Hello there, I hope you are doing well! Welcome back to another interesting blog.&nbsp;



I was watching one of the NAS daily videos with my five-year-old recently. It was about a few Japanese facts. People are incredibly humble and kind. They also appear to emphasize respect for others. This piqued my curiosity to study Japanese culture further. 



Then I got to know about a book called “<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40534545" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life</a>&#8216;. Reading that book was one of the life-changing experiences of my life. Yes, I enjoyed reading that book and suggested to a few of my friends and family members to read this book too.&nbsp;



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QhJcuOPd5KHlcaQkaCfPyUndgKOae7iTbvjq84_GZtq2TqlozlbBsMFtwWj_1Qlj-xW1ztHl6vjwFW1v5iZm8TgAinnVjq8mdOuDVsy3ElPZ5ehoWKzm_14JlgtS8kFFWEVS2dLNl4Bt1Zw-ruwL3O0" alt="" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



However, my research on Japanese concepts continued. I discovered a wealth of fascinating facts and knowledge about Japanese culture. Finally, it appears that they have much to teach us.



Let&#8217;s study some Japanese phrases and the thoughts behind them in this blog. Also, how is this beneficial to software testers, and why should we have a good understanding of it.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_Are_Japanese_Concepts">1 What Are Japanese Concepts?</a></li><li><a href="#Japanese_Concepts_for_Software_Testers">2 Japanese Concepts for Software Testers:</a></li><li><a href="#To_conclude">3 To conclude:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-are-japanese-concepts">What Are Japanese Concepts?</h2>



Japanese culture has had a long history of emphasizing excellence and appreciation of detail. Japanese concepts are ideas, values, and beliefs that are important in Japanese culture. Some examples include respect for elders, the importance of hard work, and the idea of harmony between people and nature. 



These concepts help to shape the way people in Japan live their lives. Many of the concepts and philosophies developed in Japan, such as Kaizen and Kanban, have become popular in the software industry. But to my surprise, there are many more overlooked concepts that will enrich your life and help you be a better software tester.



<h2 id="japanese-concepts-for-software-testers">Japanese Concepts for Software Testers:</h2>



Software Testers play an essential role in ensuring the quality of software applications. Let’s see in detail the Japanese concepts which can help us to elevate the testing process:



<p id="kaizen-it-s-an-approach-to-continuously-improve-processes-products-and-services-on-small-incremental-levels-a-philosophy-of-continuous-improvement-focused-on-small-incremental-adjustments-over-time-to-improve-quality">1. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaizen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaizen</a>: It’s an approach to continuously improve processes, products, and services on small incremental levels. A philosophy of continuous improvement focused on small incremental adjustments over time to improve quality.&nbsp;



In the world of software testing, Kaizen is an important concept that testers should be familiar with. Kaizen, which literally translates to “change for the better”,&nbsp; emphasizes small incremental changes over drastic reform, which can help ensure that any changes made are manageable and effective. Kaizen requires that everyone involved in a project take responsibility for their actions and ensure that processes are continually improved.&nbsp;



It is a flexible system that allows for changes to be implemented quickly and efficiently, as problems are identified and solutions are put forward. This makes it the ideal methodology for software testing, as testers need to be able to quickly identify and debug any issues that arise during Test execution.



2. Kanban: Kanban is a popular method for managing tasks and processes. It is a system that utilizes visual cards to track progress and prioritize tasks. The cards are placed on a board and visually represent tasks to be done. A process commonly used among software testers, emphasizes doing only the necessary tasks in order to reach the goal. Using visual signals to identify and stimulate process improvement during software testing &#8211; a Kanban system describes, visualizes, and manages the production process.&nbsp;



Here’s an example of how kanban works: Say you’re working on a marketing project for a client. As part of the project, you need to arrange social media posts, develop content, design sales brochures, and book webinars. You use sticky notes and put them on a Kanban board. The labels on the notes will be: “To-Do”, “In Progress” and “Done”.&nbsp;



You start by labeling the first note “To-Do”. You need to arrange the social media posts so you write “Arrange Social Media Posts”. You then write the other tasks on other notes and label them “To-Do” as well. As you begin working on the tasks, you move them to the “In Progress” label. Once they are done, you move them to the “Done” label.&nbsp;



The Kanban board lets you easily see which tasks you have done, which tasks are in progress, and which tasks still need to be done. By visually tracking tasks, it allows you to focus on the tasks that still need to be done.&nbsp;



 In the world of software testing, there are a variety of concepts and principles that are essential to know in order to do one’s job effectively. Kanban is a powerful tool that can help software testers stay organized and efficient, leading to better results. Kanban works by breaking down tasks and resources into distinct stages, allowing software testers to easily identify bottlenecks and plan ahead for upcoming work.



3. Genchi Genbutsu: It’s a Japanese phrase meaning &#8220;go and see&#8221; that encourages software testers to observe and learn about the end-user experience. A notion that promotes traveling to the real location to obtain knowledge to make a more informed decision. Going to the source to gain a deeper understanding of a process, product, or anything related by directly observing and questioning.&nbsp;



 It is a core part of the Toyota Production System (TPS) and is a central principle of the company&#8217;s philosophy. The lean manufacturing philosophy behind Genchi Genbutsu is that management should be thorough in their investigations, always going to the source of any customer or production issue to not just physically observe but also learn the underlying causes. For example, a customer is complaining about the application&#8217;s slowness. They try to replicate the user scenario (location, OS/device, user profile) and try to understand more about the root cause. Armed with this data, the project team will then be in a much stronger position to diagnose the issue and prevent it from happening in the future.



4. Shikata Ga Nai:&nbsp; &#8220;Shikata ga nai,&#8221; or &#8220;Sho ga nai,&#8221; is a Japanese phrase that means “it cannot be helped” or “it is what it is” and nothing can be done about it, accepting that there are certain situations and circumstances that are out of our control. It’s the art of letting it go. Sometimes after strenuous effort, things won’t work the way we wanted them to. For example, if you have worked hard for a production release, and something goes wrong in production, there are multiple reasons for that &#8211; not just insufficient test coverage. So, start work on the bugs and test the fixes. Also, make sure to add those scenarios to the regression test case suite. In a nutshell, instead of thinking about it, work on the action items and just let it go.



5. Kata: Kata is a Japanese word that means &#8220;form&#8221; or &#8220;pattern&#8221;. It is often used to describe specific sequences of exercises used to teach martial arts techniques, such as Shotokan karate. A structured sequence of steps and actions used to practice and teach a skill. Every event will follow a specific pattern and we should implement this skill while studying the application behavior or debugging a defect. Getting to know the pattern can help you gain a deeper understanding of the application behavior.



6. Jidoka: Jidoka is an automated quality control technique pioneered by Sakichi Toyoda of the Toyota Corporation in the early 20th century. It is used to identify and correct defects in a process or product before it is sent to a customer. Jidoka teaches machines and people to detect problems and take appropriate action. Automation with a Human Touch that focuses on preventing defects versus a quick discovery and repair. For example, A manufacturer of widgets is using a jidoka system in their production process. Every time a widget is made, its form and function are assessed. If the widget fails these tests, the machine will shut down and alert a human operator. The operator can then investigate the issue and correct it before any further widgets are produced. This ensures that each widget meets quality standards and prevents bad widgets from being shipped to customers. Similarly, we develop the product prototype and then we develop in sprints, which can help us to ensure that we are on track with the product features.



7. Jishuken: A competitive method of testing in which two tester teams are pitted against one another to improve and refine ideas or processes. Jishuken is a Japanese management style focusing on self-improvement and small, steady improvements in the form of Kaizen. It utilizes a team-based approach to problem-solving, incorporating small incremental changes in improvement processes. Jishuken revolves around a process of continuous improvement and self-reflection, conducted within a team and supported by leaders, to identify areas of improvement and develop strategies to address the issues identified. The concept puts forth the idea that a team can accomplish more when each individual gives up his own opinion to reach a common goal.



8. Muda: Muda is a Japanese business term for “waste”. It is derived from the Lean manufacturing production system and refers to any activity that does not directly add value to the product or service. A concept used for process testing and efficiency; identifying and eliminating unnecessary steps in order to improve the overall process. Waste or any activity that doesn’t add value to the product or service. In the entire Software Testing life cycle, we have to identify the waste and try to eliminate it. This saves a lot of our time and effort.&nbsp;



9. Poka-Yoke: Poka-Yoke is an approach to mistake-proofing (inadvertent error prevention) processes, products, and services to ensure the end user gets the expected and correct outcome the first time. The purpose of Poka-Yoke is to develop processes to reduce defects by avoiding or correcting (designed to show alerts or warning messages to the user) mistakes in the early design and development phases.&nbsp;



 This technique is mostly used in manufacturing industries but now this effective technique is also adapted to software development processes as well. We focus more on <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shift left</a> defects and back-end testing to reduce the effort, cost, and time. One simple example could include placing a sticky warning label right next to a hazard sign to draw attention to it, or having a different color key for each type of tool so an operator can easily identify the correct key. In Software Testing, we can implement this and focus more on error-prevention techniques in the early phases of testing.



10. Hansei: The Japanese concept of Hansei is a process of reflection and self-criticism used to improve one’s self. The term translates to “self-reflection” and refers to a reflective process that focuses on challenging one’s own beliefs and opening up to alternatives. Through Hansei, individuals can gain insight into how to solve their present challenges and identify areas of improvement. A concept of personal reflection after completing a task meant to improve future projects. Our retrospective meetings are a great example of the Hansei.



11. Ishikawa Diagram: An Ishikawa diagram, also known as a fishbone, cause-and-effect diagram, or Carter diagram, is a business tool used to identify, analyze, and prevent errors and defects in a process. The Ishikawa diagram is a graphical representation of various causes for an event that can help identify and categorize potential causes. It&#8217;s an organized way to look at an event, breaking down the individual components that cause it.



For example, a software project that is facing delays might look something like this:



Head of Fish (Problem Statement): Delays in Software Project



Bones:



&#8211; People: Unskilled staff, incompatible skills with the task, lack of coordination



&#8211; Process/Systems: Poor planning, resource mismanagement, lack of documentation



&#8211; Materials: Inadequate budget, poor quality



&#8211; Environment: Poor environment, External dependencies



Once the potential causes have been identified, the team can organize and prioritize potential solutions. This helps the team to quickly and efficiently identify the root cause of the problem and take the necessary steps to remedy it.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Rk_reaRBFcPAuSmQ6BAokY9fdzN-UxCABJTfLPjIF0mNRLyY6cDVzwv0yactfSOkfettedCr92mfOLCnqndXgLpGgNL5L0dFQKishX5iR3lQiSZSH3N7_ftpe3XHCner2Gktod0eYRjwZMZjIyjPJVk" alt="Fish bone diagram" width="800" height="400"/></figure></div>



 <h2 id="to-conclude">To conclude:</h2>



Isn’t it way too interesting? I enjoyed learning about these Japanese concepts and found that in a way we are already using many of them in our processes and daily work. Not only technical, but sometimes we need to rethink our whole way of doing things. It’s a holistic process of mind, body, and soul.&nbsp;



I strongly believe everyone has something to teach us and we can learn from everyone. Same way, we can learn from people with different cultural backgrounds and that’s why inclusive teams are the best-performing ones.&nbsp;



Hope you enjoyed reading this blog. The list is so big, so stay tuned for the next blog to know more about a few other interesting concepts. please let us know what your favorite Japanese concept is and what makes you feel so.&nbsp;



PC:<a href="http://Freepik.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Freepik.com</a>



Read more similar blogs by <a href="mailto:bpricilla@gmail.com">Pricilla Bilavendran</a>:



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-to-be-an-open-minded-tester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How To Be An Open-Minded Tester?</a>



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/software-test-engineer-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Is there a way for software test engineers to manage stress in this culture of hustle?</a>



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/a-testers-gambit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Tester’s Gambit</a>



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-to-be-an-open-minded-tester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How To Be An Open-Minded Tester?</a>&nbsp;

Achieving Zen in Software Testing A Journey Through Japanese Concepts

Achieving Zen in Software Testing: A Journey Through Japanese Concepts

Most Commonly Asked API Testing Interview Questions

7 Principles of Software Testing to Ace your Testing Process

<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/bHK1CjuWgWlPZkdi5rvDSq4gzzkED-gGn3JiDKtTUzWhMNGqRcZSoxXX5oOUNeYYPiqa9YgfnOQXVJwN2BGE-Zi68eNiQoSJU_IGB6YGuBdltUWDNqiRV1hCNBlesmpCXLkVQtg0hoKrbkjazwiFPHQJZICUcQkdvLO7IypYV3DBLMyf4ii6Ytlfo-NJ6w" alt="" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Stress is the trash of modern life—we all generate it, but if you don’t dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life.” <cite>— Danzae Pace</cite></blockquote>



Hey there, everyone. How are you all doing? I noticed the reply. Hmm. As a result, you claim that your situation is good. Do you actually feel good? Are you getting adequate rest? Having a healthy diet? Do you maintain a clear boundary between your personal and professional lives? When was the last time a production flaw occurred? When did you last snooze like a baby? When did you last take a trip? When did you last speak with your childhood friend? I apologize for asking so many questions. Now, let me know how you are feeling. 



Do we still know the solution? If so, I&#8217;m pleased to hear that you&#8217;re doing well. If not, we need to make some adjustments to our job life, which will subsequently improve our personal life. It&#8217;s time to pause and consider your mental well-being.



As a result, in this post, we&#8217;ll discuss the hustling culture, the things that stress testers out, and how to deal with that stress.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_hustle_culture">1 What is hustle culture?</a></li><li><a href="#What_causes_stress_in_this_current_environment">2 What causes stress in this current environment?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_deal_with_itnbsp">3 How to deal with it?&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">4 Conclusion:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-hustle-culture">What is hustle culture?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wt88H54AlFSVGoGuewqZjauaGE0hF7tRrcZTQoVVjzzeC3sRhbK3mt_AQ99ot5I4r9cXURt5euACQtbpZzoiJ2wYn4ye4Uypx3-I6LYYpF8osVg_wcLWwWVrQphJ3TVbv7yyvZoggC_RwLKYIG0352JFMO33jnpeBViiVLOZWvYV358I3tR6LC3jmsgqzg" alt="" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



Work takes precedence over everything in the burnout culture known as &#8220;hustle,&#8221; and working long hours is regarded as incredibly productive. Because of this attitude, people are obliged to struggle and work, which hinders us from taking in the sights and sounds around us. We work hard to attain one objective, then sprint to the next, and so on. When will this cycle of pursuing the next high-end come to an end?



What matters is that we miss experiencing life right now and are always looking for something that causes restlessness and other risks. I believe that our objectives are crucial, but they shouldn&#8217;t consume your thoughts or interfere with your privacy or mental health. We must make a distinction between our personal and professional lives. We miss caring for ourselves and our loved ones as a result of our remote employment and conflicting schedules. Therefore, this epidemic made it significantly worse.



Do you believe this will ultimately be beneficial to you? Definitely not. Sometimes, we even fail to see that we are entrenched in the hustler culture. The first stage is to become aware.



<h2 id="h-what-causes-stress-in-this-current-environment">What causes stress in this current environment?</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The truth is that stress doesn’t come from your boss, your kids, your spouse, traffic jams, health challenges, or other circumstances. It comes from your thoughts about your circumstances. &#8221; <cite>&#8211; Andrew Bernstein</cite></blockquote> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FE7a5Dt7xtLHlfKhmpVQQDToQuZ9TU3nL9AqUkDYW1NorjFL6_dQ8q1MDNPCQe1ShFlGZJSinq28QWXTAF3Yi7L_ybey-IYxJFq6cUCMvElHCCvwpeDGteItx6Fo5twdQZXEvRdI0QRsNxhxFo1MVJTs662wYK8gvWsXqkQIxzEu1qr7COJt-V6_yHj-NA" alt="" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



In today&#8217;s era of rapid digitalization, everything must be completed right away. The oil is added to the fire by the strict deadlines, toxic leadership, ineffective team members/other stakeholders, and inadequate details/budget.



<p id="h-back-then-the-majority-of-the-projects-were-built-around-waterfalls-today-though-we-require-speedier-delivery-so-we-ve-implemented-an-agile-methodology-more-minor-releases-with-focused-features-are-produced-frequently-and-this-has-undoubtedly-increased-the-stress-on-software-engineers-developers-testers-and-other-stakeholders">Back then, the majority of the projects were built around waterfalls. Today, though, we require speedier delivery, so we&#8217;ve implemented an agile methodology. More minor releases with focused features are produced frequently, and this has undoubtedly increased the stress on software engineers &#8211; developers, testers &#8211; and other stakeholders.



Let’s discuss a few facts which are causing stress in a software test engineer’s life:&nbsp;



1. Insufficient requirements/documentation



We are supposed to test everything for a few projects that need adequate details. It&#8217;s difficult to test without understanding the desired behavior. We can make decisions while driving based on our prior knowledge and experience, but this is only a workaround. It might be annoying and frustrating.



2. Rigorous timelines



These days, we are frequently required to work quickly and give results. We may not have enough time to test beyond the essential functionality because of this. So we might miss the out-of-box scenarios here.



3. Lack of communication



We frequently don&#8217;t receive information about modifications, deployments, and timetables. The majority of conversations don&#8217;t involve testers since it is assumed that they are not necessary. Software testing involves several different steps.



4. Constantly getting blamed



Insufficient testing is held responsible for everything that goes wrong in production. They anticipate a thorough examination in the absence of adequate details. This finger-pointing will cause us great harm. Make an effort not to personalize things.



5. Underpaid



However, many businesses still operate under the assumption that testers must work for nothing. Software testers are paid far less than other developers. Salary is a motivating aspect, and the disparity in salaries in this industry is demotivating for many.&nbsp;



6. Constant upgrading of skills



As a result of technological development, we must continually learn about new trends to stay ahead of the competition. In the workplace, we must continue to hone our abilities. This is exhausting and stressful. We may also feel intimidated due to a lack of skills.



7. Less importance to testing and software test engineers



Few businesses are unaware of the value of software testers and testing. They continue to believe that software testing is optional, and in other circumstances, they believe that testing is not necessary for some applications.



8. The fantasy of Automation:



Management at higher levels likes elaborate presentations and figures. Automating as many test cases as is practical is a wonderful idea, but complete automation is a fallacy. Based on the tools, you are compelled to study programming languages. Based on the tech stack and the needs of the project, you may make a good tool choice here.



Read more on how to choose the test automation tool right for you <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/10-points-to-help-you-choose-the-right-test-automation-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



<h2 id="h-how-to-deal-with-it">How to deal with it?&nbsp;</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“My key to dealing with stress is simple: just stay cool and stay focused.”<cite>― Ashton Eaton</cite></blockquote> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YFd-5o7MkSoAZlJwkC5CygdN-fHYmAGY9ohBQMKkm2ntnxV4xL6C87qO1Xd8Yd1UPPEZp4lKvcD0k_PRwD2CrB1VoZ6j05Gl6hBGE-Np52yFxNP_c-jWkf5FpHl9eq43yUdn74KLEKr6ajuSZhzyrtIdDGvyyECgsEHINGA3ok_W0Efa7k4-6q9fePwlIw" alt="" width="300" height="300"/></figure></div>



You are not by yourself. These difficulties are being experienced by many software testers worldwide. I&#8217;ve also been there. I occasionally experienced anxiety and a lot of insomnia. It took some time for me to realize that I was struggling. I used to spend hours working in front of the laptop.



Working is essential since it provides for your family&#8217;s food. Your health is presently suffering from stress, so you need to focus on some practical issues. Don&#8217;t imagine that we would require action to carry out a revolution.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1C8YM7g6bfAElHfGikPiEbwlkBRXkD-afJZCi6bGvm0ejFN7VouOtu-LZVZrn9aKzmR1di02M9okc48KOhzKvY1334pz8lu9-T2pgBm1WpH899NOnjx-73bkEm02KW41LzV3h1LYCCbKwrskd9CuSVYTGUBNQgF1G6tdzFuULqruOayQKYovu_-jlMu4FQ" alt="" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” <cite>―Martin Luther King</cite></blockquote>



So let’s see some simple and effective stress management techniques in detail:



1. Plan your day ahead



When everybody else is sleeping, you work. The excellent book 5 AM Club by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Sharma">Robin Sharma</a> may offer more explanations of the benefits of an early morning routine. This one behavior will significantly improve your life.<gwmw style="display:none;">



2. Block your calendar for “After office hours”



Always show up for the required meetings, and if you are the test lead or manager, encourage the team to do the same. You can ask the meeting&#8217;s participants to record it so you can listen to it the next day during regular business hours. So, even if you work from home, attempt to schedule and reserve time on your calendar in advance.



3. Automate whatever, wherever, and whenever possible



Try to automate and establish a procedure for any repeated project management or team management duties. You can free up your mind by doing this. In my mind, there are numerous threads active. By automating my daily duties and setting reminders, I can avoid thinking about undesirable things and train my brain to focus exclusively on the desirable. I used to do it to train my brain.



4. Eat healthily and get enough sleep



Ah, I know that sounds simple. However, I believe we can establish this habit by avoiding a few bad items. When it comes to sleeping, you ought to be egotistical. Anything would be worth it to me, but not sleep. Your body works on auto-healing while you&#8217;re sleeping. Getting enough sleep enables more effective and productive work. In the end, we might not be able to debug anything because the scripting errors couldn&#8217;t be found. 



The identical script can be quickly fixed the next day after a restful night&#8217;s sleep. Could this speak to you? I hope this has persuaded you of the value of getting enough sleep. Although 8 hours of sleep every night is recommended by science, it can vary. Personally, I am good with 6 hours of sound sleep.&nbsp;



5. Reduce your screen time



We spend hours using other smart devices after spending the entire day in front of a laptop screen. The eyes, neck, and brain are all put under stress by this. So make an effort to cut down on your screen time and do something that doesn&#8217;t involve any of them.



6. Read, read a lot



When we were kids, we consumed a ton of morality-based literature. You today are a product of those ideals and values. Pick from some recommended readings and try to read them. There are numerous recommendations from dedicated readers available.



7. Pick a hobby or learn something new



Although it may sound silly, this greatly aids in calming your senses. Any straightforward activity, such as learning to sew or picking up a new greeting word in a foreign tongue, qualifies. Discovering and practicing a new card or board game, preparing your food, starting a blog, creating videos if you&#8217;re passionate about it, learning to meditate and practice yoga, baking, etc.



8. Self-appreciation/Self Care



We all need to practice self-care the most. Have weekly &#8220;me&#8221; time scheduled. You could use this money for some form of activity, or you could just sit around and sip coffee. To treat yourself, you can schedule a massage or a pedicure. Selfcare isn’t selfish.&nbsp;



9. Practice Gratitude



Until you count your blessings, you will not realize the extent of your talents. Make it a routine to write in your notebook and to list all the things for which you are grateful. This may appear silly, but it has a significant positive impact on your mental health.



10. Talk to a friend/mentor



Yes, express yourself clearly and passionately. You can talk to a person who will listen to you, such as your partner, a friend, or a mentor. Engage in genuine conversation and ask for assistance when necessary.



11. Workout/Exercise



<a href="https://totalshape.com/fitness/how-to-get-in-shape-fast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exercise</a> causes our bodies to release happy hormones. So go for a jog or a walk. Just move, whatever it is.



12. Idle Time:



Doesn&#8217;t that sound intriguing? Yes, clear your thoughts and spend some time not thinking about anything. This isn&#8217;t about falling asleep. You must be awake and should not be doing anything productive.



13. Laugh out Loud



Last but not least, we no longer laugh as often as we once did. So please, watch your favorite comedy show and get a good chuckle with your loved ones. This might sound simple, but it is effective.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jEepuBcXN3fUHMRtD18gJKRfXyuaFKV6o8_ALj_4Z7qz4W6UXKNOy0X2zmj0ql5HiOF47S74wTIgcrIIUKtD-JV-b3DqLOADt7ucmTSfoA5LZmebO14-1K7AMTISvzuE-KbSrNt3VYmx0gpi3Dzq3RoBofS5TH9iqFfnq-SkUSTKeNw0gMvLa9fFUkZhHA" alt="" height="300"/></figure></div>



<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion:</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“It’s not stress that kills us, it’s our reaction to it.” <cite>― Hans Selye</cite></blockquote>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5TK_g8_5IW1dFe95ypElE-r8UdUIe8NNF4Ao_QG4t4nvl-LvKm_jMnLMcRatxOo50Q4pUCbkj-Wi-1w-NIpvjK2WYsicXmbq2pkVRtEkYcZ_SwE_wK8aMmFiK5D9DMgZdJp3o0xTSxmDg0YzkPkEe0VTC6njEaetiKmyxX5IbJKeI4J99L7gfqP1Ib1SbQ" alt="" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



The world is under stress. Some of us are adept at handling it, regardless of how important or straightforward the endeavor is. Few of us attempt to fit into this hustle culture and struggle. This is harmful, and we need to dispel the stereotype by normalizing some things.



You cannot alter everything in the world on your own. However, internal alterations are possible. Once your mental fortitude increases, you won&#8217;t be affected by or influenced by those toxic outside forces.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lVGeuSegqsTYC-cswxr9TungqtPL0Y3cLwxjK9jYxzqgYQmbriEbZkQ5CfEfeSfxqjoKguSaXxcfpMpCzRbyKEIVKBflT3T8QZwDhHxAWSwv98i6cAaSZa-pB_LaDS1_RZrPxdzYCwYPvKD06-eMnQ06RNfuF_ekMObALKQBcEIn2v4zHoxgsoupob20gg" alt="" width="300" height="300"/></figure></div>



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“When you find yourself stressed, ask yourself one question: Will this matter in 5 years from now? If yes, then do something about the situation. If no, then let it go. &#8221; <cite>― Catherine Pulsifer</cite></blockquote>



Your work is crucial, crucially crucial. But resist pursuing anything at the expense of your own well-being. Be more careful. Take better care of yourself. You&#8217;ve earned it.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fK1_aqjRjswMRDI3FfE-e_Pcp87eTJBwFmxWOOAj7YHlpQq0GWxBhHHTsMfYcalmyBPH5VXVZ8PbqR9jyd7c1A5ptv29cSrenTnaV-Zv6GPfoeAZpPrQdifx2E8UwRI3Nin8kyRfCSr6vuRCoUY5DBAfa-gB2p2jXhrxr4JxxLCvq9e6Juikd4SzasGgIg" alt="" width="300" height="300"/></figure></div>



I wish you better days ahead!



More related reads: A blog written by the software testing expert Mukta Sharma: <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-to-become-an-automation-tester/">How to become an automation tester with no stress?</a>&nbsp;

Is there a way for software test engineers to manage stress in this culture of hustle?

Is there a Way to Manage Software Test Engineers Stress?

Types of APIs & Protocols: Choose the Best for Your Project

<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6CekEeAi1joWG2iHIV8DtwB5ntH2Dpy-qRdIcWkpddxrbn8SAvEikjSVFn0AtVj7nVPCqiyMO6cAsF4jaHlppDSL2SSmAP8o6bswSfcQrjLFzzpOrYftFO0mBW5008Z8toj0ioCIGhupZrHpao83nmA" alt="" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



Hello Folks,



Great to meet you all with another interesting blog. There are many relationships between Games and Testing. Many people use that as a metaphor and define testing. Why is it so? Every game requires strategy and analytical skills to play and win. In today’s blog, I will be explaining how chess and the pieces in chess are related to software testers and what we learn from them.



Chess is one of the brilliant games. No one could deny it. But have you ever wondered that the chess pieces have a lot of similarities with the different roles that testers can have and our everyday life?&nbsp;



Yes, we are facing a lot of challenges every day and we take on new roles and responsibilities based on them. We need to act differently in different situations. We all know that life is a game, and we all are players here. So let’s see in detail each chess piece and what it symbolizes.&nbsp;



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#The_King">1 The King</a></li><li><a href="#The_Queen">2 The Queen</a></li><li><a href="#The_Bishop">3 The Bishop</a></li><li><a href="#The_Knight">4 The Knight</a></li><li><a href="#The_Rook">5 The Rook</a></li><li><a href="#Pawns">6 Pawns</a></li><li><a href="#Closing_thoughts">7 Closing thoughts:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-the-king">The King</h2>



The King is the most important one among the chess coins because the entire game revolves around the King. He is the most influential decision-maker. He doesn’t have much power, but he decides the fate of the entire game. All other pieces are meant to play the game of protecting the King. If there’s no King, then there’s no game at all.&nbsp;



Sometimes, we should act as King to avoid conflicts in the team. There should be only one decision-maker and multiple ones will lead to chaos. Of course, getting multiple options and feedback from the team is the first step. 



You need power, and authority to decide and everything in the project is revolving around you. This role helps you to make the right decisions, and guide and build the team better. Overall the King piece is advocating leadership that every tester of all levels should learn and implement. For instance, every Project/Test Manager should think and act like a king in most scenarios.&nbsp;



<h2 id="the-queen">The Queen</h2>



The Queen is the most powerful piece of all, with a lot of freedom provided she tends to save her King and the territory. She can move in any direction and take down anything that comes her way. She is aware of her strengths and weaknesses.&nbsp;



Also, I strongly believe that the QUEEN is a demonstration that implies that women are given more freedom since they are capable of handling it. Women are good at multitasking and delivering quality at the same time. 



So this role, in the game of chess, is suitable for Testers who are given a lot of freedom in the project and in turn they deliver the best. They are aware of the granular level details of the projects. They use their power to fight for the team, and they use their smartness to handle and tackle the stakeholders. We testers should be fierce and utilize emancipation in a righter way.&nbsp;



Under certain circumstances, we need testers to behave smart as the Queen and make use of the freedom in a realistic and diligent way. Here comes the role of the Test Lead. I would say that a Test Lead should react and play the game with Queen’s attitude. This is helpful for the entire team to be led in the right way.&nbsp;



<h2 id="the-bishop">The Bishop</h2>



There are two bishops and they are close to the king and queen. They are considered the third most powerful pieces. Next to the King and Queen, they have the power and authority to make decisions. But they play the game the same way and same move.&nbsp;



Bishop is a highly respected and valued piece. Sometimes, we need to provide authority to someone and watch. This builds the team rapport and confidence in everyone and brings out the leadership in them. Delegating small chunks of work and asking our team to take responsibility, helps the team to grow and be productive.&nbsp;



Sometimes we have our senior associates in the team who possess a greater knowledge of the project and systems. Along with the power, experience helps a lot. So should try to gain real-time hands-on experience in the tools or projects we are being a part of.&nbsp;



<h2 id="the-knight">The Knight</h2>



The Knight is the only piece, that can skip or jump between pieces on the chessboard. They are happy-go-lucky and smarter ones. Other than Pawns, they have the power to start the game. It is on equal footing with Bishop and holds military ranking. Along with the power, you need strategic and pragmatic thinking.&nbsp;



A horse is used to denote and illustrate the Knight. It is an elegantly designed chessman. Just like the knight in a game of chess, testers should be versatile and clever. For instance, I can relate the Knight with some new joiners to the team with a few years of experience and knowledge in new tools/technologies. 



They are energetic, vibrant, and enthusiastic. They are well aware of their roles and responsibilities. They needed a little mentorship initially and they can work smart and play the game and make unexpected magic happen.&nbsp;



<h2 id="the-rook">The Rook</h2>



They are strong, hefty, and powerful ones and the front-liners during the war. They provide support to the remaining pieces. They form a protective layer to the castle and that’s why even the piece designed represents the Castle with the turrets on top.&nbsp;



We as testers should be strong-headed and face the challenges. We should be defending our team. In every project, there will be a handful of techy, nerd people. They like to play around with the tools and make our work easier. They are super smart and will be ready to take on challenges at any time. I would say everyone in the project should act as a rook.&nbsp;



<h2 id="pawns">Pawns</h2>



Pawns are the underrated pieces on the chessboard, due to their power limitation. They are more in number with less power on the chessboard. In history, they have great stories to share. They are considered weak. 



But they are more in numbers which make happen anything. We have to learn teamwork and humility from the pawns. Also, they showcase the traits like bravery and sacrifice. So never underestimate the presence and the strategy of the pawns.&nbsp;



I would relate this to the trainees in our team. If they receive proper guidance they thrive. We all need to understand their needs and should work together for the team&#8217;s success.



<h2 id="closing-thoughts">Closing thoughts:</h2> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ojDYeOQgG4EHK04CbG1h3i50I-xkFFQSFjqGiQMDRLkvrcOIh1cBq_lscS5p0B6b19MNXY1MhLPiMpY-58mF4hDBgOJeWRJSMTlkmbxoGsIV_CpegVfkd3otuG53Bfl2NIf_5UwVt3kszsc-OPrYaWQ" alt="" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



Every chess piece has a meaning and some elegant takeaway for us. These are different roles which I can relate to a few of our roles. Sometimes we need to play more than one role. I hope you will be able to relate the roles along with me. Lots of roles to play and act in a single day. That’s the life of a software tester.&nbsp;



To face the challenges or roadblocks we wear different hats every day. Just like this chess board and the chessmen we testers are juggling different roles and responsibilities.&nbsp;



Which one are you? Life is a long game. Of course, this is your game, and you need to play it your way. Please comment, let’s hear it out from you. Let’s celebrate each other!



PC: <a href="https://www.freepik.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Freepik</a>



Disclaimer: Inspired by the Queen’s Gambit series on Netflix and this is written based on Author’s sole views and opinions, not with an intention to hurt others.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



Just like, the pieces of chess can be related to different members of the testing team, the gaming strategies can be related to testing strategies. Read more about testing types and strategies here:



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/the-different-software-testing-types-explained/"> Software Testing Types</a>



Test Automation, is one of the major strategies and requires tools for implementation, read more about such tools for automation here:



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/most-popular-tools-for-cloud-automation-testing/">Popular tools for cloud automation testing</a>



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/cross-browser-testing-tools">cross-browser testing tools</a>



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A Tester’s Gambit

The era of Low-code/No-code platforms: What you should know?

The Era of Low Code No Code Platforms: What You Should Know?

Interview tips when appearing for QA roles

QA Interview Tips When Appearing for QA Roles

In this fast-paced market, it’s very hard to find the right talent. Even the expectations from the employers are pretty high in some cases. But here, various components play a role. Hiring managers should have a clear view of the open roles. The job description should clearly explain the mandatory/preferable skills.&nbsp;



Recently I had an experience, and one of the candidates during the interview said to me that I am a good interviewer. She also added that she had bitter experiences before. I was pondering over the same statement for a few days, and I realized that few of us are not doing justice to the role of “Interviewer”. Being an interviewer is hard, I agree. Keep in mind that this is an acquired skill. 



Based on my personal experience over the years, I thought of sharing a few tips for our community. I always believe the interview should be an interesting conversation between the candidate and the interview panel. We should try to understand more about the candidate, their skillset (what sort of tool and technologies they worked on), strengths, communication and listening skills, etc.&nbsp;



The expectations for the QA role have grown to a greater level. Few organizations genuinely look for the right candidates with the right level of expectation. But the other few organizations expect the Testers to do an all-rounder job in the project. It’s fine unless we get the remuneration equivalent to it, LoL.&nbsp;



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Before_the_interview">1 Before the interview:</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Read_through_the_resume_before_meeting_the_candidate">1.1 1. Read through the resume before meeting the candidate</a></li><li><a href="#2_Prepare_the_questionsactivities_tailored">1.2 2. Prepare the questions/activities (tailored)</a></li><li><a href="#3_Be_there_on_time">1.3 3. Be there on time</a></li><li><a href="#4_Make_yourself_available_no_distractions">1.4 4. Make yourself available (no distractions)</a></li><li><a href="#5_If_its_a_virtual_interview_make_sure_that_Camera_is_on">1.5 5. If it’s a virtual interview make sure that “Camera” is on</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#During_the_Interview">2 During the Interview:</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Meet_and_Greet">2.1 1. Meet and Greet:</a></li><li><a href="#2_Ask_them_to_introduce">2.2 2. Ask them to introduce</a></li><li><a href="#3_Categorize_the_questions">2.3 3. Categorize the questions</a></li><li><a href="#4_Perception_of_asking_questions">2.4 4. Perception of asking questions:</a></li><li><a href="#5_Focus_on_Automation_and_other_special_skill_sets">2.5 5. Focus on Automation and other special skill sets:</a></li><li><a href="#6_Cover_the_skills_stated_in_the_resume_but_not_required_for_the_current_role">2.6 6. Cover the skills stated in the resume but not required for the current role:</a></li><li><a href="#7_Ensuring_the_Confidential_information_is_not_leaked">2.7 7. Ensuring the Confidential information is not leaked:</a></li><li><a href="#8_Be_empathetic">2.8 8. Be empathetic:</a></li><li><a href="#9_Proper_closure">2.9 9. Proper closure:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Next_steps">3 Next steps?</a></li><li><a href="#Bonus_tips">4 Bonus tips:</a></li><li><a href="#Final_words">5 Final words:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="before-the-interview">Before the interview:</h2>



Similar to candidates, the interviewer should be well prepared for every interview.



<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vBQ6-MNEcvQxxGd5r04N3MkAZxBkivYxMjaNh6WcwLBGoqitxESR5ERTyaoF7x39Cg8rXm_1QR0QfPSxM5V7GQ5vFHRsCTLJcCxKFpBhPIvqvylbVYUbptt5iQCxuJk_NzLvcssR" alt="Interviewer's Complete Guide" style="width: 600px">



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h3 id="1-read-through-the-resume-before-meeting-the-candidate">1. Read through the resume before meeting the candidate</h3>



Scan the resume properly and make a note of the required and optional skills. It’s again the responsibility of the candidate to add genuine details to the resume. Try to understand the project/domain knowledge of the candidate. Think about the ways their previous experience is going to bring value to the current role you are looking for. If there are questions regarding their <a href="https://lensa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">career journey</a> make sure to clarify them during the interview. Please don’t assume.&nbsp;







<h3 id="2-prepare-the-questions-activities-tailored">2. Prepare the questions/activities (tailored)</h3>



Nowadays Testers are very versatile. So try to understand their experience with different flavors of Testing. Based on their knowledge of tools/technology, try to pose your questions.&nbsp;







<h3 id="3-be-there-on-time">3. Be there on time</h3>



It’s always good to start the interviews a bit early to avoid some technical or unexpected difficulties. Even if you join early, and if the candidate is also joining then initiate a casual conversation to make them comfortable. Bad things happen, it’s unavoidable, sometimes we cannot make it on time. In that case, apologize for being late, and try to engage in the current conversation.&nbsp;



<h3 id="4-make-yourself-available-no-distractions">4. Make yourself available (no distractions)</h3>



As an interviewer, you should be all ears. Sometimes, this helps you to build further questions to understand the technical knowledge of the candidate. So, turn on the DND mode wherever necessary.



<h3 id="5-if-it-s-a-virtual-interview-make-sure-that-camera-is-on">5. If it’s a virtual interview make sure that “Camera” is on</h3>



In this digital era, with the help of every available technology, the world has gotten smaller. So for virtual interviews &#8211; along with the candidates, interviewers should also have their cameras on. Without this, the candidate would feel like they are talking to pictures.&nbsp;



<h2 id="during-the-interview">During the Interview:</h2>



Remember that you are the face of your organization. The person who applied for this role will treat you as a representative of your organization.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BSJE3UQKsqRE6DJMxA7m06TNdSEmYEJrjTuuPS9O3z6Un4MmuXAO7p1ch84hIk5HLLSB7ROGjJIhWBimXlHaY3fYd9dTGv0b88nj4LWcyK6l1vfwexF-XamYZ-7U1BurHuumGAJq" alt="Interviewer's Complete Guide" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



<h3 id="1-meet-and-greet">1. Meet and Greet:</h3>



Once you kick off the interview officially, first greet them. Introduce yourself, a bit about your team, the current projects you are working on and you can add about the Testing experts available in your team/organization. Also, explain the process of the interview. 



For instance, the introduction part, the Technical theory questions, a few exercises/Hands-on, Q&amp;A (if the candidate has any questions), and wrap-off. By explaining this, the candidate will have better clarity and be prepared. If there’s another interviewer as well, ask them to give a brief introduction. Please don’t have too many people as watchers during the interview.&nbsp;



If you sense that the candidate is a bit edgy, make sure to have a casual conversation to calm them down. Go easy on them.



<h3 id="2-ask-them-to-introduce">2. Ask them to introduce</h3>



Once your introduction and process explanations are over, ask the candidate to give a brief introduction about their current role and project. Mostly their resume states everything, so this part should be kept short and crisp. My tip here would be to ask them to rate their top three skill sets. This helps us to proceed further with the technical evaluation.&nbsp;



<h3 id="3-categorize-the-questions">3. Categorize the questions</h3>



Instead of simply shooting the questions one by one, try to categorize them. For instance &#8211; Section 1: Testing Fundamentals, Section 2: Testing Artifacts, Section 3: Automation Skills, Section 4: Tools/Technologies, Section 5: Problem-solving skills, Section 6: Programming Language knowledge, and so on. Tweak these categories based on your organization&#8217;s needs. This helps to capture the detailed feedback as well.



<h3 id="4-perception-of-asking-questions">4. Perception of asking questions:</h3>



If you have a clear objective on the expectation for this role, try to understand if the candidate is having experience with the same tool/technology. Say, for instance, if you are looking for a candidate with AWS experience, check if they have similar cloud platform experience. 



They might have worked with Azure, if the cloud basics are strong they could scale up in AWS in weeks. Now, your questions should be more focused on the cloud basics, cloud-based testing skills, etc.&nbsp;



My pro tip: Don’t expect the candidate to have hands-on every time with your tool requirement. Software Testers can learn and adapt any tool faster than anyone.&nbsp;



If you are hiring for Test lead or similar leadership roles, try to analyze the leadership skills through behavioral and situation-based questions.&nbsp;



<h3 id="5-focus-on-automation-and-other-special-skill-sets">5. Focus on Automation and other special skill sets:</h3>



If you are expecting Selenium expertise, and the candidate doesn’t have that don’t judge too quickly. Get to understand more about their <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/different-types-of-tools-to-help-testers-day-to-day-life-easier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">knowledge of tools</a> or which they are using for Automation. Who knows, we might switch from Selenium to another tool later. 



Or we might prefer any low code/no-code automation tool. In this situation, try to understand the Automation knowledge of the candidate. They should be aware of that when we should do Test Automation, and when not. Check if they are good with Automation concepts, jargon, etc.&nbsp;



<h3 id="6-cover-the-skills-stated-in-the-resume-but-not-required-for-the-current-role">6. Cover the skills stated in the resume but not required for the current role:</h3>



For instance, if the candidate mentioned that Performance Testing is also one of the strong skill sets, but you are not performing any performance tests right now in your project. In this case, try to validate their knowledge. 



Get to know the tools they used. In the future, your applications might require performance testing. This is why we need to come prepared for the interview. If you are not experienced in performance testing, you can ask other interviewers to check that specific skill. That’s an advantage of having multiple interviewers.&nbsp;



<h3 id="7-ensuring-the-confidential-information-is-not-leaked">7. Ensuring the Confidential information is not leaked:</h3>



Sharing information related to clients could be harmful, so better try to avoid such details. Also, any organization-related information shouldn’t be shared while conversing with the candidate.&nbsp;



<h3 id="8-be-empathetic">8. Be empathetic:</h3>



Kindness doesn’t cost a thing. We are not sure what the candidate is going through. So try to be patient.&nbsp;



<h3 id="9-proper-closure">9. Proper closure:</h3>



Once done with all the questions, check if the candidate is having any questions for you. Set the expectations for the next steps and time frames. Don’t forget to thank the candidate for their time.&nbsp;







<h2 id="next-steps">Next steps?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xUXBVPuKXVph_GmoBP1HNReTfdBgQIx3A0k1N-g-cAVsdMJXurYQi0x_rlJoGM7BUe4hllGFsqUFGtpvlCHRl0Lclq3nusbZhh0FxhJp8Uq-wlRxqHrh_asRVFqKgEweQc6CW_ER" alt="Interviewer's Complete Guide" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



Once the interview is done, it’s time to provide feedback. Think about various factors before deciding on them. If there are multiple interviewers along with you in the interview panel, try reaching them and discuss the candidate&#8217;s performance. Few instances, if the interviewers are located across different time zones or teams, then every interviewer can send individual feedback about the candidate.



Now, based on the answers, assess the degree to which each candidate possesses and/or demonstrates meeting the expectations, and categorize them accordingly.



<ul><li>Exceeds the requirement</li><li>Meets the requirement</li><li>Does not meet the requirement</li></ul>



<h2 id="bonus-tips">Bonus tips:</h2>



1. For any Software Tester, Testing basics are mandatory. Try to refresh their memory and ask questions related to it2. Tweak the questions based on their years of experience in Software Testing3. Ask them to explain the interesting bug they found4. Focus on the Analytical skills: Ask them how they would test a lift, airplane, water bottle, etc.5. Check if the candidate is willing or already contributed to any open source communities



<button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://github.com/testsigmahq" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Contribute to Testsigma GitHub repo</a></button> 



6. Try to ask more scenario-based questions, instead of theories. Because this helps to make a wise decision7. Develop a form that fits all QA role requirements and follow it across teams for sharing feedback8. While testing the coding skills, try to provide some real problem statements, instead of asking them to make a Fibonacci series9. For tool based interviews, ask them to install the tool before the interview and try giving simple exercises10. Don’t forget to note down the additional skills of the candidates in the feedback form11. Always look out for versatile testers12. Check the aspirations of the candidate (If they want to learn Automation, or they are looking for more management or lead-related roles, etc.)13. Check if they have completed any certifications. Or if they have anything in the pipeline. This will also help us to understand how they are planning to shape their career



Learn More: Top 15 <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/qa-conferences/">QA conferences</a>



<h2 id="final-words">Final words:</h2>



Even if the right candidate lands up with the wrong interviewer there is a chance of mishap. So it’s the interviewer&#8217;s responsibility to find out the best in the candidate. Later, you can decide if they fit into your current openings.&nbsp;



Remember that the Software Testers can learn any tool/technology based on their previous experience. Look out for a person who is eagle-eyed and curious like a child. So you need to find out if this candidate is smart enough to scale and grow along with you 🙂



<button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Checkout Testsigma, a no-code test automation tool </a></button> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OqnunDxdocouMSMsA5lDYoSTXvu7UAd_rJsTG0qHIPV9YgoZBsIIHjtHcSd0iw9B-mkXg5K5DZbwBvtpNDO7CStGtrJsIDLE76prLfs78A0vFldCid3tH11r0w1Sdmf4Jn4UEUUJ" alt="Interviewer's Complete Guide" width="600" height="400" /><figcaption>PC: slidesgo</figcaption></figure></div>

An Interviewer’s Complete Guide to hire the best QA Engineers

Hello everyone ?



Hope you are doing great.&nbsp;



As a Tester, you might have received a lot of feedback from different people. Have you ever thought some simple tips can help to sharpen your testing skills? Yes, changing your mindset can bring a lot of changes to your daily routine work, thought process, and career.&nbsp;



Have you ever felt that being open to the current bad situation caused less stress and impact on you? Are you reacting to every mishap around you? Do you punish yourself when things go wrong or are not as expected? Do you hear about other people&#8217;s beliefs/perceptions?&nbsp;



For today’s blog, we will be covering a few tips to have an open mindset as Testers. Being an open-minded person is different from being lethargic. There are some qualities that will help you stay open-minded and bring spring and sun shine.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_open-mindedness">1 What is open-mindedness?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_traits_of_open-minded_people_and_how_Testers_could_adapt_to_this">2 What are the traits of open-minded people and how Testers could adapt to this?</a></li><li><a href="#How_is_it_beneficial_for_Testersnbsp">3 How is it beneficial for Testers?&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">4 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="what-is-open-mindedness">What is open-mindedness?</h2> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aWlnEaH7zCWyspUoVl23hpWa51Xu95S9UCimFndXbt1UUnWMKUEfan1aSs9P_NY3Uyu9r_iy4GRnTKptmbBctZ4NLUYQqZ5jRZWMYsZIYvHEIQjBGJ1gSAde3utjF96B-Jo1kCva" alt="What is open-mindedness?" width="400" height="400" /></figure></div>



The definition of open-minded is &#8220;receptive to arguments or ideas&#8221;. Different people define&nbsp; “open-mindedness” differently.&nbsp;



Open-mindedness is generally considered an important personal attribute for effective participation in management teams and other groups. It is usually encouraged in group settings, within different cultures, and in new environments.



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;An open-minded person sees life without boundaries, whereas a close-minded person can only see what&#8217;s beyond their eyes.&#8221; ― Kaoru Shinmon.</blockquote> 



<h2 id="what-are-the-traits-of-open-minded-people-and-how-testers-could-adapt-to-this">What are the traits of open-minded people and how Testers could adapt to this?</h2>



Being Curious:



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Curiosity is a willing, a proud, an eager confession of ignorance” ― S. Leonard Rubinstein</blockquote> 



Curiosity helps to stay energetic and which in turn helps you to perform efficient testing. This curiosity will motivate you to do better and better every day. You will try to understand more about the application/flow. You could also start exploring the features of the application to be tested. 



You will try to learn new things, which could land you up in learning new tools/technologies in Testing. This helps to stay on top of things. You will be curious about the latest trends in the Testing space, and you will be up-to-date. If you are keen and curious, you will listen to your team even when you have a strong knowledge/expertise around that area/topic.



If you are landing in a new role/new project, you need to be curious to know what’s happening. Only then you will ask the right questions and you can proceed on the right path. Sooner you can settle as one of the good testers on the team.&nbsp;



In a nutshell, this curious feeling in you will bring out the best “Tester” version of yourself.&nbsp;



Empathetic:



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” ― Anonymous</blockquote> 



Empathy is the ability to understand others&#8217; feelings. Once we are open and put ourselves in others&#8217; shoes, we can connect easily with the people around us. We, as Testers, need to work with multiple stakeholders. Not everyone is the same. So before concluding things, try to understand the situation of the opponent and react. Don’t conclude hastily.&nbsp;



For instance, if a developer is rejecting a defect try to talk with him and gather more knowledge. Simply judging him and being stubborn that this defect is valid, is not helpful. We need to reach out to different stakeholders if still things are not working as expected.&nbsp;



If any of your team members are having a hard time, we should help them voluntarily. Sometimes even not disturbing them will also be a great help. So try to be polite with everyone.&nbsp;



Admitting the mistakes:



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Apology is not about saying I&#8217;m sorry, but it is about the meaning you put behind the apology and admitting that you are the wrong part.” ― Unarine Ramaru</blockquote> 



Learn from your mistakes. But admitting the mistakes to others requires a lot more gut. We cannot be right all the time.&nbsp;



We as Testers should be strong-headed and able to admit our mistakes and try not to repeat them. No one is perfect, we might miss some details while logging a defect. If other stakeholders are inquiring, agree that you missed it and try to create a checklist in the future so that no one in our team is making the same mistake again. If you are stubborn in not admitting that you did that by mistake, you will never think of the best practices to avoid that in the future.&nbsp;



Even as a Leader/Manager, while we are admitting our mistakes we set an example to our team. This doesn’t mean that the leaders are always right. At the same time, we are working towards a single goal “Quality”, and anyone that is getting deviated from the track can be pulled back with the right mindset.



Humbleness:



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;Be humble, don&#8217;t have too much pride, and think you&#8217;re too good for anything.” ― Angela Yee.</blockquote> 



Humbleness is a quality of being modest or unpretentious. When you are humble, you will have better visibility over the things around you. Most of the time, pride will make you blind. This will cause a great loss of knowledge/wisdom. But when we are humble we will be open to learning new things from different people. We will have something to learn from everyone. So being humble is helpful to us in many ways.&nbsp;



We have a lot to learn from our fellow testers and developers. Being humble helps you to learn new things. When you think that you are already mastering a tool/technology and believe that you know everything about it, this attitude blocks you from learning new things. But at the same time, when you think that, I am good at this tool/topic, let me try to learn what I am still lacking. 



I was once working for a developer who is very humble and he taught me many things. We were testing the mobile app, he used to explain how he is generating every build and what are the tools/apps he is using. That gave me a clear picture of my testing process, and for some bug, I could easily find the root cause. Here, if I would have been so stubborn thinking that I know everything, I might have lost some special learning from him.&nbsp;



This mode will help you to be receptive and you will learn more and unlearn the biasing you had.&nbsp;



Asking questions to understand other&#8217;s opinion:



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” ― Albert Einstein</blockquote> 



Blindly judging people or shutting them down is going to be a loss for you. We should learn to listen to people. Once hearing their side of the story will always be a wise choice. Being a Team Leader doesn’t mean that you know about everything. Whenever there is a discussion coming up, we should be able to ask questions and understand what others think. 



We shouldn’t start the conversion in defensive mode. Because going defensive will hide you from seeing the truth. During the team meeting, if there’s a conflict on the decision, try to think and analyze the different solutions provided by the team. Instead of trying to prove them wrong, ask questions and understand how efficient the solution is. This will help to build a good team rapport, and everyone in the team will feel that they are valued.&nbsp;



Open to new ideas:



 <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The mind that opens  to a new idea never returns to its original size.”  &#8211; Albert Einstein</blockquote> 



Everyone in the team works from a different set of backgrounds. When there is a problem statement, interact more with the team, talk to the business, and do constant research. Most of the time, complex problems will have simpler solutions. For a single solution, we might receive different ideas from different people. Always do a brainstorm and come up with the best solution. We should have an open mind and heart to invite all the silly, stupid and crazy options as well.



If you are open to trying new tools/approaches, you will have loads of learning. Build your knowledge base out of the learnings you receive.&nbsp;



Try <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-open-source-test-automation-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">open source</a> tools, which are a unique opportunity for testers to contribute to the testing community at large. Contribution can be in terms of improving the quality of the code or adding new enhancements and features that could help improve the test automation efficiency for teams worldwide.



<button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://github.com/testsigmahq" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Start with Testsigma Opensource</a></button> 



<h2 id="how-is-it-beneficial-for-testers">How is it beneficial for Testers?&nbsp;</h2>



Overall how this open mindset is going to help us:



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Be happier</li><li>Learn the roots</li><li>Implement efficient testing processes</li><li>Build smart/best practices in the team</li><li>Worry less about the things which are not in our control</li><li>Build greater teams</li><li>Keep ourselves motivated</li><li>Ignore the self-doubt</li><li>Inspire our fellow testers</li><li>Improve productivity</li><li>Be more optimistic, thus, plan better</li></ul>



<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“If you don&#8217;t go through life with an open mind, you will find a lot of closed doors.” ― Mark W. Perrett</blockquote>



Being open doesn&#8217;t mean that we are weak. We are letting the new thoughts flow in. Nowadays testers are going through so much stress &#8211; what to learn, where to learn, what are the career options available, what tools to learn to grab a highly paid job etc. Most of us are facing this. 



Carrying the stress/burden will have an impact on our health and career. Starting with simple changes can make a lot of difference. It’s not that easy to stay “open-minded” in all situations. But we can train our brain and heart to stay easy.



Wishing you good luck with your “open-mindedness” process adoption!!



PC: <a href="https://www.canva.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Canva</a>

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