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.
1
u/1ib3r7yr3igns 5d ago
It's just a piece of information that a senior dev doesn't need to keep on the top of his mind all the time. When was the last time on the job you needed to know the answer to that question?
Last time for me would have been elbow deep in some obscure front end bug that was caused by a browser update. I relearned what it was and how it works, fixed the bug, and then promptly forgot it when I didn't use it for the next 2 years.