Whether you are interviewing for a position as a software engineer or an automation testing engineer, the hiring manager may ask you questions related to automation testing. While the interviewer may ask a variety of questions, there can be some task-specific questions to determine your fit for the role. If you prepare for these types of questions in advance, your chances of getting selected may increase. In this article, Pritish Kumar Halder explains what automation testers do, lists common automation tester interview questions, provide sample responses and show the tips and skills you can use to succeed in your next interview.

What does an automation tester do?

An automation tester automates the process of software testing. Automation testers develop automated testing processes for different tools and systems to reduce the manual efforts to test the software at different development phases. They make sure that the automated tests are accurate and give appropriate results to analyze if the software is meeting the expected outcome.

Automation testing interview questions with sample answers

Here are some common interview questions with sample responses you can reference when preparing for your interview:

1. Explain some advantages of automation testing

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your technical knowledge and experience. You can answer by listing a few benefits of automation testing. If possible, try to connect these benefits to the company’s values or products.

Example: “Automation testing has many advantages. It can determine how automation can affect a company. For instance, results of automation can lead to lowering company costs, freeing team members to fill other roles and delegating resources to other departments. I am confident in my ability to use these advantages for this position.

2. What kinds of frameworks have you worked with?

The interviewer may ask this question to evaluate your technical abilities and to determine if you have experience working with the necessary tools. You can explain how many frameworks you have worked on. You may also include additional ones you plan to learn.

Example: “I am currently training to learn keyword-driven and data-driven frameworks. I have substantial experience using linear scripting and hybrid frameworks.

3. How many test cases have you automated in a day?

An interview may ask this question to learn more about your professional experience and work ethic. You can answer this question by highlighting your focus on quality and results. Try to include details about how some cases may require more time than others.

Example: “The number of test cases I automate in a day depends on their complexity. If the complexity is moderate, I could reasonably automate five to six test cases per day. And if the complexity is very high, I could automate only one or two test cases per day. I break down the most complex test cases into elements like take input, calculation and verifying output to organise the project.

4. How familiar are you with Selenium?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your technical skill level involving the Selenium framework. Selenium is a popular free tool many companies use for automation testing. If you have knowledge of or experience working with Selenium, share the details with the interviewer.

Example: “Selenium supports functional and regression testing as well as a few different scripting languages like Java and PHP. I am familiar with both testing types and the scripting languages supported by Selenium. I have worked within Selenium for six test cases. I hope to work with it again to gain more experience.

5. How would you select a test case for automation?

The interviewer may ask this question to get a sense of your technical skills and work process. In your answer, include details describing how you would analyse the results of an automated test and how you manage the time it takes to run the test to achieve automation.

Example: “I would first determine whether the test case is critical to the business or if it just serves an end-to-end scenario. Then, I would plan the execution frequency according to automation needs and begin the test run while monitoring for defects. As the automation test concludes, I would analyse the results within a time frame that does not exceed the time it would take for manual execution.

6. How do you decide which tools to use for automation testing?

The interviewer may ask this question to evaluate your decision-making process and experience. In your answer, include details describing your methods for selecting automation testing tools.

Example: “I would start by looking at the requirements to identify which testing scenarios I want to automate. Then I would research the tools that support the project requirements. For these, I determine whether the budget can support necessary resources, either by supplying the tools or hiring skilled personnel as needed. Finally, I would compare the tools needed to ensure they meet key criteria and choose those that not only fit the criteria but also stay within the company budget.

How to prepare for an automation testing interview

Below are few steps that you can consider while preparing for an automation testing interview:

1. Research the company

Consider researching the company where you are interviewing. On the company’s website, try to learn about the business and its clients. You can also learn about the company and its culture through social media and the current employees.

2. Prepare common interview questions

Before your interview, you can prepare your own responses to the common interview questions. This can help boost your confidence. It may also help you create more thorough and effective responses, increasing your chances of a successful interview.

Related: How To Answer 9 Common Interview Questions for Freshers

3. Update your resume

Try to update your resume with your latest qualifications, experiences, and skills. Customize your resume with the keywords used in the job description for which you are interviewing. Try to relate how your current experience relates to the job.

What are the skills required for automation testing?

Below are the skills you may develop to help you succeed as an automation tester:

  • Programming language knowledge

  • Analytical skills

  • Ability to create test scripts

  • Business knowledge

  • Communication skills

  • Software testing skills

  • Knowledge of automation testing tools

  • Problem-solving skills

  • Time management skills

Reference: https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/automation-tester-interview-questions