I have an interview for a QA job, any advice?

[Tenacious Stu]

I received a phone call today and now I have a job interview on friday, it's short notice, but I've been trying to get a job in the industry for a while now and I don't want to blow this opportunity.

I was just looking for advice, what to wear, what to take, what kind of questions they ask, pretty much anything you think may be able to help...

Thanks in advance.

[Adrir]

Personally, I would take a copy of your CV just in case the interviewer doesn't have a copy handy. Also, make sure you ask some questions. Write them down just in case you suffer from brain-freezes. Make sure you have researched the company ahead of time. Prepare for typical interview questions. For example: What is your favourite game? Why? Why do you want to test games? Why do you want to work here? If you were given the responsibility to design the tests for our new product...um, this here pen...how would you do it?

As far as dress is concerned, see What to Wear. Personally, I always ask during the telephone interview because different companies have different cultures. It's always embaressing to turn up under- or overdressed.

Good Luck!

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by Tenacious Stu

what to wear, what to take, what kind of questions they ask

1. Clean neat clothes.
2. A shower beforehand.
3. "Do you have any questions for us?" http://www.gamedev.net/community/for...opic_id=568496

[Tenacious Stu]

Hey Guys

Thanks for the replies

Originally Posted by Adrir

Personally, I would take a copy of your CV just in case the interviewer doesn't have a copy handy

This is a good idea, I'll have to print a copy off

Originally Posted by Adrir

make sure you ask some questions

I read a couple of things in a GCG article 'Game Job Interview Questions And How To Answer Them'

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/featu...tions_and_.php

I thought there were some good questions on there, like..

1. Possible future promotion opportunities, as I want to eventually get a job in a design role
2. If there will be any training
3. Who I will be working with
4. What games I will be working on
5. About the contract (Some QA jobs are temporary)

Originally Posted by Adrir

Prepare for typical interview questions. For example: What is your favourite game? Why? Why do you want to test games? Why do you want to work here? If you were given the responsibility to design the tests for our new product...um, this here pen...how would you do it?

There are a few of these in the article I linked to above, there's some good answers there too. I'll have to memorize a few of them.

Originally Posted by Adrir

As far as dress is concerned, see What to Wear. Personally, I always ask during the telephone interview because different companies have different cultures. It's always embaressing to turn up under- or overdressed

The guy on the phone said Smart/Casual, but what does that mean exactly? It's like saying that the time of day is Day/Night - could be anything...

But after reading that 'What to Wear' piece, I thought black shoes, black trousers and a smart blue jumper with a collar, Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by Adrir

Good Luck!

Thanks

Originally Posted by tsloper

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tenacious Stu
what to wear, what to take, what kind of questions they ask

1. Clean neat clothes.

Everything will be washed and ironed before Friday

Originally Posted by tsloper

2. A shower beforehand.

Definite MUST!

Originally Posted by tsloper

3. "Do you have any questions for us?"

I liked the idea of searching the news for recent stories about the company, may find some good talking points.

Thanks Mr. Sloper

There was another GCG article I found about 'The Must Have QA Skills They Never taught You'

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/featu...rview_the_.php

There's some useful stuff in there

Thanks again guys

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by Tenacious Stu

I thought black shoes, black trousers and a smart blue jumper with a collar

When you say "trousers," do you mean like wool dress pants or something? Black jeans are fine. And what's a "jumper"? Do you live in the UK or something?

[Tenacious Stu]

Originally Posted by tsloper

When you say "trousers," do you mean like wool dress pants or something? Black jeans are fine. And what's a "jumper"? Do you live in the UK or something?

<<<<Yes, I am from the UK. By trousers I mean pants, not jeans.

You may know a "jumper" as a "sweater" in the US, although I'm not 100% on that.

Sorry for any confusion

[tsloper]

I repeat: jeans are fine.
A sweater might be a bit much. A nice-looking collared shirt is fine. But then although I've been in the UK a few times on game business, I'm not exactly a UK game industry fashion guru.

[Claxon]

What you plan to wear sounds fine (typically it isn't much of an issue, you'll usually find yourself being interviewed by a guy in relatively scruffy jeans and a T-shirt).

Who are you interviewing for?

[Mariol]

I agree with Claxon, I think what you're planning to wear sounds fine. Not too smart but shows that you've made an effort.

I cannot stress enough how important asking questions are as it shows that you've thought about the role and how it applies to you and how you will fit in it. I also recommend looking into the history of the company so get glued to their webpage.

Lastly, be well prepared for a practical test. This will help the interviewer judge your actual skills when testing. It doesn't matter if you've never had experience before just do your best. I wrote an article on Take Initiative a while back about this. I hope it helps.

Anyway, good luck!

[Adrir]

Originally Posted by Tenacious Stu

The guy on the phone said Smart/Casual, but what does that mean exactly?

Smart Casual