10 Web Developer interview questions and answers

This background question will give you an idea of what sparked the interviewee’s interest in web development. You’ll also learn which parts of web development appeal to them, whether it’s front-end or back-end software development or simply a fascination with the world of coding. 

This common web development interview question is aimed at determining the applicant’s depth of knowledge and technical skills. Some web developers will hone in on one coding language, while others may have a wider knowledge of many programming languages. Common programming languages may include the following:

• CSS
• HTML
• HTML5
• Java
• Javascript
• Python
• Ruby
• jQuery
• PHP

Beyond knowing which languages the applicant codes in, you’ll want to determine what type of web development they specialize in. Aim to find out if the applicant is a full-stack developer, or if the bulk of their experience has been as a front-end developer. Many programmers will have experience working with a range of web applications; be sure to ask them for concrete examples of their work to gain a broader understanding of their capabilities.

This question is designed to gauge the applicant’s soft skills and technical skills. It will help you learn how the interviewee performs under pressure, and should illuminate their communication skills. It’s a common web developer interview question, and will let you know how the applicant approaches problem-solving and working with other team members.

A strong candidate might describe a time when they improved load times or had to optimize for user experience on a web application.

Web developers should be able to describe technical details to non-technical stakeholders or folks in the company. Look for answers that include clear, non-jargon-filled descriptions. A simple way to describe APIs is that they are the messenger between software products, allowing systems to communicate with one another.

Gaining some insight into how an interviewee manages their workflow is important for recruiters. Look for answers that describe a clear set of steps with strong organization; a good web developer will have these systems honed. 

All web developers will typically have some knowledge of user experience (UX) design, especially those with front-end experience. Web design is all about creating intuitive applications, and the interviewee should be able to describe how they incorporate UX into their work.

SQL is a specific skill used in web development, and this question will help you understand the applicant’s depth of knowledge. Look for answers in which the interviewee can provide examples of having used MySQL or integrating the functionality of SQL into a web page.

CORS (cross-origin resource sharing) is a commonly used mechanism within web development, and the applicant should have some familiarity with it. After the interviewee describes what CORS is, ask them to provide an example of a time they used it to ensure they have a working knowledge of the function.

Creating a website is more involved than just writing code, and the interviewee should be able to balance different elements such as SEO, UX, security, and maintainability when building a site. A strong candidate for the job will be able to differentiate how various industries will require prioritization; for example, a financial institution may be more concerned with security, whereas an online business may favor SEO.