What a REAL web developer interview is like Front End

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their experience with a front-end software job interview, reflecting on the uncertainty and nerves of entering the tech field after completing a code bootcamp. They discuss technical questions, like accessibility and React, their personal journey from mechanical engineering to front-end development, and the challenges of breaking into the software industry. The creator emphasizes the importance of taking action rather than staying stuck in preparation mode. The video also highlights the role of a discord community dedicated to personal growth and improvement in coding, while inviting viewers to join and follow the journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video creator hasn't posted in a while but is now sharing a unique video about their job interview for a front-end position.
• 😀 The creator shares how, after finishing a coding bootcamp, they applied to many software positions without understanding what software interviews were like, even applying for roles requiring 10+ years of experience.
• 😀 The creator admits to falling into research mode, where they kept learning but never took action, a common trap when preparing for job interviews.
• 😀 Nervousness is a part of the interview process, and the creator emphasizes the importance of staying authentic and acknowledging mistakes.
• 😀 The interview involved technical questions on front-end development, including accessibility and state management in React applications.
• 😀 The creator talks about the importance of accessibility in web development, including color contrast for color blindness, using tools like Chrome extensions and screen readers for testing.
• 😀 The creator mentions their experience working with accessibility features, such as ARIA attributes, and how they previously worked on making a website 508-compliant.
• 😀 They discuss a project where they overhauled the UI of an application, highlighting the challenges and satisfaction of seeing the project go from concept to completion.
• 😀 The creator talks about working with legacy technology (jQuery) in an outdated application and gaining enjoyment from understanding how older frameworks work.
• 😀 They reflect on a project where they would implement state management earlier in the process, suggesting that implementing Redux too late caused difficulties.
• 😀 The interview also included a discussion about the company’s culture and current projects, such as improving accessibility for veterans and people with disabilities, along with potential for a contract-to-hire opportunity.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to share their job interview experience?

The speaker decided to share their job interview experience because they wanted to help others who may be new to the software industry and don't know what software job interviews are like. They aim to offer insight into the process and reduce the anxiety of preparation by sharing a real-life example.

What is the speaker's background in software development?

The speaker has a background in mechanical engineering, but after realizing they didn't enjoy that career path, they enrolled in a part-time coding bootcamp. After completing the bootcamp, they got their first job as a front-end developer, which is now their specialty.

What challenge did the speaker face when preparing for software job interviews?

The speaker faced the challenge of not knowing what software job interviews were like and not having clear guidance on what to prepare for. This led them to apply to numerous job listings, often with requirements they didn't fully meet, just to understand the interview process.

How does the speaker feel about the technical interview questions?

The speaker admits that they got a little nervous during the interview and didn't always provide the best answers. They also mention that sometimes it's easy to get stuck in preparation mode and that they could have answered some questions better if they had been more prepared.

What is the significance of accessibility in the speaker's previous job roles?

In the speaker's previous job, they worked on a project that required knowledge of accessibility standards for people with disabilities. This involved ensuring compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, using ARIA attributes, and running accessibility testing using screen readers and Chrome extensions.

What tools and methods did the speaker use for accessibility testing?

The speaker mentioned using a Chrome extension for general accessibility checks, as well as a separate screen reader tool. They emphasized the importance of ARIA labels and ensuring that the content was understandable for visually impaired users.

What was one of the speaker's favorite projects, and why did they enjoy it?

One of the speaker's favorite projects was the complete overhaul of a user interface (UI) for a web application. They enjoyed seeing the project progress from scratch to a fully functional UI, as it allowed them to apply their front-end skills and make a meaningful impact on the project.

How does the speaker feel about working with older technologies like jQuery?

The speaker enjoys working with older technologies, such as jQuery, despite them being outdated. They find it fun to dismantle and understand how these technologies work, especially when modifying existing codebases in projects that use older technology stacks.

What does the speaker wish they had done differently in a past project?

The speaker wishes they had implemented state management (using Redux) earlier in a past project. They found it painful to add Redux later in the development cycle and had to strip away old code to integrate it, which caused issues due to versioning and compatibility.

What is the nature of the project the speaker is interviewing for?

The project is an e-commerce website trying to integrate with a government program aimed at making their platform more accessible to veterans and people with disabilities. The project will focus on improving user experience and implementing new features related to accessibility.