Top Node.js Interview Questions [2024]

Node.js is an open-source, back-end Javascript runtime environment. It’s popular with developres because they are able to build fast, scalable cross-platform applications. Interviewing Node.js candidates commonly consists of basic and advanced questions to assess technical ability. We sourced these questions from the Node.js community based on developers’ own interview experience and what our clients found important to ask.

Could you use help hiring Node.js developers? Scalable Path’s experienced Talent Acquisition team can help.

Node.js Interview Questions

These are the types of questions typically asked during Node.js interviews. We created them to help you test your understanding of the popular programming language, or guide your initial technical screening with Node.js candidates.

What is Node.js?
View Answer

What are some dependencies of Node.js? Which libraries/technologies does it rely on?
View Answer

What kind of operations and applications are least suited for Node.js?
View Answer

How does the Call Stack and Event Loop in Node.js work at a high level?
View Answer

What is a Message Queue in the Node.js Event Loop model?
View Answer

What is Micro Task Queue (aka Job Queue) used for? How is it different from Message Queue?
View Answer

What is the purpose of a package.js file in a node.js project?
View Answer

What are some patterns of performing asynchronous operations in Node.js?
View Answer

What are some advantages of Promises over callbacks?
View Answer

What do async/await keywords do?
View Answer

How do async/await keywords work at a high level?
View Answer

What could be the reasons for using frameworks like Express when building Node.js servers/applications?
View Answer

What does transpiling mean? Why is it used?
View Answer

Why should you prefer streaming data instead of buffering in Node.js?
View Answer

What might be some ways of handling CPU-intensive operations in Node?
View Answer

How do you test your code in Node.js?
View Answer

What are some built-in libraries that you use in Node.js?
View Answer

What are some built-in globals that you use in Node.js?
View Answer

How would you ensure the consistency of styles and patterns in a codebase?
View Answer

What things would you pay attention to when introducing external dependencies to a Node.js project?
View Answer

This list isn't exhaustive, and interviewing typically includes an assessment of soft skills and technical ability through a take-home assignment or live coding exercise. You can learn more about hiring here.

Ready to grow your remote team?