Common Interview Questions for Front-End Web Developers in Big Companies

The process of becoming a front-end web developer in a big corporation can be intricate, with a myriad of interview questions designed to test a candidate's skills and fit with the company culture. The questions can vary significantly based on the interviewer, the specific company, and the role you are applying for. Here, we will break down these questions into several key areas, providing a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for your interview.

Breakdown of Interview Areas

Tech Companies typically focus on finding application website or platform developers.

Experience with Front-End Technologies: They usually include knowledge of React, Angular, Vue, GraphQL, REST, Typescript, Next.JS, Storybook, etc. Testing: Familiarity with testing frameworks like Jest, RTL, Cypress, and Playwright. Programming Principles: Understanding of programming fundamentals and the ability to actually program. General Computer Science Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge in areas like CSS, HTML, and web development essentials. SEO and Analytics: For website developers, expertise in SEO, animation, CSS, analytics, and conversion rate. Platform Developers: Knowledge of Webpack, ESLint, Nx, Lerna, Node.js, and cloud services like Azure, GC, or AWS. Agile Methodologies: While not always required, experience with Agile processes is a plus but not a dealbreaker. Soft Skills: Communication, conflict resolution, leadership, and motivation are important. Cultural Compatibility: The ability to fit in with the company culture and work well within the team.

Agencies and Creative Firms often seek web coders or interactive developers, with an emphasis on the following areas:

HTML, CSS, JavaScript: Knowledge of HTML, CSS, Vanilla JavaScript, jQuery, CSS animations, GSAP, Bootstrap, Tailwind, React, etc. Responsive Websites: Experience in coding responsive websites. SEO and Analytics: Understanding and practical experience in SEO, analytics, and web vitals. CMS Experience: Familiarity with content management systems like WordPress, Drupal, or even Webflow. Interactive Development: For interactive developers, expertise in D3, ThreeJS, WebGL, and canvas. Cultural Compatibility and Teamwork: The ability to fit in and work well in a team. Back End and UX/Design: Overlaps with backend and UX/design are welcome and encouraged.

Example Interview Questions

1. Frontend Trivia

Understanding the nuances of JavaScript is crucial. For example:

What is the difference between and in JavaScript? What are call/apply/bind, hoisting, closures, etc. in JavaScript? What is a DOM manipulation challenge you might face, and how would you solve it?

2. DOM Manipulation

An example question might be:

Implement a feature that changes the background color of a div when clicked, without using jQuery.

3. Implement UX/UI

You might be asked to build a widget or layout of a common web application, demonstrating your ability to implement user interfaces and interactions.

4. JavaScript Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA)

Questions in this area are often used to evaluate problem-solving skills. Examples include:

Implement a function that finds the longest string in an array of strings. Write a function that sorts an array of numbers in ascending order. Implement a basic version of a hasheable function in JavaScript.

5. Product Design

These interviews might include system design elements. For example:

Walk me through the process of designing a feature for a website or an application.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information on this subject, you can read the following article:

The Anatomy Of A Frontend Interview

Example Trivia Questions

1. HTML

What’s the most difficult part of building a new website? What are your favorite features of HTML5? Why are there both numerical and named character entity values in HTML?

For more HTML questions, refer to this list by CareerGuru99.

2. CSS

What CSS selector targets every element on a web page? What are the limitations of CSS?

For a comprehensive list of CSS questions, check out this list of CSS questions.

3. JavaScript

You can find great essential questions to practice on the Front End Masters list.

Communication-Based Interview Questions

Prepare for questions that focus on your ability to fit within the company culture:

Why do you want to work here? What are your strengths and weaknesses? How do you handle conflict in the workplace? Explain a time when you demonstrated leadership in a project.

Additionally, practice both the technical and communication aspects of the interview with a mock interview. Doing this will help you identify your weaknesses so you can improve before the real interview. After the mock interview, you will receive feedback from your partner to help you refine your responses.