Your Junior Developer Interview Cheat Sheet
How to beat the interview for the 99% of companies outside FAANG
This is an interview cheat sheet I made for myself and students at Parsity.io.
I’m sharing it here because it works.
This isn’t a fancy framework or a 10-step funnel. It’s just a collection of the exact resources and prep steps I use to help people land junior dev jobs — and it’s worked for people who’ve gone on to work at early-stage startups, solid mid-size companies, and even a few companies you’ve probably heard of.
If you’re preparing for interviews and feel overwhelmed by LeetCode, YouTube tutorials, or the 300 tabs open on your browser, this doc might save you some time.
You can steal it. Bookmark it. Like it. Share it with a friend stuck in tutorial hell.
What this covers
• What to do before the interview
• The actual format of most React dev interviews
• The non-technical question you’ll absolutely get asked
• Where to practice for free with real people
• What to study if you’re a few days away from the big moment
• A curated set of links I personally recommend
Before You Even Get to the Interview
Step 0:
Join Parsity.io, learn to code like a pro and build complex software. What a shameless plug — I’m almost sorry.
Step 1:
Go on Glassdoor or TeamBlind and search for previous interview questions from the company.
Step 2:
Ask the recruiter what you’ll be tested on. The best ones will tell you. Most will at least give you a clue.
Step 3:
Look up the company’s values. Find a way to weave them into your answers if it fits naturally.
Step 4:
Practice with a real person. Use Pramp. It’s free. It works. No excuses. I am 100% not sponsored but maybe I should be.
Your Resources
Last-Minute Interview Prep — JavaScript Trivia
Read this doc for the JS trivia you’re most likely to be asked.
Behavioral Interview: “Tell Me About a Project…”
Read the guide here — helps you nail the most common non-technical question.
The Most Common Interview Format for React Devs
Watch this Loom video — it walks you through the format most junior devs will face.
Watch on YouTube — your React interview with NextJS and link to the code.
System Design Cheat Sheet
Read this doc — junior-level system design tips that help you sound confident without overreaching.
Don’t Study 500 LeetCode Problems
Read this guide — it’s the smarter way to prep for DSA if you are in fact applying to the top 1%
The Developer Interview Podcast
Listen here — real interviews, coaching breakdowns, and mental models from a weird bald dude who wrote this article.Final Word
Most junior devs don’t fail interviews because they’re dumb.
I mean, some absolutely do — but if you’re reading this, you’re probably above average intelligence and easy on the eyes (don’t tell HR).
Most fail because they study the wrong things — or spend too much time studying and not enough time practicing.
If you’re not aiming for Google or Meta, this cheat sheet should take you 80% of the way.
If it helps, share it and maybe shout me out. Or don’t whatever.
If you want more than a doc, check out Parsity.io. We help career changers learn full-stack software development with a mix of personal coaching, building complex projects, and doing the hard work it takes to actually get hired.
