PHP developers are IT professionals who develop dynamic websites using PHP coding language. Some of their responsibilities include writing code, debugging, maintaining the website, and testing it on different devices such as mobile, tablets, and computers.
PHP is a popular general-purpose programming language that is used for server-side programming. PHP can be integrated with HTML for front-end development. Generally, PHP is used for developing interactive or dynamic websites. In fact, many of the sites we use daily were built in PHP, such as Facebook or WordPress.
That’s why the demand for PHP developers is so high; this programming language is one of the most popular ones in the industry. According to the BLS, the demand for web developers is expected to increase by up to 23 percent from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than most occupations.
Now, despite this high demand, there’s also high competition among your peers. If you want to become a robust PHP developer, you should highlight your technical skills in your resume, such as MySQL, CakePHP, and Ajax.
In this guide, we will cover more about the PHP developer career and how you can use your resume to increase your job opportunities. Below, you will find some PHP roles and two resume templates.
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A PHP developer is someone who develops scripts to build webpages, programs, and applications. A PHP developer is someone who is well-versed in using PHP, a common scripting language, to code web based applications and websites. These developers are responsible for implementing, monitoring, and testing and troubleshooting their code to ensure it all works as it should.
An ideal candidate for this role will have strong technical skills. A four-year degree in computer science or data entry is preferable, but any four-year degree could be considered if you have taken follow-up education and certifications in web development. Hiring managers will be looking for a candidate who has experience in software development and/or coding, is fluent in common coding languages, and has superb attention to detail.
Previous work experience as a junior software developer or web UI developer will show hiring managers you have hands-on experience with concepts of web development and coding. You can also use PHP code on your own time to create examples of your work. You can also use freelancing platforms to pick up jobs for clients needing PHP programming. These projects can be put into a portfolio and given to hiring managers alongside your resume.
A PHP developer is a subset of the software development profession. They are responsible for developing interactive websites with the scripting programming language PHP. These developers also maintain, update, and troubleshoot the website when necessary. This is a profession that requires resilience and logical thinking to resolve issues along the way. That’s why you should highlight your problem-solving skills in your resume.
Of course, the most important programming language to highlight in your resume is PHP. However, PHP developers also work with other coding languages and tools, especially if they are full-stack developers. You can boost your resume by adding all the skills and tools that could make your PHP development process better.
An experienced PHP developer is a programmer who has a high level of expertise in PHP development. They usually supervise other colleagues and determine coding standards. You should be proficient in software creation and website integration. Your potential employer is looking for a professional with high-level expertise. Therefore, you should prioritize your work experience in your resume.
A PHP certification provides reliability and trust to your potential employers. It’ll help you demonstrate your expertise and achievements in the industry. If you have earned one, you should definitely use it in your resume.
We spoke with hiring managers at top companies like Facebook, Accenture, and IBM to gather the best tips for creating a PHP developer resume that will get you hired. These tips will help your resume stand out from the competition and showcase your skills and experience in the most effective way possible.
Many companies use popular PHP frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, or CodeIgniter in their development stack. Showcasing your experience with these frameworks can make you a more attractive candidate. Compare the following examples:
Instead, provide specific details about the frameworks you used, like this:
While a resume summary is optional, it can be a great way to provide additional context about your skills and experience as a PHP developer, especially if you're a career changer or have a lot of experience to summarize. A well-written summary can also help your resume perform better in applicant tracking systems (ATS) by including relevant keywords. However, avoid using an objective statement, as they are outdated and focus on what you want rather than what you can offer an employer.
When crafting your PHP developer resume summary, focus on your most relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments. Keep it concise, typically no more than 3-4 sentences or bullet points. Avoid repeating information that's already covered in other sections of your resume, and steer clear of generic soft skills or corporate buzzwords.
The work experience section is the core of your resume. It's your chance to show hiring managers how you've applied your skills to make an impact for previous employers. For PHP developers, this section should go beyond just listing daily responsibilities and instead highlight your biggest wins, showcase your leadership skills, and demonstrate your expertise with key tools and technologies.
Here are the key steps to write an effective work experience section:
The education section on your PHP developer resume should be concise and highlight your most relevant academic qualifications. It's important to format this section correctly and include the right details to impress hiring managers. Here are some key tips to help you craft a strong education section:
If you want to add value to your PHP developer resume include a bullet points list with achievements in your work history. This will make you look more professional and high-performing. The best way to do this is by using action verbs at the beginning of each phrase, but remember, they must all be varied and highly related to your field.
Below, we have compiled a list of relevant action verbs you can use in your resume. Notice how words like “coded” or “debug” provide a more descriptive perspective of your responsibilities.
For more related action verbs, visit Software Engineering Action Verbs.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
PHP developers usually handle the backend side of the development process. That’s why most of their skills are oriented towards server-side competencies such as AJAX and MySQL. However, you can also become a full-stack developer with PHP by using frameworks and programming languages like HTML and CSS.
Some PHP developers also learn Adobe Photoshop to enrich their value in front end development. These are just some examples of skills you can include in your resume, but remember to always check job posts to identify skills your potential employer seeks. Also, check out our selection of PHP developer skills for reference.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on PHP Developer job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
