Pro Interview Tips for Hiring Top React Developers in 2025

As more businesses are building user-friendly and dynamic web applications, the demand for React JS developers has significantly increased. With 39.5% market share, it is the most popular frontend framework among developers. ReactJS is constantly evolving and it is everywhere, which makes finding the right talent even trickier than it used to be. On top of this, the competition for good developers is also fierce at the moment. 

You need a solid and systematic approach to hiring. It’s just not enough to check if someone knows their way around ReactJS and JavaScript hooks and can write clean code (though it’s obviously important). You need to look for that sweet spot where technical skills meet clear communication, problem-solving abilities and the ability to seamlessly collaborate and co-ordinate with the team.

That’s exactly what we are going to explore here – A practical and pro interview tips for spotting the right React developer.

Skills to Look for When You Hire React Developers

Here are some of the skills to look for when you hire React developer:

Core Capabilities:

• CSS 3 / HTML
• Javascript (ES6+) / Jquery 
• Knowledge of React Framework
• CSS framework (Less / SCSS / SASS)
• Bootstrap / Tailwind
• Responsive Website / Custom Theme build
• Page Speed Optimization
• Cross-Browser Compatibility Issues
• Accessibility
• State Management Tools (Zustand, Redux, Recoil, TanStack Query)
• Working Knowledge of Third-Party API ( REST/GraphQL )
• Version Control with Git
• Component Based Architecture
• CI/CD and Deployment on Edge/Cloud Platforms
• API / Automation Tool Kit (Postman, Newman, Karate)

Design, SEO and AI Capabilities:

• Design Systems and Components Library
• Micro-front end architecture
• UX Understanding
• Accessibility (ADA)
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Figma, Indesign, Sketch
• SEO Capabilities
• Knowledge of AI-Assisted Development Tools (GitHub Copilot, CodiumAI etc)
• Familiarity with using AI for Code Reviews and Refactoring

Brownie points if the candidate is equipped with the below additional skills:

• Core Backend
• Multi CMS Experience
• Other JS Libraries or Frameworks
• Server Side Expertise

Type of Developers Recruiters Hire For Different Business Needs

Here’s a breakdown of three types of developers, recruiters hire for different business needs:

Junior to Mid-Level Developers

These professionals usually have basic skills necessary to manage small to medium-scale applications with mid level complexity. They showcase their capabilities in core development tasks and may contribute effectively to projects. Employers hire them to be mentored by senior team members who may offer guidance to handle complex technical tasks. 

Senior Developers

This type consists of developers upto 5 years of hands-on coding and development experience. They act as reliable contributors who may handle advanced technical challenges independently. Employers often hire senior developers when they are in need of proven expertise.

Technical Leads

This type of developers come with more than 5 years of technical experience in coding and team leadership. They are perfect when you need someone to train new developers,build new teams, and take ownership of technical decisions that require both hands-on development experience and strategic capabilities.

Top 10 Interview Questions to Hire React Developers

Now that you have a fair idea of the level of expertise and pro tips you want your developer to equip, refer to the following list of top 10 interview questions to ask a react developer, which helps you assess their skills effectively.

1. What is ReactJS?

React is a JavaScript library for creating component based user interfaces, particularly single-page applications, using virtual DOM and one way data flow for proper rendering.

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What you need to consider in the answer: 

Their proficiency of Virtual DOM and data flow, ability to explain fundamental concepts in a simple manner, which shows strong conceptual clarity. 

2. What are the advantages of React.Js

Reusable components, SEO optimization, fast rendering with virtual DOM and strong community support.

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What you need to consider in the answer: 

Analyze their knowledge on React’s core advantages and impact in terms of scalability and performance.

3. What are the Limitations of React.Js

Lack of proper documentation, Issues with SEO, speed of development and JSX Complexity.

What you need to consider in the answer: 

• Knowledge of limitatations/trade offs.
• Ability to find pain points in SEO/SSR.
• Critical thinking

4. Explain the lifecycle of React Component

React components have a lifecycle that consists of three phases: Mounting, Updating, and Unmounting.

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What you need to consider in the answer: 

• Proficiency of React component lifecycle stages.
• Use case of lifecycle methods or hooks.
• Skills to debug and manage issues effectively.

5. Name the 5 ways in which you can use Style React components?

CSS modules, styled components, inline styling, CSS-in-JS, Saas & SCSS, Stylable, Less are used to style React Components.

What you need to consider in the answer: 

• Knowledge of various styling approaches.
• Ability to choose based on project requirements.

Tip: Ask them what styling approach they prefer for large/small projects. This helps understand their strategic approach for different needs.

6. What are hooks in React?

React hooks allow you to add state and other features to functional components.

What you need to consider in the answer: 

• Proficiency with latest React standards and best practices.
• Knowledge of common hooks such as useEffect/useState.
• Skills to build and apply custom hooks.

7. How would you optimize the performance of a React application?

React apps can be optimized by server side rendering, throttling, debouncing, code splitting and lazy loading.

What you need to consider in the answer: 

• Ability to optimize real applications.
• Problem solving ability to identify and analyze issues in performance.

Tip:  Ask them if they can describe any performance issue that they have solved in a project. A developer who thinks about performance from day one is often likely to develop apps that scale. 

8. Describe a situation where code reviews played important role in preventing bugs

Understand how they took initiative to prevent bugs, which highlights their ability to prioritize security, reliability and success.

What you need to consider in the answer: 

• Examples of code reviews stating real issues.
• Awareness of team work and peer-to-peer feedback processes.
• How they prioritize code reviews to improve maintainability, quality and project outcomes.

9. How do you maintain consistency and code quality in React projects?

Code quality is maintained through linting with tools like ESLint, that meets the coding standards and consistent practices. Code reviews capture issues early, promote knowledge sharing and implement project conventions.

What you need to consider in the answer: 

• Knowledge of code reviews as a quality and collaboration tool.
• Familiarity with formatting, linting and automated checks. (CI/CD, Prettier, ESLint)
• Knowledge of best practices and commitment to teamwork in ensuring long-term reliability.

10. Write a sample code using the State component to React.

Short sample code or program based on the output desired. In a few cases, it may be accompanied by a flow chart.

What you need to consider in the answer: 

Such questions are recommended in the later stage of the interview. Coding is an integral part of working as a React developer. Such questions are beneficial when you want to select between shortlisted candidates.

You may also ask specific outputs that you need from the program to help you get a better comparative analysis of the candidates. 

Pro-Tips to Consider When Hiring React Developers

• Evaluate candidates overall experience in ReactJS and check their recent projects/ portfolios for their expertise and diversity.
• Analyze their teamwork capabilities, look for proficiency in skills like Git, Code Reviews, CI/CD and agile practices.
• Ask behavioral questions to assess their leadership capabilities, flexibility, adaptability and conflict resolution skills.
• Check proficiency and familiarity with latest AI-powered tools, React features, Typescripts, Next.js and testing frameworks.

Final Thoughts

These pro-interview tips will help you cut through the chaos and find ideal React JS developers who truly understand how to build scalable, production-ready applications that stand the test of time.

If you wish to hire elite ReactJS talent, Uplers is here to help. Our AI-powered hiring platform is designed for tech companies looking for top engineering professionals. Connect with us today!