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Full stack developer Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 21 August 2025
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8 min read

A full stack developer, full stack engineer or full stack software developer works on both the front end and back end of applications. Their duties include designing, developing and maintaining the platform, working in a team with designers and other programming professionals and troubleshooting problems.On the front end, full stack developers handle user interfaces, while on the back end, they deal with tasks like server-side logic and database integration. The role of these professionals is complex, and interview questions typically reflect this by testing for both technical skills and interpersonal or soft skills.

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Full stack developer interview questions and answers.

  1. What front-end and back-end technologies are you familiar with? See answer
  2. What’s your process when you start a new full stack project from scratch? See answer
  3. How do you stay up to date with new technologies and frameworks? See answer
  4. How do you check your code for errors? See answer
  5. Can you tell us about a challenge you faced in a previous role and how you overcame it? See answer
  6. Can you describe a time when you had to optimise an application’s performance? See answer
  7. How do you balance building features to tight timelines with producing maintainable code? See answer
  8. What security risks do you keep in mind when developing projects? See answer
  9. How do you communicate with designers or stakeholders who don’t have a technical background when you need to work together closely? See answer
  10. Can you describe a time you had to learn a new tool or framework quickly? See answer
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10 Full stack developer Interview Questions and Answers

What front-end and back-end technologies are you familiar with?

This question helps you assess the candidate's real-world knowledge across the full stack. Their answer can indicate how well their expertise aligns with your team, what new skills they may bring and how broad their technical background is. What to look for in an answer:

  • Proficiency in relevant programming languages and frameworks
  • A good balance between front end and back end skills (though most candidates will be stronger in one of these)
  • Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies
Example:

'I’ve primarily worked on the front end, using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and React. In my most recent role, I used Node.js, Express and PostgreSQL on the back end. I’ve also used Docker for containerisation and have some experience deploying to AWS. Recently, I’ve been familiarising myself with TypeScript for JavaScript and exploring Go on the back end.'

What’s your process when you start a new full stack project from scratch?

Asking this gives you an idea of how the candidate works, the way they approach new challenges and how they translate a project’s objectives into tasks like planning, tool selection and early-stage architecture. What to look for in an answer:

  • Familiarity with project setup
  • Evidence of organisational skills and knowledge of what to prioritise
  • Consideration of business requirements and collaboration with the wider team
Example:

'I start by identifying the project’s core features and objectives, then choose a tech stack that fits the scope – usually React or Vue with Node.js or Django. Next, I’d set up version control, configure linting and CI and build out basic routing and authentication first before expanding. At this stage, I’d consult with the graphic designer to make sure we’re fully aligned on layout and user flow.'

How do you stay up to date with new technologies and frameworks?

Web development evolves rapidly, so it’s important to find candidates who are committed to continuous learning. Developers who stay current tend to bring innovative solutions to the table, anticipate potential challenges and identify new opportunities for improvement. What to look for in an answer:

  • Curiosity and a passion for learning
  • Use of professional development tools, like online courses, certifications and forums
  • Awareness of emerging technologies and AI tools
Example:

'I follow a few trusted blogs, and I regularly browse GitHub to see what’s trending. When new frameworks come out, I often take short online courses to explore their features and determine their relevance for my current projects. I also enjoy attending local meetups or online conferences and networking with other programming professionals. It’s important to me to know what’s happening in the field, as it helps me write better code and work more effectively with others.'

How do you check your code for errors?

This question explores the candidate’s approach to debugging and attention to detail. Ideally, they should be able to explain how they catch errors in their code through manual reviews, debugging tools, logging and testing strategies and offer insight into their troubleshooting process. What to look for in an answer:

  • Familiarity with common debugging tools and techniques
  • A proactive mindset and strong attention to detail
  • Use of linters, logs and automated testing tools
Example:

'I use different debugging techniques depending on the issue. For development, I often turn to browser dev tools, breakpoints and console logs. On the server side, I use logging libraries to capture errors and monitor behaviour. I’m also a believer in writing tests proactively to catch common bugs early, so that I can avoid issues escalating.'

Can you tell us about a challenge you faced in a previous role and how you overcame it?

Open-ended questions like this give candidates a chance to demonstrate how they respond to difficult or high-pressure situations. Their answer can reveal traits like persistence, lateral thinking, teamwork and adaptability. What to look for in an answer:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • A proactive approach and creative thinking
  • The ability to remain calm and focused under pressure
Example:

'I once joined a project with an outdated codebase and poor documentation. The team was small and highly motivated but lacked experience. I took the initiative to create a developer guide, refactored some of the worst sections and introduced code review standards for the whole team. The team embraced the changes, and within a couple of months, both our velocity and code quality had improved significantly.'

Can you describe a time when you had to optimise an application’s performance?

This question assesses the candidate’s problem-solving abilities and their experience in handling performance challenges across the stack, from server-side issues to client-side bottlenecks. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical thinking and technical strategy
  • Familiarity with performance monitoring or debugging tools
  • Level of efficiency
Example:

'During one web project, our users were reporting slow page loads. I used Chrome DevTools to identify render-blocking JavaScript on the front end, then added lazy loading for images. On the back end, I added database indexing and reduced the number of API calls. After implementing these changes, the load time went from six seconds to less than two, and we received no further complaints.'

How do you balance building features to tight timelines with producing maintainable code?

This question explores how the candidate manages the trade-off between meeting deadlines and maintaining long-term code quality. Full stack developers are often under pressure to deliver projects quickly or troubleshoot issues at short notice, but this must be balanced with writing clean, maintainable code to avoid future problems. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of technical debt and how to manage it
  • Decision-making skills and knowing how and what to prioritise
  • A commitment to writing clean, maintainable code, even under pressure
Example:

'I try to keep my codebase clean and modular, even under tight deadlines. To achieve this, I make use of feature flags for incomplete work, and if I do have to take a shortcut, I’ll create tech debt tickets. Whenever possible, I spend time upfront on writing readable code, as this saves time on debugging issues later and makes it easier to onboard new team members quickly.'

What security risks do you keep in mind when developing projects?

Security is a key consideration in full stack development, as websites and apps often handle sensitive data or require user authentication. This question assesses whether the candidate understands security risks, how to mitigate them and what best practices to follow. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of common web vulnerabilities (e.g. XSS, SQL injection, CSRF)
  • Knowledge of secure practices when using third-party tools like libraries and frameworks
  • Preventative practices for user data protection
Example:

'I follow the OWASP Top 10 to keep up to date on common vulnerabilities. When working, I always validate input on the server side and use parameterised queries to prevent SQL injection. I also escape user input to protect against XSS attacks. On top of that, I implement rate limiting, secure cookies and enforce HTTPS. I see security as a shared responsibility across the entire team, so I make a point of applying patches promptly and monitoring for known vulnerabilities in third-party tools.'

How do you communicate with designers or stakeholders who don’t have a technical background when you need to work together closely?

Full stack developers often work as part of multifunctional teams and may need to convey complex programming lexicon in simpler terms. This question probes the candidate’s communication skills and can indicate their approach to collaboration. What to look for in an answer:

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to explain technical terms in plain language
  • A collaborative, team-oriented mindset
Example:

'On a previous project, I worked closely with a product manager and a freelance UX designer. I set up weekly check-ins to go over mock-ups and explain our technical constraints early in the process. I also created clickable prototypes to gather feedback before development began. This helped us avoid last-minute issues, stay on schedule and work together in a positive, productive way.'

Can you describe a time you had to learn a new tool or framework quickly?

Full stack developers often work in fast-paced environments where they encounter unfamiliar programming languages, tools or frameworks. This question helps reveal how the candidate approaches learning under time pressure and whether they can quickly adapt to new technical demands. What to look for in an answer:

  • A proactive, can-do approach to learning
  • Effective use of resources and peer support
  • Ability to apply new knowledge quickly and confidently
Example:

'When I had to learn a new build tool for an app project, I spent a day going through all the documentation and set up a test project to practise. I asked my teammates for tips and watched a few relevant tutorials online. Within three days, I felt confident using the tool and explaining it clearly to others.'

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