Interview Questions To Expect As A Front-End Developer

It’s that time of the year again – you’re back on the job market and are ready to begin your search for new opportunities. You’ve scoped out possibilities through your own personal networks and have scrolled through numerous job boards looking for front-end developer jobs. The phone rings and when you answer, you hear the voice of a recruitment consultant asking for a few minutes of your time. Continue reading this article if you’re not sure what to expect, what typical front-end developer interview questions could be and learn how you can master your next interview! 

1. Getting in touch with the right recruiters
2. Interview preparation tips
   1. Interview tips for junior front-end developers
   2. Expectations for senior front-end developers during an interview
3. Front-end developer interview – The process
4. Interview strategies
5. Best practices for front-end developer interviews
6. FAQs

Getting in touch with the right recruiters

Whatever your own personal feelings are about the recruitment world – let’s put them aside for a moment. What really matters is getting in touch with the right recruiters. The right ones can put roles in front of you that you would not normally have access to. They will also have the advantage of a strong network and will connect you with anyone looking for your particular skill set, even if the company in question is not hiring. 

The right recruiters will also recognise what your strengths are and work with you on an equal footing to help you land your next job. 

When looking for candidates for a vacancy, recruiters spend a lot of time understanding the purpose and function of the role in question. They make sure they have knowledge on both technical and common topics related to the role. These may include:

• the current development projects being worked on;
• the development methodologies, programming languages and technologies used;
• plans that the company in question has for the next 12 months;
• the organisational setup within the company;
• the culture within the workplace;
• the benefits and remunerations one would receive, so on and so forth. 

They will also be able to provide general knowledge about the company such as:

• its unique selling points;
• what makes them different; 
• why other employees like working there. 

In short, a good recruitment specialist will not put you forward for a role that they themselves do not have a full understanding of. The opposite is also true here. A recruiting specialist will not suggest you to a client without understanding your skill set and what you bring to the table. You will therefore need to be prepared to be interviewed.

Interview preparation tips

It’s important to know what to expect from an interview so that you can be as ready as possible. Let’s take a look at some tips on how to prepare yourself for a successful interview as a front-end developer. 

Interview tips for junior front-end developers

As a junior front-end developer, you’ll need to consider the following:

Before the interview

Before your interview, make sure you:

• Have a strong understanding of the basics: Review fundamental concepts and be confident with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Know at least one popular framework: Learn a popular framework or library such as React or Vue.js.
• Have a portfolio site: Showcase a few of your projects on a portfolio site. This shows recruiters that you are organised and like to document your code.
• Review tools: Familiarise yourself with Git, VS Code, etc.

During the interview

During your interview, consider the following:

• Articulate and explain your process: When you’re solving coding challenges, make sure you think out loud and explain your process so that the interviewer understands your approach.
• Ask questions when appropriate: Clarify requirements when given a task and ask questions whenever you’re unsure about anything.
• Mention your soft skills: Technical skills are important, but highlighting your soft skills can also go a long way. Skills like communication, teamwork, ability to focus and analyse are all important ones to have as a front-end developer.

Expectations for senior front-end developers during an interview

The expectations for senior front-end developers are a bit broader and focus more on advanced technical skills and architectural understanding. Consider the following tips when preparing for an interview as a senior front-end developer:

Before the interview

Before your interview, you may want to:

• Solidify your technical knowledge: Ensure that you have a deep understanding of JavaScript, advanced CSS techniques, modern frameworks, module bundlers, architectural knowledge, etc.
• Refine your soft skills: Be prepared to discuss qualities like leadership, mentorship, project decisions, cross-functional team management, and more.

During the interview

During your front-end developer interview, you should:

• Highlight past projects: Talk about projects where you made an impact. This could be redesigning systems, building prototypes, creating new features, etc.
• Showcase your problem-solving skills: Mention scenarios when you solved advanced coding issues and bugs and demonstrated clean coding practices.
• Discuss leadership attributes: Talk about experiences that saw you leading a team, making architectural decisions, and proposing solutions to business challenges.

Front-end developer interview – The process

Before even considering sending your CV to their clients, recruiters will speak with you at least three times. Let’s take a look at some of the front-end developer interview questions that may be asked during this stage:

#1 Situational call

This call will last 10-15 minutes and the sole purpose of it would be to understand your current situation, a brief overview of what you’re looking for and what your personal search parameters are. This information will then be used to see what roles are relevant to you. Common interview questions in a situational call may include:

• What is your current situation, job-wise?
• When does your contract end (if applicable)?
• What is your current salary/day rate? (This is asked to measure against the next question. If, for example, your day rate was £200 in your last role and your expected rate in the next role has risen significantly, the recruiter would want to know what exactly has changed and why)
• What is the minimum salary/day rate that you’re looking for?
• Why are you looking to leave your current role?
• What did you enjoy about your last role?
• What is your realistic maximum commute time? 
• Will you relocate?

#2 Telephone interview

A 30 minute telephone interview will then be conducted with the front-end developer. The purpose of this is to understand exactly what your role is, your level of experience and what you can and can not do. What may be included in this interview is as follows:

• What are your responsibilities on a day-to-day basis in your current role?
• Why are you looking to leave your current role?
• What do you like about your current role?
• What parts of your current role, if you had a choice, would you not want to do in your next role?
• If I asked your employer, what would they say was the best development project that you’ve completed while at the company? Why would they say that?
• What web standards are you familiar with?
• What development software do you generally use? (This is to understand if you can code or if you’re using tools)
• How do you generally test projects? Do you test it alone or do you use a team of testers? What testing tools were used?
• What are your favourite development tools and why?
• What’s your favorite development language and why? What other features (if any) do you wish you could add to this language?
• What web browsers do you use?
• Are there any industry sites and blogs that you read on a regular basis?

These front-end developer interview questions will all be based on exactly what it is that the recruiter is looking for.

For example, if they were looking for a web developer who could test their own work but the candidate that they’re interviewing has had a team of developers do this for them for the past 5 years, then they probably aren’t the right fit for the company.

After the interview, the recruiter will want to see a portfolio of your work. If everything up until this point has gone smoothly, they may take the next step and invite you to a meeting.

#3 Technical front-end developer interview questions

Let’s take a look at some common technical front-end interview questions (with sample answers) that can help you prepare and showcase your expertise as a developer.

#1 HTML questions

1. What is the purpose of the <meta> tag? Can you give examples of its use?

Answer: These tags provide metadata about a webpage and are essentially used for defining and describing data about data.

2. What are data- attributes good for?

Answer: The data- attribute is used to store extra information directly in HTML elements  without altering the semantics of the HTML elements. This can then be accessed and manipulated using JavaScript or CSS.

3. What is the purpose of the alt attribute in <img> tags?

Answer: The alt attribute specifies an alternate text for an image and is useful when the image is not displayed. It is also helpful for accessibility reasons and can help participants with physical or vision impairments navigate a site.

4. What is the difference between an absolute and a relative URL in HTML?

Answer: An absolute URL contains all the information necessary to locate a resource and is a complete address. A relative URL, on the other hand, locates a resource using an absolute URL as a starting point.

5. What is the difference between canvas and svg?

Answer: The main difference between the two is that SVG uses vector-based image formats, while Canvas uses raster-based image formats.

#2 JavaScript questions

1. Explain the concept of closures in JavaScript.

Answer: A closure is a function that has access to the parent scope, after the parent function has closed. They are powerful tools for managing event handling in JavaScript. 

2. What is the difference between host objects and native objects?

Answer: Host Objects are objects supplied by a certain environment. They may vary as per the environment of the machine in which the javascript is being used. Native objects, on the other hand, are an essential part of the JavaScript language and are always available to use in code.

3. What are JavaScript promises?

Answer: A Promise is a proxy for a value that is not necessarily known when the promise is created. It can have 3 states – pending, fulfilled, and rejected.

4. What are higher-order functions in JavaScript?

Answer:  Higher-order functions are functions that can take other functions as arguments or return them. Types of higher order functions include map and reduce.

#3 React questions

1. What is the virtual DOM, and how does React use it?

Answer: The virtual DOM is a lightweight representation of the real DOM. React uses it to minimise direct manipulation of the DOM by comparing changes (diffing) and updating only the necessary parts of the real DOM for better performance.

2. What are React props?

Answer: Props, short for properties, are read-only inputs passed from parent to child components in order to configure them.

3. What is JSX, and how does it work in React?

Answer: JSX stands for JavaScript XML. It is a syntax extension that allows for HTML-like code in JavaScript and it is transpiled into React.createElement calls.

4. What is Context API?

Answer: Context API allows you to share data across components without passing props through every level of the component tree. 

#4 CSS questions

1. What are CSS pseudo-classes?

Answer: Pseudo-classes define the special state of an element (:hover, :focus, etc.). CSS pseudo-classes are used to add styles to selectors, but only when those selectors meet certain conditions.

2. What are media queries, and how do you use them?

Answer: Media queries are a key part of responsive web design as they allow you to apply CSS styles depending on a device’s media type or other features or characteristics. Media queries can also be used to detect other things, for example whether the user is using a touchscreen rather than a mouse.

3. How would you create a responsive design for a multi-column layout?

Answer: Using techniques such as flexbox, grid, or media queries, you can adjust columns based on screen size.

#5 Angular questions

1. What is the Angular lifecycle, and why is it important?

Answer: A component instance in an Angular app has a lifecycle that goes through different phases. Lifecycle hooks (such as ngOnInit, ngAfterViewInit, ngOnDestroy) allow you to hook into those different phases to gain more control over your application.

2. What is data binding in Angular?

Answer: Data binding automatically keeps your page up-to-date based on your application’s state. It is the synchronisation of data between the component and the view.

3. What is the purpose of Angular modules?

Answer: Angular modules are essentially containers for different parts of your application. They group related components, directives, services, and pipes which are related to the application. 

4. What is dependency injection in Angular and how does it work?

Answer: It is a design pattern and core feature of Angular that allows you to manage and inject dependencies (services, objects, or resources) into components, services, and other parts of an application rather than manually creating them. This helps in making the code more modular, testable, and maintainable.

5. What are Angular pipes?

Answer: Angular Pipes allows its users to change the format in which data is being displayed on the screen. They are a special operator in Angular template expressions that allows you to transform data declaratively in your template. 

#4 Competency behavioural-based interview questions

This process provides the recruiter with a real understanding of what your responsibilities and skills are and how these match not only with what the client is looking for but also what you are looking for. 

In case the client decides against interviewing you, the recruiter may be able to potentially overcome their objections and secure you an interview as they now have a deeper understanding about you than what is just detailed on your CV. 

During the competency behavioural interview, the recruiter will normally pick 3 or 4 front-end developer interview questions that address certain key points about what the client is looking for within their job matrix. This interview should take approximately one hour. Here are a few examples of questions that can be asked:

• Was there ever a situation where you disagreed with the client or company about the direction they were taking a project in? If yes, how did you handle it?
• Was there ever a situation when something you developed was not delivered as intended? Do you know why it happened? How did you react? What did you learn? 
• Have you worked on projects where you had to liaise with third party vendors to develop and integrate API?
• Was there ever a situation where you had to get people to work together?

These front-end developer interview questions are designed to be uncomfortable and are tailored to uncover specifics. For example, if a client is looking for a Senior Developer whose responsibilities include leading a team, these questions will help the recruiter understand if you’re the right fit or not.

Interview strategies

Apart from preparing answers to interview questions, you need a combination of other interview strategies to help you succeed. Here are some effective interview strategies to help you prepare for your front-end developer interview:

#1 Research prep

One of the best things you can do before your interview is research the company you’re applying for. Make it a point to explore their company mission, products, services and more. This research shows your genuine interest in the company.

Additionally, it can help you prepare the right questions and demonstrates your preparation.

#2 Review the job description

Analysing the job description and identifying key responsibilities can help you tailor your answers so that you may highlight relevant skills and experiences during your interview. You will be better prepared to explain how your work and experience aligns with the role in question.

#3 Ask questions

Asking thoughtful questions during your interview can help you demonstrate your enthusiasm, interest, and suitability for the role. Plus, it can help you gather information and leave a positive impression on the interviewer. 

#4 Use the STAR technique

If you’re unsure how to answer competency-based questions, there’s a strategy called the STAR interview method that you can use. This stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result and is particularly helpful in providing responses to behavioural-related questions. 

Situation

To begin with, think of an example that you can base your answer around. It’s always smart to keep a few specific stories in mind before you go in for your interview. After you’ve established your example, you need to lay out the situation. Describe the challenge that you were faced with or the task that you needed to complete. Remember to be specific and only focus on things that are relevant. 

Task

Next, highlight your role and responsibility in the situation mentioned. Make sure to clarify exactly how you were 

involved and what goal you were working toward. 

Action

You’ll then want to move on to the action part of the STAR method. This involves you telling the interviewer exactly what action was taken to complete the task in hand or overcome the challenge. 

Result

The final step of this technique is showcasing the result of your work to the interviewer. Describe in detail the outcomes of your actions and how your contribution helped achieve them.

#5 Practice good body language

How you appeal to an employer goes beyond just your resume. Your body language also plays an important role and can help you enhance communication, build rapport and leave a positive impression.

Key body language tips you’ll want to keep in mind are:

• Maintain steady eye contact
• Sit up straight 
• Use subtle hand gestures to emphasise your point
• Avoid fidgeting
• Avoid negative cues such as looking at your watch or slouching

#6 Follow up

After the interview is done, be sure to follow-up. It’s always a good idea to ask what the decision-making timeline is before you leave an interview. This will give you a sense of when to reach out. It also demonstrates professionalism, reinforces your interest and keeps you top of mind for the recruiting team.

Best practices for front-end developer interviews

Preparing for front-end developer interview questions requires a combination of technical knowledge, problem-solving skills and communication. Here are best practices to help you:

• Master the fundamentals: Demonstrate your expertise in HTML/CSS/JavaScript and be prepared to showcase how you create responsive layouts.
• Show proficiency of frameworks and libraries: Be ready to talk about your experience with popular frameworks and workflows like React, Angular, or Vue.js. 
• Build a strong portfolio: Showcase projects that demonstrate your skills and use platforms like GitHub or Vercel to host your projects.
• Understand browser and performance optimisation: Demonstrate the ability to handle cross-browser issues and be prepared to talk about techniques like code splitting, lazy loading, etc.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills: Be prepared for technical interviews that require you to solve coding challenges. Be sure to also practice algorithms and data structures.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends: Familiarise yourself with the ever-evolving tech landscape. Stay informed about coding standards, security practices, performance optimisation, and more.
• Highlight soft skills: Illustrate your communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills by explaining your thought processes during challenges and showing how you approach problems methodically.

FAQs

1. What should I include in my portfolio for a front-end developer interview?

Your portfolio should showcase a range of your work, including examples of responsive designs, interactive user interfaces, and any projects where you implemented new technologies or solved complex problems. Be sure to include detailed descriptions of your role in each project.

2. How can I prepare for competency-based interview questions?

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Practice telling stories about your past experiences that highlight your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and technical expertise.

3. What are some common technical skills assessed during interviews?

Recruiters often focus on your proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, frameworks like React or Angular, testing tools, and version control systems like Git. Familiarity with web standards and browser compatibility is also crucial.

4. Do I need to know testing frameworks for front-end development roles?

Yes, many companies prefer candidates who can test their own code. Tools like Jest, Mocha, or Cypress are commonly used. Be prepared to discuss your experience with testing and debugging.

5. How do recruiters evaluate communication skills during interviews?

Recruiters may ask about situations where you had to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders or resolve conflicts within a team. They are looking for clear and effective communication, which is essential for collaborative projects.

6. How much technical depth should I provide when answering questions?

Tailor your responses to the interviewer’s level of understanding. For technical questions, be detailed but concise. If they ask for clarification or more depth, be ready to elaborate.

7. What if I don’t know the answer to a technical question?

It’s okay to admit if you don’t know something. Instead, explain how you would approach finding a solution, whether by researching, consulting documentation, or seeking input from colleagues.

8. How important is it to stay updated on industry trends?

Staying current with trends shows your passion for the field and adaptability to change. Mention blogs, forums, or communities you follow, and highlight any recent tools or frameworks you’ve learned.

9. Should I ask questions during the interview?

Absolutely. Asking thoughtful questions about the company’s tech stack, development process, or team dynamics demonstrates your interest and helps you evaluate if the role is a good fit.

10. How can I handle questions about salary expectations?

Research the average salary for front-end developers in your region and role. Provide a realistic range based on your experience and skills. Be prepared to justify your expectations with examples of your expertise and past achievements.

We hope this helps you with your future interviews. Feel free to share your experience with us in the comment section below!