Summary

In this inaugural Bite Size episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Eamon Droko discuss the nuances of job interviews, focusing on what constitutes good and bad experiences, from a candidates perspective

Eamon shares his insights from his journey in quality assurance, emphasising the importance of job fit, the challenges of poorly placed technical tasks in interviews, and the value of openness and honesty during the interview process.

They also explore effective preparation strategies and the need for interviewers to respect candidates' time and experiences. Giving them the time and space to showcase their true selves.

Takeaways

• A good interview leaves you feeling positive, regardless of the outcome.
• Bad interviews often lack a platform for candidates to showcase their skills.
• Automation should not overshadow other essential QA skills in interviews.
• Candidates' time should be respected during the interview process.
• The best interviews prioritize people fit before technical assessments.
• Openness and honesty can enhance the interview experience.
• Interviewers should understand the QA role to assess candidates effectively.
• Preparation is key; research the company and its products thoroughly.
• Using AI can aid in interview preparation and understanding job challenges.
• Interviews should feel like a conversation, not an interrogation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to BiteSize Series

01:21 Eamon's Background and Experience

02:26 Good vs. Bad Interviews

05:12 The Role of Automation in Interviews

07:12 The Importance of Job Fit

10:08 Technical Tasks and Candidate Time

12:10 Explaining Your Thought Process

14:41 What Good Interviews Look Like

18:49 The Value of Openness in Interviews

19:33 Challenges with Interviewers' Understanding of QA

22:39 Preparing for Interviews

29:52 Final Tips for Interview Success

31:35 End