QA/Tester interview

[Neji]

Hi

I've got an interview for a QA Tester position in a couple of days time (short notice, I know!). I was hoping to get some tips from anyone who has been successful in one.

I've been told there will be a short aptitude test, not really sure what to expect. Bug spotting? Spelling/Grammar?

Also, I've done research on the questions I might get but if anyone can give me any extra tips it would be good. I've seen that they may ask stuff like 'how would you test this... pen?' I'm not really sure what they're ideally looking for with questions like that.

I'd welcome any tips, suggestion on what they may ask etc.

Thanks in advance.

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by Neji

1. I've been told there will be a short aptitude test, not really sure what to expect.
2. Bug spotting? Spelling/Grammar?
3. I've seen that they may ask stuff like 'how would you test this... pen?' I'm not really sure what they're ideally looking for with questions like that.

1. Read this: http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson5.htm
2. Yes.
3. They're looking to find out how you think, how you solve problems, and how you communicate. Right now it looks like your thinking is that a good way to solve a problem is to ask somebody what the answer is (rather than puzzle it out yourself). Your communication skills look OK from here.

[Neji]

Thanks for the link, definitely good reading there.

Regarding #3, so would it be a good idea to ask them for more information? Maybe ask what surfaces it should write on and under what circumstances then go from there?

As for the aptitude test, what form does the bug spotting normally take or does this alter with each company?

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by Neji

1. Thanks for the link, definitely good reading there.
2. Regarding #3, so would it be a good idea to ask them for more information?
3. As for the aptitude test, what form does the bug spotting normally take or does this alter with each company?

1. You're welcome.
2. No. I don't think they're likely to admire your not trying to puzzle things out for yourself. I teach at college, and I sometimes get students during the middle of an exam asking me what the answer is to a tough question. Believe it or not! If I was hiring, those students would not be getting a job offer.
3. They might or might not have "bug spotting" at all. You have to prepare yourself as best you can rather than try to anticipate what the questions and answers are going to be. Either you're a good tester or you aren't.

[Mariol]

I don't know if this is too late or not useful but I wrote a post about the practical stage of the QA interview that may be of use.

http://www.takeinitiative.co.uk/?p=474

Good luck!