Prepare for your Software Developer in Test interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
The software development life cycle is a process that software developers use to create applications. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the SDLC and how it applies to your job. In your answer, explain what the SDLC is and how you use it in your daily work.
Answer Example: "The software development life cycle is a process that I am very familiar with. I have worked as a software developer in test for over five years, so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to learn about the different phases of the SDLC. During the planning phase, I create test cases and write test scripts to ensure that the application meets the customer’s needs. During the coding phase, I test each line of code to make sure it works properly. After the application is released, I continue to test it to find any bugs or issues."
This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of testing and how you might apply it in your work. Your answer should include a list of different types of tests, along with an explanation of what each type does.
Answer Example: "There are many different types of tests that I would run as a software developer in test. I would start by running unit tests, which are used to test individual components of code to ensure they work properly. If the code passes the unit tests, I would then move onto integration tests, which test how different components of code work together. After that, I would run system tests to make sure that the entire system functions as expected. Finally, I would perform acceptance tests to ensure that the final product meets customer requirements."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach collaboration and teamwork. Your answer should show that you are willing to adapt to the needs of your colleagues and that you have the communication skills necessary to facilitate effective collaboration.
Answer Example: "I believe that it’s important to be open-minded when working with a team of developers who have their own protocols and processes. I would first try to understand why they have these processes in place, as well as what benefits they provide to the project. If there is any way I can help improve their processes or make them more efficient, I would do so. However, if the processes are working well, I would focus on collaborating with them to ensure that our project stays on track."
This question can help the interviewer understand your process for creating a test plan and how you use it to ensure the quality of software. Your answer should include steps that you take to create a test plan, including any tools or software you use to help you complete the task.
Answer Example: "I start by reading through the requirements for the project and creating a list of all the things the software needs to do. Then, I create a separate list of all the possible ways a user could interact with the software and break those down into smaller tasks. Next, I use this information to create a test plan that outlines all the different ways I plan to test the software. Finally, I share the test plan with my team so they know what we’re testing and when we need to have it completed."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. This can be important for many software developer roles, but it may be especially important for those who work as a software developer in test. This role often requires you to make quick decisions about how to best test software programs and applications.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where I need to make quick decisions. I have experience working on projects where there is a deadline and I need to work quickly to ensure that the project is completed on time. In these situations, I am able to stay focused on my tasks and prioritize what needs to be done first. I also have excellent communication skills, which help me communicate any issues or questions to my team members."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how you feel about different programming languages. You should answer this question by listing some of the languages you’ve used in the past, why you prefer them over others and what they offer that other languages don’t.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked with many different programming languages throughout my career, but my favorite is Java. I find it to be an easy-to-use language with many useful features such as object-oriented programming and modularity. It also offers great support for multi-threading and parallel processing, which makes it perfect for software development in test."
This question is a great way to show your understanding of the role and how it relates to other roles in the company. Your answer should include an explanation of what you do as a software developer in test and how it’s different from other types of developers.
Answer Example: "The role of a software developer in test is to create and maintain quality code for the products we’re testing. I make sure that the code I write is free of errors and meets the requirements of the project. I also use testing tools like automation and manual testing to ensure that the product works as intended."
