I don't mean to be rude, but in my opinion, your second paragraph describes a "power user" or "web hobbyist" rather than a developer. It's one thing to know "ho

I don't mean to be rude, but in my opinion, your second paragraph describes a "power user" or "web hobbyist" rather than a developer. It's one thing to know "how things work" (reading wikipedia can teach you that much), and another to make things work (experience). Most businesses look for people who can deliver a product (technical skills), work in a team (human skills), and improve over time (potential). I think your application should be able to show you got those points covered: 1- Deliver a product: Easiest way is to use previous experience at a different jobs. If you don't have that, it's as valuable to show personal projects you brought to completion. 2- Work in a team: They'll usually get a feeling for that in person, just be cool, respectful, and communicate well ^^ 3- Potential: Show passion, you do what you do because you love it. You learn new technologies, try out new frameworks/patterns/ideas out of pure curiosity. The industry is moving and changing very fast, you need to show that you can keep up with it. In a way, personal projects can help point 1 and 3). If you have those elements already, make sure you're selling yourself properly to recruiters. If you don't, fill in the gaps :P Hope that helps.