How to Be Test/QA Engineer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 12, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The lack of a comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) and Test Engineer can lead to costly errors and disruptions in the development cycle. Poorly tested software can cause an array of problems, from user frustration with glitches and system crashes to security vulnerabilities and financial losses due to data breaches and loss of business continuity. In order to avoid such issues, it is essential for organizations to invest in a QA/Test Engineer who can create detailed test plans, identify issues before they arise, and ensure the quality of the final product. This will help secure the operational and financial health of the organization while providing users with a reliable and seamless experience.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. This step is essential to gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to become a test/QA engineer.
Consider becoming certified in software testing and quality assurance. Certification can help you stand out as a job candidate, as well as keep your skills up to date.
Gain experience in the software development life cycle (SDLC). Having hands-on experience in the development process will be helpful when you are creating and executing tests.
Gain knowledge of software testing tools, such as automation testing tools, bug tracking tools, and performance testing tools. Having familiarity with these tools will be beneficial when you are testing software applications.
Look for entry-level positions in the software testing and quality assurance field. Many companies are looking for individuals with a background in software testing, so use your education and certifications to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Once you have gained some experience, consider applying for a more advanced role in software testing and QA. You may want to specialize in a certain type of software, such as web applications or mobile applications.
Finally, continue to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in software testing and QA. This will help you stay ahead of the competition and ensure that you are providing the best possible services to your clients.

The development and testing of software is becoming increasingly important in modern businesses, and as such, the demand for skilled and competent QA/Test Engineers has grown significantly. This increased demand has led to a greater emphasis on learning the necessary skills, such as coding, problem solving, and debugging, as well as developing a strong understanding of the software development process. having a broad knowledge of systems and technologies related to software development can be beneficial.

Furthermore, an effective QA/Test Engineer should be able to communicate effectively between developers and testers, as well as have good analytical skills to spot potential problems. Finally, having a keen eye for detail and the ability to identify potential risks can be key for successful software development. All in all, it is clear that having the right skills and knowledge is essential for any aspiring QA/Test Engineer.

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Job Description

Automation Test Engineer: Responsible for developing and executing automated tests for software applications and systems, analyzing test results, and troubleshooting issues.
Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer: Responsible for developing and executing manual and automated tests to ensure the quality of software applications and systems. Develops test plans and scenarios, evaluates test results, and reports findings to project teams.
Performance Test Engineer: Responsible for creating, executing, and monitoring performance tests on software applications and systems to ensure system performance meets performance requirements.
Security Test Engineer: Responsible for conducting security tests on software applications and systems to identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities. Develops testing plans and scenarios, reports findings, and recommends solutions to address security issues.
Usability Test Engineer: Responsible for designing, developing, and executing usability tests to ensure user interfaces are intuitive and easy to use. Analyzes test results and recommends improvements to user interface design.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of software development life cycle (SDLC)
Knowledge of software testing methodologies
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to interpret technical specifications and requirements
Experience with automation testing tools
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python and JavaScript
Experience with bug tracking systems such as JIRA
Knowledge of database systems such as MySQL and MongoDB
Knowledge of software version control systems such as Git
Understanding of system integrations and APIs
Knowledge of defect management processes
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Attention to detail and accuracy

Testing and Quality Assurance (QA) Engineers are essential for any software development project. Their role is to ensure that the software functions correctly and meets the requirements of the customer. The most important skill for a Test/QA Engineer is to be able to think logically and analytically.

They need to be able to break down a complex problem into individual testable components, and use their skills to develop effective tests that will validate the system. They also need to be able to identify potential problems before they arise, and have the skills to troubleshoot them quickly. Furthermore, it is essential that they possess strong communication skills, so that they can communicate effectively with developers, customers and other stakeholders.

In summary, the most important skill for a Test/QA Engineer is the ability to think critically and logically while also having strong communication skills. These skills are necessary to ensure the successful delivery of any software product.

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Frequent Interview Questions

How would you describe your experience with test automation?
What methods and tools have you used for testing software applications?
How do you ensure that test cases are comprehensive enough to cover all scenarios?
How do you handle situations where bugs cant be reproduced?
Have you ever encountered a situation where the software wasnt performing as expected? How did you handle it?
How do you keep your testing skills up-to-date?
What techniques do you use to prioritize and manage a large number of tests?
What challenges have you faced while working in a QA environment?
What is your approach to debugging software issues?
When have you had to work with a difficult stakeholder, and how did you handle the situation?

Common Tools in Industry

Selenium. Selenium is an automation testing tool used for web application testing. (Example: Using Selenium, you can write automated tests that interact with a web browser like Google Chrome. )
TestComplete. TestComplete is a platform for creating automated UI tests for web, desktop, and mobile applications. (Example: With TestComplete, you can create automated tests that are able to check the functionality of your application. )
Katalon Studio. Katalon Studio is an automation testing platform for web, mobile, and API applications. (Example: Using Katalon Studio, you can create automated tests to verify the functionality of your web application. )
TestRail. TestRail is a test case management tool used to plan, organize, and track the progress of software testing projects. (Example: With TestRail, you can plan and manage the testing process, track test results, and generate detailed reports. )
Postman. Postman is a tool used to test the functionality of REST APIs. (Example: With Postman, you can send requests to an API and inspect the response to ensure that it is working as expected. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Software Quality Assurance Institute (SQAI)
Special Interest Group on Software Testing & Quality Assurance (SIGIST)
Association for Software Testing (AST)
International Software Quality Institute (ISQI)
Agile Alliance
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)

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Common Important Terms

Acceptance Testing. A type of testing used to evaluate a systems compliance with the specified requirements.
Regression Testing. A type of testing used to verify that a change in one part of a system does not adversely affect other parts.
System Testing. A type of testing used to test an entire system, including all components, for its functionality and performance.
Integration Testing. A type of testing used to verify that different parts of a system or application work together as expected.
Smoke Testing. A type of testing used to determine whether a software build is stable enough to proceed with further testing.
Usability Testing. A type of testing used to evaluate the user experience of a product by testing its usability, accessibility, and learnability.
User Acceptance Testing. A type of testing used to validate that a product or system meets the users requirements and needs.
Exploratory Testing. A type of testing used to uncover new areas of the application which have not been previously tested.
Security Testing. A type of testing used to identify security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system.
Performance Testing. A type of testing used to evaluate the responsiveness, speed, scalability, and resource usage of a system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Test/QA Engineer?

A Test/QA Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality of software products by developing and executing manual and automated tests.

What skills are required to be a Test/QA Engineer?

Test/QA Engineers require technical expertise in software development and testing, problem-solving skills, an attention to detail, and excellent communication skills.

How long does it take to become a Test/QA Engineer?

Depending on the individual's prior experience, it can take anywhere from 1-3 years to become a Test/QA Engineer.

What is the average salary for a Test/QA Engineer?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Test/QA Engineer is $85,984 per year.

What is the most important responsibility of a Test/QA Engineer?

The most important responsibility of a Test/QA Engineer is to ensure the quality of software products by identifying and resolving any issues before they reach the customer.

Web Resources

Software QA Engineer / Tester | NC State Online and Distance online-distance.ncsu.edu
Software QA Engineer / Tester NC State Continuing and mckimmoncenter.ncsu.edu
Software Quality Assurance Engineer - College of Science www.purdue.edu