Hey everyone!
I’m starting to apply for front-end developer positions and want to make sure I’m studying the right things. I keep hearing about different approaches to interview prep but I’m not sure what actually works best for our field.
Some people say you should focus on data structures and algorithms like everyone else, but others tell me that front-end interviews are more about practical skills and framework knowledge. I’ve also seen people mention studying common coding problems, but I wonder if that’s really what companies test for when hiring front-end devs.
What has worked for you when preparing for these interviews? Should I be spending more time on JavaScript fundamentals, React concepts, or general problem solving? I want to use my study time effectively and focus on what actually matters.
Thanks for any advice!
interesting question! what companies are you targeting? I’ve seen startups and big tech use completly different interview styles. Are the job postings you’re looking at mostly whiteboard coding or take-home projects?
honestly, coding challenges on codepen helped me tons. most interviewers care way more about ur problem-solving process than perfect syntax. don’t sleep on css basics like flexbox and grid - i got grilled on those way more than i thought i would!
I’ve interviewed at several companies over the past two years, and here’s what I’ve learned: most front-end interviews mix practical coding with some algorithmic stuff. I spent equal time on JavaScript fundamentals and really understanding how React works - that was huge. You’ll probably have to build small components live, so get comfortable with DOM manipulation, event handling, and state management. Don’t skip data structures completely though. I’ve had to implement debouncing, throttling, and array methods from scratch. The big difference from backend interviews? The problems are usually front-end specific, not abstract CS puzzles.