Candidate’s Name: Raghav Sharma

1. Are you currently unemployed?

Yes, I am currently unemployed and actively seeking new opportunities.

2. Can you explain the difference between front-end and back-end development?
Front-end development focuses on the user interface and user experience of a web application. It
involves creating and optimizing the visual aspects that users interact with, using technologies like HTML,
CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks such as Vue.js and React. Back-end development, on the other hand,
deals with the server-side logic, databases, and application integration, ensuring that data is correctly
stored, processed, and delivered to the front-end. This involves using languages and frameworks like C#,
Java, Python, Node.js, and databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.

3. What programming languages and frameworks are you proficient in for both front-end and back-end
development?
I am proficient in:
- Front-end: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Vue.js, React, Redux
- Back-end: Java, Python, Spring Hibernate, Node.js
- Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Firebase, Cloud Firestore

4. Describe a project where you were responsible for both the front-end and back-end development.
One of the significant projects where I handled both front-end and back-end development was the
Online-Yoga-Platform in Chicago. I enhanced the website performance, reducing page load time by 40%
and decreasing the bounce rate by 30%. I also improved the responsiveness, leading to a 25% increase
in user engagement on mobile devices, and integrated both the front-end (using React and Redux) and
back-end (using Node.js and MongoDB).

5. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
During the migration of a legacy service from PHP to the Spring Hibernate framework for an e-commerce
last-mile delivery project, one of the major challenges was ensuring data consistency and handling
concurrency issues. I overcame this by implementing a robust transactional mechanism and optimizing
the database queries to improve performance, resulting in a notable 30% reduction in API response time.

6. How do you ensure the security of a web application you're developing?

- Using HTTPS for secure communication.
- Validating and sanitizing user inputs to prevent SQL injection and XSS attacks.
- Implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms.
- Using security headers and Content Security Policy (CSP).
- Regularly updating dependencies and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Performing regular security audits and penetration testing.

7. Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs and how you've utilized them in your projects?
RESTful APIs follow the principles of Representational State Transfer, which uses standard HTTP
methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to interact with resources. In the Travel Buddy project, I developed
RESTful APIs to enable travel partner search, utilizing AWS for deployment and ensuring disaster
recovery and fault tolerance through multi-region auto-scaling and load balancing.

8. What version control systems are you familiar with, and how do you use them in your workflow?
 I am familiar with Git and GitHub. In my workflow, I use Git for version control to manage code changes,
collaborate with team members, and maintain code history.

9. Have you worked with databases? If so, what types of databases have you used, and what was your
role in database design and management?
Yes, I have worked with various databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Firebase, and
Cloud Firestore. My role involved designing database schemas, writing complex SQL queries, optimizing
database performance, and managing database migrations.

10. What tips can you offer for debugging JavaScript code?
- Use browser developer tools for inspecting elements, console logging, and debugging.
- Add breakpoints and step through the code to identify issues.
- Utilize logging to track variable values and application flow.
- Keep the code modular and well-commented to make it easier to identify issues.
- Write unit tests to catch errors early in the development process.

11. How do you stay updated with the latest technologies and trends in full-stack development?
I stay updated by following technology blogs, participating in online developer communities, and taking
online courses. Additionally, I engage in continuous learning through hands-on projects and
experimentation with new technologies.

12. Can you discuss a time when you had to optimize the performance of a web application? What
approaches did you take?
During the Educational Advocacy project, I optimized the backend API services for increased website
traffic and faster load times. I did this by optimizing database queries, implementing caching mechanisms,
and using a content delivery network (CDN) to reduce server load and improve response times.

13. Describe a situation where you had to work on a project with tight deadlines. How did you manage
your time and prioritize tasks?
In the revamp of a nonprofit organization's website, I had to meet a tight deadline for a global learning
classroom community campaign. I managed my time by breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable
chunks, prioritizing critical tasks, and maintaining close communication with team members to ensure
efficient collaboration and on-time delivery.

14. What testing methodologies and tools do you use to ensure the quality of your code?
I use unit testing and integration testing. Tools I have used include JUnit, Mockito, Espresso, and manual
testing for exploratory and usability testing. Code quality is also ensured through code reviews and
continuous integration pipelines.

15. Have you worked in an Agile development environment? If so, what role did you play, and how did
you contribute to the team's success?
Yes, I have worked in Agile development environments. I played the role of a developer and
occasionally a scrum master. I contributed to the team's success by participating in daily stand-ups, sprint
planning, and retrospectives. I also ensured timely delivery of tasks, collaborated closely with team
members, and adapted to changing requirements through iterative development.

16. How do you handle communication and collaboration with other team members, especially when
working remotely?
 I use communication tools like Slack and Google Meet. I ensure clear and concise communication
through regular updates, shared documentation, and collaborative tools like Jira for task management. I
also make an effort to be available for synchronous communication and schedule regular check-ins to
stay aligned with team goals.

17. What do you enjoy most about being a full-stack software engineer?
I enjoy the versatility and continuous learning that comes with being a full-stack software engineer. The
ability to work on both the front-end and back-end allows me to create comprehensive solutions and see
the direct impact of my work on user experience and system performance.

18. What are your professional development goals?

My professional development goals include becoming an expert in cloud technologies, enhancing my
skills in machine learning and AI, and taking on more leadership roles in software development projects. I
also aim to contribute to open-source projects and stay updated with emerging technologies.

19. How could your skills and experience add value to our organization?
My experience in designing and developing scalable solutions, optimizing performance, and ensuring
security can add significant value to your organization. My strong background in full-stack development,
combined with my ability to work in an Agile environment and collaborate effectively with cross-functional
teams, will help in delivering high-quality software solutions that align with your mission and vision.

20. How much will you request per hour if you are hired?
My requested hourly rate would be approximately $75 to $85 per hour. However, I am open to
discussing and negotiating this based on the specifics of the role and additional benefits offered.