5 most frequently asked JavaScript interview questions

JavaScript is the core of front-end development. JavaScript interview questions are asked to gauge the technical abilities of front-end developers. If you plan to start your career as a front-end developer, you are up for an exciting domain that frequently witnesses innovations and technological advancements.

Your skills as a front-end developer will be tested on how well versed you are with JavaScript. In this article, we are sharing the most frequently asked JavaScript interview questions.

1. What is the drawback of using a bar with typeof bar === “object” to determine if bar is an object? How can the drawback be avoided?

While typeof bar === “object” is a reliable way of checking if bar is an object, the problem arises because null is also considered an object in JavaScript.

That’s why the following code will return true, unlike most JavaScript developers anticipating it to return false.

var bar = null;

console.log(typeof bar === “object”); // logs true!

As long as you are aware of this nature of JavaScript, you can easily avoid the problem by proactively checking if bar is null:

console.log((bar !== null) && (typeof bar === “object”)); // logs false

This statement eliminates the problem, but the important point is to know that the above solution will return false if the bar is a function. In most cases, it is a required behavior, but if you want to return true for functionals, you can make a change like this:

console.log((bar !== null) && ((typeof bar === “object”) || (typeof bar === “function”)));

2. What will be the output of the following code, and why?

var myObject = {

   foo: “bar”,

   func: function() {

     var self = this;

    console.log(“outer func: 

this.foo = ” + this.foo);

    console.log(“outer func: 

self.foo = ” + self.foo);

     (function() {

      console.log(“inner func: 

this.foo = ” + this.foo);

console.log(“inner func: 

self.foo = ” + self.foo);

     }());

   }

};

myObject.func();

This is another commonly asked JavaScript interview question. The output of the code will be:

outer func: this.foo = bar

outer func: self.foo = bar

inner func: this.foo = undefined

inner func: self.foo = bar

In the outer function, myObject is referred to by both this and self, which is why both can adequately refer to and access foo. While, in the inner function, this no longer refers to myObject and results in undefined output. However, the reference to the local variable self remains in scope and therefore is accessible.

3. What is a scope, and what are its types? 

In JavaScript, a scope determines how an object, a variable, or a function can be accessed in a particular section of your code. 

Scopes are of two types in JS: 

  • Global scope: It is defined outside the function and can be accessed from any code section. For example: 

var name = ‘LambdaTest’;

console.log(name); // logs ‘LambdaTest’

function newLogName() {

console.log(name); // ‘name’ is accessible here and everywhere else

}

newLogName();

  • Local scope: Here, variables are defined inside the function, scoped in the function only, and cannot be used outside. 

// Global Scope

function sampleFunction() {

// Local Scope #1

function oldFunction() {

// Local Scope #2

}

 }

// Global Scope

function newFunction() {

// Local Scope #3

}

// Global Scope

4. What will be the output of the code below ? Explain your answer

console.log(0.1 + 0.2);

console.log(0.1 + 0.2 == 0.3);

This developer interview question is a bit tricky to answer. You can’t be sure of what the outcome will be. The code might print out 0.3 and true, or it might not. The reason being in JavaScript, all the numbers are treated as floating point precision which is why they may not always output the expected result.

The above example is a classic case of how JavaScript handles numbers. The code will surprisingly print:

0.30000000000000004

false

The easiest solution to this problem is to use a special constant Number.EPSILON to compare the absolute difference between two numbers:

function areTheNumbersAlmostEqual(num1, num2) {

       return Math.abs( num1 – num2 ) < Number.EPSILON;

}

console.log(areTheNumbersAlmostEqual(0.1 + 0.2, 0.3));

5.What is prototype property?

Prototype property in JavaScript is used for implementing inheritance. Each function in JS has a default prototype property value which is null. Methods and properties are added to the prototype to make it worthwhile for the instances. This is how a JavaScript function is made robust and available for multiple instances. 

This JavaScript interview question is better explained with the following code to calculate the perimeter of a rectangle: 

function Rectangle(x, y) {

this.x = x;

this.y = y;

}

Rectangle.prototype.perimeter = function() {

return 2 * (this.x + this.y);

}

var rectangle = new Rectangle(4, 3);

console.log(rectangle.perimeter()); // outputs ’14’

Conclusion 

These are some critical JavaScript interview questions that you must understand. JavaScript is an essential language for developers. Beginners can start learning JavaScript from these websites.

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7 Dos & don’ts for passing your technical interview

The technical job interview is unlike any other interview. Candidates undergo a rigorous and specialized technical interview process to test their coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and aptitude. Technical interviews, however, are more than a tough challenge where developers are put through a full day of coding evaluations and tests. 

Suppose you are preparing for your following technical interview and are overwhelmed with all the information on the internet. In that case, it’s time to cut back and start by understanding the essentials of technical interview rounds.

This article is prepared to help developers crack technical interviews by understanding the dos and don’ts and delivering their best.

DOs

Prove with numbers

When you go for technical interviews, remember that you are presenting yourself as a valuable candidate who can impact the company. This is why you must elaborate to the interviewers on the impact you made in your previous role and how it helped the company you worked in.

Interviewers ask such questions to understand how the candidates view their tasks. Can they conceptualize the bigger picture and take steps to impact the outcome positively? During technical interviews, your skills beyond programming will be gauged. Companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Microsoft are very metrics-driven and look for engineers and developers who can see beyond coding.

Communicate your thought process

Many candidates lose in technical interviews because of various reasons. One of the most common reasons is not to think the problem through before working on the solution. When you are given a whiteboard question to solve, don’t start with the solution immediately without giving it a thought. It is essential that you align your thinking and, if possible, try to frame your answer for your interviewer. Start by outlining methods, data structures, and algorithms you think will be the best solution. Even if you cannot answer the question correctly, communicating your thought process to the interviewer should work in your favor.

Ask questions genuinely

Developer interviews are not just about the candidate; they are about the company as well. Some of the best candidates for the job are the ones who are interested in the company culture and the work it does. It might seem like a cliché technical interview tip, but you must know about the company and show interest by asking questions.

That being said, do not ask general questions that can be answered with a simple Google search. Instead, ask about the most significant technical challenges they have faced lately or how the culture at the company is. You can even ask the interviewer about their role. Such queries indicate that you are interested in the job and provide you with an opportunity to connect with the interviewers.

Practice

This is one of the most straightforward technical interview tips ever. Practice interviews to understand how things work once you reach the technical interview round. If you are straight out of college, you can participate in discussion rounds with other computer science graduates, or you can take the help of resources such as the Talent500 blog to understand the technical interview process and avoid any surprises.

DON’Ts

Don’t get stuck with one bad round

You will face several technical interviews in your life, and you will most likely perform better in some than the rest. Try to not get stuck on one lousy round or question you could not solve and let it ruin the entire interview. Algorithms, data structures, programming languages, design patterns – the technical domain is so vast that it is nearly impossible to know everything. If you couldn’t make it through a few questions, don’t let them define the rest of your interviews.

Don’t badmouth a technology stack

As a developer, you will have your favorites. You might prefer Python over PHP, MongoDB over MySQL, or React over Angular – but that’s your preference. It doesn’t allow you to say bad things about other technology stacks. Such comments during a technical interview project you as an elitist. Companies often use multiple technology stacks and if you start discrediting a specific tech stack, you might be targeting the technology the company uses without knowing.

Don’t get too stuck on one solution

If you spend too much time solving one question, you risk the time constraints. When you are in a technical interview, do not get too consumed by the solution of a problem. If you cannot solve the issue one way, even after spending enough time on it, consider taking a detour from your thought process and trying something else. If it’s still not working for you, move on to the next question.

Conclusion

Technical interviews are not easy, but they are not impossible either. During technical interviews, candidates are evaluated for their skills beyond just programming. Keep the above-listed dos and don’ts of the technical discussion in mind and try to come across as independent thinkers capable of solving problems without losing focus on the bigger picture.

Talent500 is the platform for start-ups and Fortune500 companies to build their remote teams. If you want to be discovered by the best companies, join our elite talent pool today.

5 secrets to help you ace that technical interview in 2022

Regardless of whether you’re an experienced developer or on the hunt for your first job, technical interviews are one of the biggest challenges out there. They can be stressful, time-consuming, and nerve-racking. The pressure is higher for self-taught developers, and the process can be quite demanding simply owing to its multiple stages. Unlike a regular job interview, these sessions can last several hours and usually consist of at least 4 rounds. 

However, just like any other test, you can ace it with the right preparation strategy. By knowing what to expect, you can tackle these interviews with confidence and minimal errors. Most of all, being aware of how they are conducted and what recruiters assess and expect from you, can give you a leg up. More importantly, it acts as a testament to your preparedness, which is a clear winning trait. 

Here are 5 secrets to help you ace your technical interview in 2022. 

Work with a specialized prep book

Technical interviews evaluate your subject knowledge, so it pays to have your fundamentals in place. This applies to both first-time job seekers and experienced professionals. Picking up a prep book has two main benefits: 

  • It refreshes your knowledge and reminds you of core principles, algorithms, data structures, or other such crucial information that may have slipped through the cracks. 
  • It puts you in the right frame of mind as technical interviews will test your problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities. Prep books are the best way to prepare for the intense requirement across a wide range of subjects. 

Prep books can be found for a range of levels, interests, and specialties. You can even find advanced books to match your experience. 

Be interactive during the  phone screening

A phone interview is a sign that you’ve piqued the hiring manager’s interest, and that you have one foot in the door. Your technical skills and capabilities match the position you’re applying for, and now the recruiter will assess your soft skills. This is a common vetting technique to know if you’re a good fit. 

Approach this stage with enthusiasm and showcase your excitement to be considered for the position. Being conversational and interactive is bound to bring in brownie points. While phone screening rounds don’t generally focus on your technical capabilities, it is always a good idea to be prepared.

Test your set up beforehand

Interviewers are most appreciative of a prepared candidate. Most interviews for technical positions are conducted remotely, especially considering the recent shift in practices. We recommend testing out your entire setup beforehand.

Check your system, run mock tests, launch applications you will require during the interview and check all your hardware. It’s important to make a good first impression, and this is a good way to ensure that you don’t run into technical difficulties during your interview. 

To best prepare for these sessions, contact the hiring manager or whoever will be conducting the interview and inquire about the process. In some cases, you may get instructions via email on what to expect and have ready for the interview, so keep an eye out and ace it!  

Approach the remote coding stage strategically

This is usually one of the intermediary stages before the next on-site interview sessions. Here, hiring managers will focus on your technical and analytical capabilities. Some companies may give you an assignment that can be completed in a few hours at home, and others may require you to code in real-time. 

The approach will vary based on the company, but in all instances, your hard skills will be tested. To ensure that you don’t lose your way and make too many mistakes, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

  • Think-out-loud when formulating a plan to solve the problem at hand, so that you can cue in the interviewer.
  • Utilize the time given to you on a take-home assignment. A hasty project is no good if it is riddled with errors. 
  • Do not start coding right at the start. This is especially true during a real-time coding test. Take the time to strategize solutions that are sound in logic and approach. 
  • Voice your doubts if the platform allows you to. It showcases your ability to collaborate. 

Prepare for common technical interview questions

In a typical technical interview, especially at the final stages, hiring managers will ask you a series of questions. The idea is to assess multiple aspects of a potential employee in order to get a holistic idea of the candidate and their capabilities. 

Generally, these questions will be related to: 

  • Technical training
  • Educational background
  • Behavioral aspects
  • Practical knowledge
  • Technical experience and expertise

Some of the common questions from this diverse set of categories include: 

  • “What are your technical qualifications and how do they make you a good fit for this position?”
  • “How do you keep yourself updated with the latest trends and innovations in the industry?”
  • “Do you prefer working solo or as part of a team?”
  • “If you had to improvise the approach to a project, how would you do it?”
  • “Do you have any negative experiences when collaborating with others? How did you solve the issues at hand?”
  • “Can you explain the benefits and downsides of working in an Agile environment?” 

Put these tips to use not only to prepare for the technical interview, but also to stand out across various stages. Remember, these interviews are more than just an assessment of your technical capabilities. Hiring managers look for well-rounded people, equipped with both the soft and hard skills expected from a technical professional. 

Preparation is key to success here and it gives you an advantage during the process. Another way to give yourself an edge when it comes to your career is to sign up for Talent500. The platform gives you control of your career growth and positions you for success on a global scale. 

By signing up, you can also be part of a growing talent pool on the Global Talent Network and get access to exclusive benefits. Talent500 helps you realize your potential and gives you the tools to get #TwoStepsAhead. Sign up today and be a proactive part of your career growth.