Sharepoint Developer Interview Questions

SharePoint Developer Interview Questions: Preparing for Success

sharepoint developer interview questions are a crucial part of landing a role in this

specialized and in-demand field. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting

your journey with SharePoint, understanding the types of questions you might face can

significantly boost your confidence and performance during interviews. SharePoint

development is a niche area that blends software development skills with a deep

understanding of Microsoft’s collaboration platform, so interviews often test both technical

knowledge and practical application.

In this article, we’ll explore common SharePoint developer interview questions, delve into

what interviewers are looking for, and provide tips to help you stand out. Along the way,

we’ll touch on key concepts like SharePoint architecture, customization, workflows, and

integration—topics frequently discussed during interviews. If you’re preparing for a

SharePoint developer role, this guide will serve as a valuable resource to sharpen your

skills and mindset.

Understanding the Role: What Does a SharePoint Developer Do?

Before jumping into the specifics of interview questions, it’s important to have a clear

grasp of the SharePoint developer’s responsibilities. Interviewers expect candidates to not

only know how to code but also to understand SharePoint’s ecosystem, including site

architecture, content management, and user experience customization.

SharePoint developers typically work on building custom solutions, web parts, workflows,

and integrations with other systems. They often interact with SharePoint Designer, Visual

Studio, and sometimes PowerShell scripting. Having a solid foundation in SharePoint’s out-

of-the-box features alongside custom development skills is essential.

Common SharePoint Developer Interview Questions

1. What is SharePoint and how is it used in organizations?

This foundational question tests your understanding of SharePoint’s purpose. Be ready to

explain that SharePoint is a web-based collaborative platform integrated with Microsoft

Office. It is widely used for document management, intranet portals, content sharing, and

business process automation. Demonstrating knowledge of how it improves organizational

productivity and collaboration sets a positive tone for the interview.

2. Can you explain the difference between SharePoint Online and

SharePoint On-Premises?

With many companies moving to the cloud, knowing the differences between these two

versions is critical. SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service hosted by Microsoft as part

of Office 365, offering flexibility and automatic updates. SharePoint On-Premises is hosted

on company servers, allowing for more customization but requiring manual maintenance.

Highlighting pros and cons of each and when to use them shows practical insight.

3. What languages and tools do you use for SharePoint development?

Interviewers want to know your technical stack. Common languages include C#,

JavaScript, and TypeScript. Tools often mentioned are Visual Studio, SharePoint Designer,

and PowerShell. You might also discuss frameworks like the SharePoint Framework (SPFx)

for client-side development and REST APIs for integration. Mentioning your experience

with these tools demonstrates your readiness for the role.

4. How do you create a custom web part in SharePoint?

This is a technical question designed to assess your hands-on skills. Explain the process

briefly, such as setting up a development environment using SPFx, writing the necessary

code, packaging the solution, and deploying it to the SharePoint site. Highlight any

experience you have with React or Angular if relevant, as many modern SharePoint web

parts utilize these frameworks.

5. What are event receivers in SharePoint and when would you use them?

Event receivers are server-side components that respond to actions within SharePoint, like

item added or deleted events. You might explain their role in automating business logic or

enforcing rules when content changes. Knowing when to use event receivers versus

client-side solutions like JavaScript event handlers can distinguish your depth of

knowledge.

6. How do you manage permissions and security in SharePoint?

Security is a critical topic in any SharePoint developer interview. Candidates should

describe SharePoint’s permission levels, inheritance model, and best practices for

securing sites, lists, and libraries. Discussing SharePoint groups, Active Directory

integration, and the principle of least privilege shows your ability to protect sensitive data.

7. Explain the differences between lists and libraries in SharePoint.

While this might seem basic, interviewers ask it to verify your understanding of SharePoint

components. Lists are used mainly for structured data like contacts or tasks, whereas

libraries are designed for storing documents. Highlighting features like versioning, content

types, and metadata management adds value to your answer.

8. What are content types and how do they help in SharePoint

development?

Content types allow you to define reusable sets of metadata, workflows, and templates for

items in SharePoint. Explaining how content types promote consistency and improve

content management can impress interviewers, especially if you provide examples of how

you’ve implemented them in projects.

9. Describe your experience with SharePoint workflows and automation.

Workflows help automate business processes. You might discuss using SharePoint

Designer or Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Flow) to create workflows that handle

approvals, notifications, or data collection. Sharing specific scenarios where you

automated tasks or improved efficiency is a strong talking point.

10. How do you optimize SharePoint performance?

Performance is essential, especially in large organizations with many users. You can talk

about best practices like minimizing custom code, optimizing queries, using caching, and

properly indexing lists. Mentioning monitoring tools and your experience troubleshooting

performance bottlenecks shows a practical approach.

Advanced SharePoint Developer Interview Questions

How does the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) improve customization?

SPFx is Microsoft’s modern development model for SharePoint, focusing on client-side

development and open-source tooling. You can explain how SPFx allows developers to

build responsive, mobile-friendly web parts using modern JavaScript libraries, improving

user experience and maintainability.

What is the difference between sandboxed and farm solutions?

Knowing solution deployment models is important. Sandboxed solutions are limited and

run in a restricted environment to protect the server, while farm solutions have full access

but require administrative deployment. Discussing when to use each and the trend

towards SPFx reflects awareness of evolving SharePoint practices.

How do you handle SharePoint upgrades and migrations?

Large enterprises often need to migrate content or upgrade SharePoint versions. Talking

about tools like ShareGate or Metalogix, planning data migration, testing custom solutions

for compatibility, and minimizing downtime highlights your operational knowledge.

Explain how REST API can be used with SharePoint.

Modern SharePoint development often involves integrating external systems or building

custom apps. REST API provides a flexible way to interact with SharePoint data remotely.

Discussing CRUD operations, authentication methods, and real-world use cases shows

your ability to extend SharePoint beyond its default capabilities.

Tips for Answering SharePoint Developer Interview Questions

Approach your answers with clarity and confidence. When possible, illustrate concepts

with examples from your past work. Interviewers appreciate candidates who can translate

technical jargon into understandable language, demonstrating both expertise and

communication skills.

Don’t hesitate to mention continuous learning, as SharePoint is constantly evolving. Being

familiar with the latest updates, tools, and best practices conveys that you’re proactive

and adaptable.

Finally, remember that interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions

about the company’s SharePoint environment, development methodologies, or team

structure. This shows genuine interest and helps you gauge if the role aligns with your

career goals.

Getting ready for SharePoint developer interview questions doesn’t have to be daunting.

By focusing on core concepts, practicing explanations, and staying current with

SharePoint technologies, you can present yourself as a knowledgeable and capable

candidate ready to contribute effectively.

Question

Answer

What are the key

responsibilities of a

SharePoint developer?

A SharePoint developer is responsible for designing,

developing, and customizing SharePoint sites and

applications, creating workflows, managing permissions,

integrating with other systems, and maintaining the overall

SharePoint environment to meet organizational needs.

Explain the difference

between SharePoint

Online and SharePoint

On-Premises.

SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service provided as part

of Microsoft 365, offering easier maintenance and automatic

updates. SharePoint On-Premises is installed and managed

on local servers, providing more control and customization

options but requiring more maintenance.

What is a SharePoint

Feature and how is it

used?

A SharePoint Feature is a package of functionality that can

be activated or deactivated at various scopes such as Site or

Web. Features can include elements like site columns,

content types, workflows, or custom web parts, allowing

modular deployment and management of SharePoint

customizations.

How do you create and

deploy a custom web

part in SharePoint?

To create a custom web part, developers use SharePoint

Framework (SPFx) or Visual Studio. The process involves

coding the web part, packaging it, and then deploying it to

the SharePoint app catalog. Once deployed, it can be added

to SharePoint pages by users.

What are SharePoint

REST APIs and how are

they used in

development?

SharePoint REST APIs allow developers to interact with

SharePoint data remotely using HTTP requests. They enable

operations like CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) on lists,

libraries, and sites, facilitating integration with external

applications and custom client-side development.

SharePoint Developer Interview Questions: Navigating the Path to Expertise

sharepoint developer interview questions are a pivotal element in the recruitment

process for organizations seeking professionals versed in Microsoft’s SharePoint platform.

As SharePoint continues to evolve as a powerful tool for enterprise content management,

collaboration, and intranet solutions, the demand for skilled developers who can

customize and optimize its capabilities grows in tandem. Understanding the nature and

scope of these interview questions reveals much about what employers prioritize and how

candidates can best prepare to demonstrate their technical prowess and problem-solving

abilities.

Understanding the Core of SharePoint Developer Interview

Questions

SharePoint developer interview questions typically cover a broad spectrum of topics, from

foundational knowledge of SharePoint architecture to advanced customization techniques

using client-side and server-side programming. Given the platform's complexity and

integration with other Microsoft technologies, interviewers often design questions to

assess not only technical skills but also a candidate’s ability to adapt to evolving

SharePoint versions such as SharePoint Online and SharePoint Server.

The questions usually probe into areas like web part development, workflows, SharePoint

Framework (SPFx), deployment strategies, and integration with Microsoft 365 services.

These inquiries are meant to gauge the candidate’s familiarity with both legacy and

modern SharePoint development tools and methodologies, reflecting the platform’s

ongoing transition from traditional server-side solutions to more cloud-oriented and client-

side models.

Technical Depth: Key Areas Explored in Interviews

A SharePoint developer interview often begins with evaluating a candidate’s

understanding of the SharePoint platform’s architecture. Candidates may be asked to

explain the differences between SharePoint Online and SharePoint On-Premises, or to

describe the components of a SharePoint farm. This foundational knowledge is critical

because it underpins all custom development work.

Next, questions frequently delve into development frameworks and languages. For

instance, proficiency in C#, .NET, JavaScript, and TypeScript is commonly assessed,

alongside familiarity with REST APIs and CSOM (Client-Side Object Model). Interviewers

might ask candidates to compare server-side code advantages versus client-side

development, or to explain the benefits and challenges of using the SharePoint

Framework (SPFx) for modern web part development.

Practical Skills and Scenario-Based Questions

Beyond theoretical knowledge, SharePoint developer interview questions often include

scenario-based problems to evaluate practical skills. Candidates might be presented with

a business requirement—such as automating a document approval process or customizing

a team site—and asked to outline their approach using SharePoint Designer workflows,

Power Automate, or custom code.

These situational questions test a developer’s ability to integrate SharePoint with other

Microsoft services like Power BI, Azure Functions, or Microsoft Graph API. They also gauge

problem-solving skills in areas such as performance optimization, security (permissions

and authentication), and version control strategies in a collaborative development

environment.

How would you troubleshoot a failing SharePoint workflow?

1.

Describe the process of creating and deploying a custom SPFx web part.

2.

Explain how you would handle permissions and security trimming in a SharePoint

3.

site.

What experience do you have with integrating SharePoint data with external

4.

databases?

Exploring the Evolution: From Classic to Modern SharePoint

Development

The landscape of SharePoint development has dramatically shifted over recent years.

Traditional server-side development, which relied heavily on deploying farm solutions with

full trust code, is gradually being supplanted by client-side development paradigms. This

evolution is a significant focus in interviews, reflecting industry trends toward more

scalable and maintainable solutions.

Interview questions often explore candidates’ familiarity with modern tools and

frameworks, such as React and Angular, used within the SharePoint Framework.

Understanding how to leverage SPFx for building responsive, mobile-friendly web parts

aligns with current best practices for SharePoint Online development. Moreover,

proficiency in integrating SharePoint with Microsoft Teams or leveraging Microsoft Graph

API for data access is increasingly relevant.

Challenges and Best Practices in SharePoint Development

Candidates are also expected to demonstrate awareness of common challenges in

SharePoint development, such as managing customization limits in SharePoint Online or

optimizing page load times. Interviewers may query how developers ensure backward

compatibility and maintainability of solutions across different SharePoint versions.

Best practices around governance, deployment automation using PowerShell or Azure

DevOps, and compliance with organizational policies are frequent discussion points.

Knowing how to balance customization with platform upgradeability is a nuanced skill that

separates experienced developers from novices.

Behavioral and Soft Skill Questions in SharePoint Developer

Interviews

While technical expertise remains paramount, many interviews incorporate behavioral

questions to evaluate communication skills, teamwork, and adaptability. SharePoint

development projects often require collaboration with business analysts, end-users, and IT

administrators, making interpersonal skills critical.

Candidates might be asked to describe instances where they handled conflicting

requirements or managed tight deadlines during a SharePoint rollout. Demonstrating a

methodical approach to problem-solving and continuous learning—especially given

SharePoint’s rapid evolution—is highly valued.

Preparing for SharePoint Developer Interviews: A Strategic Approach

Preparation for SharePoint developer interview questions should balance technical

revision with practical hands-on experience. Reviewing the latest SharePoint

documentation, exploring sample projects involving SPFx, and practicing coding exercises

in C# and JavaScript can build confidence.

Engaging with community resources such as Microsoft Tech Community forums or GitHub

repositories for SharePoint projects can provide insights into real-world challenges and

innovative solutions. Additionally, understanding Microsoft’s broader ecosystem, including

Azure services and Power Platform tools, can give candidates a competitive edge.

In summary, the landscape of sharepoint developer interview questions is multifaceted,

reflecting the platform’s complexity and its role within enterprise environments.

Candidates who combine deep technical knowledge with practical experience and soft

skills are best positioned to succeed in these interviews, ultimately contributing to the

effective deployment and customization of SharePoint solutions that drive organizational

productivity.

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