Prepare for your Test Engineer interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Test engineers often work with other engineers on a team. The interviewer wants to know if you can collaborate with others and share your ideas. Use your answer to highlight your teamwork skills and how you enjoy working with others.
Answer Example: "Absolutely. I’ve worked on teams of all sizes, from two people to teams of 20+ engineers. I’m comfortable communicating with everyone and making sure everyone understands what we’re testing and why. I also enjoy collaborating with other engineers to come up with new ways to test products. Working together can lead to better ideas and solutions."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for test engineering and explain why they are so important.
Answer Example: "As a test engineer, I believe the most important skills to have are problem-solving, analytical and communication abilities. Problem-solving is essential for identifying and resolving issues with software or hardware systems. Analytical skills allow me to break down complex problems into manageable pieces, which can help me develop effective testing strategies. Communication skills are crucial for collaborating with other engineers and stakeholders to ensure that testing efforts are aligned with business goals."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan your work and organize yourself. Your answer should show that you have a system for organizing information, setting goals and meeting deadlines.
Answer Example: "I would start by researching the product and its features. I would then create a test plan that includes all of the things I need to test, such as the software, hardware and user interface. Next, I would break down the test plan into smaller tasks and create a timeline for completing each task. Finally, I would share my plan with my team members so they know what needs to be done and by when."
This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience level and how you approach challenges. Your answer should include an example of a challenge you faced, how you overcame it and what you learned from the experience.
Answer Example: "The most challenging aspect of being a test engineer is finding the balance between testing thoroughly and efficiently. It’s important to test each feature thoroughly so that we can ensure there are no bugs or errors in our product, but at the same time, we need to be efficient so we can get through all the features in a reasonable amount of time. To overcome this challenge, I have learned to organize my tests and plan out my workflow so that I am able to get through all the features without sacrificing quality."
This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from previous jobs that highlight your ability to identify issues with products, analyze data and make decisions based on the results.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a test engineer, I was responsible for testing an application before it went live. During my testing process, I noticed that there were some issues with the user interface. The buttons were not displaying properly, which made it difficult for users to navigate the app. After researching the issue, I determined that the problem was due to a coding error. I reported my findings to my team leader who then informed the developers so they could fix the issue before release."
This question allows you to show the interviewer what your initial priorities would be if hired. It’s important to highlight how you would use your time efficiently during your first few weeks on the job and what steps you would take to become familiar with the company’s culture and processes.
Answer Example: "My top priority would be to learn as much as I can about the testing process at this company. I would want to understand the different types of tests that are performed, the tools used and the types of reports generated. This knowledge will help me to better understand the role and determine where I can add value."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to stand up for what’s right, even if it means disagreeing with someone in authority.
Answer Example: "If I noticed a problem with a product I was testing, my first step would be to report it to my manager or supervisor. If they agreed that there was an issue, then we would work together to find a solution. If the engineers who designed the product refused to acknowledge it was a problem, then I would continue testing the product until I found evidence that proved it was indeed flawed."
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of programming languages. This can be an important skill for test engineers because they often need to write code for their tests. Your answer should show that you have at least some experience with programming languages and how they work.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience working with various programming languages. I have worked on projects where I needed to write code in C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript. I understand the differences between these languages and how to use them effectively. I also understand the importance of testing code written in these languages. For example, when testing JavaScript code, I make sure to use valid syntax and run tests on multiple browsers."
Agile development is a common method used in the software testing industry. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with agile development methods and how you feel about them. In your answer, explain what agile development is and whether or not you’ve used it in the past.
Answer Example: "I have worked with agile development methods in the past. I find that it’s a great way to keep projects organized and on track. Agile development allows for quick changes in direction, which can be beneficial when testing software. It also allows for feedback from stakeholders and other members of the team, which helps ensure that the product being developed meets their needs."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with testing software and how you approach it. Your answer should include a brief explanation of what each type of test is and why you use them.
Answer Example: "I perform both functional tests and regression tests when testing software. Functional tests are used to ensure that the software performs the tasks it’s designed to do. These tests can be done at various stages during development, depending on the project’s timeline. Regression tests are also used to ensure that changes made to the software don’t cause any issues with existing functionality. These tests are performed after each phase of development to ensure that new features aren’t breaking anything already in place."
This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can contribute to it. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific disabilities or types of disabilities that you’re familiar with and how you would test for them.
Answer Example: "I am very familiar with accessibility issues and have worked on projects where we needed to ensure our product worked well for users with disabilities. For example, I once worked on a project where we were required to meet certain criteria for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To ensure we met these requirements, I tested the product using different assistive technology such as screen readers and magnification software."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage time. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for testing a new feature or the entire product, depending on the question.
Answer Example: "When testing a new feature, I like to start by understanding the requirements and creating test cases based on those. This helps me ensure that I’m testing everything that needs to be tested and helps me identify any potential risks or issues before they happen. Once I have all of my test cases created, I can then start running them through the system to see if everything works as expected."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities while also mentioning any transferable skills that may not be directly related to testing.
Answer Example: "I am passionate about testing and have been working as a test engineer for the past five years. During this time, I’ve developed a deep understanding of various testing methodologies and techniques. I’m also familiar with various software development lifecycles, which makes me well-suited for this position."
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of testing frameworks and how you apply them. Use your answer to highlight your familiarity with several testing frameworks, including ones that are specific to the industry you’re working in.
Answer Example: "I am familiar with several testing frameworks, including Selenium, Cucumber, and JUnit. I have used these frameworks to create automated tests for web applications, mobile applications, and desktop applications. I also have experience with TestNG and Junit for unit testing and NUnit for integration testing. In addition, I am proficient in using JMeter for performance testing. Finally, I have some knowledge of FitNesse for acceptance testing."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and what’s most important to you. Your answer can also show the interviewer that you understand the importance of reporting your test results to engineers, which is an important part of your job.
Answer Example: "I believe that it’s important to provide clear, concise reports that include all the relevant information engineers need to make decisions about the quality of a product. This includes providing detailed descriptions of any issues I find during testing as well as recommendations for how to fix them. In my previous role, I worked with several engineers who were able to use my reports to improve the quality of the product without needing additional clarification."
Regression tests are used to ensure that changes in a system or application do not cause bugs or errors. This question can help the interviewer assess your experience with regression testing and how often you perform these types of tests. Use examples from past projects where you performed regression tests regularly, or explain how you would approach performing regression tests in your new role.
Answer Example: "I perform regression tests whenever there is a change in the system or application. This helps me ensure that bugs or errors do not reappear after making changes. In my current role, I am responsible for performing regression tests once every two weeks to ensure that no issues have arisen since the last test."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a problem and solve it. Your answer should include steps that show your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
Answer Example: "I would first determine what caused the bug by reviewing the code and testing the product thoroughly. Then, I would fix the bug by either rewriting the code or adding additional code to correct the issue. Finally, I would test the product again to ensure that it is working properly."
Test engineers need to ensure that their test results are accurate and reliable. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with this important skill. In your answer, explain how you ensure the accuracy and reliability of your test results. Share an example of when you had to do this in your previous role.
Answer Example: "I ensure that my test results are accurate and reliable by using a variety of methods. First, I make sure that I am testing the correct version of the software. For example, if I am testing version 1.0, I make sure that I am not testing any features that have been added in version 1.1. Next, I test the software on different platforms and configurations to ensure that it works as expected. Finally, I run regression tests after each change to make sure that no new bugs have been introduced."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it could benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight any specific tools or software applications that you’ve used in the past and explain how they helped you complete your work more efficiently.
Answer Example: "Yes, I have used many different tools and software applications throughout my career as a test engineer. I find that the more tools and software applications I have at my disposal, the better able I am to complete my tasks. Some of the tools I have used include:"
Test engineers often work under tight deadlines, so employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the pressure. When answering, think of a time when you had to work under a tight deadline and explain how you managed to meet it.
Answer Example: "I recently had a project where I had to work under tight deadlines. The project required me to create a suite of automated tests that would ensure the application’s functionality and compatibility with other systems. The deadline for this project was very tight, but I was able to meet it by working longer hours and prioritizing tasks effectively."
