fluent in Python with experience in app development, database management, and Javascript.

Don’t: make your headline too wordy or personal -- that’s what your cover letter is for!

Experience

This is where you can really start bragging. Alison Green, author of Ask a Manager, highlights the single biggest resume mistake she saw in her time as a hiring manager: “Writing a resume that reads like a series of job descriptions.”

“The bullet points they use to describe what they did for each job just list activities and read like a job description for the role might,” she says. “For example, ‘edit documents,’ ‘collect data,’ or ‘manage website.’”

While writing the experience section of your full stack developer resume, focus on what you accomplished at each position.

For example, consider the following entry.

Full Stack Developer, Microsoft. 2018-2021

• Programmed using Python
• Helped launch new search app
• Managed team of three junior developers

This entry focuses on responsibilities that you had at your previous role. When you focus on accomplishments, things start to look more interesting!

Full Stack Developer, Microsoft. 2015-2018

• Developed front- and back-end web pages using Python and Javascript, contributing to an annual revenue increase of $2 million.
• Led development team during the programming and launch of new search app, resulting in 10 million downloads in the first 30 days.
• Grew development team by managing junior developers to increase monthly output by 150%.

A recruiter will be looking for the facts. What did you do at your previous jobs that made you stand out? For which projects did you receive the most praise? Providing tangible results like revenue and growth shows recruiters that you have the potential to do the same at your next job.

Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Resumes

If you’re applying for entry-level full stack developer positions, you likely won’t have much experience to share in your resume. Recruiters should understand this, and, as long as you can demonstrate that you’ve grasped the basics of the role, you can still create a stand-out resume.

Most entry-level recruiters will look primarily at education and any internship or volunteer experience you may have. This is where you can go into more detail about your education, whether you attended a university program or a coding bootcamp. Major projects you completed, programming languages you learned, and grades you received are all great things to include in the education section of your full stack developer resume.

If you plan on mostly focusing on your education in your resume, remember to state your accomplishments in the same tangible terms you would if you were talking about a previous job. For example:

BS. Computer Science | George Washington University | 2016

• Graduated summa cum laude, 4.0 GPA
• Led robotics team to two national championships (2014, 2016)
• Completed two summer internships at Big Five companies
• Vice-President of the GWU computer club

Volunteer work and internships can be listed under your experience section. Remember to always speak about accomplishments and results rather than the description of what you did. Internships are an excellent way to break into the technology industry, but you’ll have to present them well to stand out from other applicants.

Full Stack Developer Resume Skills

What skills should you include on a full stack developer resume? While you should always try and list the skills that the job posting is asking for, there are some skills that come with the territory of being a full stack developer. Looking for more information about adding skills to your resume? Check out our resume skills guide here.

Programming Languages

Probably the most important skill to have when applying for a full stack developer position, a knowledge of programming languages will take you far in the technology field. Different companies operate using different languages, but you’ll learn popular languages through your full stack developer education. In order to become the master of both the front and back ends of a website, full stack developers should be comfortable working with a range of languages.

What coding languages should a full stack developer know?

• Front-end languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript
• At least one back-end language, such as Python or Ruby

Front End Development

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, is the standard programming language for pages created to be displayed on the internet. With HTML, full stack developers can create the basic framework for a web page by adding things like images, text boxes, and drop-down lists. This basic framework is then further customized and developed using other languages, such as CSS and Javascript.

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, dictates the appearance of the HTML elements displayed on a web page. With CSS, you can change the colors, fonts, and layouts of web pages, as well as adapt your page to be used on different devices. For example, you may have to change the way a web page is displayed on mobile versus desktop.

Javascript is a popular programming language that is used on both the front and back ends of a website, making it an important skill for full stack developers to have. With Javascript, full stack developers can make web pages interactive, create web and mobile apps, develop games, and more.

Back End Development

While Javascript is often used in both the front and back ends of web pages, full stack developers often know other programming languages for back-end development such as Python or Ruby. Most of the time, full stack developers specialize in one particular programming language for back-end development. However, experienced full stack developers often work with multiple languages, making them even more desirable to employers.

Python is a general-purpose programming language. This means that developers can create many different types of applications and web pages with Python. The language is most often used for creating web applications, automating tasks, and conducting data analysis.

Some companies operate using Ruby instead of Python as their back-end language. Ruby and Python share many similarities -- they’re both general-purpose programming languages. Many people agree that Python is the easier language to learn, as it’s more straightforward. However, Ruby is more difficult to learn because of its increased flexibility, which can also make it more appealing to companies and full stack developers.

Database Management Systems

The code that you’ll write as a full stack developer will serve many purposes. Often, you’ll write code that fetches data from an application’s database. Because of this, full stack developers should have knowledge of and experience with database management systems, or DBMS. Popular DBMS include Oracle, MySQL, and MongoDB.

Learn more about database skills here.

Web Hosting Platforms

All the hard work you’ll put into your full stack developer job won’t mean much if the general public can’t see it! Web hosting platforms, such as Linux and Azure, allow web pages and applications to be accessed and viewed by users on the internet. As a full stack developer, you should be familiar with the role of a web hosting platform and how to work with them.

Version Control

Creating applications or web pages usually involves thousands of individual files and other important documents. These documents need to be able to be accessed and edited by the entire team, and organized in a way that makes sense for everyone. Version control applications, such as Git and GitHub, are crucial for full stack developers. Full stack developers often manage the version control systems used by their employers. If you’re interested in a job as a full stack developer, you’ll need plenty of experience and knowledge in version control.

Soft Skills for Full Stack Developers

It’s important to hone your programming skills if you want to become a full stack developer, but that’s not all there is to the role. Make sure that, when applying for full stack developer jobs, you also make note of your soft skills, or skills that characterize your relationships with yourself and others.

Communication

Developers often work on development teams with many other people. If that’s the case in your position as a full stack developer, you’ll need to be able to communicate effectively and proactively with your colleagues to make sure that all of your projects are completed on time. Even if you aren’t on a large development team, communication skills are still crucial. Not everyone you work with will have the same level of technical knowledge that you do. Being able to communicate your work and your needs within your role to people without development knowledge can go a long way.

Creativity

As a full stack developer, you’ll often be the first point of call when something goes wrong on your company’s website or application. Some bugs will be easily identified and easily fixed. Others, not so much. You’ll have to think creatively to find solutions to every problem put in front of you. Whether you’re troubleshooting a technical issue or figuring out a way to make the product behave exactly the way you want, creativity is an important soft skill to hone if you want to work in web development or web design.

Planning

Development teams often select which projects to work on over the course of a few weeks, in periods known as sprints, bursts, or cycles. Often, in order to determine which projects should take priority during these periods, full stack developers have to look much further ahead. If you’re able to plan by thinking about each step of a project, then you may have a bright future as a full stack developer.

Organization

Between creating, testing, and innovating in both the front and back ends of a product, full stack developers have a lot of responsibilities. When you apply for a full stack developer job, make sure to highlight your organizational skills. You should be comfortable with managing your time in a way that brings the best possible results to the role.

Related Resume Examples

Something about this job catch your eye, but you aren’t quite sure if it’s a match? Check out these related resume examples and samples and discover where your next career move could take you.

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Full Stack Developer Salaries

You may have been drawn to web development roles because you’ve heard that these jobs pay very well. It’s true that many developers enjoy large salaries and great benefits, but pay structure often depends on your level of experience and seniority. When you think about potential salaries, remember to also consider the cost of living in your area. Many tech companies that hire full stack developers are located in major cities around the world. If you live or are relocating to these cities, you should expect to pay more for things like housing, transportation, food, and entertainment. Even some companies that allow employees to work remotely adjust compensation depending on the cost of living in their locations. How much does a full stack developer make? Here are some average salaries across the US for full stack developer roles, according to Glassdoor.

• Junior Full Stack Developer: $74,000
• Full Stack Developer: $99,000
• Senior Full Stack Developer: $114,000

Internationally, full stack developers make an average of $74,000 CAD in Canada, $100,000 AUD in Australia, and £47,500 in the United Kingdom. Keep in mind that these are just averages, and your potential salary could vary depending on your experience, location, and company. For example, a large company with lots of income and funding has the room to pay larger salaries than small businesses and early start-ups.

How to Become a Full Stack Developer

If you’ve decided that a career as a full stack developer is for you, you’re likely wondering how to reach your new career goal. How do you become a full stack developer? The first step towards a job as a full stack developer is ensuring you have the skills required for the role. Most people acquire these skills through some form of formal education or training.

What Should You Study to Become a Full Stack Developer?

If you’re choosing a major in college with plans to become a full stack developer, choosing to study a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering is often a great first step. These programs will educate you on both the front end and the back end of development, which means that once you graduate you’ll have the experience necessary to find a job as an entry-level full stack developer. Many college programs also offer internships or co-ops, allowing you to gain real-world experience in the field before you even graduate. You may find yourself perusing job offers before you’ve even graduated, as many companies recruit directly from college programs. However, if you’ve already graduated from college and are looking for a career change, or if you just don’t think that college is for you, there are still opportunities for you to learn how to be a full stack developer. Coding bootcamps are an increasingly popular way for beginners to enter the workforce. These programs often last anywhere between six and twelve weeks, and participants are given a full education in a particular coding language such as Ruby, Python, or Javascript.

Should I do a Computer Science Degree or a Coding Bootcamp?

Depending on your career path and goals, there are many reasons why you might choose to complete a computer science degree over a bootcamp, and vice versa. Before you make your decision, carefully consider your life and the ways in which both programs fit within it. For example, coding bootcamps are popular choices for people during a career transition, since you have the opportunity to get into the job market much faster than with a four-year degree. However, degrees from prestigious universities can stand out on your full stack developer resume and make recruiters consider you more carefully. The tables below outline a few pros and cons for both options, but remember that each program is different and you should speak to admissions offices and current students to discover which is the best fit for you.

Computer Science Degree

Pros	Cons
Receiving a bachelor's degree	4-year time commitment
University name recognition for employers	High cost
Internship placement opportuities	Limited to learning what the university deems most important only

Coding Bootcamp

Pros	Cons
Fast-tracked program	Less name recognition -- employers may be biased towards university degrees
Less expensive than a computer science degree	Material is usually less wide-reaching than a computer science degree
More opportunities for self-guided study	Fast-paced, competitive environment

Full Stack Developer Job Progression

If you have big dreams of climbing the ladder as a full stack developer, you’ll need to know where to start -- and where you’re going. Keep in mind that, while these job levels show one possible career path, no two careers are exactly the same. The way you progress in your career may be different to this, or to others you may know.

Student Full Stack Developer

As a student full stack developer, you’ll be engrossed in learning different programming languages, databases, and other skills that will help you succeed as a full stack developer. During your time as a student, you could join clubs and other extracurriculars that can help you progress in your career down the line. For example, a computer science club could be a possible networking opportunity, as well as a way to further sharpen your development skills. While in school (whether a university or coding bootcamp), you’ll begin to create your portfolio. These initial projects will be one of the main things recruiters view when considering you for full stack developer roles. While it may seem like you’re “only a student” at this point in your career, there are still many things you can do to advance.

Full Stack Developer Intern

Many full stack developers complete internships early on in their careers -- often as students, but occasionally as a way to gain experience in the industry and a “foot in the door” with companies they admire and would like to work with. Large tech companies generally have highly competitive internship programs, and many more companies often hire for full-time positions from within their intern pool.

As an intern, you’ll learn about what daily work is like for full stack developers. You’ll gain insight into the team structure and hierarchy at your chosen company, and create connections with other developers. Often, you’ll also have opportunities to add to that all-important portfolio.

Junior Full Stack Developer

This is it: your first full-time job as a full stack developer! In a junior role, you’ll work on a team to manage the front- and back-end of your company’s software, product, or application. Companies will obviously expect you to understand your chosen programming language and the basics of work as a full stack developer, but junior developers are also encouraged to use this role as a learning opportunity. Not all junior developers will have internship experience, so companies may offer mentorship and other resources to help you gain your footing.

Full Stack Developer

After a couple of years working as a junior full stack developer, you’ll likely have gained the confidence and knowledge to progress in your career. Full stack developers will continue to work on the front- and back-ends of products with teams. You may find at this point in your career that you’ll be trusted to manage specific projects, or small teams of people. The key to continuing to advance as a full stack developer is to never stop learning about new technology and programming methods, as this will help ensure you never become obsolete.

Senior Full Stack Developer

Once you’ve spent a few more years working as a full stack developer, you’ll be ready for anything your job might throw at you. Another part of this progression is that you’ve likely learned not just the technical aspects of being a full stack developer, but the more strategic, creative side of the job as well. This knowledge will come in handy as a senior full stack developer. You may find yourself doing less coding than previously -- your responsibilities may shift to managing large teams and projects, as well as guiding some of the development strategy.

Full Stack Director

A director-level position means you’ll continue down the path of owning and operating the development strategy for your company. Your focus will be more on big-picture projects and the direction of the company, rather than individual development projects or programming. As a full stack director, you’ll oversee most of the development team, meaning you’ll be partially responsible for their own career growth, progression, and development.

Chief Technology Officer

The very top of the full stack developer career path, a chief technology officer (or CTO) is in charge of all aspects of a company’s technology, from client-facing applications to internal products. CTOs come to this position from various career paths -- you don’t necessarily have to work as a full stack developer to become a CTO. However, since full stack developers have such a wide range of knowledge, they’re excellent candidates for CTO roles.

Final Thoughts

The technology sector has seen incredible growth over the last few decades, and that growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Full stack developers are highly sought after, which puts you in a great position to negotiate for high salaries, stock options, and other benefits. However, the technology field is competitive and filled with highly skilled, ambitious people. A good full stack developer resume is one that focuses on accomplishments, is customized to the specifications in the job description, and showcases the ways in which you would fit in on the development team.

A professionally designed resume is one way to make your application stand out from the crowd. Whether you choose to use eye-catching color, a unique format, or simply a clean and polished template with your skills and achievements on display, a VisualCV Pro membership could be the thing that takes your career to the next level.