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Ultimate QA Test Engineer Interview Prep Checklist
Curated by Lamhot Siagian
Master Core Testing Concepts
● Basics First: Brush up on fundamental concepts like SDLC, STLC, bug
lifecycle, test levels, test types, and black-box/white-box testing.
● Manual & Automated Testing: Be ready to explain the difference, when
to use each, and your comfort level with both approaches.
Showcase Your Experience
● Highlight Key Projects: Prepare concise stories from your work,
focusing on projects that required complex test scenarios, automation
improvements, or handling unique challenges. Mention quantitative
impacts where possible (e.g., “Increased test coverage by 80%…”).
● Discuss Your Tools: Familiarize yourself with tools you've used (like
Selenium, Pytest, JIRA) and how they benefitted the testing process.
Prepare for Unknowns
● Handling Unfamiliar Questions: Practice responding to questions about
areas outside your experience by focusing on how you’d approach the
problem, learn new tools, or research solutions. This shows adaptability.
Prepare Answers to Tricky Questions
● Common examples:
○ “What would you do if you disagree with a developer?”
○ “Explain a time you missed a bug and how you handled it.”
● Emphasize Problem-Solving: Focus on your ability to find solutions,
work through issues, and learn from experiences.
Behavioral Questions
● STAR Method: Practice using the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR)
approach to structure responses. Examples might include:
○ “Describe a time when you had to meet a tight deadline.”
○ “How do you prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment?”
Know Your Tools
● Latest Tools and Tech: If the role requires knowledge of specific testing
tools or platforms like AWS for cloud-based testing, read up on them.
● Automation Frameworks: Be ready to discuss your automation
frameworks (e.g., BDD with Cucumber, or Page Object Model with
●
Selenium) and how you use them to enhance testing processes.
Manual Test Case Writing
● Sample Scenarios: Be able to write test cases for everyday apps or
scenarios. Focus on clarity, thoroughness, and covering both positive and
negative cases.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
● About the QA Process: “How is testing integrated into the development
process here?”
● Success Metrics: “How does the team measure the success of the QA
process?”
● Tool Usage: “Which automation and testing tools are currently being
used?”
● Growth Opportunities: “What opportunities are there for skill
development and growth within the QA team?”
● Team Dynamics: “Can you describe the QA team’s structure and how
they collaborate with development?”
What to Bring to Your Software QA Interview
● Updated Resume: Bring 1-2 printed copies, highlighting skills and
accomplishments related to QA.
● Portfolio or Project Samples: If possible, show examples of test cases,
automation scripts, or reports you've created.
● Notebook and Pen: Useful for jotting down important points or follow-up
questions.
● References List (if applicable): Having a list of past managers or
mentors ready can be helpful if they ask.
Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid
● Neglecting Behavioral Questions: Don’t skip preparing for questions
about teamwork, conflict resolution, and time management.
● Not Tailoring Your Responses: Avoid generic responses. Align answers
with the company’s needs or QA focus.
● Forgetting to Research the Company: Show you’re interested by
understanding the company’s industry, products, and QA priorities.
● Over-Explaining Technical Details: Avoid diving too deep into technical
jargon; keep responses concise and understandable.
● Not Asking Thoughtful Questions: Show engagement by asking
questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and team.
