What skills are necessary for future QA Interns

In this article, we are describing advice regarding the skills of future QA Interns from our experienced recruiter, which she has gathered during her work with newcomers. We conducted interviews and asked questions that often arise before employment or the reasons for rejection after interviews. 

What skills do graduates often lack to start working? Technical, English – anything.

Graduates of the course have a number of basic problems.

1. English language. Candidates do not understand the seriousness and importance of mastering the English language for QA work. In their understanding, a good school-level knowledge and the ability to describe and understand the content of written text is sufficient. Therefore, they specify a good level of written English in their resumes, but during interviews, they receive rejection due to the inability to pass an oral English language test. Since they will need to engage in oral dialogue with the client's team representatives on the project, this is crucial. 
2. A clear understanding of the profession and requirements for a QA tester job. When participants cannot answer critical questions related to the job (for example, describing all attributes of a bug report, types, and testing methods, etc.) after the course, it becomes a significant issue.

What software skills are absolutely essential to meet the QA Intern position requirements?

1. Willingness to learn and accept constructive criticism. Future testers must understand that the course is just the first step, and they need to actively learn to master all the intricacies of the position. Being open to feedback and constructive criticism about their work and understanding that it is a normal part of the process is essential since no one can work without making mistakes. 
2. Responsibility. Interns work with a mentor, manager, and the entire project team from the first day, so the person must understand that it is not a child’s game but a job. 
3. Team player. Working on a project is teamwork, and the result is always a joint achievement. Future candidates should be ready to support their colleagues when necessary and not work in isolation.

Are there any interesting reasons for dropping out of the selection process? Anything funny or unusual?

1. On a lighter note, during interviews, we always ask why they chose this career path? The most memorable answer came from a girl who said, «I want to get married successfully because IT guys are not easy to find, and here I can choose the best one)))» 
2. On a more serious note, it's a red flag when someone says, «I want to work in IT because they pay a lot.» However, they often don't realize that it requires good knowledge and continuous learning, not just a desire for a high salary.

What advice can you give beginners for a successful job search? Interested in advice from a recruiter.

1. The first and most important advice is to assess yourself realistically. You can be incredibly talented, but in the job market after a basic course, you are an intern. To reap all the benefits of the IT world, you need to study persistently and thoroughly, gain experience, and only then pursue ambitions of being a top-notch IT professional.
2. Realistically evaluate the job market in your area. When you search for «IT salary», and your eyes greedily catch numbers with lots of zeros, it's important to carefully consider what level of specialist and in which city employers are willing to pay such amounts. Look for data specific to your city. And remember, if your neighbor earns $1000, it doesn't mean you should demand the same amount. Just ask about your neighbour’s experience and what exactly he does. 
3. Your resume is the way a future employer sees you. Please take the time to craft it carefully. Start with a photo – recruiters always appreciate seeing the face of the person they will be working with. However, remember that a resume is not an Instagram page; choose a photo where your face is clearly visible. Regarding the text, make sure to include all relevant contacts so they don't have to ask later (phone number, email address, Skype, and Zoom links). Mention your educational level, additional courses (if any), indicate your preferences for work, and specify your level of proficiency in the English language (both spoken and written). Most importantly, don't list all the smart terms you know in your resume because during the interview, you'll be questioned based on everything mentioned in the resume. 
4. Don't lie. Starting from your skills in the resume (because they will be checked during the interview) to answering all questions. No one knows everything. It's better to say you don't know the answer but are willing to learn than to try to deceive. Recognizing when a candidate is being untruthful severely undermines trust and raises doubts. 
5. Prepare for the interview. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the job requirements and thoroughly prepare for each item on the list before the interview. Review the technical aspects, practice your introduction for English interviews. If you search for «what they ask in English interviews», you'll find a good base for preparation. Also, clearly define for yourself why you want to work in this position and for this company.»