<aside> 💡 Hola friends! We recently created a Discord for Software Automation where we discuss these kinds of topics on a bi-weekly basis.

Responses range from people with 0 to 30+ YOE in the industry and wanted to share this with the community!

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Abstract: The Evolving Landscape of QA Interview Processes and Role Expectations

This compilation reveals the diverse approaches to interviewing Quality Assurance professionals across different specialization levels. Contributors from various organizations share insights into how interview processes are structured, what skills are prioritized, and how expectations evolve as candidates progress from entry-level QA to more specialized QAE and SDET roles.

Key Themes:

Role Differentiation and Skill Progression

• Clear distinction between requirements for QA (manual testing), QAE (automation-capable), and SDET (engineer-first) roles
• Progressive skill expectations that build upon foundational QA abilities
• Recognition that SDETs require comprehensive engineering skills beyond just testing knowledge

Practical Assessment Techniques

• Bug identification and prioritization exercises for manual QA roles
• Live automation tasks for QAE candidates
• Complex system design and architecture questions for SDET applicants
• Collaborative problem-solving scenarios to evaluate teamwork and communication

Evolution of Interview Focus

• Shift from technical certification and language proficiency to problem-solving abilities
• Emphasis on soft skills and critical thinking across all levels
• Growing importance of understanding business domains and fostering quality culture
• Tendency to evaluate candidates based on their thought processes rather than perfect execution