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Front-end development positions require high levels of expertise, meaning that many of the questions they’re asked in interviews are related to that expertise. However, as no one works in a vacuum, behavioral questions are also to be expected.
Key Takeaways:
As a candidate, you should be sure to brush up on your programming language knowledge, prepare a portfolio, and be sure to double-check your resume and job description.
Make sure that you have someone who’s familiar with programming languages in the room during the interview so you know if they’re answering correctly. And don’t neglect behavioral questions or personality issues just because a candidate seems qualified.
Go over your portfolio of web pages that you’ve worked on as a front-end developer. Check your notes so that you remember what you did and how you did it so that you can answer questions about them.
Brush up on your programming skills and relevant terminology, just in case you get asked technical questions. Some interviewers will also request that you do a work sample, so you may have to alter or create a UI on the spot.
Make sure to go over the job description and your resume again so that you can see what skills you have that are relevant and emphasize those in the interview.
Make sure that someone in the interview room is familiar with programming languages and development so that they can ask intelligent questions and know whether or not the answers are correct.
The best questions to ask in a front-end developer interview are questions related to expertise, as making sure that you have a qualified candidate is the top priority.
Go over the candidate’s resume as well as the posted job description so that you’re prepared in terms of the candidate’s expertise and in terms of what the expectations are for the job you’re interviewing them for.
Here are some common front-end developer interview questions. Many of them will be technical questions; however, behavioral and situational questions are also to be expected.
Tell me about yourself
This is a common interview question to assess personality and cultural fit. It can also assess how interested the candidate is in the profession and how long they’re likely to stay at this job. As a candidate, it’s best to emphasize your passion for the field as well as your deep interest in it.
Example Answer:
I’ve been working in web design in various forms for around five years now. I shifted away from being a web designer to being a front-end developer because once I took some courses in programming languages, I found out that I really enjoy coding.
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, touring vineyards, and nature photography. I’ve always been outdoorsy in my free time, as I find it’s a nice foil to spending so much time on a computer at work.
Why should we hire you?
Interviewers are impressed by interviewees who have done their research on the position they’re interviewing for, so it’s best to try to hit the traits that were mentioned in the job description. It’s also another way to assess personality and find out if the candidate is a good fit for the company culture.
Example Answer:
I’ve been working in web development and design for more than five years now. While I've only been a front-end developer for two years, I have a lot more experience with other parts of web development and design, which gives me a more holistic view of the process.
For most of my life, I’ve been interested in websites and how they’re put together, and why. I went to a coding camp as a kid and have never lost that spark. I always do my best to get along well with my coworkers and am more than willing to help them out if they need it – or mentor others that are interested in front-end development.
What programming languages are you proficient in?
Interviewers want to make sure that the person they’re interviewing actually knows what they claim to be on their resume. This is a basic question of this sort, but it also can be directly relevant. It can ascertain that the candidate is familiar with the primary language used for their website.
Example Answer:
The language I’m best with is HTML, of course, but I’m also proficient in JavaScript, CSS, and React. I’m currently learning Angular, and I have used Vue, but it was only briefly and a few years ago now.
What can we do to optimize our website on the front end?
As a front-end developer, it’s expected that the candidate would have looked at the organization’s website. Asking an open-ended question like this shows that not only that the candidate bothers to familiarize themself with the website, but they showed initiative and expertise by identifying potential problems with the site.
Example Answer:
There were two primary aspects I saw when I was looking over the website. The first is that it struggled a bit with mobile, so I’d like to work to make it more responsive on devices other than a PC. It also seems to take more resources than necessary, so if I were working on it, I’d like to enhance the server response.
How do you ensure a website is user-friendly?
Websites are accessible to the public and serve as an introduction to the organization that creates them. That means that making them easy to use and attractive is a very important part of a front-end developer’s job, as web pages are a representation of the client.
Example Answer:
Making sure that a website can be used by all sorts of different people is one of my primary concerns when building the user interface. I do my best to make navigation clear and accessible by selecting fonts and colors that are easy to read and draw attention to the relevant places.
In addition, I do my best to make my websites accessible. I prioritize making sure that users can zoom in or enlarge text to make it easier to read. I make sure to add descriptions or alt-text for images as well so that people who are colorblind or otherwise visually impaired can still interact with it.
What resources do you use to stay up to date on new front-end development skills?
As technology positions require candidates to stay up to date with the latest advancements and popular techniques, it’s important to find out how they plan to do that. For interviewees, this should be a softball question – so long as they’re actually keeping up with new tech as it comes out.
Example Answer:
I subscribe to a couple of trade magazines to stay up to date with the newest tech. I have a subscription to Smashing Magazine and Speckyboy. I’ll also check in on StackOverflow from time to time, as well as sign up for some developer newsletters.
What’s a technical challenge you experienced recently, and how did you rise to the challenge?
Asking front-end developers behavioral questions is important for interviewers to do. While the answer may not be exactly like how the candidate will actually act, it helps to give a general feel of how they react to challenges or problems.
Example Answer:
The most baffling challenge I ran into recently was that I couldn’t get a page to display properly in Safari to save my life. Even stranger, it worked great on mobile Safari – it was just on a Windows machine that the formatting would be all off. I looked through all the code, trying to figure out if I made an error.
Finally, I had to go look for help. I checked on forums to see if anyone else had had a similar problem to see if I could try to find what the root of it was. Finally, my coworker solved it for me. It was an issue in the settings if you can believe it. So, I learned not to be afraid to ask for help – or at least allow a fresh set of eyes to look at the issue.
What are three ways to decrease page load time?
Load time can make a webpage unpleasant to use. And clients are going to want to make sure that visitors stay on their page rather than bounce because they get tired of waiting for it to load. In addition, it’s another way to see that the candidate has some real knowledge of how web pages work and how to develop them.
Example Answer:
The ways I typically use to rescue load time are image optimization, utilizing the cache, and doing my best to optimize content. I compress what I can so that it takes less time to load. For images, I make sure that they’re scaled properly, so you’re not downloading this huge image when you don’t need to.
How do you structure your CSS and Javascript to make it easier for other developers to work with?
As a rule, front-end developers end up working with code that other developers wrote. That also means that their code will likely be worked on by another front-end developer somewhere down the line. In order to make the transition smoother, hiring managers will want to know that the interviewee works with that in mind.
Example Answer:
Notes. That’s how I do it – I write notes about what I’m doing as I do it. Not only has that helped me when working with someone else’s code, but it can help me with my own code. More than once, I had an issue of going back to something I’d worked on a while back and thinking: “What in the world was I doing here?”
I also try to organize it in a way that makes sense. And not just sense to me but to most people. That can make it easier to jump in and figure out what the previous programmer was doing.
Why do you want to work here?
While the majority of people have a job for the paycheck, it’s nice to know that the candidate is actually interested in working at the particular organization.
Changing jobs is disruptive for both employers and employers, so it’s best for workers to prioritize applying to places where they actually want to work, and employers hiring people who actually want to work there.
Example Answer:
I like working for small companies. Web Design Company was one of the largest web design firms in the nation, and I learned a tremendous amount there, but I prefer a more personalized feel. I believe that working here will be more fulfilling and allow me to learn more from my coworkers.
In your opinion, what are the most important aesthetic aspects of a webpage? Why?
Building a web page means that the front-end developer and the client need to be able to work together. However, some firms or businesses may prioritize a particular aesthetic, and it’s important to know whether or not the candidate’s preferences would align with that.
Example Answer:
I tend to prioritize readability. Of course, I want the web page to be attractive and welcoming, but I think the most important aspect is to make it so that it’s easy to read and use. So I start with that as my primary layout, and then I go back and add color, images, and other design flourishes, so long as they don’t make the page difficult to use.
So I suppose you could say that I have a utilitarian aesthetic style. I don’t want the aesthetics to distract too heavily from the purpose of the webpage.
How do you effectively manage your time?
The nature of the job is largely solitary, so the interview questions for front-end developers should reflect that. As a rule, people in this position spend a lot of time working alone without any particular supervision. That means that they have to be able to be self-motivated and able to manage their time well.
Example Answer:
In order to keep myself organized and on track, I tend to break it all down into tasks. Such as getting all the buttons up and running on the page by Tuesday afternoon. Of course, I have to build in some flexibility due to the fact that I may make a mistake or that it might not all play together.
Partly because of that, I usually assign myself more than one task, either to do jointly or as an either/or. Sometimes the best thing to do with a gnarly problem is to step away from it, so I'll shift to getting something else done rather than keep beating my head on the keyboard.
What do you think are the qualities that a front-end developer needs to be successful?
Asking a question like this is a combination of a personality question and a work style question. There isn’t necessarily a “right” answer; however, there are likely certain qualities that the interviewer will be looking for. It’s important to see if the qualities that the candidate prioritizes are similar to the ones the interviewer does.
Example Answer:
I think the most important qualities for a front-end developer are being a good listener, open to constructive criticism, and being able to stay up to date on new technologies and styles.
Why do you think you’re most suited for the role?
Not everything can fit in the candidate’s resume or cover letter. Chances are most interviewees will reiterate a lot of what is on their resume in answer to a question like this; however, they may also get the opportunity to include other skills or qualifications that weren't ideal for putting in the resume.
Example Answer:
I haven’t spent my entire career in web development as a front-end developer, which I feel gives me a more holistic view of the process. I have a better idea of how web design works and what clients may be looking for, as well as insight into my teammates' jobs and what they’ll be looking for from me.
I’m also highly task-oriented and always want to put my best foot forward. I pride myself on making my websites accessible and being willing to make alterations to make sure it matches clients’ wishes.
What’s the aspect you find most rewarding as a front-end developer?
Turnover is disruptive and expensive, which means it behooves employers to do their best to hire employees who are in it for the long haul. The more rewarding they find their job, the more likely they are to stay in it. Also, if what they find fulfilling isn’t an aspect that the employer’s organization focuses on, it may signal they’re not the best fit.
Example Answer:
To me, it’s always amazing to think about the fact that countless people will view and interact with what I created. Of course, it’s not just me – other members of the team are what make the webpage tick. But the interfaces and aesthetics are what visitors see, and that’s primarily my department.
I always enjoy it when visitors are happy with using a website, especially when it gets props for accessibility. I want to make sure that everyone can use the interfaces that I create, and it’s very rewarding getting feedback that I’ve done my job properly.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
It’s important to know that the candidate’s goals are reasonable and somewhat in alignment with the employer's. Most interviewers want a sense that the person they’re interviewing has looked ahead to the future and has some ambition.
Example Answer:
I’m angling to be an interactive developer – I know you have a couple on staff. It’s a much broader profession which allows me to mix up my interest in society and sociology with my expertise in computer science.
I have a few years of experience in web development already, but I’m hoping that after a bit more experience and honing my craft, I can move up.
What do you do when you get something wrong?
How an employee will behave at work is something that is difficult to determine by a resume or even during an interview. However, asking behavioral questions can give interviewers an idea of what to expect and whether or not the candidate will fit in with the current culture.
Example Answer:
That depends on just how wrong I get something. If it’s a minor mistake, I just do my best to fix it as quickly as I can. If it’s a more major one, or one that inconveniences someone else, I make sure to offer a mea culpa. I find it extremely important to take responsibility, as it defuses the situation – especially when I employ humor.
If someone else points out a mistake that I’ve made to me, I do my utmost to take it in the spirit of constructive criticism. That’s why I’d be pointing out mistakes to others on the team, after all. And mistakes are how we learn. We shouldn’t be ashamed of them.
What’s the difference between == and ===?
Technical questions are an important way to determine whether or not the candidate actually has the expertise that they claim they do. In a technical position, that’s paramount, which is why many of the interview questions front-end developers are asked are expertise questions.
Example Answer:
Double equals is an abstract quality operator that you can use to make sure that two values are equal. It also converts them so that you don’t have to do that in order for the operation to work.
Three equals signs are a strict equality operator. It compares two values to make sure that they’re equal. The difference is that this one doesn’t convert them, so if they’re different types, it’ll always return a false, even if they are equal.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Self-awareness is something that many interviewers look for. Of course, a candidate that’s familiar with the interviewing process is likely to take the weakness question and flip it into something that can instead be argued as a strength.
Example Answer:
I think that my strengths are that I’m very focused on getting my tasks done, I’m a self-starter, and I emphasize the usability of the interfaces on the website. However, I am, at times, a little overly willing to listen to others' suggestions. I try very hard to make the website work for everyone when sometimes that isn’t entirely possible.
What do you think a front-end developer’s role in the team is?
This is another question that helps to determine how the candidate might fit into the team. Each job has a certain role on the team, and employers want to make sure that what they think of that role agrees with what the candidate sees it as.
Example Answer:
While I spend a lot of time working alone, my position as a front-end developer isn’t possible without the team. I’ve always worked closely with the back-end developers, as well as clients and other specialists, to make sure that the web page is the best that it can be.
If you’re asking if I think that front-end development is a leadership position, I don't. I think it’s an expertise position. I know my part of the project inside and out, but I don’t know others. That means that I need to call on their expert status when it comes to working on those aspects of the project.
If you could choose, would you rather work independently or as part of a team?
There are many jobs where the nature of the work determines whether or not the candidate will be working independently or as part of a team. And in general, most jobs involve teamwork, even if it isn’t constant or involved. However, if the position is largely solitary and the candidate says they prefer to work as part of a team, it may be an issue.
Example Answer:
That’s actually a difficult question to answer. I enjoy working alone because it allows me to focus completely on the task at hand. As a self-starter, I’m able to motivate myself to get my work done, and I like being able to work without distractions.
That being said, working as part of a team opens up the possibility of learning new things, coming up with better ideas, and being more dynamic. Teams can accomplish so much more than one person can on their own. So, to be honest, I suppose I prefer a mix of the two.
Explain what a user-centered design is
When is it best to make use of Webpack?
State all the elements of a CSS Box Model
What’s the most challenging work you’ve ever done as a front-end developer?
What’s the process for solving problems you encounter during the programming process?
Do you have any experience with animation or motion graphics?
What are your hobbies outside of work?
What’s your current favorite mobile app? Why?
How do you handle situations where you’re assigned more than you can handle?
Have you had a disagreement with a manager in the past? How do you approach it?
What’s your favorite website from a UI perspective?
If you could master one technology this year, what would it be?
What are your favorite types of front-end development projects to work on?
Name some basic design elements
What is Callback Hell, and what’s the main cause of it?