Summary of "Мок собеседование QA Automation Engineer на Python. Junior+/Middle | Собеседование на тестировщика"

Summary of the Video:

“Мок собеседование QA Automation Engineer на Python. Junior+/Middle | Собеседование на тестировщика”

This video presents a mock interview for a QA Automation Engineer position focusing on Python, aimed at Junior+ to Middle-level candidates. The interview simulates a real-life technical discussion, covering the candidate’s experience, technical knowledge, and problem-solving approaches. The interviewer provides feedback at the end, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.

Main Ideas and Concepts Covered

1. Interview Structure and Purpose

The interviewer (Roma) explains the goal is to simulate a real interview to help viewers understand typical questions and how to answer them.
Feedback is given at the end to highlight good points and areas to improve.

2. Candidate’s Background and Experience

Candidate Vera has 7 months experience in QA automation, primarily using Python with Selenium and PyTest.
Previously worked 4 years in manual testing, mainly on monolithic architectures and complex web applications.
Transitioned from manual to automation testing by learning Python and moving internally within her company.
Experience includes writing automated tests, data generation scripts (100,000+ entities), performance testing, and some basic infrastructure tasks like CI setup and Docker usage.

3. Daily Work and Task Management

Works in a team of 5 automation engineers, with manual testers separate.
Tasks are assigned by priority, focusing on specific applications within a large ERP system.
Uses monthly sync meetings to prioritize work.
Writes automated tests based on manual test cases.
Participates in code reviews, though not yet reviewing others’ code.

4. Technical Knowledge

Programming & OOP Concepts

Understands Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism.
Can explain polymorphism with examples of classes implementing the same method.
Uses abstract classes and interfaces with decorators (@abstractmethod).
Familiar with single inheritance; aware of multiple and hierarchical inheritance but limited practical experience.
Implements encapsulation by hiding private attributes using double underscores (__).
Knows mutable (lists, sets, dictionaries) and immutable types (strings, ints, bools).
Explains differences between sets, lists, and dictionaries.
Understands Python string slicing and indexing.

Functions in Python

Can write functions with parameters, named arguments, and variable-length argument lists (*args, **kwargs).
Understands return values and function declarations.

Test Automation Patterns

Uses Page Object Model (POM) extensively for organizing UI tests.
Familiar with other design patterns like Factory, Builder, and Adapter for test code structure and reducing dependencies.

Locators in Selenium

Uses CSS selectors and XPath for element location.
Prefers unique attributes and agreed-upon selectors for stability.
Uses XPath functions like text() and navigation axes (siblings, parent).
Aware of locator best practices to avoid fragile tests.

Selenium Knowledge

Selenium is used to simulate user actions in browsers.
Uses Selenium for element search, waits, keyboard actions, screenshots, and JavaScript execution.
Controls browser settings like window size and headless mode via driver options.

Waits and Expectations

Differentiates between explicit and implicit waits.
Uses explicit waits with expected conditions (element visibility, clickability).
Understands polling frequency and timeout settings.

Test Writing and Review Criteria

Emphasizes readable and well-named tests.
Importance of logging before actions to trace failures.
Uses screenshots on failure.
Tests should be reliable (not flaky) and consistently pass.
Uses PyTest fixtures for setup/teardown at different scopes (session, module, class, function).
Parameterization allows running tests with multiple data sets.

Test Coverage and Data Preparation

Current project has ~3,000 tests; target coverage ~15,000.
Uses data generation libraries and models for test data.
Collaborates with manual testers and developers to avoid redundant tests.

CI/CD and Debugging

Tests run on CI/CD pipelines, not just locally.
When tests fail on CI but pass locally, first check logs, environment differences, locators, and time zone issues.
Uses screenshots and enhanced logging to debug failures.

Docker Basics

Basic Docker usage: running containers, entering shells, stopping containers.
Clearing Docker cache with system prune commands.
Understands volumes for storing large files.
Basic concept of Dockerfile as instructions to build images, though limited practical experience.

Tools and API Testing

Uses requests library for HTTP client in API testing.
Interested in schema validation tools and swagger integration.
Stresses communication with developers to coordinate test coverage and avoid duplication.

Methodology / Instructions Presented

Conducting an Automation Test Interview

Start by discussing candidate’s background and experience.
Ask about transition from manual to automation testing.
Explore daily work routine and task management.
Review technical knowledge: OOP principles, Python basics, Selenium, waits.
Discuss test writing practices: naming, logging, screenshots, reliability.
Explore understanding of test coverage, parameterization, fixtures.
Ask about debugging failing tests in CI/CD environments.
Discuss Docker usage and basic commands.
Probe knowledge of API testing tools and practices.
Provide feedback on answers, encouraging detailed but concise responses.
Highlight importance of continuous learning and practical experience.

Writing Automated Tests

Use Page Object Model to organize UI interactions.
Choose stable locators, preferring unique attributes.
Use explicit waits to handle dynamic page elements.
Write clear, descriptive test names and method names.
Add logging before key actions for easier debugging.
Capture screenshots on test failures.
Use PyTest fixtures for setup and teardown.
Parameterize tests to run with multiple data sets.
Collaborate with manual testers and developers for coverage planning.

Debugging Failed Tests on CI

Check logs and screenshots.
Verify environment consistency (browser version, server state).
Confirm locators have not changed.
Consider time zone or localization issues.
Re-run tests locally and on different environments.

Basic Docker Commands

docker run to start containers.
docker exec to enter running containers.
docker stop to stop containers.
docker system prune to clear cache and free space.

Speakers / Sources Featured

Roma – Interviewer conducting the mock interview, providing questions and feedback.
Vera – Candidate with 7 months experience in QA automation, 4 years in manual testing, answering technical and experiential questions.

Overall, the video is a comprehensive mock interview demonstrating a real-world QA automation engineer interview scenario, focusing on Python and Selenium, with detailed technical discussions and practical insights into test automation best practices.