Interview Questions For Quality Assurance (QA) Positions

Margarita Simonova, founder and CEO of ILoveMyQA.com.

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Finding a skilled quality assurance (QA) professional is difficult. In this article, I’ll discuss some essential interview questions that will help you identify key behaviors and skills required of these professionals. These guidelines can help both interviewers and interviewees prepare for both sides of the job interview.

Based on my experience in the QA field, I’ve identified the following as core competencies for the QA role.

• Time management.

• Critical thinking.

• Problem-solving.

• Attention to detail.

• Communication skills.

Interview questions that focus on these competencies will give interviewers the best picture of their candidates, and candidates who prepare with these competencies in mind will be more successful during their interviews.

1. Time Management

Have you ever experienced conflicting priorities while trying to handle multiple projects? Tell me how you scheduled your QA activities to deal with it.

In answering these questions, you need to demonstrate your ability to:

• Set objectives and prioritize wisely.

• Identify and allocate resources as required.

• Set realistic goals and objectives.

For example, in order for an audit to be effective, there must be adequate planning beforehand.

2. Critical Thinking

Was there ever a time when you had to make a decision with incomplete information or make a complex decision within a very tight deadline? Tell me about it.

In answering this question, you should:

• Highlight your ability to analyze the situation.

• Detail your decision criteria.

• Demonstrate that you have taken into consideration any available resources, restrictions and organizational objectives.

• Show that you can use a structured process to develop alternative solutions.

• Be able to commit to the most convenient course of action.

3. Problem-Solving

Recount the most complicated problem you had to deal with at work recently and describe the tools and methods you used to solve it. Was there ever a time when you thought you had solved a problem but later realized that it was part of an even bigger problem? Tell me how you dealt with it.

In your answers, demonstrate your ability to:

• Collect and arrange relevant data.

• Identify crucial parts of problems.

• Recognize cause and effect relationships.

• Effectively apply corrective action that eliminates the root cause of a problem.

4. Attention To Detail

In monitoring corrective action, what are your methods for ensuring that no details are missed? Tell me about a time you identified an issue your team had missed.

When you’re answering these questions, you need to demonstrate:

• How detail-oriented you are.

• Your accuracy in relaying details.

• Your ability to focus on every aspect of the process at hand.

• Your accuracy in checking processes routinely.

• How you maintain vigilance over time.

5. Communication Skills

Describe a time when you persuaded a colleague or manager about a QA activity. Was there ever a time when you had to share expected standards with a co-worker? Tell me about it.

When answering QA interview questions concerning communication, you must do the following.

• Highlight how you efficiently use suitable communication methods and interpersonal styles to win approval for a plan, activity or document.

• Demonstrate your ability to select an appropriate approach to a situation and express the benefit of your suggested action to the affected parties.

• Acknowledge concerns and manage objections throughout the communication process.

Final Thoughts

QA candidates also need to understand what is expected of them when responding to behavioral interview questions at their job interview. They should be able to find these expectations listed clearly in the job description for the role they’re interviewing for.

Apart from the specific QA interview questions we’ve discussed, candidates must also ensure that they are ready for standard job interview questions, including the following.

1. Why do you want to work with us?

2. Why are you the best person for this job?

3. Tell me about yourself.

In addition, candidates should come to their interview with a list of questions they’ve prepared for their potential employer. This should they have done their homework and are familiar with the company for which they are interviewing.

With these questions and qualifications in mind, interviewers can find themselves better prepared to fill an essential role in the tech field. On the other end, if interviewees prepare to focus on these qualifications in their interviews, they will be better able to land a job in the QA field.

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