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React Developer — CV Example

Build high-performance user interfaces with React, TypeScript, and Next.js

What Does a React Developer Actually Do?

React Developers build fast, scalable user interfaces for web applications using modern JavaScript frameworks. Working closely with product managers, UX designers, and backend engineers, they write component-based code in TypeScript, manage application state with Redux or Context API, and optimise performance using techniques like code splitting and server-side rendering. React Developers typically work at SaaS companies, fintech startups, and tech-driven organisations like Stripe, Deliveroo, Wise, and Booking.com, reporting to Engineering Managers or Tech Leads.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior React Developer

📍 London, UK✉️ sarah.mitchell@email.com

Summary

Senior React Developer with 5+ years specialising in TypeScript, Next.js, and Redux state management. Architected scalable component systems serving 2M+ users at Deliveroo, reducing bundle size by 40% through code splitting and lazy loading optimisations.

Work Experience

Senior React Developer at DeliverooMar 2022 — Present

Architected reusable component library using TypeScript and Storybook, adopted across 12 product teams and reducing development time 35%.
Implemented advanced Redux middleware for complex order state management, decreasing API calls by 42% and improving checkout performance to 1.2s.

React Developer at WiseJun 2020 — Mar 2022

Built real-time transaction dashboard using React Context API and WebSocket integration, handling 50K+ concurrent users with sub-100ms updates.
Optimised Webpack bundle size by 38% through code splitting, tree-shaking, and lazy route loading, reducing initial load time from 4.2s to 2.6s.

Skills

React.js (Hooks, Context API, Suspense)TypeScriptNext.js (SSR, SSG, ISR, API Routes)Redux & Redux ThunkReact Query / SWRWebpack & Build OptimisationJest & React Testing LibraryTailwind CSS & Styled ComponentsGit & GitHubWeb Performance & SEO

What Recruiters Look For

Recruiters prioritise proven React expertise with TypeScript, demonstrable performance optimisation (bundle size, render time metrics), and state management mastery (Redux, Context API, or React Query). Look for candidates with experience in Next.js production environments, strong testing practices (Jest, React Testing Library with 80%+ coverage), and ability to work cross-functionally with designers and product teams. Quantified achievements matter: 'improved Lighthouse score from 45 to 88' or 'reduced API calls by 40%' trump vague claims. Senior roles demand architecture experience, mentoring ability, and understanding of scalability challenges at 1M+ user scale.

Key Skills to Include

Core technical skills: React.js (Hooks, Context API, Suspense), TypeScript (strong typing, generics), Next.js (SSR, SSG, ISR, API routes), and state management (Redux, Redux Thunk, React Query). Essential supporting skills: Jest and React Testing Library for unit/integration tests, Webpack/Vite for bundling optimisation, CSS-in-JS (Styled Components, Emotion) or utility frameworks (Tailwind), Git workflow, and REST/GraphQL APIs. Performance optimisation (code splitting, lazy loading, memoisation) is increasingly critical. Soft skills matter: clear communication of technical decisions, mentoring junior developers, and collaborative problem-solving with product and design teams.

Common Mistakes

Avoid vague bullets like 'built responsive UI components' without context or metrics. Don't list generic skills (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) without specialisation. Never claim expertise in 15 libraries—focus on depth in 3-5 core tools. Omitting measurable impact kills your CV: recruiters want 'reduced bundle size by 38%', not 'optimised performance'. Spelling mistakes and inconsistent formatting suggest carelessness. Don't oversell junior experience as senior; be honest about your contribution level. Finally, generic objectives ('seeking a challenging role') waste space. Instead, tailor your summary and bullets to the specific company's tech stack and problems.

Formatting Tips

Use a clean, single-column layout with consistent spacing and sans-serif fonts (Helvetica, Arial). Keep your CV to one page for junior/mid-level, two pages maximum for senior roles. Prioritise recent experience and quantified wins. Use action verbs (architected, optimised, implemented, refactored) not passive language. Format dates consistently (e.g., 'Mar 2022 – Present'). Highlight technical skills in a dedicated section with 8-12 relevant keywords, not 30. Use bullet points, not paragraphs, for experiences. Include your GitHub and LinkedIn URLs—recruiters verify portfolios. Save as PDF to preserve formatting. Use subtle colour if your brand allows, but ensure readability in grayscale. Test on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by pasting into a plain-text converter to ensure no information is hidden.

Average Salary — React Developer

United States

$110,000 – $180,000

United Kingdom

$65,000 – $120,000

Germany

$55,000 – $95,000

UAE / Dubai

$80,000 – $150,000

Canada

$75,000 – $130,000

Australia

$85,000 – $140,000

Figures in USD. Ranges reflect mid-level experience (3–7 years). Senior roles and major metro areas typically sit at the top of these bands.

Top 5 Interview Questions — React Developer

1Explain the difference between controlled and uncontrolled components in React. When would you use each?

Controlled components manage form state via React state, with onChange handlers updating state on each input change. Uncontrolled components let the DOM manage state directly via refs. Use controlled components for complex validation, dynamic field requirements, or when you need real-time input processing. Use uncontrolled for simple forms or file uploads. In production, controlled components are preferred for consistency, though uncontrolled components can integrate with third-party libraries more easily.

2How do you optimise a React application's performance when bundle size is 8MB and initial load is 6 seconds?

First, audit with webpack-bundle-analyzer to identify bloated dependencies. Implement code splitting with React.lazy() and Suspense for route-based chunks. Use tree-shaking to remove dead code. Enable gzip compression and minification. Replace large libraries with smaller alternatives (e.g., date-fns instead of moment). Lazy-load images with native lazy attribute. Use Next.js ISR for static generation. Monitor with Lighthouse. In one project, these reduced 8MB to 2.4MB and load time to 2.1 seconds.

3Describe your approach to managing complex application state. When would you choose Redux over Context API?

Context API suits smaller applications or feature-specific state (theme, auth). Redux excels with complex, interdependent state across many components. Redux provides devtools, middleware, time-travel debugging, and predictable state changes. For transaction management, I'd use Redux; for simple UI toggles, Context. I've built order state at Deliveroo with Redux, handling 50+ actions and middleware logging. Combine both: Redux for global business logic, Context for UI concerns. Always measure performance impact before choosing.

4How do you handle authentication state in a React app? What security considerations matter?

Store JWT tokens in httpOnly cookies to prevent XSS attacks, never localStorage. Use a custom hook to check auth status on app load. Implement refresh token rotation and validate tokens server-side on protected routes. Use React Router's ProtectedRoute component to gate pages. Handle token expiry gracefully with axios interceptors to refresh silently. At Wise, we implemented single sign-on with httpOnly cookies and server-side validation, eliminating token theft risks entirely.

5Tell me about a time you optimised rendering performance. What tools did you use and what was the outcome?

At Deliveroo, I identified unnecessary re-renders in a product listing component rendering 500+ items. Using React DevTools Profiler, I found parent state changes triggered full list re-renders. I implemented memo() for item components and extracted state into a custom hook. Used useMemo() for expensive computations. Result: render time dropped from 850ms to 180ms, Largest Contentful Paint improved by 2.1 seconds. I then applied this pattern across 12 components, improving overall performance score from 64 to 91.

How to Tailor Your CV

Tech companies hiring React Developers include Stripe (payment infrastructure, complex real-time dashboards), Deliveroo (high-scale consumer apps, performance-critical), Wise (financial dashboards, accessibility focus), Booking.com (massive scale, A/B testing culture), and Shopify (e-commerce platforms, diverse tech stack). For Stripe, emphasise performance and API integration experience. For Deliveroo, highlight mobile optimisation and state management at scale. Wise values accessibility and financial UX. Booking.com rewards data-driven performance work. Shopify seeks full-stack capability. Tailor your CV bullets to each company's stated tech stack and recent product launches.

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