Understanding SharePoint Fundamentals
To begin with, interviewers should assess the candidate’s foundational knowledge of SharePoint. This includes an understanding of the platform’s core features, terminology, and architecture.
Basic Questions
1. What is SharePoint?
- Look for an understanding that SharePoint is a web-based platform designed for collaboration, document management, and storage.
2. What are the different SharePoint editions?
- Candidates should mention SharePoint Online, SharePoint Server (Standard and Enterprise), and SharePoint Foundation.
3. Explain the SharePoint architecture.
- Expect candidates to describe the three-tier architecture: presentation layer, application layer, and database layer.
4. What is the difference between a SharePoint site collection and a site?
- Candidates should clarify that a site collection is a group of related sites under a common top-level site, while a site is a single web entity within that collection.
Key Features of SharePoint
5. What are lists and libraries in SharePoint?
- Candidates should explain that lists are used to store data in rows and columns, while libraries are specialized lists for storing documents.
6. How does versioning work in SharePoint?
- Look for an explanation of how SharePoint maintains different versions of documents and can restore previous versions.
7. What are content types in SharePoint?
- Candidates should discuss how content types are reusable collections of metadata and settings for a certain kind of content.
8. Explain the concept of web parts.
- Expect candidates to describe web parts as modular components that can be added to SharePoint pages to provide specific functionalities.
Development Skills and Tools
A SharePoint developer should have a strong grasp of various development tools and techniques used in the SharePoint environment.
Programming Languages and Technologies
9. What programming languages are commonly used in SharePoint development?
- Candidates should mention C, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and potentially PowerShell.
10. What is SharePoint Framework (SPFx)?
- Expect a detailed explanation of SPFx as a modern development model for building SharePoint customizations using client-side technologies.
11. How do you create custom web parts in SharePoint?
- Candidates should describe the process of using SPFx to create web parts, including setting up a development environment and using tools like Yeoman and Gulp.
Development Tools
12. What tools do you use for SharePoint development?
- Look for familiarity with Visual Studio, SharePoint Designer, and the SharePoint Management Shell.
13. Can you explain the use of PowerShell in SharePoint?
- Candidates should detail how PowerShell can be used for administrative tasks and automation in SharePoint.
SharePoint APIs and Integration
Understanding how to interact with SharePoint programmatically is essential for a developer.
REST and CSOM API
14. What is the difference between REST API and CSOM in SharePoint?
- Candidates should explain that REST API is a web service that allows interaction with SharePoint data over HTTP, while CSOM (Client-Side Object Model) is a set of libraries that can be used to interact with SharePoint from client-side applications.
15. How do you authenticate against SharePoint APIs?
- Look for an understanding of OAuth, App-only authentication, and using Azure AD for authentication.
Integrating SharePoint with Other Systems
16. How can you integrate SharePoint with external applications?
- Candidates should discuss using REST APIs, webhooks, and other integration methods like Microsoft Power Automate and Logic Apps.
17. What is Microsoft Flow, and how does it relate to SharePoint?
- Expect an explanation that Microsoft Flow (now part of Power Automate) allows the creation of automated workflows between SharePoint and other services.
Best Practices and Performance Optimization
In a development role, understanding best practices and optimization techniques is crucial for maintaining performance and usability.
Best Practices in SharePoint Development
18. What are some best practices for SharePoint site design?
- Candidates should mention considerations like user experience, navigation, permissions management, and responsive design.
19. How do you handle large lists in SharePoint?
- Look for strategies like indexed columns, filtering, and using views to manage large datasets effectively.
Performance Optimization Techniques
20. How can you improve SharePoint page load times?
- Candidates should discuss minimizing HTTP requests, optimizing images, and using asynchronous loading for scripts.
21. What caching strategies can be implemented in SharePoint?
- Look for knowledge of output caching, object caching, and data caching to enhance performance.
Security and Compliance
Security is a critical aspect of any SharePoint environment, and developers must be well-versed in security practices.
Understanding SharePoint Security
22. What are the different levels of SharePoint security?
- Expect candidates to discuss site collection, site-level, list/library-level, and item-level permissions.
23. How do you implement role-based access control (RBAC) in SharePoint?
- Candidates should explain how roles and permissions can be assigned to users and groups to control access to resources.
Compliance Features
24. What compliance features does SharePoint offer?
- Candidates should mention document retention policies, auditing, and eDiscovery capabilities.
25. How do you ensure data privacy in SharePoint?
- Look for an understanding of data protection measures, encryption, and compliance with regulations like GDPR.
Real-World Scenarios and Problem-Solving
Finally, practical experience and the ability to solve real-world problems are essential for any developer.
Scenario-Based Questions
26. Describe a challenging SharePoint project you worked on. What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them?
- Candidates should provide a detailed account of a specific project, discussing challenges and solutions.
27. How would you approach migrating a legacy system to SharePoint?
- Look for a structured approach that includes planning, tools used, and testing methods.
Behavioral Questions
28. How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure in development projects?
- Candidates should reflect on their time management and prioritization skills.
29. What steps do you take to keep your SharePoint skills updated?
- Look for a commitment to continuous learning through courses, certifications, and community involvement.
Conclusion
Interview questions for SharePoint developer positions cover a wide range of topics, from fundamental knowledge of SharePoint to advanced development skills and real-world problem-solving. By preparing for these questions, candidates can demonstrate their expertise and readiness to contribute effectively to SharePoint projects. For interviewers, these questions serve as a comprehensive guide to evaluate the capabilities and potential of prospective developers, ensuring they find the right fit for their organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between SharePoint Online and SharePoint On-Premises?
SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service that is part of Microsoft 365, offering automatic updates and scalability, while SharePoint On-Premises requires manual updates, infrastructure management, and provides more control over customization and security.
Can you explain what SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is and its importance?
SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a development model that allows developers to build responsive applications using modern JavaScript frameworks. It is important because it enables the creation of client-side web parts and provides integration with Microsoft 365 services, enhancing user experiences.
What is a SharePoint List, and how does it differ from a SharePoint Library?
A SharePoint List is a collection of data organized in a table format, typically used to manage information like tasks or contacts, while a SharePoint Library is a specialized type of list designed to store files, enabling version control and document management.
How do you handle SharePoint permissions and security?
SharePoint permissions can be managed through site, list, and library settings. I use SharePoint groups to assign permissions and ensure least privilege access by carefully defining roles and permissions for users and groups.
What tools do you use for debugging SharePoint development?
I use browser developer tools, SharePoint Developer Tools in Visual Studio, and tools like Fiddler for network tracing. Additionally, I utilize SharePoint logs and the ULS Viewer to diagnose issues.
How do you implement custom workflows in SharePoint?
Custom workflows in SharePoint can be implemented using Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow) or SharePoint Designer. I define the workflow logic, triggers, and actions to automate business processes and enhance collaboration.
What is the role of REST API in SharePoint development?
REST API in SharePoint development allows developers to interact with SharePoint data using HTTP requests. It is crucial for creating, retrieving, updating, and deleting SharePoint resources programmatically, enabling integration with external applications.
