Going for a Q&A job. Has anyone done any software testing before?{rep points}

[Dillinger4]

I am going for a short term job this week but i really don't know what to expect. I know the job description was probably written by someone with a lack of technical background that does the hiring. Heres the details.

Great opportunity for recent graduates to gain IT experience!

Our client in Piscataway, NJ is seeking several entry level technicians for a three week contract opportunity.

Candidates must possess a strong work ethic and the desire to meet deadlines. Candidates should have general understanding of technology.

Responsibilities will include:
*Perform quality testing of sales software system.
*Execute manual and automated test software.
*Track defects and document test results.

If anyone has done a job like this could you tell me what type of automated test software i would most likely be using, what is normaly looked for (program bugs?) and the documentation process. Thanks for the help.

[StrangerInBeijing]

Assuming it's MS products, they would probable use NUnit (which I did not use).

I bet most people uses it. It is incorporated into VS8 (Whidbey), but seeing Whidbey is still in Beta I'm sure most people uses it.

You might want to search Joel on Software for some blogs on testing. The stuff the guy say make sense and give you some understanding what Unit Testing are.

I suggest you make a short list of key-words, google them, and memorize the definition....fake it till you make it. Words like : NUnit, UnitTesting, Automated Testing, Black / White Box Testing, bugs database

Would not worry to much about the rest of the JD...all comes down to the same thing.

The last one (Track defects and document test results) is up to them, what they use to track bugs....We use MS Product Studio, which is just a database with a nice interface you can track your bugs, test cases, results etc.

Good luck!

[nkad]

Looks like a position for a tester, meaning, your not a developer. You basically click on stuff to see if it works, and conforms to standards set by the company.. etc..

[StrangerInBeijing]

You basically click on stuff to see if it works, and conforms to standards set by the company.. etc

...whoooaaaa!!! Dude, you need to get back to the books man!

I'm a developer, but right now working as tester to give me some free time I need for my studies. Testing is a HUGE, ORGANIZED thing here where I'm at..
As the matter of fact, every second tester here is an ex-dev...the best ones at least (about 500 in this room i'm sitting).

Keeping in mind what nkad said (reminding us what ignorant developers there is out there) I would make sure I get that job Dilenger, even just for a short while.

[Dillinger4]

Perfect! That's exactly what i was looking for. Thanks for the info. Stranger, I also believe you when you say most testers are or were developers. I would think developers would have more knowledge than the average person about what is going on in the background.

[RobDog888]

Yes, developers have the edge since they know how to write apps and how to break them. Most users will do stupid stuff that doesnt
make sense but us devs know better to place error trapping on them etc. so we will know what to do to really test out the app.

If you show them that your a knowledgable developer and have experience in debugging apps that should count for some high marks in your interview. You can not really break an app if you dont think like a user. A good developer MUST think like a user when it comes to error handling and trapping, etc.


Good luck Dilenger

[nkad]

...whoooaaaa!!! Dude, you need to get back to the books man!

I'm a developer, but right now working as tester to give me some free time I need for my studies. Testing is a HUGE, ORGANIZED thing here where I'm at..
As the matter of fact, every second tester here is an ex-dev...the best ones at least (about 500 in this room i'm sitting).

Keeping in mind what nkad said (reminding us what ignorant developers there is out there) I would make sure I get that job Dilenger, even just for a short while.

I wasn't being ignorant. I am well aware that there are testers that are also developers. I just have a lack of experiance working around them. I do web development, and the testers that I interact with sort of fit the job description that Dilenger4 posted.

Good luck on your interview, Dilenger4!

[Dillinger4]

Posted by RobDog888

If you show them that your a knowledgable developer and have experience in debugging apps that should count for some high marks in your interview.

That's one thing i probably lack. I mean i do debug my code because if i didn't have to that would mean that i write prefect code. I just don't debug through an IDE.

Thanks guys.

[RobDog888]

Doesnt really matter. If you know how to debug using whatever environment your using then that counts for experience. Dont sell yourself short. The inteviewer(s) wil do plenty of scrunity and you dont need to add to it. Remember that this is not an interview but a sales pitch where you are selling yourself. If you can convince them that you are right for the job and have the qualifications then your practically hired.

[Dillinger4]

That's for the vote of confidence RobDog. I just came back after driving fifty miles to and from the interview. Seems i really wasen't required to have that much technical know-how but im sure what i know will help me get the job over some of the others. The lady who interviewed me warned the job is going to be very tedious but at this point i really could care less. Thanks guys.

[RobDog888]

Cool! That just means that she feels you are very well qualified for the position. I bet Reps on it that you will get the job.

Pssft, 50 miles round trip is nothing. I used to do 70 miles round trip in heavy rush hour traffic both ways, 3~4 hours (4~6 hours when it rains), every damn day for 8 years. Glad I only drive 40 miles round trip but still 3 hours round trip.

[Dillinger4]

Sorry i ment fifty miles to and fifty miles from. Still aint that bad though. Sixty mph equals 1mpm and i was averaging about 80mph so it didn't take me too long. The drive would had been better if i had that hks header and catback ive been eyeing.

[RobDog888]

I get to average about 28 Mph on the congested stupid freeway. Sometimes I get to floor it when going down the on ramp but traffic usually stops me within a 1/4 - 1/2 mile. Damn traffic.

When are they going to make a decision?

[Dillinger4]

I think Monday or Tuesday.

[mendhak]

TestComplete (sucks!!) and Rational Rose are what I have seen being used, mainly.

[Dillinger4]

Ill find out friday when i go to the tranning class. Sounds like no matter what is used it's going to be repetitive.

[StrangerInBeijing]

Bottom line is a testing only job sucks and bores the living hell out of you...

BUT!!!

It's a great experience in making you realize what stupid mistakes any developer make. I'm sure this will add huge value to your abilities in the future, so don't let the boredom get to you...learn matey, learn.

[RobDog888]

Any experience in your related field of what you want to do for a career is worth more then what you get paid because you gain the experience IN your field.
So I take it by telling us your going to training class you got the job?

[Dillinger4]

Posted by RobDog888

So I take it by telling us your going to training class you got the job?

Yes. Good thing too cause i need the cash. Helping an old friend out to pay her rent this month. Nice guy aint I.

[RobDog888]

Sure you are helping for no appearant reason, huh? The things guys do for a woman.

Congrats on the job. See, I told you you would get it.

[StrangerInBeijing]

Helping an old friend out to pay her rent this month.

that's my man!!!

[mendhak]

I don't think you should have told us the reason. I thought you were going for a career change, which is in some ways a little surprising, since most developers I know don't usually want to get into QA.

I used to be in QA and it was the repetitive nature of it that I didn't like. I always liked getting my hands on new products/components/applications to test, but not having to do the same thing over and over again.

Hope she's worth it.

[Dillinger4]

Posted by mendhak

I thought you were going for a career change,

Career change? Who in their right mind would go from developing to Q&A?

[RobDog888]

Hey Dilenger4,

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.p...6&page=3&pp=40

[Dillinger4]

RD you is straight pimpin.

[StrangerInBeijing]

Who in their right mind would go from developing to Q&A?

I did. Earn about a third I did as dev.....But:
1) Chance to work at M$
2) No work pressure & tons of free time which I used to study, get certified, practice & learn tons of new stuff
3) Chance to work on all the latest software you dudes are just speculating about...
4) Being a foreigner in China.....dude....I can write a book.... *evil laugh*

But then...being in my right mind is not something I've been called before..