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SoFi·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate
Apr 2026

Summary

SoFi full-stack screen that was basically a pure frontend CSS exercise. No JS allowed, which I wasn't expecting going in.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Build a search bar component using only HTML and CSS. It needs a text input, a submit button, decent layout and spacing, focus and hover states, and should work across browsers. No JavaScript.

Technical Trade-offsSystem Design
Author's notes

The no-JS constraint was the whole point and I almost glossed over it.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the requirements and constraints, then outline a semantic HTML structure using a form with an input and button. Explain your CSS approach for layout, spacing, and interactive states, emphasizing cross-browser compatibility and accessibility. Finally, discuss trade-offs and potential enhancements without JavaScript.

Pro tip: Use CSS custom properties for colors and spacing to make the component easily themeable and maintainable, and mention that you'd test with keyboard navigation and screen readers to ensure accessibility.

1. Clarify Requirements

Ask about expected behavior, such as whether the form should submit to a server or if it's purely presentational, and any design constraints like responsiveness or theming.

2. Design HTML Structure

Use a <form> element with an <input type='search'> or <input type='text'> and a <button type='submit'>. Include appropriate labels and ARIA attributes for accessibility.

3. Implement CSS Layout and Spacing

Use flexbox or grid to align the input and button, apply padding and margins for spacing, and ensure the component is responsive with relative units.

4. Add Interactive States

Define :hover, :focus, and :active styles for both the input and button, using outlines or box-shadows for focus visibility. Ensure these states are consistent across browsers.

5. Address Cross-Browser Compatibility

Use vendor prefixes where necessary, test in multiple browsers, and consider using a CSS reset or normalize.css to ensure consistent rendering.

Key Points to Mention

  • Semantic HTML and accessibility (labels, ARIA roles, keyboard navigation)
  • CSS layout techniques (flexbox/grid) for alignment and responsiveness
  • Interactive states (:hover, :focus, :active) and their importance for UX
  • Cross-browser compatibility strategies (vendor prefixes, feature queries, testing)
  • Use of CSS custom properties for maintainability and theming
  • Trade-offs of no JavaScript (e.g., limited dynamic behavior, reliance on form submission)

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.