Junior Backend Engineer Interview Scorecard

Who this scorecard is for

Hiring managers, tech leads, and interviewers assessing entry-level backend engineers. Recruiters can use it to align interview rubrics and to calibrate candidate feedback.

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See what the Junior Backend Engineer Interview Scorecard looks like before you download it.

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How to use and calibrate

• Pick the level (Junior, Mid, Senior, or Staff) and adjust anchor examples accordingly.
• Use the quick checklist during the call; fill the rubric within 30 minutes after.
• Or use ZYTHR to transcribe the interview and automatically fill in the scorecard live.
• Run monthly calibration with sample candidate answers to align expectations.
• Average across interviewers; avoid single-signal decisions.

Detailed rubric with anchor behaviors

Technical Knowledge

• 1–2: Struggles to write or run basic backend code; frequent syntax and runtime errors.
• 3: Writes correct code for small tasks with occasional guidance; understands core language features.
• 4: Independently implements features using language idioms and standard libraries with few errors.
• 5: Applies best practices and performance-aware patterns; helps others choose appropriate language features.

Code Quality & Testing

• 1–2: Commits code lacking tests and with inconsistent style; ignores linting and review feedback.
• 3: Produces readable code and basic unit tests; follows repository style and addresses review comments.
• 4: Writes well-structured code with good test coverage and meaningful test cases; CI passes consistently.
• 5: Designs testable modules, covers edge cases, and improves testing practices or CI reliability.

Debugging & Troubleshooting

• 1–2: Cannot reproduce bugs or relies on others to diagnose basic failures.
• 3: Reproduces issues and uses logs or stack traces to identify causes with guidance.
• 4: Quickly isolates root causes, proposes fixes, and verifies resolution in tests or staging.
• 5: Anticipates failure modes, adds diagnostics or alerts, and prevents recurrence.

API Design & Integration

• 1–2: Creates inconsistent or breaking endpoints and ignores request/response contracts.
• 3: Implements clear APIs for simple endpoints and follows existing contracts and error conventions.
• 4: Designs stable, versioned APIs that handle errors and edge cases; documents usage.
• 5: Shapes API guidelines, improves backward compatibility, and provides integration examples.

Collaboration & Communication

• 1–2: Rarely asks for clarification, writes unclear PRs, and misses team norms or deadlines.
• 3: Communicates status, writes clear PR descriptions, and asks needed questions in a timely way.
• 4: Proactively coordinates with teammates, responds to reviews constructively, and documents decisions.
• 5: Leads small discussions, clarifies trade-offs, and helps align teammates on implementation plans.

System Design & Architecture

• 1–2: Cannot explain high-level component interactions or trade-offs for a feature.
• 3: Explains simple service boundaries and data flow for small features.
• 4: Chooses appropriate patterns for scalability and reliability with some guidance.
• 5: Contributes useful suggestions to architecture discussions and proposes improved designs.

Learning & Ownership

• 1–2: Avoids unfamiliar tasks and requires constant direction to make progress.
• 3: Learns from feedback and completes assigned tasks with occasional help.
• 4: Takes ownership of features, seeks feedback, and acquires new skills quickly.
• 5: Drives improvements, proactively learns new technologies, and helps onboard others.

Scoring and weighting

Default weights (adjust per role):

Final score = weighted average across dimensions. Require at least two “4+” signals for Senior+ roles.

Complete Examples

Junior Backend Engineer Scorecard — Great Candidate

Junior Backend Engineer Scorecard — Good Candidate

Junior Backend Engineer Scorecard — No-Fit Candidate

Recruiter FAQs about this scorecard