FINALLY! YOU CAN NOW HUSTLE
JavaScript
With HTML, CSS, and media queries under your belt, you can already build a pretty sweet site. But if you want to make your site interactive�think customized login pages, embedded social panels, modal popups, or pages that update without refreshing�then you�re going to need to learn JavaScript.
And unlike HTML and CSS, which are technically coding languages, JavaScript brings you into the realm of programming. It might sound like splitting hairs, but diving into JavaScript really opens the door for you if you want to work on building exciting projects from scratch.
JavaScript allows you to add effects and respond to the way a user is behaving on your site, and that�s only the tip of the iceberg. When we talk to job recruiters in tech, JavaScript is one of the most in-demand skills out there. Adding it to your toolkit will help take you from �beginner� to �in-demand developer.�
jQuery Plugins
Now didn�t JavaScript sound fancy? And a little involved? That�s where jQuery comes in. jQuery is a library full of little packs of done-for-you JavaScript code. Instead of creating everything from scratch, you can drop in a jQuery plugin to help you with the job.
With jQuery plugins, you can add a Twitter feed to your site, create an image slider, give your site smooth scrolling capabilities, and more!
And you don�t have to build plugins from scratch to be valuable and attractive to a company. Make sure you can search for a reputable plugin, install it on a site, tweak it to work on your site, and then test it for bugs.
A Frontend Framework
A framework, any framework! These days frameworks are all the rage. A frontend framework is kind of like a template for creating website with lots of built-in elements, so you never have to start from scratch.
A very popular frontend framework is Bootstrap, (more like framework modules, but you get the picture).
To get experience with a framework, the best thing to do is play around with one (Bootstrap is a great place to start), and build your own project to really get a feel for the way it works and the features it comes with. Make sure that you can install or download the framework, use built-in elements, and customize a site using the framework.
WordPress
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that makes it easy for clients to make changes to site content. If you have ever blogged or worked on a company blog, it�s highly likely that you�ve dabbled in WordPress. In 2014, over 74 million sites were built on WordPress, nearly 20% of all the sites on the Web.
As a WordPress developer, you�ll go behind the scenes with PHP, the programming language behind the CMS. You�ll be able to create completely custom sites that use the power of WordPress, install and create custom themes and plugins, and more.
With these 11 skills under your belt, you won�t have to wonder if you�re really ready to apply for that developer job�you�ll know you are. And remember, you don�t need to learn and master ALL of these skills before you start applying for jobs. As soon as you can build a site? Get out there and hustle!
