Gone are the days of the Yellow Book listings and newspaper ads. In today’s digitally driven economy, businesses of all types need a functional and easy-to-navigate website. This is where skilled web developers come in. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 23% increase in new web developer jobs over the next ten years. To nab one of these jobs, you’ll need to ace a series of web developer interview questions that ask you about your background, skills, interests, and personality.
Performing well during an interview requires preparation, practice, and commitment. If the thought of preparing for an upcoming interview gives you the jitters, don’t worry. Monster has seven sample web developer interview questions and answers to help you get ready.
Web Developer Interview Questions
- Why Did You Decide to Become a Web Developer?
- Which Web Development Tools and Programming Languages Are You Proficient In?
- How Would You Typically Start a Web Development Project?
- Explain the Differences Between Desktop Web Development and Mobile Web Development.
- Why Is Page Load Speed Important?
- Tell Me About a Successful Web Development Project You Led or Participated In.
- What Would You Do If a Web Development Project Didn’t Go as Planned?
Question #1: Why Did You Decide to Become a Web Developer?
This is one of the most common web developer interview questions you’ll encounter. Interviewers will often gauge your passion for web development to determine why you want the job. This question allows you to expand on your professional background in a way that your resume doesn’t.
Reflect on the following when creating your answer:
- How you got into web development.
- What you like about being a web developer.
- Your goals as a web developer.
How You Could Answer
“I got my start in web development during my high school computer class. One of our projects required us to create a hobby website using Wix. It gave me a general idea of how to make a website easy to read and navigate. I knew that web development was my calling, so I pursued it as a major in college, and eventually landed my first job at a marketing agency.”
“I love web development because it allows me to put my creative and technical talents to work. I enjoy seeing the outcome of my work and creating websites that are aesthetic and functional.”
Question #2: Which Web Development Tools and Programming Languages Are You Proficient In?
Web development requires experience with web development tools and programming languages.
Discuss the tools and programming languages that you have:
- Received training on.
- Worked with at previous jobs.
- Dabbled in on your own.
How You Could Answer
“While I attended college, I received training in programming languages such as C, C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, and PHP. I also received training on various web development tools such as Bootstrap, jQuery, and Figma. I recently completed the Meta Back-End Web Developer certificate program, where I learned how to utilize APIs, cloud computing, the full stack, and app building.”
“When I worked for the marketing agency, I primarily used a back-end tech stack that included JavaScript, Python, and PHP. I also worked with the Ruby on Rails framework, Apache server, and an SQL database. On my own, I have learned how to use MYSQL, Microsoft Internet Information Server, Laravel, and Django.”
Question #3: How Would You Typically Start a Web Development Project?
Some web developer interview questions are designed to gauge your productivity. Employers typically look for efficiency and your ability to manage tasks.
Include the following details in your answer:
- How you prepare for a new web development project.
- Your typical procedure for beginning a new project.
- An example of a new project you started at a previous job.
How You Could Answer
“I would typically begin a web development project by consulting with a client and determining which tools would work best for the project. When I worked for the marketing agency, we signed a tech startup client. We prepared to start the web development project by holding a meeting with the client.”
“When I attended the meeting, I took notes and asked questions to get insight into the client’s needs. After learning about the type of website the client wanted and its functionality, I met with the IT team to determine which front- and back-end tech stack would work best for the client.”
Question #4: Explain the Differences Between Desktop Web Development and Mobile Web Development.
Interactive web development is critical in today’s mobile-driven world. As a web developer, you’ll likely take on projects that involve both desktop and mobile web development. Employers want to see that you understand the key differences between developing for desktop vs. mobile.
When answering this question, be sure to discuss the following:
- The purposes of desktop and mobile web development.
- Interactive web development.
- When each should be used.
How You Could Answer
“There are many differences between desktop and mobile websites. For starters, the interface of a desktop site is starkly different from a mobile website. I always create websites with a responsive design, so they can adapt to different devices and screen sizes. Mobile sites usually have minimal graphics for faster load speeds and easier navigation.”
“Sometimes, mobile sites don’t have all the same information or features you would find on a desktop site. A mobile site works best for users who prefer to access information or use features A desktop site works best for people who want to access all information and features.”
Question #5: Why Is Page Load Speed Important?
Employers and other web development clients value their website speed. Adequate speed is one of the key factors that keeps them ahead of the competition on Google and with users. Web developer interview questions regarding page load speed gauge your knowledge of both back- and front-end web development.
Here’s what you should discuss in your answer:
- Why page load speed is important.
- How you ensure adequate page load speed when developing a website.
- Steps you take to increase page load speed for existing websites.
How You Could Answer
“Page speed is critical for the user experience. The greater a website’s page load speed, the more engagement it will get from users. Slower websites tend to have higher bounce rates. This happens when users leave the site after only viewing one page.”
“When creating a new site, I avoid using too many graphics and plugins, minimize HTTP requests, and run a load speed audit before launching the site. To ensure adequate page load speed for an existing site, I usually compress images and graphics, minimize the use of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, and enable browser caching.”
Question #6: Tell Me About a Successful Web Development Project You Led or Participated In.
Job interviews aren’t just about telling but about showing. When a hiring manager asks web developer interview questions regarding your experience, they want to know about the results of your work. Be sure to provide detailed examples during the interview to provide some insight into your experience.
Include the following details when creating your answer:
- The type of web development project.
- Your role in the project.
- The outcome of your efforts.
How You Could Answer
“When I worked for the marketing agency, my team took on a major website redesign for a law firm. The client’s original website ranked poorly on SERPs and the overall framework was outdated. We built an entirely new website for the client that was user-friendly, fast, and easy to navigate and managed redirects from the old site. Within the first month of launching the new website, it ranked on the first page of Google and helped the client bring in more leads.”
Question #7: What Would You Do If a Web Development Project Didn’t Go as Planned?
Every web development project needs a backup plan in case things don’t go as planned. Employers will want to know what your backup plan will be, so they can trust that you’ll take the right course of action.
Here’s what you should discuss when answering this question:
- Steps you would take to address a problem with a web development project.
- How you would get the project back on track.
- An example from a previous job.
How You Could Answer
“If a web development project doesn’t go as planned, the first thing I would do is reconvene with the IT team, upper-level management, and the client. That’s what we did for one client when I worked for the marketing agency.”
“It was the only incident we experienced where we couldn’t meet the set deadline due to a miscommunication between the IT and content departments that resulted in several errors. We were able to get the project back on track after meeting with the client to clarify the build they were looking for. Within the following two weeks, we were able to launch the site.”
Need a New Job Search Interface?
We hope that these sample web developer interview questions and answers prepare you for that highly anticipated meeting with a hiring manager. In the meantime, you can find tons of web developer jobs at Monster when you upload your resume. We’ll make it easy for hiring managers to contact you and keep you in the loop on new web developer positions by sending you free job notifications.