Full stack developer Interview Questions
Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Full stack developer interview questions and answers.
- Why did you become a full-stack developer? See answer
- What is the most important quality for a full-stack developer? See answer
- What are the responsibilities of a full-stack developer? See answer
- What programming languages are your comfortable working with? See answer
- How do you keep yourself updated about the latest trends in full-stack development? See answer
- What is CORS? See answer
- How can you decrease the load time of a web application? See answer
- How do you deal with steep client requirements? See answer
- How do you handle constructive feedback about your full-stack development projects? See answer
- What are the advantages of pair programming?
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Why did you become a full-stack developer?
While hiring, it helps you to know the story behind the applicant’s professional journey. This question lets you learn more about the candidate’s experience and how they became interested in full-stack development.
What to look for in an answer:
- Passion for full-stack development
- Experience in front-end and back-end development
- Commitment to learning
Example: I became interested in becoming a full-stack developer while working at my first organisation as a web developer. As a software engineer just came out of college, I focused on front-end work, but then I became fascinated with back-end development. I took online courses to learn about back-end development and began working on full-stack projects.
Example:
What is the most important quality for a full-stack developer?
An effective full-stack developer must have a variety of qualities to excel in their role. This question allows the candidate to express the traits they value while performing their role as a full-stack developer.
What to look for in an answer:
- Insight into personal and professional traits needed for the role
- Experience in how the quality helped them as a full-stack developer
- Articulation while explaining their response
Example:
While a full-stack developer needs a versatile skill set to thrive in their role, they must be an effective problem-solver. A full-stack developer needs to be efficient at troubleshooting and debugging so that the development projects can proceed seamlessly. Recently, while working on a project in my current organisation, a tester discovered a new bug. I identified the bug by analysing the inputs provided and comparing them to previous entries with no errors. Then I made the required changes to the back-end code and resolved the issue.
What are the responsibilities of a full-stack developer?
This question tests the candidate’s knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of a full-stack developer. The candidate’s response can help determine if their understanding of the role aligns with your company’s expectations.
What to look for in an answer:
- Extensive knowledge of the role
- Relevant experience
- Alignment with the company’s requirements
Example:
As a full-stack developer, I am responsible for the development and maintenance of websites, software, and other programmes depending upon the company’s requirements. A full-stack developer must also oversee these programmes’ client and server sides to ensure their smooth operation.
What programming languages are your comfortable working with?
A full-stack developer should be comfortable while working with a variety of languages. This question will help you learn about the candidate’s skill set and full-stack development experience to determine whether they are the right fit for your company.
What to look for in an answer:
- The extent of familiarity with different programming languages
- Experience related to programming languages
- Relevance of the candidate’s skill set for the company
Example: I’m proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python and Java, having used them while working for my previous organisation. I also have a working knowledge of Ruby and PHP that I am upskilling by undertaking online courses.
Example:
How do you keep yourself updated about the latest trends in full-stack development?
Full-stack developers need to stay updated about the latest industry trends. This question can help you evaluate the candidate’s learning process and desire to grow as a full-stack developer.
What to look for in an answer:
- A desire for upskilling
- They use the proper channels to update their development knowledge
- Practical application of acquired skills
Example:
As a full-stack developer, I strive to learn about the latest technologies and trends in my field. I am part of two online groups where we share upcoming trends. I have also subscribed to a monthly technology newsletter and attend industry courses from time to time. Last year, I took an online course to upskill myself regarding back-end advances. An updated skill set helps me to provide streamlined solutions as a full-stack developer.
What is CORS?
This question helps you to assess if the candidate possesses knowledge regarding policies and mechanisms that developers use daily.
What to look for in an answer:
- Conceptual knowledge of CORS
- Understanding of CORS advantages
- Practical application of CORS
Example:
CORS stands for cross-origin resource sharing. It is an HTTP header-based mechanism that allows web pages in one domain to access resources in other domains, thus providing greater flexibility to the SOP (same-origin policy). For example, a CORS policy can help a JavaScript app to make a call to an API that runs on another domain without being blocked due to the SOP.
What are the advantages of pair programming?
Pair programming is a helpful practice in many development projects. This question helps you to test whether the candidate knows the practice of pair programming and its advantages in full-stack development.
What to look for in an answer:
- Conceptual understanding of pair programming
- Knowledge of pair programming’s advantages
- Relevant experience
Example:
Pair programming is the practice where two programmers share a single machine and work together. One developer is responsible for the coding, and the other is responsible for proofreading and reviewing the code. Pair programming leads to improved collaboration, high-quality code, improved development practices, and the development of the skill set of both programmers.
How can you decrease the load time of a web application?
Your candidate must be aware of the detrimental effects of a high load time on the user experience. They should be able to analyse data and track improvements to minimise the web application’s loading time, as it helps retain your customer base.
What you should seek in an answer:
- Awareness of the importance of optimising web applications
- Solution-oriented thinking
- Evidence that the candidate has successfully reduced load time
Example: I would begin by optimising the images using formats that reduce file size, like JPEG and PNG. Then I would ensure that the JavaScript and CSS are kept in external files as it helps utilise browser caching to prevent downloading JavaScript and CSS files every time the HTML document is loaded. I would also eliminate unnecessary redirects, minify HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and ensure that the CSS and JavaScript files are loaded asynchronously.
Example:
How do you deal with steep client requirements?
Gaining a precise understanding of how a candidate negotiates with demanding client requirements can provide insights into their work ethic, priorities, and thought process. This question will help to determine whether the candidate’s working style fits your company’s objectives.
What to look for in an answer:
- Performance under work pressure
- Clear and precise communication
- Quality-oriented work ethic
Example: As a developer, I prioritise client satisfaction but not at the expense of releasing hasty and buggy final products. So, I keep the client in the loop, understand their requirements, and keep working to deliver a high-quality product.
Example:
How do you handle constructive feedback about your full-stack development projects?
Full-stack development often requires extensive edits and revisions. So, it is vital to learn about a candidate’s response to constructive feedback regarding their development projects.
What to look for in an answer:
- Learner’s mindset
- Devotion to excellence
- Customer-centric perspective
Example: Constructive criticism is vital to growing as a full-stack developer. While working as an entry-level developer, I appreciated constant feedback that helped me further improve my skill set. So, I am always open to a client’s or a superior’s suggestions to help deliver high-quality results.
Example:
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