Top Manual Testing Interview Questions: Master STLC, Test Cases and QA Best Practices

Manual testing in software development is crucial to discovering usability and interface issues that automated testing might miss. Top-tier tech firms, such as Google, Netflix and Amazon, use manual testers to ensure their products appear correctly. With the right person for the job, companies can avoid embarrassing glitches and deliver a flawless user experience. 

The software quality assurance market is flourishing, and demand for testers is soaring. The global software quality assurance market will likely reach $3.9 billion with a compound annual growth rate of 14.47% from 2022 to 2028. Job prospects for quality assurance analysts and testers are bright, with demand expected to grow by 22% by 2030. That’s beside the fact that the QA analyst position is second on the list of happiest jobs in America. 

Tech recruiters have a role in identifying manual testers for their product teams. They need to ask appropriate manual testing interview questions to find the best talent. Using the situation, task, action and result, or STAR framework can gain deeper insights into a candidate’s job experience and skills. Here are six interview questions for manual testing and the rationale behind each.

Methodology 

The STAR method is a recommended framework for evaluating candidates for manual testing jobs. This framework reveals how people approach challenges in the workplace, their problem-solving capabilities and attention to detail. 

Using the STAR method, candidates can structure their responses with clear, concise answers that demonstrate their technical skills and relevant experience. They describe a situation, outline the task, explain their actions and highlight the results. Here are some example questions and answers for interviewing manual testers.

1. What Is Manual Testing and How Does It Differ from Automated Testing?

Manual testing is the process of testing software applications, products and systems using the least number of tools, or without tools.

Why You Should Ask This Question

This fundamental question gives candidates a chance to explain software testing concepts. It reveals their ability to distinguish between different testing approaches. It also ascertains whether the candidate knows when using manual testing is appropriate.

What to Expect from the Candidate

Strong candidates should provide a detailed response that includes:

• A clear definition of manual testing.
• At least 3-4 key differences between manual and automated testing.
• 2-3 advantages and disadvantages of manual testing.
• Specific manual testing examples include exploratory testing and usability testing.

Uncover the top back-end engineer: Tech Hiring Guide: Back-End Engineer 

2. Describe the Software Testing Life Cycle and Its Key Phases

Why You Should Ask This Question

This interview question for manual testing evaluates a candidate’s understanding of the testing process in software development, revealing whether they know structured testing approaches and how testing dovetails with software development. This question evaluates their ability to plan and execute software testing methodically.

What to Expect from the Candidate

Software testing is central to delivering exceptional digital experiences. A strong candidate will provide a detailed response that includes:

• A clear definition of STLC.
• 5-6 phases of STLC.
• A brief explanation of the importance of each phase and the key activities.
• How SLTC aligns with and supports the software development life cycle.

3. What Are the Different Types of Manual Testing and When Would You Use Each?

Why You Should Ask This Question

Questions about types of manual testing give a better understanding of candidates’ knowledge regarding various testing approaches. They also reveal the ability to choose appropriate testing methods for different situations, gauging familiarity with manual testing practices in software development.

What to Expect from the Candidate

A solid response should include:

• At least 4-5 types of manual testing, for example, black box, gray and regression.
• Clear, concise descriptions of each testing type.
• Specific examples of when each type of testing is most appropriate or effective.
• How different testing types complement each other in comprehensive testing.

4. How Do You Write Effective Test Cases for Manual Testing?

Why You Should Ask This Question

This question looks for whether a candidate has the ability to create and document test cases. It gauges the candidate’s ability to stay organized and pay attention to detail. Their responses offer a better understanding of what they think makes a test case effective and reusable. Candidates also have an opportunity to demonstrate they can communicate testing procedures clearly.

What to Expect from the Candidate

A strong candidate will provide a clear definition of a test case and its purpose in software development, along with:

• At least 5-6 key components of a well-written test case.
• 3-4 best practices for writing effective test cases.
• 2-3 common pitfalls to avoid.

5. How Do You Prioritize and Manage Defects in Manual Testing?

Why You Should Ask This Question

This question aims to gauge whether the candidate can effectively manage the testing process. It evaluates their ability to think critically and make solid decisions. It also reveals their understanding of how defect management affects project timelines and quality. The candidate also gets the chance to demonstrate their grasp of best practices in defect tracking and resolution.

What to Expect from the Candidate

Effective defect management is crucial in software quality assurance. Using an explanatory tone, a strong candidate will provide a detailed response that covers the following:

• A clear explanation of defect prioritization and its importance in the testing process.
• At least 3-4 criteria for assessing defect priority and severity.
• A step-by-step process for reporting and tracking defects, including the use of defect-tracking tools.
• 2-3 strategies for effective defect management.

Read more: 6 SQL Questions for Interviews Using the STAR Method 

Ready to Discover the Top Manual Testers?

Software testing interview questions for manual testers help to identify top candidates.

• Manual tester interview questions and the STAR method are a roadmap for evaluating candidates, helping to identify people with the right combination of skills and experience for a tech role.
• Proper testing can find and address internal structure and code issues that could impact usability and end-user satisfaction.

This interview guide covers manual testing basics, including definition, STLC, types of manual testing and best practices in test case writing and management.  If you need help with recruitment, contact the Dice team for assistance. We can help you find the top talent you need.

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