If you’re just starting out as a .NET developer, building a strong portfolio is one of the most effective ways to stand out in the job market. Recruiters and hiring managers want to see more than just buzzwords like “C#”, “ASP.NET”, or “Entity Framework” on your resume—they want proof of what you can build.
Here are some practical and impactful project ideas for junior .NET developers that can demonstrate your skills and help you land that first job.
1. Task Management App (To-Do List)
Create a simple but functional task manager using ASP.NET Core MVC or Razor Pages.
Include features like user registration, CRUD operations, deadlines, and priority levels.
What it shows:
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Your understanding of MVC architecture
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Entity Framework Core for data persistence
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Basic authentication and authorization
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Frontend integration with Bootstrap or Tailwind
Bonus: Add charts for completed vs. pending tasks using Chart.js
2. RESTful API with Frontend Client
Develop a RESTful API using ASP.NET Core Web API and connect it with a frontend framework like React, Angular, or Blazor.
What it shows:
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Backend API development
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API versioning and best practices
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Swagger/OpenAPI documentation
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Consuming APIs from the frontend
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Authentication with JWT tokens
Bonus: Deploy both API and frontend to Azure or Render.
3. Library Management System
Build a system for managing books, members, and borrow/return activities. Include an admin dashboard for managing inventory and user actions.
What it shows:
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Complex entity relationships
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Role-based access control
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Form validation and error handling
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Data filtering, sorting, and pagination
Bonus: Implement export to PDF or Excel feature for reports.
4. Blog Platform with CMS Features
Create a mini blog system where users can register, post content, comment, and like articles. Optionally include a basic content management system for admins.
What it shows:
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CRUD operations
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Rich text editing (e.g., TinyMCE or Markdown support)
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Image upload and file handling
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Authentication, roles, and permissions
5. E-Commerce Backend API
Design a product catalog, shopping cart, and order management system as an API-only application.
What it shows:
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Complex domain modeling
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Repository and Unit of Work patterns
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Payment gateway integration (e.g., Stripe Sandbox)
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State management (order status, inventory levels)
Don’t just build the app—document it. Include a README file with setup instructions, tech stack, and screenshots. If possible, host your project live and link it on your GitHub profile and LinkedIn.
Quality over quantity. Two well-structured, real-world projects are more valuable than ten incomplete ones.
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