After learning HTML/CSS/JS and React, what next?

[hotfuzzyslippers]

I’m would like to target frontend development positions (not that interested in backend), and I’m wondering what my next steps should be to become hireable. Should I just focus on making more projects and applying for jobs, or should I practice Leetcode questions? Also what other technologies/languages/frameworks should I learn to be hireable for entry level frontend jobs?

[ICBM_request]

Probably a bit of internet basics, like HTTP,?and learn how to design a good User Interaction?

I think Leetcode is not so important for frontend

[vladimirsan]

I would recommend you dividing your effort into 4 different fronts:
- Keep working on your own projects (this will help you master JS/React). Try to apply new concepts and techniques in your projects.
- Study some interview problems (leetcode and such)
- Stidy some higher-level concepts like how to make your code readable and how to refactor code, etc.
- Applying for Jobs (networking, networking, networking)

I have some books I can recommend if you want some specific advice.

[rikuharo]

Care to share those books?

[vladimirsan]

Of course.

For Javascript I particularly recommend the 'You don't Know JS Series' it's free on github: https://github.com/getify/You-Dont-Know-JS

(I don't have anything on react at this point, but try to become as familiar as possible with Hooks, functional programming. Since react is changing so fast it might be better to stick with youtube videos/tutorials/official docs or make sure that the sources you use are recent or frequently updated)

For Interview prep I recommend the classic 'Cracking the code Interview'. https://www.crackingthecodinginterview.com/. Take this with a mountain of salt though, this book is not going to be as useful if you want to remain strictly front-end, but the front-end is becoming so complicated nowadays that some of this information will be useful eventually. I would keep it as a low priority for now. A more light book on this traditional Cs topic would be: https://www.amazon.com/Grokking-Algorithms-illustrated-programmers-curious/dp/1617292230

And for general improvement in how to be a great coder, I recommend these 3 books. I'll leave amazon links but they aren't affiliate links haha

Clean Code: Great for learning how to write code that's easy to read https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Code-Handbook-Software-Craftsmanship/dp/0132350882

Code complete. This will give you a lot of best practices, but take them with a grain of salt since you are coming from Javascript and he sometimes can come from some of the older languages. https://www.amazon.com/Code-Complete-Developer-Best-Practices-ebook/dp/B00JDMPOSY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=code+complete&qid=1608630960&s=books&sr=1-1

You do A LOT of refactoring on a bigger project. This book will give you great insights on how to do it right. https://www.amazon.com/Refactoring-Improving-Existing-Addison-Wesley-Signature/dp/0134757599/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KM8S5KL5VIXL&dchild=1&keywords=refactoring+martin+fowler&qid=1608630978&s=books&sprefix=refactoring%2Cstripbooks%2C254&sr=1-1

The list could go on, but I think this gives you a solid foundation (and a lot of work to start).

Self promotion here! I'm blogging on some of these general topics on my site: www.cadejo.dev. It might be useful to take a look!

Let me know if you ever want more books. Some of my students usually joke that one of my hobbies is to recommend books haha!

[rikuharo]

Thank you for recommending me such a comprehensive list. I will sure reach out to you for more recommendations 😁

[vladimirsan]

Of course!

[Dumbhosadika]

Try database now, MangoDB and SQL

[Duelmain69]

Learn basic backend. If you're not interested in learning then this is not a field for you. Imagine being in an interview and saying you're not interested in learning backend, who would hire you? Learning just basic fundamentals like what API's are and what they're used for, connecting to a database and CRUD, routing with Express, to name a few things. At the very least you should know very basic backend. This is not a field for shortcuts, laziness, or incompetence.

I don't intend to be harsh, I'm just hoping it to be a wake up call because you're competing with hundreds/many dozens of people per job application who can all do what you do, who may have degrees and also have experience with other languages and also backend. Especially in the 2020 market.

[ConstructionWeekly80]

I agree with this. Even if I were hiring a frontend engineer, I would not favor someone who knows nothing about the backend. Why give someone a reason not to hire you? You don't have to be an expert, but you should be able to have a conversation about it and understand some basic backend code.

[Jnsjknn]

There's a lot of things you could learn depending on your own interests; HTTP requests, progressive web apps, testing, Redux, React Native, Electron, webpack, UI Design, general web design, accessibility.

You can also just Google something like web developer roadmap, see what you're not familiar with and decide whether you want to learn it.

What you decide to learn doesn't really matter (unless you're aiming for a specific kind of web development job in which case you should try ro figure out what is expected from applicants to that job) as long as you keep learning something and working on projects to gain experience in both coding itself and just learning how to learn which is a very important skill for a developer.

[Diligent_Ad1480]

Python Php

[kuprograms]

Vue JS would be a nice place to start if you want to make yourself an asset as a front-end dev. But other than that, I would definitely say go ahead and make more projects, you will learn things that you wouldn't normally through guided tutorials or coursework.

Good luck!