You’ve landed an interview for a new position as a Full-Stack Developer. That’s fantastic, exciting, and maybe even a little nerve-wracking. Don’t worry. It’s normal to be nervous about something you’re really looking forward to.
To make you feel more at ease in the interview, we’ve created this article to help you prepare. Common Full-Stack Developer interview questions and answers are covered, as well as a few tips to keep your skills sharp.
1. What programming language are you most comfortable working with?
Be sure to answer this question honestly, but also show that you’ve done your homework and learned which programming languages they use. First, answer with your preferred language, whether it’s Python, JavaScript, or C++, and explain why.
If it turns out that the company prefers C++, but you prefer Python, let them know that you also took the time to learn C++ because you know how useful it is and how many companies rely on it. Of course, if you don’t know C++, don’t lie. Instead, tell them that it’s not your strongest language, but you’ll dedicate some time to get more familiar with it.
Because this is a Full-Stack Developer interview, it wouldn’t hurt to mention that you know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with any back-end languages like SQL or Python. You want to show that you have the basics required to be great at your new job.
2. How do you select the tools and technology for your projects?
Don’t let this question stump you if this is your first job as a Full-Stack Developer. You can use your experience with courses, personal projects, or open-source projects online. The interviewer wants to know if you can think critically and select the best tools for the job.
When you answer this question, think about a recent project, website, or program you built. How did you select the programming languages, hosting sites, design elements, and user interface? Explain your thought process and reasoning when answering this question. It’s more about how you came to select the tools/tech than the exact choices you made.
3. Explain how you’d make a website as efficient as possible
There are more than a few ways you can answer this question. Your interviewer may even give you a variation of this question and ask for three ways you can make a website more efficient.
Think about the heavy-hitters — give the most powerful and logical answers first. Explain how you would optimize assets, minimize the code on the page (or reduce duplicate code), or use browser caching.
You can also relate this question to your own experience by explaining how you improved or optimized a website you created. Or maybe you helped a friend who was having issues with their website, and your solution increased efficiency. That’s a great tidbit to add to this answer.
4. Can you define DevOps?
The company you’re interviewing with might be heavily invested in DevOps, so you’ll want to show you can hit the ground running. Explain that DevOps is a method or practice that allows teams to collaborate, communicate, and release software faster and more effectively.
For example, development and IT departments work in cross-functional teams, combining their strengths to create software. DevOps is a way to iteratively develop software in steps, correcting failures as you go and reaching the end product faster than traditional design methods.
5. What is multi-threading?
Multi-threading is when a CPU can execute multiple threads within a program concurrently, using the same processing capacity. You might also want to explain what a thread is to show you aren’t just regurgitating jargon.
A thread is a set of instructions that can be executed at the same time as other threads that are part of the same root process. This approach helps improve speed, for example, when implementing a machine learning algorithm.
6. Can you explain what an application server is?
As a Full-Stack Developer, this is a concept you want to be familiar with. An application server allows you to design and maintain applications on both the server- and the client-side. In essence, it hosts the web applications that the end-user interacts with and the environments required to run them.
More tips to prepare for your Full-Stack Developer Interview
There are many more questions you can practice with to prepare for your Full-Stack Developer interview. Conduct a quick search online, and you’ll be able to add to your list.
You can also sign up for one of our online Skill Paths that help you pass the technical interview with JavaScript, Python, or Java. Before you start, though, be sure to research the company you’re interviewing with so you choose one of their preferred programming languages.
Don’t forget that practicing your programming skills is one of the best ways to prepare for your interview. Solving problems with code will keep programming concepts fresh in your mind. Plus, you might even solve a problem or experience a challenge that you can discuss in your interview.
Consider practicing your answers out loud when you prepare for your interview. Try having a friend ask you questions and check your answers. And, if you’ve recently taken some online programming courses, think about going back through your notes to refresh your knowledge.
Lastly, don’t worry if you don’t know the answer to one of your interviewer’s answers. Take a deep breath, and explain that you aren’t sure off the top of your head, but you can explain exactly how you’d determine the answer through research and communication.
To prepare for your career as a Full-Stack Developer, learning the required skills, building a portfolio, and preparing for technical interviews, check out our Full-Stack Engineer Career Path.
