When job seekers attend multiple interviews, they can experience that each conversation is different. However, there are certain situations that almost every software tester will encounter during a job interview. In our article, we aim to help entry-level IT professionals arrive confidently at their chosen company. You will learn about the most common questions and tasks that you are likely to face during a tester interview.
Why are you interested in software testing?
At first glance, this question may seem very simple, but finding the right answer is not so easy. Interviewers are curious about what motivates you in the field of software testing. This helps them get to know you better.
It is important to note that there is no wrong answer. For instance, if you say that you are interested in testing because you can solve problems and get to know the source code better, this answer shows that you are dedicated and pay attention to details. If you talk about being[interested in new technologies and finding bugs, you communicate that you are a creative and innovative employee.
Warm-up rounds in a software tester interview
No matter what position you are applying for in the IT sector, you will most likely encounter a logical skills assessment test. Candidates often have to solve tasks that examine their way of thinking and problem-solving abilities. Mensa IQ test tasks can help prepare for these challenges as they also require complex thinking. During the interview, a common practice is to ask a warm-up question about the basics of testing. Even if you haven’t specifically studied testing, it’s worth looking up these basic concepts, as they will surely earn you good points in the eyes of the interviewers.
If you have a tester qualification or an ISTQB exam, the interviewers will probably ask about the exam topics to assess how deep and thorough your knowledge is in the given field.
A regular practice in interviews is to solve a specific testing task. If you are applying for a software tester position, you may be asked to demonstrate how you would start a given testing project. It is worth detailing the testing process, the creation of test cases, and the application of bug-finding strategies.
Situational exercises in software testing
In a job interview, you might even encounter a specific conflict management situational task, where the interviewers examine how you handle workplace disagreements. For example, they might ask you to demonstrate how you would resolve a contentious situation with another tester or a developer. Here, your communication and problem-solving skills can come into the spotlight.
A realistic situational task could be that a developer disagrees with a bug report you created and confronts you to resolve the problem. In this case, the best approach is to show a calm, respectful, and solution-focused attitude. During the situation, you can demonstrate how empathetic and constructive you are.
We hope that the tasks presented in our article will help you prepare for your upcoming interview and clarify some misconceptions about software testing jobs.