After writing "12 Rules of successful interviewing testers" I expected to get a lot of questions on this topic. However, the reverse question – "What’s his place?" – To the post and the forum "Quality Lab" valilos much more.
Following the demand that continues the cycle of response article.
During his tenure in the industry QC I change jobs 7 times, took place about 50 interviews, conducted over 400, participated as an observer, not less than 100 interviews, conducted an audit of staff and consultants on related issues in three companies, has hired nearly 60 employees and managed more than 100. I do not think that I am a guru in this area (although eager to do so) – but I already have something to share. Results of observations – in the article that you face. I’m happy on the "newcomers" and comments "guru", for which thanks in advance!
This article is for those who will pass on job interviews tester. Maybe you’re just starting your path, or are seeking to improve working conditions, or want to change the company because the current that you are not satisfied. Regardless of the reasons that you are looking for work, you may be helpful tips below.
I tried to collect the questions that are usually given an interview and grouped them into three areas: general questions, questions about testing, and technical. Basic Rules answer and nuances of specific issues listed below.
Questions of general content most frequently asked HR (unless of course they have). However, the same or similar to them, ask questions and technical managers.
This question is usually asked, regardless of whether you continue to work on the current location, or been left with him. Experienced managers in this way determine the motivation and challenges faced by the employee. Less experienced managers intuitively define "podhodimost" employee to the current vacancy.
How to answer this question?
To this question must meet the truth. Of course, you’d better refrain from frank remarks about the intelligence of a hated manager or from direct criticism of the previous policy of the company, delaying salary. But, nevertheless, the most important here is true, and is interested in this person you are in the first place: if you leave the previous company because of the problems that are guaranteed to run the new job – then you’d better continue the search. Concealing what made you change jobs, you probably will not know whether there is a similar problem at the new location.
Prepare for this question in advance. If you have nothing to hide, and you change jobs due to closure of an interesting project, lack of career prospects and low wages, you can easily explain the situation. If the reason is that "you underestimate, or there are conflicts – choose the most restrained explanation of the situation. Refrain from criticism – with a little kritikanami who loves to work!
According to many HR’ov possessing special knowledge, loyal to a company employee is more likely to be a long and productive work. And therefore – and more likely to be recruited.
How to answer this question?
This issue is also quite important to prepare. Go to the website, read about it. Find the pros that you really care about. Do not exaggerate your interest in the company, and should not show something important, what you, frankly, absolutely do not care. But find at least a couple of the existing advantages for you: An interesting application area, the prospects, the ability to communicate in English, or at least convenient office location. Considered response to this question, you get a lot of benefit:
Stand out from the vast majority of applicants who are not prepared to answer this question
Get on the HR-if not a medal, then at least a plus for loyalty "
Reflect their interests, which will help you determine the suitability and vacancies, and bilaterally.
This question is asked for a reason. Often in the testing are employees who regard this region as an intermediate step – before you design, analytics, etc. In this approach, there are at least two problems:
The employee is not interested in serious development in the "intermediate" region – hence, rely on the productive work is not necessary, and the employer will receive "eternal Junior"
The employee will soon leave, and the vacancy be freed again, as a consequence – the search will continue. Therefore, employers are much more interested in employees who are interested in the field of testing – is to some extent, collateral development and long-term interaction with the employee.
How to answer this question?
Truth. BUT! If you do not assess the test as his vocation – can, and do not get the job? You can always get right to the developers, though not a large salary – but, get experience, build a career in line with the desires. Intermediate step in testing is not at all necessary, and in subsequent work by the programmer is unlikely to help. So, for starters, sincerely answer this question yourself: if you want to move an interesting and complex, poorly developed in Russia, the region? If your answer is "yes" – then you already know what to say during the interview and how to make a "plus two points."
This issue, employers are killing two birds with one stone. Firstly, they are satisfied once more in your interest in the industry. And secondly – look how much your expectations match what the company can provide.
How to answer this question?
Thoughtfully. If you ever asked this question, then at the stage of job search is just time to think about that. Having defined the answer, you can more effectively choose a job offer and determine how you fit one or another employer. Outlining his plans during the interview, you show yourself motivated personnel and give the employer an opportunity to respond to you, whether your plans are feasible in a selected company. And if this is impossible – you will find a more suitable place of work!
It is logical that the most important thing for a tester a good knowledge of their specialty. Therefore, this part of the interview literate managers devote their full attention. Below we consider the basic questions asked in interviews.
Depending on the position and salary, to which you expect, you are likely to ask questions of varying complexity associated with a glossary of testing. Novice member asked about the black box and the equivalence classes, and more experienced – about converging tests and the effect of the pesticide. In this case, the questions will not necessarily apply to regularly employed in the selected company terms: the employer is important to know your understanding of the industry as a whole. Competent answers to various questions show your interest in testing and profound methodological training, which (not a fact, but most likely!) Have a positive impact on the outcome.
So how about these "theoretical" issues are rumors that many applicants in preparing for the interview read the glossary and try to memorize the definition, without delving into the substance and not trying to understand the applicability. I have repeatedly clashed with testers who know the definition of equivalence classes by heart, but in a practical setting can not cope with their use. So, look through the night before the interview glossary – it’s good, but to deceive the employer thus unlikely. You can present yourself at the interview better, you can focus on the strengths – but you will not be able to show employers the skills that are not there.
Prepare for such a question one day fail. Take the time – it will help you at a job interview, and in subsequent work. A good collection of books on testing can be found here and here
So, you are told that such equivalence classes and boundary values. It’s time to check whether you are able to use them. And so, you are asked to test the lift. Or pencil. Or a calculator, jeans and a cup. No matter what. Problem – most likely an unusual and novel. What is waiting for your response to an employer?
The correct answer to this question follows from the above requirements to account. Organize information. Find out the maximum of the tested object. Determine that you will check in the functional and nonfunctional testing. Think about how you can optimize a set of tests that do not check everything. And in any case, do not begin your answer with specific tests – monkey work differs from the literacy test forethought for their actions.
Or how to write a test plan, how to create a test automation framework or anything else. The worst thing you can do in response to this question – try to pretend that you are able to do something, when in fact it never did. If the topic you’re familiar with, and you know how to respond – a flag in his hands! If you are unsure of your thoughts – always upfront about sobeseduyuschego phrase like "I never did, but it seems to me correct the following sequence of actions …." Sincerity is always captivating, and the errors in the response will not be taken seriously. If you tell the "right" approach, not being confident in him, and saying stupid things – hardly anyone wants to take you to work.
I will not give long-term advice on the subject – or write an article. Just make sure you know how to answer this philosophical question.
This question, like the previous one, also distributed quite often. Google will help you be prepared for it.
Technical issues.
In my plans in this article does not include stories about configuring DNS, and database queries. But there are some general tips that should be followed:
1. Do not try to pretend that you know something, if you do not know.
First, the lack of technical knowledge quickly compensated and employers rarely pay very serious attention to this issue. Secondly, a poorly disguised ignorance is always a suspicion: Is it possible to trust the other candidate says? And thirdly, the potential employer may share my view that protecting the wrong point of view, people often make mistakes in their work. At the very least, an employee who was well versed in testing, but carefully argued that "Windows does not support dynamic disks, I did not take the job. Most likely, if he honestly did not know what it is, the decision would be different.
2. If you see that not very good answers to previous questions – initiate responses by themselves, but on topics that you know better.
For example, if you fail to answer a question about MS SQL, tell yourself that but you have experience working with Oracle and so quickly be able to "get re".
3. Zarekomenduyte himself as an experienced reader documentation
The ability to quickly and independently to understand the unfamiliar technology or tool valued higher than the available knowledge. Do not hesitate to praise himself. If, after your words that you do not understand the Rational Robot, sobeseduyuschy slightly wilted – proudly say that but in Silk Test you figured out just a week and have managed a lot (specify) in it to do. Naturally, there also need to speak the truth!
The main thing – do not be afraid. Are you looking for work, and the employer is looking for competent staff. You are both interested in the result. Be taken on the wrong job – much worse than a failure. Try it, do not be nervous, learn! And develops itself – and not for the "tick" in the interview. Good luck!