How to become a PHP developer

Whether you're new to programming or looking for a new addition to your tech stack, PHP is a great choice. Not only is it one of the most popular programming languages among developers - ranking 10th in the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2022 - but it's also in high demand in the industry. Reports show that 77.5% of websites use PHP in their server-side code.

What's more, learning PHP can lead to lucrative opportunities (see Indeed and Glassdoor). If you want to acquire new skills or expand your existing skills, Skillshare is for you. Click here to access Skillshare's learning platform and gain new insights into a variety of topics. 

Do you need more persuasion? Below we take a closer look at PHP and its uses. Then we'll show you how to develop your skills and kick-start your career as a PHP developer.

What is PHP?

PHP is a universal programming language that was mainly developed for web development. When it came onto the market in 1994, the name stood for "Personal Home Page", but now it stands for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor".

PHP code is usually processed on a web server such as Apache using a PHP interpreter implemented as a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) executable, a daemon or a module. The most common implementation is a module in the Apache or Nginx web server.

PHP began as a series of CGI scripts written in C that facilitated the handling of web forms and communication with databases. In 1994, web development was still in its infancy and there wasn't much that was "easy". PHP was one of the first languages developed specifically to simplify web development.

In 1998, version 3 of PHP was released to the public, and the latest version was 8.1 in 2021. Today, PHP has everything you would expect from a modern programming language, including object-oriented features, a wide range of third-party libraries and cross-platform support.

What is PHP used for?

Before deciding whether you should learn PHP, it is helpful to know what it is used for. Here are some examples of applications where PHP is used:

Custom website development

Many web developers using other programming languages have started with PHP because it's available with just about every web hosting provider without additional configuration, even with shared hosting. This means you can start programming a PHP website right away.

And you don't even need to use a framework - especially if you're creating a lightweight website and don't need any of the features that a framework can add. To create a website with PHP, all you need is PHP.

Website development with PHP frameworks

Nevertheless, PHP frameworks are useful if you need these additional functions. A PHP web development framework provides libraries for commonly used functions such as routing, authentication and authorization.

Frameworks reduce the amount of code needed to build a website from scratch and can speed up and standardize the development process. Some popular PHP frameworks for web development are Laravel, Symfony, Zend, Slim and Phalcon.

Website development with a PHP-based platform

Many companies use a ready-made platform such as WordPress or Magento for their website. And guess what? These two platforms and many others are written in PHP. Developers on these platforms customize them by creating plugins and themes that interact with their APIs.

A job as a PHP developer

As you can see, PHP developers can take their careers in many directions, as PHP can be used for just about any type of web development project. Now that you understand the background and benefits of the language, here's an overview of how to become a PHP developer.

Build up your PHP skills

The first step in becoming a PHP developer is to learn the basics of programming and the syntax of the language in order to acquire the skills required for the job. Nowadays, there are various platforms such as Codecademy, freeCodeCamp or Team Treehouse that offer you a bootcamp and courses.

Once you have mastered the basics, you can put your skills to the test by creating projects. Projects allow you to apply the knowledge you've gained in the courses, improve your problem-solving skills and learn to think like a programmer. Here is a list of 10 PHP programming assignments to help you get started.

You should also consider learning the other programming languages for web development, including HTML, CSS and JavaScript. This will put you well on your way to full development and be able to work with various CMS and eCommerce platforms.

Create a CV

Once you have your skills in a nutshell, you should present them in a CV. Your CV is the first impression you make on recruiters when you apply for a job. Therefore, you should make sure it clearly states why you are the best person for the job.

In short, you should include the following:

• Your contact information
• Your professional experience
• Your technical skills
• Projects you have worked on
• All other details related to the desired position

When applying for jobs, you should customize your resume for each position you apply for. Many companies use software that searches for relevant keywords to rank potential applicants. Therefore, you should make sure that your resume matches the job posting as closely as possible. Read our article on how to read a technical job description to find out more.

Create a portfolio

In addition to your resume, you also need a web developer portfolio. Keywords aren't enough, and while your resume provides details about your skills and experience, your portfolio allows recruiters to see your skills in action.

You can also share it with other people involved in the hiring process, such as the development team who want to test and review the source code of your projects. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a powerful portfolio is one of the best ways to show what you can do.

Create a personal brand

Creating a personal brand can help you connect with other PHP developers and professionals in the industry. It also allows you to express your passion and enthusiasm for your work, which goes down very well with potential employers. And it doesn't have to mean a lot of effort. Building a personal brand can be easier than you think.

Create profiles on your favorite social platforms, such as Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. Dedicate them entirely to your coding work - share tips and insights, your PHP repos and projects, and helpful blog posts.

Create a LinkedIn profile too, as recruiters often use the platform to find candidates for programming jobs. By including terms like "PHP developer" and links to your PHP projects, you can make sure you show up in searches. You can also ask your colleagues and other developers you've worked with to recommend your skills on LinkedIn.

Finally, you should also have a GitHub account and include links to this account in your other profiles. Using GitHub shows recruiters that you know how to read and write code, collaborate with others, and use Git - a version control system used by developers around the world.

Apply for a PHP position

If you have a strong LinkedIn profile and already have work experience, you may not even need to look for a job. Recruiters might find and contact you before you even start looking. If not, there are always open positions for PHP developers. You just need to find them.

The first place to start your search is LinkedIn. Connect with recruiters who are responsible for PHP development jobs and search for job openings.

Mastering the job interview

The next step on the way to your first job as a PHP developer is the job interview. A PHP developer job interview can involve several stages, testing different areas of your skills and knowledge.

You may be asked questions that test your technical knowledge, be it about the web development process or the language itself.

You may also be required to attend a technical interview where you will be asked to solve a programming problem to demonstrate your coding and problem-solving skills.

Many developers find technical interviews to be the most difficult part of the application process, but it's helpful to know that you don't always have to have the right answer. Your interviewer is more interested in the thought process behind your solution. That's why it's important to explain your approach in technical interviews.

Learn more about PHP

PHP is one of the most widely used programming languages in web development. As a PHP developer, you can build custom websites from scratch, use a framework like Laravel to develop large web applications, or create plugins and themes for one of the many CMS and eCommerce platforms that use PHP. There is no shortage of work for PHP developers, and your skills will always be in demand.