Web Developer Interview Questions You Can Expect to Hear

You’ve been studying hard and you’ve kept your eye on the prize. Coding bootcamp was a challenge, but with a positive attitude and our assistance, you figured out the process and passed with flying colors. Now, it’s time to move on with your career plans, and that means finding a web developer job. You’re confident in your abilities, but how should you prepare for your job interviews? A good interview can make your career as surely as a bad one can break it, so it’s a good idea to have an idea of what sort of interview questions to expect.

In this guide, we go over some of the more common web developer interview questions and we offer suggestions on how to do your homework ahead of time so that you’ll be able to answer with confidence and provide the sort of feedback prospective employers need to hear. With our guidance, you’ll ace your interview and start earning some real money.

“Why Do You Want to Work as a Web Developer?”

Wanting to know your motivation for becoming a web developer might seem like a simple question, but you’ll hear a variation of it in most interviews. With good reason, too—employers want to hire folks who have understandable motivations and concrete career plans. It’s all too common for people to select a career path based on little more than name recognition and a vague notion of making a good living, and that sort of poorly thought-out decision-making makes a lousy impression on hiring managers.

Take the time to understand why you want to become a web developer. Before you head off to your interview, sit down and make a “pro and con” list. Pick out the “pros” that speak most strongly to you, whether it’s job satisfaction, problem-solving, or something entirely different. Then, boil them all down into one or two sentences and write them down. Once you’ve articulated your reasons for becoming a web developer to yourself, you’ll be able to rattle them off to the hiring manager, too.

“What are a Web Developer’s Responsibilities?”

Along with questions about why you decided to choose web development, you’ll often get asked about a web developer’s roles and duties. While the question might seem insulting to some, managers have a good reason for asking it. Ownership is a crucial part of successful employees, and the only way to have a stake in the final product is to have a firm idea of your part in making it come about. You’ll see this question in every interview.

Short, sweet, and to the point is the best way to handle any questions about web developer roles and responsibilities. As with the previous question, an excellent way to handle this one is to take a few minutes ahead of time to research and write down the typical responsibilities a developer can expect to have. Then, synthesize the information into a concise and descriptive sentence or two. You should have an answer ready to go when asked.

“How Do You Balance Client Demands?”

Client management and communication is a large part of a web developer’s job. The goal is to produce web content that does what the client needs it to do while still maintaining realistic and achievable goals. Balancing client needs with reasonable expectations can be a tricky tightrope to walk, so your prospective employer will want to know how you manage these opposing forces. Your answer will give them insight into your thinking and flesh you out as a candidate.

Employers most want to know that you won’t allow either the client or the process to take priority. Your goal should be to meet client needs without compromising your coding. If you complete your work by a client-imposed deadline but produce buggy code, neither your employer nor the client will be happy. Make sure that your client is informed of progress at all times, and never allow tight deadlines to make shoddy coding acceptable. An answer along those lines will make your hiring manager smile.

And there you go. Plan on getting many more questions during a web developer interview, too, but the questions we’ve examined in our guide are almost guaranteed to show up. The better and more smoothly you answer these critical interview questions, the more likely you are to get hired and start earning, so study up and find a great job!