In today’s dynamic business world, having an experienced test automation engineer can work wonders in terms of efficiency, product quality, and customer engagement.
However, finding and hiring the right test automation engineer is a struggle. Wondering why?
It is certainly because the demand for test automation engineers is higher than ever before. On the other hand, the pool of qualified candidates is merely limited.
But do not worry—in this blog, we will give you five practical pieces of advice for hiring a test automation engineer.
So, let us dive in!
Why Hiring a Test Automation Engineer is a Smart Move?
First, you should congratulate yourself for taking the right decision to hire a test automation engineer.
Hiring a test automation engineer is one of the most strategic decisions that will bring exceptional benefits for your business.
First of all, automation engineers effortlessly automate and optimize time-consuming operations, in turn cutting down manual effort as well as overall costs. This helps businesses deliver high-quality products in no time, keeping the business always ahead.
Not to forget, automation engineers also improve test coverage, making sure complete validation of software functionality and keeping bugs in check.
In addition to this, automation engineers ensure continuous testing, which helps teams to detect and address issues with a bare minimum of human effort.
When you hire a test automation engineer, you can unlock the potential for enhanced efficiency, improved customer happiness, and at the end, greater success in acquiring your strategic goals.
5 Practical Advice for Hiring a Test Automation Engineer
Here are five practical advice that will help you hire the best test automation engineer for your team:
Prioritize Passion
Discover candidates who are truly passionate and excited about automation testing.
More than hard work, passion usually leads to outstanding performance, motivating people to keep learning and innovating.
A test automation engineer who works with a strong sense of passion and excitement is most likely to remain calm during challenging times, thereby building a positive environment for everyone in the team.
So, look for people who find technology fascinating, are eager to solve complicated issues in new ways and really love and enjoy automation testing as a profession.
Do Not Settle for Cheaper Options
Although a candidate who quotes low salary may seem attractive at first glance; however, choosing one with lower salary expectations raises serious questions about future implications of this decision.
If you hire an Automation Test Engineer just based on the money, you will have to compromise on a number of factors including quality.
Although it may take a greater investment in the beginning to employ a skillful professional, the resulting advantages are substantial such as improved productivity and efficiency, better overall software quality, and much more.
So, try to focus on quality over cost.
If your automation test is implemented by people who are experienced and dedicated, you will be able to get valuable results in the long run.
Focus on Both Technical and Soft Skills
A successful test automation engineer should be good at both technical and soft skills.
Technical skills are important for writing efficient script automation scripts, while the soft skills of communication, problem-solving and collaboration are just as important for successfully working with other team members in an organization.
In the hiring process, examine potential employees on not just their coding capabilities and mastery of automation tools, but also ability to clearly convey ideas to others, cope with the challenges of teamwork through working collaboratively with others and to flexibly adjust to changing requirements in development projects.
By hiring people who are all-rounded in skills, you can make sure that your automation team are empowered to address challenges effectively and deliver high-quality work.
Offer Opportunities for Learning
Next time you are hiring, do not just reject a prospective employee without the right skills right away.
Everyone can learn new skills and adapt to the requirements of a new job with the right support, direction, and material reinforcement.
For such candidates, you can consider providing a guide or a training programme to help them fill in any gaps they have and to reinforce their learning.
Plough your staff with seed, and you will help them not only perform better in their current job but bring to your company a culture of continuous learning and growth
Maximize the Interview Process
An interview is a great way to double-check a candidate’s credentials, his/her experiences and suitability generally for the job.
Apart from understanding applicants’ technical capabilities or analytical skills, interviews can also throw light on candidates’ communication abilities, their ability to gel with the company culture and their business logic.
Make the most of the interview—know everything about the candidate and let them also get a clear picture of what you are looking for.
So, Now You Can Hire a Test Automation Engineer!
With the five practical advices we have listed in this blog, you can now effortlessly navigate the whole hiring process to hire a test automation engineer.
By focusing on passionate candidates, quality over cost, evaluating both technical and soft skills, offering growth opportunities, and improving the interview process, you can get that perfect test automation engineer in no time.
Also, do not forget to check if the candidate aligns well with the vision and objectives of your company. To complete the whole hiring process within 48 hours (about 2 days), you can also consider relying on companies like VLink who are known for providing the top 3% test automation engineers. So, happy hiring!
