Top 8 Frontend Developer Interview Questions

Last Updated on 2024-10-11

You’ve put in a lot of hours and work to acquire the skills of being a frontend developer. Your next hurdle is applying for a job and tackling frontend developer interview questions. Here are some of the most asked questions and tips on how you approach them.

As the demand grows for frontend development, the technologies and requirements asked from developers also evolve. A frontend developer may be asked to focus more on specific frameworks, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, or other tasks.

The requirements will all depend on what the company needs. So, you should expect to talk about your expertise during the frontend developer interviews.

The interview process can be a stressful experience. However, you can make appropriate preparations if you know what to expect. And, practice is one of the keys to acing frontend developer interview questions. But first, you have to have a bit of understanding about the interviewing process.

Related Video: Interview and Hiring Tips

What is Frontend Development?

Before we get into the frontend developer interview questions, let’s get to know the nature of frontend development.

Frontend development (or frontend web development) encompasses the activities and practices of converting data, through code, into a graphical interface wherein users can interact with website data. This is possible with the use of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With this definition, we would be able to detail the frontend developer’s job description.

A frontend developer develops effective user interfaces on websites and applications using frontend development tools and platforms as required per project. A candidate for this position will work closely with the project manager, software designers, and fellow developers to achieve the goals and objectives of the project.

Frontend developers perform the following responsibilities:

• Develop effective and innovative user interfaces
• Implement responsive web design principles and resolutions to maximize use among different devices
• Develop libraries and reusable code for future use
• Maintain, monitor, and update website features and performance
• Optimize application for maximum speed and performance
• Implement best SEO practices
• Design and develop a well-tailored user experience

Additionally, front end developers should also possess or have experience with the following set of skills:

• Proficiency in HTML and CSS
• Knowledge and experience with JavaScript/jQuery
• CSS and JavaScript frameworks
• Version control/Git Repositories
• Responsive Design
• Testing and Debugging
• Understanding of SEO principles
• Automation tools, etc.

Understanding the Interviewing Process

Every company has different frontend developer interview questions. It is also the same for the interview process. But, interview processes generally have two types: standard and take-home.

Standard Interview

This type of interview starts with a hiring manager or a recruiter calling the applicant. During this initial interview phase, the hiring manager will ask questions to gauge your interest and fit for the job. In addition, you will need to talk a bit about yourself, your hobbies, and more.

 Once you pass the initial interview phase, you will be scheduled for a more technical interview. This time a software engineer, or other field experts, will be joining the session. During this time, you will have to show your frontend development qualifications and expertise. Sometimes, the interviewer will ask you to do a specific frontend developer task.

 Finally, you will receive an invitation for an on-site interview. It will be a panel of four or five persons who will interview you most of the time. The panel will go over your portfolio and give you situational questions.

Related Video: Building a Successful Software Team

The Take-Home Interview

Take-home interviews start just like standard ones. First, the hiring manager will call you for an initial discussion. After the initial interview, the manager will give you a take-home frontend development assignment. Sometimes, there will be a set time when you have to finish the task.

Lastly, you will proceed to the final interview with a panel of two or three interviewers. During this meeting, the panels will ask questions covering your take-home exam.

Top Frontend Developer Interview Questions

But before we tackle the technical questions, let us discuss the most frequently asked behavioral questions for frontend applicants, first:

Behavioral Questions

Most of the time, frontend developers’ interviews will start with behavioral questions before delving into technical ones. These questions aim to check your:

• Self-motivation
• Ability to adapt
• Communication skills
• Conflict management
• Creativity
• Decision-making
• Persuasion
• Planning, time management, and priority-setting
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in various teams

So, it would be best if you always kept in mind to highlight your skills in these areas when answering the following questions:

1. When did you take ownership of a project? Why? What would have happened if you did not take ownership?
2. What projects or initiatives have you started on your own? Why did you start it?
3. Tell an instance you made suggestions to improve a project you were working on?
4. Have you experienced working on several projects at once? How did you manage it?
5. What do you do to deal with unforeseen obstacles and problems?
6. How do you adjust to new tasks or a new procedure?
7. Did you ever have a misunderstanding with your superior or teammate? How did you clarify it?
8. What are the instances that you have to speak up?
9. How did you deal with conflicts within your team? Did it affect your productivity?
10. Give an example where you have to get creative to solve a coding problem.
11. Provide an example when you made a mistake or made a wrong decision. How did you correct it?
12. Did you have a project that failed? Why? What could you have done better?
13. Were you in charge of project planning? Was it successful? Why or why not?
14. What is the biggest project problem you have encountered so far? What were your counteractions?
15. Give an example of a recent project that you faced immense pressure. How did you handle it?

Good interviewers will ask follow-up questions. Thus, make sure to emphasize your skills when answering them. After tackling these behavioral interview questions, you should start getting ready to answer technical questions about frontend development, such as:

1. How can you make sure that your website or application design is accessible and user-friendly?

This question aims to know if you have first-hand experience in implementing usability and web accessibility standards. Accordingly, you have to show how you applied these standards in your previous and current projects.

Sample answer: “I always ensure to test my web applications on different devices and browsers. I can be sure that my applications provide consistent user experiences on all devices by doing these tests. Furthermore, I use various assistive solutions, such as screen reading software. Using such solutions ensure that my applications are readily accessible and inclusive to all types of users.”

2. Are you familiar with HTML5? For you, what are its best features? How do you implement them in frontend projects?

Frontend developers frequently use HTML5 in putting their websites together. It also has many features that help developers maximize software development time. Therefore, this question aims to assess your in-depth knowledge of the language and features. Additionally, the interviewer will want to know your experience in using HTML5 in various projects.

Sample answer: “HTML5 handles multimedia better than the previous versions. That is why I enjoy implementing this feature whenever I develop web applications that incorporate audio and videos. By using HTML5, I can create a better user experience without worrying about multimedia issues causing my application to break.”

3. How do you structure your JavaScript and CSS?

As a frontend developer, you will be working with other developers. Consequently, it would help if you kept them in mind when structuring your CSS and JavaScript. Making your code understandable and traceable for yourself and your team will improve productivity.

Hence, highlight your code organization and commenting skills. Your answer should also tell the interviewer that you are willing to work with a team. Furthermore, you are aware of the consequences when a code has no proper comments.

Sample answer: “I know how confusing it is to take over a project where code are unorganized, and there is no proper documentation. That is why I always make my stylesheets in sections for every site component. Each section will have a comment so that my teammates can easily make adjustments and corrections when needed.”

4. Explain the concept of CSS float. Provide an example of when you implemented it in your project?

This question wants to know your in-depth knowledge about CSS. It may be a fundamental question, but it scrutinizes your familiarity with CSS. So, provide an answer that shows your understanding of CSS and CSS floats. Plus, add instances of how you use this element in your code.

Sample answer: “CSS float is a feature of CSS that commands browsers to place certain elements to the right or left side of the container. I always use floats when I develop web pages that have to resize according to the screen resolution. Floats are very helpful in developing dynamic web applications.”

5. Have you encountered browser-specific rendering problems? How do you deal with them?

This is one of the most asked frontend developer interview questions. It is common for frontend developers to introduce browser-specific “hacks” because each application handles rendering differently. As such, developers should be familiar with troubleshooting browser-specific rendering problems.

Sample answer: “For me, I encounter rendering problems usually with Microsoft Edge. Hence, I typically change DIV positions with the browser. On the other hand, I don’t usually have issues with Chrome and Firefox.”

6. How do you keep up with the latest in front end development and web design?

Frontend developers have to keep up with the fast-changing technologies and trends. Companies are looking for applicants who have the drive to learn and improve constantly. So, highlight the forums and other learning resources that you are subscribing to at the moment.

Sample answer: “I am an active member of different forums such as Stack Overflow. I frequently participate in such forums by posting questions and joining discussions. These forums help me to get up-to-date on the latest happenings in design and frontend development.”

7. For all the frontend development projects you’ve been on, which one is your favorite? Why?

Interviewers will want to know what your project preferences are. It will help if you are clear on developing websites or web applications. Be enthusiastic when answering why you prefer specific projects.

Sample answer: “I recently worked on a web application for an e-commerce site. I found it very challenging and enjoyable to help the team streamline processes. Helping customers find what they look for faster is really fun for me.”

8. In webpage aesthetics, what is the most important element? Why?

Frontend development is not only about creativity, nor only about technical skills. A frontend developer needs to balance both to make a website appealing while maintaining functionality. Frontend developers may have differing opinions on designs, but they should be able to explain their creative process. Additionally, having a user-focused mindset is a plus.

Sample answer: “I like minimalist designs. However, I understand all web page elements should be in harmony to capture users’ attention. Also, headers and landing pages are very critical. It’s best to use soft colors and readable fonts to emphasize the elements without distracting the users.”

What Do Interviewers Look For in a Frontend Developer?

Generally, frontend interview structures are the same, with a few variations here and there. But, interviews have the same goal—to see if you fit the frontend job position. A good interviewer will tell you the outline of the process, which typically goes like this:

1. You will have two to five minutes to talk about yourself.
2. The interviewer will ask you to discuss your work experience for five minutes.
3. Next, you will answer technical questions.
4. Then, you will have to perform coding challenges (typically, for 30 minutes or more).
5. Lastly, you will be given a chance to ask questions to end the session.

As you can see from the structure, the interview structure checks your qualifications for the job and fits with the company’s work culture.

How to Approach Interviews?

Understandably, you might find job interviews uncomfortable. You are put under a spotlight and sometimes asked to answer random questions. That is why you need to prepare. Here are a few tips on how to approach frontend job interviews:

• Don’t be eager to start coding. Make sure you understand the tasks and questions well.
• Always ask questions. Don’t be afraid to clarify some things. Remember, asking questions can also be a plus point for you.
• For coding challenges, break down the tasks into smaller parts. This will help you see the bigger picture better.
• Ran into a wall during a coding challenge? Don’t be scared to use magic functions. “getDataFromAPI,” “turnStringIntoArray,” etc. will help you get going.

Getting Your Dream Frontend Developer Job

We’ve laid out the most common frontend developer interview questions that you will encounter. Now that you know what type of questions you will face during interviews, you can prepare to answer them.

Think quickly on your feet by mastering your frontend development skills. It will also help if you enroll in courses to help improve your skills.

 Do you have what it takes to be a top frontend developer? Join us at Full Scale.

We are looking for frontend developers of all skill and experience levels. With us, you will get competitive compensation and get to work and learn with exceptional individuals. We will help you improve with our training and ensure that you work on projects that match your skills. 

Take the first step towards your dream job! Apply now!