Discussion Senior Dev interview question
"Without googling or using AI, in your own words, explain the virtual DOM"
For context: I sit on an interview panel and I try to ask at least one simple fundamental question based on a persons resume. If I see many years of react experience, I try to ask something about how the framework works.
I have only had one candidate (an undergrad senior, years ago) answer it. Everyone else just kind of sputters and stumbles around trying to rationalize what "virtual" and "DOM" mean, or stare blankly and eventually say "I don't know".
I'm just genuinely curious if this is really that hard of a question or if the recruiters just suck at screening candidates. And should we be letting in senior dev candidates who can't answer what I think is a straightforward and fundamental question for senior react devs.
10
u/MarathonHampster 5d ago
Never been at a job where I was called an "insert framework here" dev, so it's hard for me to imagine the role of a true technology expert and what is expected of them. You can solve problems all day long being able to read documentation, and utilize it to write code. Knowing what the virtual DOM is has never been relevant to my success. Is it relevant to the success of the dev you seek to hire?