Back-End

Developer
Job Search
Workbook
 Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Welcome
Now that you've developed essential back-end developer skills, you can leverage them to
1 Getting started
find your next role. This workbook is designed as an interactive resource as you navigate
the job market, from identifying the right opportunities to acing the interview.

Keep this document handy as you begin preparing for your job search. You'll find a
combination of suggested resources, career tips, and spaces to write or type your 2 Writing your resume and cover letter
thoughts as you prepare your application materials. Here's what we'll cover:

3 Building your portfolio

4 Preparing for interviews

5 Keeping up with industry trends

2
 Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

1 Getting started Since the late 80s and 90s, the internet has transformed the way humans access
information, and web development has continued to evolve. Its central importance to
our digital world means web developers are in high demand. Fortunately, anyone can
learn the technical skills needed to be front-end, back-end, or full-stack (both front-
N Now wthayu'oaove'dvaltpasunvoaiv vo and back-end) developers.

Start your job search by identifying the types of roles that align with your professional
N Now twhayu'ovye'vdl' w' goals, interests, and values. And remember, developers work in a wide range of
companies and industries.

N Now tohayu'vouhaewodhwlp

N Noow thaywau 'va teyd'lpa'loted

3
1 Getting started Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

What you can do What you want to do

Web, software, and app development is integral to nearly every modern industry. You can
pursue a development career in almost any field that aligns with your interests or passions. Use this space to brainstorm some ideas of what your role as a
If you are a creative thinker, have analytical skills, and enjoy problem-solving, you could be a back-end developer might look like:
great fit for a developer job. Your career path might take you deeper into a specific field, such
as software or web development, focusing on Python, or even engineering.

• Back-end developers create and code the foundational structure and functionality
of a website.

• Front-end developers design the look and feel of the website that visitors experience.

• Full-stack developers combine these skill sets to work on any aspect of a website’s
design and functionality.

How much can you make as a back-

end developer?
Even entry-level back-end developer positions tend to be well-paid. As you add years
of experience and advanced job titles, salaries often increase accordingly. The median
salary for back-end developer jobs in the United States is $90,068. The US Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) predicts 23 percent job growth for web developers through 2031.

4
 Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

N Noww thaywu'wov

2 Writing your resume and cover letter Your resume and cover letter are often your first opportunities to capture the
attention of a recruiter or hiring manager. Let's take a closer look at how to
build each document to best highlight your skills and experience.
N Now twhayu'ovye'vdl' w'

N Now tohayu'vouhaewodhwlp

N Noow thaywau 'va teyd'lpa'loted

5
2 Writing your resume and cover letter Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Your resume and technical skills mentioned. It’s likely that an applicant tracking system (ATS) is programmed to
look for the same or similar language as that which appears in the job description, so this analysis can
help shape the way you approach writing your resume.
Your resume is a document that encompasses your entire professional journey, showing
where you currently are in your career, how you got there, and where you hope to go next. Consider highlighting some of these skills:
Since it’s meant to be a concise brief—often condensed to just one page—that can feel like a 1. Programming languages
lot of storytelling for a small space.
2. Frameworks
To make a resume that fully demonstrates your experiences and goals, it’s important to be 3. Databases and servers
strategic with the language, format, and sections you include. 4. Application Program Interface (API)
5. Accessibility and security clearance
6. Communication
7. Problem solving and analytical thinking
Free resume templates 8. Industry knowledge

If you’re starting with a blank page, use these free customizable

templates for a chronological resume or functional resume to
make your resume in a Google Doc. Simply log into your Google
account and select the ‘Make a copy’ prompt.
Include keywords from the job listing.
Ready? Let's start building your back-end developer resume.
Using the exact phrasing of skills and qualifications from the job
description can help applicant tracking systems identify your application
as a good match. Use both long-form and acronym versions where
appropriate, for example, Application Programming Interface (API).
1. Identify keywords and important skills.
Y​​ ou can find a lot of information about a role directly from the job description. Within the
listed responsibilities and qualifications, you can get a strong sense of the language and
experience a successful candidate will have on their resume.

As you read a job description, highlight the action words, keywords, and specific workplace

6
2 Writing your resume and cover letter Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

2. Select a resume format. Meta Back-End Developer Professional Certificate

Completed: May 2023
When it comes to formatting, there are three common types of resumes—chronological,
functional, and combination—along with several more specialized options. If you’re applying • Learned technical skills for becoming a qualified back-end developer
for jobs online, ATS software is generally programmed to interpret chronological resumes.
• Used programming systems (Python Syntax, Linux commands, Git, SQL, APIs, Cloud Hosting,
The software may still identify important keywords in alternative formats, but potentially
and more) to fix and write code
less accurately.
• Utilized programming skills to confidently manipulate code to solve problems
If you’re unsure of the resume format you should choose, a chronological resume with
standard 1-inch margins, black text, and a common font like Times New Roman or Arial is • Built a portfolio of back-end developer projects
typically a safe choice.
IBM Back-End Development Professional Certificate
Completed: June 2022

Learn more about how to choose the type of resume to meet your needs. • Mastered technical skills and knowledge that back-end developers use day-to-day

• Learned to deploy and scale applications using methodologies and tools, microservices, and
serverless functions
3. Write your resume sections. • Wrote back-end applications with programming languages, including server-side Python while
Guided by your keyword list and format, you’re ready to start filling out your resume sections. using version control and package managers
You’ll typically want to include sections for your header, work experience, education, and • Employed continuous integration and continuous development to facilitate software
skills, but there are optional sections you can add to amplify the story you want to tell. development life-cycle automation

How do I list a Coursera certificate on my resume?

Have you earned a Professional Certificate in back-end
development from Meta or IBM? Be sure to include it in your
resume! Include the certificate name and date completed, and
consider listing any relevant skills you learned. Here's what that
might look like:

7
2 Writing your resume and cover letter Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

4. Resume checklist Use this space to jot down notes for your resume:
At this point, you are almost ready to submit your resume. Before you do, let’s do one final
check. Ask yourself:

Did I write my resume with my audience in mind?

Did I strategically select action words and keywords?
Have I clearly demonstrated my relevant skills and experience?
Are my margins set to 1 inch on all sides?
Is my font easy to read?
Did I include all of the key resume sections?
Did I edit for proper spelling and grammar?

If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, save your resume as a PDF file with a title
that includes your name and “resume.”

8
2 Writing your resume and cover letter Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Your cover letter

Your cover letter often serves as your introduction to a potential employer. While not all Complement your resume with additional information
recruiters or hiring managers will take the time to read your letter, a well-written cover letter
Resist the temptation to rehash the same bullet list of accomplishments.
could mean the difference between a hiring manager looking at your resume and considering
Instead, use this as an opportunity to highlight what the reader should
an interview or moving on to the next candidate for those who do. For a role you’re
look for in your resume. If your resume lists Python as a skill, your cover
passionate about, it’s worth the extra effort.
letter is your chance to tell a story about how you’ve applied it to solve
If you’re looking for your first job as a back-end developer, whether you’re just out of school a problem.
or switching careers, you may be wondering what to include in your cover letter. Even if you
don’t have previous experience in a developer role, you likely still bring transferable skills
that can benefit you (and your employer) in your work as a back-end developer.

Cover letters should typically fit on a single page and include three key paragraphs:
Second paragraph: Relevant skills and achievements
First paragraph: Introduce yourself The second paragraph is typically the most important part of your letter. This is where you
Begin your letter by addressing the hiring manager by name if you have that information. connect the requirements from the job description to your skill set and unique experiences.
Your first paragraph is your opportunity to introduce yourself and introduce the value you Take a look at the job listing and pick out three to four skills or requirements that you feel you
can bring to the company. In this paragraph, be sure to state clearly: can best highlight. Think about a specific accomplishment or experience that demonstrates
• Who you are each skill. These could be academic accomplishments or achievements from a previous job,
even if it’s unrelated to back-end development.
• What position you’re applying for
• What company you’re applying to
• Why you’re a great fit for this specific role

This is also an excellent place to point out your enthusiasm for the company, highlight a
mutual connection you have, express your passion for software or web development, and
explain why you’re interested in a career change.

9
2 Writing your resume and cover letter Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Third paragraph: Wrap up and call to action

The final paragraph of your cover letter should summarize why you’re the best fit for the job.
Example: More importantly, it should include a call to action. Express that you’d like to discuss the role
further. Offer some availability for an interview. Ask about next steps. The idea here is to get the
Analytical thinking is a skill often required for back-end
hiring manager thinking about the next step in the hiring process with you as a part of it.
developers, who are tasked with finding creative solutions when
developing a web or mobile application, such as debugging code
and revising it without crashing the entire site. If you have an
example of analytical thinking as part of a university class or in a
previous role, call out this experience. How did you analyze why a Final tip: Proofread
portion of code worked? What were the results of your efforts?
Back-end development requires attention to detail, a skill you’ll
want to demonstrate in your cover letter. It’s also a good idea to
verify whether your cover letter should be sent as an attachment,
pasted into the body of an email, or uploaded to a website. Some
Back up each accomplishment with data or metrics, when possible. companies have specific requirements for subject line formatting
and attachment naming conventions—check before you send.
Think about what skills and accomplishments you want to highlight:

Skills Accomplishments
1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

10
2 Writing your resume and cover letter Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Use this space to jot down notes for your cover letter:

11
 Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

N Noww thaywu'wov

N Now wthayu'oaove'dvaltpasunvoaiv vo

3 Building your portfolio Now that you have the skills and knowledge you need to become a back-end
developer you’re ready to show that you are one. Your software or web developer
portfolio showcases your skills through the projects you’ve completed. When
you’re looking for a job, this can be a helpful addition to your cover letter and
N Now tohayu'vouhaewodhwlp resume to demonstrate your approach to problem-solving, thought process,
and creativity.

N Noow thaywau 'va teyd'lpa'loted

12
3 Building your portfolio Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Your portfolio About me

This section is your opportunity to introduce yourself exactly as you want to be seen by potential
Your portfolio should include two main components: who you are and the work you’ve done. employers: who are you, what do you do, and why is it important to you?
You can title these sections however you’d like to. We’ll call them “About me” and “Projects.”
Here, you may include information such as:

• Your name and contact details

• How you got started in back-end development
Where to host your portfolio • What you like about back-end development
There are several places you may choose to host your portfolio. Here are • What you want to achieve with back-end development
some common spaces people use:
Projects
• Heroku
This section will make up the bulk of your portfolio. Here, include projects that demonstrate your key
• Firebase
skills, as well as any context to highlight your approach, process, and reasoning.
• Amazon Services
• GitHub
• LinkedIn
• Dribbble
You can include any projects (apps, websites, and software) you’d like to
Where you host your portfolio is less important than what you include in it. in your portfolio, whether you completed them in a formal work setting or
To start, choose the platform you feel the most comfortable and confident as part of a personal project. The important thing isn’t whether you were
using, and remember to include a link to your portfolio on all of your paid to do a project; it’s that you used skills, tools, and processes that are
professional profiles. relevant to the back-end development process.

Some examples of projects you may want to highlight in your portfolio include:

• Build a landing page for a website

• Build your own web server
• Build a health app for mobile
• Build a user authentication system
• Build an API

13
3 Building your portfolio Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Portfolio resources Use this space to jot down ideas for your portfolio:

Not sure where to begin? Get more practice with Guided Projects
on Coursera.
• Build a Google Firebase Web Application
• Create RESTful APIs for Spotify using Postman
• Build a Node Server backend with Express
• Build a Full Stack App using React and Express

10 back-end development tools

Here are some tools that will help you get started in back-end development:

1. Python
2. PHP
3. Node.js
4. JavaScript
5. Django
6. MongoDB
7. MySQL
8. Apache
9. Ruby on Rails
10. Firebase

14
 Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

B Bacck-Endc Dcae

B Backc-End DanaevDleno-pnr Jeanbekkea

B Back-cEnd DaedvDeloDkcD

4 Preparing for interviews The interview process is a chance for you to formally introduce yourself to a
potential employer, demonstrate your skills, and learn whether a particular
job opportunity is the right fit for you. Use these reflections, research tips, and
practice questions to organize your thoughts and build your confidence as you
B Baack-Endcn kDenk-vdlDopnDoa-vl prepare to meet your potential employers.

15
4 Preparing for interviews Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Reflection: Your strengths Use this space to jot down ideas for your strengths:

Take some time to reflect on your personal and professional strengths. When you speak with
potential employers, lead with these strengths and connect them back to the position you’re
hoping to get.

Here are some prompts to guide this reflection:

• What accomplishments are you most proud of?

• What tasks or responsibilities make you feel most fulfilled in the workplace?
• When have you felt most confident in the workplace?
• What have your colleagues recognized in you or praised you for?

Common types of interviews

• Recruiter screenings: Introductory conversations with the
person responsible for matching qualified individuals with
open roles at a company. These interviews generally serve
to verify the information that you submitted with your job
application and confirm your interest in the role.
• Hiring manager interviews: In-depth conversations with
the person in charge of the team with the open role. This is
when you’ll talk more specifically about your skills and the
way you hope to use them.
• Technical interviews: Prompts to use your technical
knowledge and skills to solve problems and answer
questions. Here, you may be challenged to perform mock
tasks associated with the responsibilities outlined in the
job description.

16
4 Preparing for interviews Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Research the role

Researching the company, team, and your desired role prior to your interview has become a
standard practice. It’s important to know a bit about the work ecosystem in order to express
why you want to join their team.

Through your research, you can find out what this company does, how they do it, and how
they present their work to the world.

Here are some places to look to learn more about the company, team, and role:

• Company website
• Company LinkedIn profile
• Company social media accounts
• Interviewer’s LinkedIn profile
• Interviewer’s website, if they have one
• Job description
• LinkedIn profiles of people with related roles

Remember to take notes whenever you come across information that feels significant to you:
approaches you like, interesting similarities and commonalities, questions that arise, and
specific ways you think you can contribute.

Use this space to jot down research notes:

17
4 Preparing for interviews Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Practice interview questions 1. Tell me about yourself.

What they’re really asking: What makes you the right fit for this job?
With your strengths and your research in mind, think about how you’d respond to some This question can sound broad, but it’s really about your relationship with back-end
common interview questions. It may help to practice writing your answers down and development. Keep your answer focused on your journey toward becoming a back-end developer.
speaking them out loud as you choose the stories you may want to share in different
scenarios and how you’d like to present them.

Learning the STAR method

The STAR method is a common technique used to formulate
responses to behavioral interview questions. STAR is an
acronym that describes the components to include in your
answer to questions that begin with prompts like, “Tell me
about a time when…” or “How have you handled…”

When answering a behavioral question, try to incorporate these

four pieces:

• Situation: Describe what happened, where it happened,

and when it happened.
• Task: Detail your role in the situation and what was
expected of you.
• Action: Explain what you did to resolve the situation,
complete your task, and fulfill your responsibilities.
• Result: Share how your actions impacted your company,
your team, or your approach moving forward.

18
4 Preparing for interviews Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

2. What was your most successful/most challenging back-end project? 3. Can you identify limitations within the development languages you prefer?
What they’re really asking: What are your strengths and weaknesses? What they’re really asking: What’s your thought process? Are you an analytical thinker?
Talking about a project you’re proud of is your chance to highlight your strengths and how This question may start a series of detailed questions meant to extract the technical skills and
you’ve successfully used your skills. On the other hand, talking about a challenging project knowledge required for the role. While in the interview seat, the best course of action for you is to
is your chance to demonstrate growth: identify what went wrong in the situation, the lesson make sure that whatever you discuss—anything from stack overflow to loose coupling to domain
you learned, and how you’ve adjusted your approach moving forward. logic—is completely understandable to the person asking the question.
They want to make sure you’re well-trained, so show them you can speak the language of
technology in a way that also demonstrates humility and a willingness to listen to others.

19
4 Preparing for interviews Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

4. Where do you see yourself professionally in five years? 5. Explain the term…
What they’re really asking: Are you serious about back-end development? What they’re really asking: Are you familiar with the terminology of back-end development?
This question is so common that it’s almost not worth including—except that it so Here, the interviewer is looking for an indication of your technical knowledge as well as your
frequently trips up back-end developers. Managers want to know that they are hiring a ability to communicate about technical terms. Reviewing some of your back-end development
forward-thinker with long-range goals. Especially in technology-based careers, the work coursework can be helpful to prepare for these types of questions.
you’re doing is constantly evolving. Show the interviewer that you plan to stay up to date.
That way, the company can be, too.

Find more common back-end developer interview questions and tips for
answering them here.

20
4 Preparing for interviews Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Questions to ask a hiring manager

Often, hiring managers will end your conversation by asking if you have any questions for them.
Prior to your interview, prepare a list of questions you’d like answered throughout the course of
your interview and organize them in order of importance. Ask yourself: What information do you
need in order to determine whether this role, team, and company is the right fit for you?

Keep in mind that hiring managers are generally not the best people to ask about compensation
or work benefits; they’re more prepared to answer questions about the daily tasks, the team,
and the company culture.

Here are some examples of questions you may ask:

1. How do you measure success?

2. Under what conditions does this team operate best?
3. How do you describe your ideal candidate to fill this role?
4. What tools or programs do you typically use?
5. What are the immediate and long-term priorities for this role?
6. What do you envision as the growth path for this role?

Use this space to jot down questions to ask a hiring manager:

21
 Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

B Bacck-Endc Dcae

B Backc-End DanaevDleno-pnr Jeanbekkea

B Back-cEnd DaedvDeloDkcD

B Back-aEnd Dea EnvcalEcop

5 Keeping up with industry trends The work of a back-end developer will continue to evolve as new
technologies and techniques emerge. As you grow in your new career,
regularly immersing yourself in the language, ideas, and trends of software
and web development can be an essential skill for continued career
development. Consider these recommended books and podcasts as a
starting point for your journey of lifelong learning.

22
5 Keeping up with industry trends Back-End Developer Job Search Workbooks

Back-end developer books Back-end developer podcasts

You’ll find no shortage of excellent books on back-end development out there, but we’ve Whether you’re looking for a way to build up your back-end developer vocabulary, keep up with the
decided to focus on those that are most relevant to beginners. Many of these titles offer latest trends in the field, learn new developer skills, or even get advice on getting your first back-end
an introduction or overview of a topic rather than a technical deep dive. Some of the more developer job, there’s a podcast for that.
skills-based books include exercises to get you practicing real-world developer skills.
Listening to some of these podcasts can be a great way to improve yourself as a developer or
1. A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms: Level Up Your Core engineer, whether you’re just starting out or are already a seasoned pro. The best part? You
Programming Skills by Jay Wengrow can squeeze in some listening when you’re cleaning the house, grocery shopping, exercising, or
Best for data structures otherwise on the go.

2. Head First Design Patterns: A Brain-Friendly Guide by Eric Freeman 1. Soft Skills Engineering: Two hosts, an engineering manager and an upper-level IC engineer,
Best for design patterns discuss common scenarios that listeners might experience in their software engineering
careers. The tone is funny and helpful.
3. System Design Interview: An Insider's Guide by Alex Xu
Best for system design 2. Neil on Software: This podcast discusses technology in a way that dredges up opinions
and tangents but in a raw, conversational manner. Topics include ChatGPT, changing jobs,
4. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship by Robert Cecil Martin
and futurism.
Best for code quality
3. Talk Python to Me: For developers who want to know everything about Python, including how
5. Node.js Web Development: Server-side web development made easy with Node
to keep secrets in Python apps, space science, and exploiting ways for developers to harness
14 using practical examples by David Herron
Python's full potential.
Best for JavaScript
4. Full Stack Radio: A popular podcast hosted by Adam Wathan for full-stack developers,
6. Java: The Complete Reference by Herbert Schildt
current and aspiring, and for those interested in learning about how large-scale software
Best for Java
products get developers.
7. Algorithms by Robert Sedgewick
5. Software Engineering Radio: Another popular podcast for software developers, where each
Best for algorithms
episode is focused on a specific topic, such as cloud technologies, programming languages,
8. Learn Python 3 the Hard Way by Zed A. Shaw and more, and often hosts interviews with expert developers.
Best for Python
6. Stack Overflow: This podcast has been running for over a dozen years but continues to create
fresh, fun content on topics that matter most to the development community.

7. The Changelog: This podcast is a classic that's been running since 2012, focused on open-
source. They cover all types of programming languages and platforms.

23
 Share your career progress with
#LearnWithoutLimits on social media