LeetCode Questions Miss the Mark for Quality Assurance Automation Engineers

As a Quality Assurance Automation Engineer with over 7 years+ of experience , I've found myself in countless technical interviews, staring at complex algorithm questions on platforms like LeetCode. These questions, while useful for assessing software developers in the first place, are utterly irrelevant for someone in my role. When I’m faced with intricate coding challenges, I often feel a mix of frustration and confusion. It’s not that I can’t code; it’s just that the skills required for success in QA automation don’t align with what’s being asked.

The Disconnect Between LeetCode and QA Automation

LeetCode is a fantastic resource for software developers who need to solve problems involving data structures and algorithms. However, as QA Automation Engineers, we focus on building and implementing frameworks, writing test cases, and ensuring the quality of software—not on solving algorithmic puzzles. The expectation to perform well on these coding challenges doesn’t accurately reflect our day-to-day responsibilities.

For instance, we spend our time working with test frameworks like Selenium, Selenide, or Cypress, utilizing design patterns like the Page Object Model (POM) to create maintainable and scalable test cases. This expertise is far more indicative of our capabilities than the ability to solve a binary tree problem or reverse a linked list

Should be a "Red Flag" For Job Searchers

One alarming trend I’ve noticed is when IT recruiters suggest candidates take a pre-interview coding assessment before even meeting potential teammates. For me, this is a major red flag. It signals a company that doesn’t value collaboration and may have a poor hiring culture.

AQA Engineers work closely with developers, product managers, and other team members to ensure that software meets user needs and quality standards. Our roles require strong communication, empathy, and the ability to understand complex user journeys. When companies prioritise algorithmic tests over team interaction, it shows either a laziness in their hiring practices or a misunderstanding of what AQA engineers truly contribute to the development process.

What Do We Require

So, what should interviews for QA Automation Engineers focus on instead of LeetCode-style questions? Here are a few areas I believe are essential:

1. Framework and Architecture Knowledge Interviewers should ask candidates to design a basic test automation framework, allowing us to demonstrate our understanding of test organization, architecture, and design patterns.
2. Real-World Problem-Solving Rather than abstract algorithm questions, real-world scenarios related to test automation should be presented. This approach will reveal how candidates tackle dynamic web elements, manage test data, and ensure robust test coverage.
3. Collaboration and Communication Skills Since AQA Engineers work with various stakeholders, assessing our communication skills is vital. We need to ensure that our colleagues understand our testing strategies and findings, and interviews should reflect this collaborative nature.
4. Test Strategies and Coverage Asking about our approaches to test strategy, risk assessment, and coverage can give interviewers insight into how we think about quality assurance beyond just writing tests.
5. GitHub Projects as Evidence of Skills If recruiters are still too lazy to redesign their assessments, they could at least ask if potential candidates have a GitHub account with pet projects. This would allow them to fork the repositories and evaluate a candidate's coding style and understanding of automation frameworks first-hand.

In Short Terms

As a QA Automation Engineer, I believe I play a crucial role in maintaining software quality, and my skill set is multifaceted—stretching far beyond the ability to solve algorithmic puzzles. The emphasis on LeetCode questions in interviews not only undermines my expertise but also highlights a broader issue in the hiring culture of some companies.

When recruiters push for pre-interview coding assessments without offering a chance to connect with the team, it raises questions about the company’s values and priorities. I am a Software Developer; I am the main communication line with collaborators, and quality advocates. I believe It is time for the tech industry to recognise and appreciate the unique contributions AQA Engineers bring to the table, fostering a hiring culture that values collaboration over algorithmic prowess.