Why I Wanted to be a Software Tester. Education, Interview and Success Tips by a QA

I am penning down my experience and various incidences which I have encountered over the course of time at different stages of my life, which led me to opt for “Software Testing” as profession.

Brief about my Education:

I am Ankur vashisth, an Engineering Graduate with specialization in Information Technology from Uttar Pradesh Technical University plus diploma holder in Civil Engineering as well. I have done schooling from Kendriye vidhayalaya and have close to 4 years of experience in the field of testing.

Why I wanted to be into QA & Testing:

There are so many questions arises when a fresher is out for a job hunt whether to be an IT Professional or be a Non IT Professional. Let me give you a real life example of my own:

After completing my final year exam, one day I got a call from a sales and marketing company for an interview. So instead of sitting ideal at home waiting for the results, I gave the interview and fortunately got selected as well and they asked me to join from the very next day.

They offered me a good amount for which I even thought let’s give it a try of being into sales rather than into technical field. I joined on the next day and after a formal sort of introduction they asked me to leave for the day to field, I was a bit shocked as I was expecting a formal induction or may be document collection on the first day but instead of this, they sent me to the field with couple of other people headed by a female TL. Field is basically an area defined for you to do your sales pitching. Soon after reaching to the defined area, we were given a short download of what exactly are we going to do and then divided into different teams and were asked to meet after a span of time. As it was my first day my seniors asked me to keep a check of what and how they are pitching to the client keeping in account of various aspects as well. So I followed them for some time after which they asked me to pitch in. The moment has come and I had to pitch in to a client, after starting fine and goofed up somewhere from where my senior took over rest of the pitch. The day went and I realized that what all I have done for the day, which was a bit stressful ,anyways I moved on for couple of days with same working day in day out, while I was in this transition I got to know that I will be paid upon the targets which I have to achieve weekly or monthly which was shocking of the words committed at the beginning, it gave me no satisfaction of what I expected out of my first job my own caliber, the amount of hard work I can put in was all on stake for no reason. Soon I realized that I was skilled for IT industry for which I studied for 4yrs of my B.Tech . The soon I realized the earlier I left the job and looking out for a software oriented job. So below are the key factors which I come across in this whole period:

Why you should not opt for Non-Technical profession:

• Demand of unskilled profession is next to nothing in any field.
• Scope of development and exposure is limited.
• Limited access to MNC’s.
• Unstructured work environment.
• No competency skills in such work culture.
• No required processes followed.
• Less of job satisfaction for skilled candidate.
• Less Salary compensation.
• Less Appreciation of your hard work, which act as major motivation factor.

As a fresher I always thought and approached things from the different angels and from a different mindset all together. I was always a person who will be asking justified questions to the professors or Teachers and it was never the case where I was asking questions for the heck of it but only the genuine one’s. So out such behavior I decided to go for QA & Testing field, which vitally require out of the box thinking and passion of keeping the standards by maintaining quality and fortunately I got a offer from an MNC from Mumbai. Soon after joining I realized a sense of satisfaction and relaxation which was totally missing earlier. I use to start my day with the intention that I will deliver good work and will keep the software defect free. Being into IT profession and to be more precise into QA & Testing department I feel so satisfied with all the activities that I perform to accomplish the ultimate goal of keeping the software defect free. Working in an MNC or in IT firm gives and contributes a lot in an individual’s life and over all development as well. Below are the points which I felt of sharing with you of why working in as a IT Professional is beneficial:

Keys points for opting Technical or IT profession:

• Skills play a vital role in one’s development to be better IT Professional.
• Provides you a platform to work for MNC’s across the globe.
• You can start your own business after gaining sufficient amount of experience in IT field.
• Working culture & environment is healthy.
• Competency skills get improved.
• Behavior is improved.
• Salary Compensation is also handsome, which act as a motivator too.
• Over all development or grooming is possible.
• Good exposure and learning environment.
• Process oriented.

Basic requirement for an Software Tester or QA :

• Engineering Graduate (B.Tech/B.E)
• Good Communication in English(Written & verbal)
• May opt for Software Testing Course.
• Certification like ISTQB will be an additional qualification.
• Out of the box thinking.
• Domain knowledge.
• End User point of view.

Interview:

Interview is such a process in which an interviewer got to know the ability, approach, capability etc of the candidate. For me the interview was always a exciting activity, it shows you mirror which reflects your eligibility towards a designated job, whether you have that required attributes in you by which you can crack an interview or there are areas which needs to be further polished. Normally people does not consider interview seriously, as in there are very small things by which an interviewer can figure out your overall behavior for instance the way you have dressed up, the way you behave, your manners etc. There are few things which I have noticed which also contributes towards the ratio of getting selected and are mentioned below:

• First of all carry a print copy of your updated CV, instead of the photo copy, as it shows you careless and negligence attitude.
• Always wear formal attire and look fresh.
• Face should be well groomed.
• Shoes should be polished
• Your body language plays an important role too, so always carry an attitude with a smile.

Few quick Interview Questions for Software Testing fresher’s:

• Different types of testing
• Difference between Alpha & Beta Testing.
• Why testing is important.
• Define SDLC & STLC models.
• Difference between Defect, Issue & Error.

Things to overlook after selection:

This is main concern that a fresher faces after joining in any firm/company. The freshness, the willingness to do anything at any cost, smartness, enthusiasm and curiosity towards different aspects gets vanished. The reason is not only the candidate but at times company also plays a big role in such results. A company hires fresher’s, when they forecast that in the near future they will be getting good projects or there is sort of urgent requirement of an sub ordinate under any experience person etc. in such transition, if the project gets delayed for any reason or any other ill management is there this will lead to the delay in the mentoring of the fresher or they are sitting ideal where they are not nurtured at the beginning .I am not saying that such things happen always but this is how things may happen. So ideally it is the responsibility of the fresher candidate to utilize that span to the maximum and below is some these utility points:

• If you are in IT industry there is ample of tools, languages, techniques etc that you can learn.
• Domain knowledge is very important for the software tester.
• Try to drain your mind about the smart work that can be implemented in your organization or in project.
• Learning Microsoft tools are almost mandatory for any field.
• Try to improve your presentation & communication skills.

Things to overlook if not selected:

This is bitter truth that all of us face during the initial stage of our working life .Selection and non selection is a part of the interview and there are so many reasons behind this which are difficult to pen down easily. Non-selection does not always mean that you don’t have capabilities or you don’t deserve that job but it is an opportunity to brush up your skills. Saying such things is pretty but to implement the same is very difficult but not impossible, as such platform provides you so many different techniques and tweaks to handle pressure, boost your confidence to face anybody etc. There are some of the points which you can do when not selected:

• First of all don’t feel dishearten, as the world does not stop here you will get further opportunities.
• Recall your interview scenario and check where and when you think you have made a mistake, you will defiantly get your answer.
• Try brushing up the existing skills and learn new skills.
• Good Communication is very important factor in IT field due to its global reach.
• Keep yourself updated with all the walk-ins taking place across IT companies.

How to be successful in IT profession:

There is no mantra or steps to be successful in IT profession but it is the inherited attributes which nobody can give you but you to yourself. These attributes possess a great value for your success in life. Many people who start with promising careers aspire to become successful professionals within their lifetimes. Some succeed in meeting this goal, while others fail to live up to their own expectations or capabilities. Most successful professionals have several traits in common. Most of these traits are learned, while a few are innate. Traits like ambition, flexibility and being goal-oriented help professionals become successful in their careers.

• Take your career path or profession seriously.
• Remain flexible.
• Possess Ambition.
• Enhance your communication skills.
• Carry a positive attitude.
• Always cooperate & collaborate with others.
• Be honest.
• Act as leader.
• Master your work.
• Broaden your skills.
• Be a learner.
• Be punctual.
• Work on deadlines.
• Set and prioritize goals for your future.
• Work with people who are smarter then you to gain their experience.
• Know your merits
• Accept challenges
• Be focused
• Seek satisfaction
• Relax

Above are some of the traits which a leader possesses and a manager don’t . Here now I am resting my case by saying that it is so easy yet difficult to survive in IT profession until you have your defined goals.