Who is this Senior Software Engineer interview plan for?

It is written for the interviewer, not the candidate: the hiring manager, engineer or panel member running the Frontend Development round for a Senior Software Engineer role. It gives you a 60 min script to follow in the conversation — 3 questions with what each one is for and the signals to score against — so you are not writing the round from scratch the night before.

What does the Frontend Development round assess?

This round is focused on: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, DOM manipulation, responsive design, API integration, and debugging. It works through Coding Challenge and Closing, scoring against 17 observable signals, with follow-up prompts on 2 of the 3 questions for going deeper where an answer is thin.

How is the 60 min split up?

Coding Challenge (50 min), Closing (5 min). The timings are there so the round stays on schedule and every candidate gets the same shape of interview — which is what makes two candidates comparable afterwards.

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Senior Software Engineer interview questionsFrontend Development round

A 60 min interview plan with a time-boxed script, what each question is for, and the signals to score against. Key skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, DOM manipulation, responsive design, API integration, and debugging.

Coding Challenge

50 min

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Build a Responsive Todo List Application in React Question: Create a Todo List application using React. The application should allow users to: Add new todo items. Mark items as completed. Delete items. Requirements: The UI should be responsive and adapt to different screen sizes (mobile and desktop). Use React Hooks (e.g., useState, useEffect) for state management. Implement local storage to persist todos across page reloads. Ensure accessibility standards are met (e.g., use semantic HTML, ARIA attributes where appropriate). Follow-Up Questions: How would you optimize the application for better performance? How would you integrate an API to save and fetch todos from a backend server? What steps would you take to improve the application's accessibility?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess the candidate's ability to build a functional React application, demonstrate knowledge of React Hooks, state management, responsive design, and understanding of accessibility best practices.

Signals to score

Understands the requirements clearly
Uses React components and Hooks appropriately
Manages state effectively
Creates a responsive UI
Implements local storage correctly
Writes clean and organized code
Considers accessibility in the implementation
Explains thought process clearly

Follow-up questions

Can you walk me through how you're managing state in your application?
How are you handling responsiveness in your design?
What considerations did you make for accessibility?

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If you had more time, what features or improvements would you add to your application?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess the candidate's ability to reflect on their work, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Signals to score

Identifies limitations in the current application
Suggests additional features (e.g., editing todos, filtering)
Discusses potential performance enhancements
Considers improving user experience
Mentions testing and code quality improvements

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Great job on the coding challenge!

What this section is for

Purpose

Provides positive reinforcement to the candidate, helping to build confidence and create a supportive atmosphere before moving into the final part of the interview.

Closing

5 min

What this section is for

Purpose

Thank the candidate for their time, provide next steps, and leave a positive final impression.

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Do you have any questions for me about the team or the company?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Gauge the candidate’s curiosity and interest in the role.

Signals to score

Asks insightful questions about the team and projects
Shows interest in the technologies and tools used
Inquires about the company culture and values
Expresses enthusiasm for the role and opportunities

Follow-up questions

Is there anything else you'd like to know about our frontend development practices?
Do you have questions about our workflow or team collaboration?

Senior Software Engineer interviews — common questions

Who is this Senior Software Engineer interview plan for?: It is written for the interviewer, not the candidate: the hiring manager, engineer or panel member running the Frontend Development round for a Senior Software Engineer role. It gives you a 60 min script to follow in the conversation — 3 questions with what each one is for and the signals to score against — so you are not writing the round from scratch the night before.
What does the Frontend Development round assess?: This round is focused on: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, DOM manipulation, responsive design, API integration, and debugging. It works through Coding Challenge and Closing, scoring against 17 observable signals, with follow-up prompts on 2 of the 3 questions for going deeper where an answer is thin.
How is the 60 min split up?: Coding Challenge (50 min), Closing (5 min). The timings are there so the round stays on schedule and every candidate gets the same shape of interview — which is what makes two candidates comparable afterwards.

Use Template