Challenges Faced and Tips to Follow While Preparing for Software Testing Interview:
This is a guest article by “N. Sandhya Rani”.
As Software testers, we continue to perform testing activities in various phases of a project. When it comes to testing our skills, we may not end up choosing an appropriate approach. I am talking about how the interview rounds go and how to face them.
The whole article is a very general discussion about the challenges that a tester has to face in an interview.
Let’s start by preparing a CV for the Software Testing job profile.
How to Prepare a Good CV?
By the term “Good”, I mean a CV that describes best about your skills, your expertise, your strengths, etc. It’s better not to use the same CV for different types of job profiles. Making slight changes will help to get a call.
For example, you can highlight the skillset that you possess for the required job like any automation tool or experience in other related automation tools. You can also add the basic knowledge of any technologies that you possess. This may be an added advantage.
Preparation Before a Job Interview
Before attending the interview, check the job profile in detail. Understand if the requirement is purely for manual testing, automation testing or on both. Check if your job profile experience matches what is expected.
The interviewer will mostly stick to questions around the given job profile and what you have mentioned in your CV. Make sure you answer questions confidently based on your CV. It depends on how the discussion goes between the candidate and the interviewer, and that leads to a discussion in other areas.
Appear Confidently at the Time of Interview
In most cases, the interview starts with a brief up about the candidate. One can answer this question by following a sequence like starting with your name, what qualifications do you possess, how you started your career as a software tester, etc.
Some interviewers do not like to hear about personal details like family. So do not proceed with these details unless the interviewer asks for it.
While answering any questions on tell me what you know. Do not try to explain about ideal cases. Interviewers are interested in a practical approach, rather than ideal cases. Tell the interviewer how you will go about solving the problems or about your way of tackling things.
Do not say anything negative about anyone, especially about developers/programmers. If you do so, then it shows that you are not mature enough.
Nowadays in most of the interviews, scenarios are cited rather than direct questions and answers. If the scenario is new to you, take a few seconds to think about it and then answer. Don’t rush things.
The way you present in interviews is very important. The right attitude is very important too. Many managers can judge it easily if you have worked on projects or it’s just a fake experience. The confidence level with which you answer makes a strong impression.
For any questions, if you are not sure about the correct answer, just attempt. Do not just give up. You can also talk about things that you explored in your free time or with your interest. This shows that you take initiative and are a continuous learner as well.
As many of us must have experienced, the interviewers keep asking about the processes that you have followed or are familiar with. One does not need to worry if they have never followed any processes. Following the process is up to the company and a tester cannot do much regarding that.
But of course one can follow some processes for his/her task (I mean the modules that you own or are in charge of etc). This will not only help to manage things but also inspire others to follow some processes. Any process, which has proven some good results, can be followed.
So, instead of blaming others for not following any processes, one can take an initiative to do it. Do not forget that initiative is one of the qualities that a tester should possess.
One more important point: The person who is taking your interview doesn’t need to be a person from a QA background. A person from a developing background can also take Software Testing job interviews. What I mean to say is the person need not have worked on the QA processes.
In such a case, it becomes very important to answer the questions very carefully. It may sound illogical when a person from non-QA background interviews a tester but remember it will be a very good experience as you will get to know how testing is perceived by others.
Over to you: What’s your experience with Software Testing interviews? If you want to share some do’s and don’ts please express your comments below so that other testers can benefit from your experience.
Finally, all the best for your testing career!