Frequently Asked Questions
What is Software Testing?
Software testing is an important part of our quality assurance activities. When testing, the Azeus testers use the program and try to find the problems with the program being tested. Problems which we call bugs would include anything that is wrong with the program, or anything that could have been missed out during the design and implementation of the program. Through submitting our programs to a battery of tests, we determine whether it is robust enough to be deployed to our clients.
How do you test programs?
A clear understanding of the requirements or the specifications is needed in order to test. We need to know what we are testing before we could actually test it. Otherwise, we might not be able to tell if a certain behavior is a bug or not. At the start of the project, we define project standards and we try to pickup on the requirements. We then plan and strategize on how we'll go about testing our assigned programs. We check the program against the specifications, and we also try to come up with test cases that are not explicitly discussed in the references. Basically, we try to uncover as many bugs as we could. The developers are the ones who fixes the bugs, and afterwards, we try to confirm whether they've successfully fixed the bugs without introducing new problems.
What traits are most helpful for becoming good testers?
The traits that stand out among our most skilled testers include being critical thinkers and having a heightened sense of awareness. These are most useful for exposing bugs and design holes. These are also valuable for inferring the causes behind the bugs that have been encountered, and in effect leads to clearer and precise bug reports. Ingenuity is also crucial because in testing we are essentially trying to outsmart our developers.
A knack for finding bugs will not be possible without a strong dedication to uphold the high quality of work that we deliver here in Azeus -- settling for good enough is never good enough. Aside from these individual traits, it is also important for our testers to be good team players. Our projects are done in groups so being able to work well with others really counts.
What is the recruitment process for testers like?
Initially, our Recruitment Team conducts the pre-screening and schedules qualified applicants for the Aptitude Exam. The Aptitude Exam is a multiple-choice exam covering comprehension, logic and mathematics, and it takes around one hour and a half. Passing applicants are then scheduled for their interview with our HR Staff. The final step is the Technical Interview which involves problem solving. Deliberation on the final status of the applications then follows, and applicants are promptly notified of the results.
What are the technical requirements for testers?
In Azeus, we understand that there is no course or degree in college that specifically prepares its students to become software test engineers. So our newbie tester training program is based on the assumption that you are starting on a clean slate. We don't assume that you are already familiar with the tools needed or that you're already familiar with the fundamentals of software testing. Also, knowledge on computer programming is not a pre-requisite.
What is the training like?
Our in-house training program is quite comprehensive and provides a hands-on experience that closely simulates what the new testers will experience once they're in actual projects. The training lasts for one and a half to two months. Afterwards, they are deployed into their new projects wherein they'll have a mentor who will guide them further.
What is the career path?
To emphasize the importance of continuous growth and learning, skilled and experienced testers soon take on additional roles and responsibilities in their project and in the company based on their past performance and demonstrated capabilities.
In the project, they may become mentors or lead testers. Mentors provide guidance to newer testers in the team. Lead testers take up various roles -- some provide the design specs, coordinate the testers in the team, and conduct reviews on the works of other members. Some testers with an aptitude for leadership also become team leaders who are responsible for overseeing the entire development team. In the company, skilled senior testers may also be requested to conduct training and also to help out in process improvement activities in the company.
Are there opportunities for training or working abroad?
Most of the training is provided internally, and similarly most of the testing work is done within the Manila and Cebu offices. Depending on the project's needs, members of the team may be sent abroad for training or for project-related tasks. In the past, our testers have been sent abroad for CMMI training, project proposals, design work, and on-site testing in Hong Kong, Singapore, and China. And as Azeus continues to grow further, opportunities beyond the South East Asian region are being explored.
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