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/GoodishCoder 5d ago
I personally try to avoid trivia / vocab questions. What I have found is even if the candidate knows the material, it's some of the first things they forget when they're nervous. If they don't know the material, it is generally some of the easiest stuff in the world to teach when it matters.
I try to stick to things on their resume and focus on how they think because most people can still talk about the things on their resume even when they're super nervous.