Rob van Steenbergen

Organization – Chickenwings Test Consultancy

Role/Designation – Tester, Test Consultant, Test Coordinator, whatever has the word test in it.

Location – The Netherlands

Rob van Steenbergen is an independent software test consultant from The Netherlands. In the last 4 years he has been involved in infrastructure projects and is working now on a desktop virtualization project where he is testing and coordinating the tests.

Q: How long have you been associated with software testing?

A: I’ve started in IT in 1996 as a junior tester, so that would be 14 years now. Time goes fast when you’re having fun.

Q: How did you become a software tester?

A: I had a job in a warehouse, but was bored after a year and started to look for a job in the IT. I had already done a lot on my own PC, so I studied for support engineer. When I finished the study I found an advertisement that said “Do you want to be a tester? Come work with us, free study, and guaranteed job.” At that moment I knew testing was the job for me and still don’t regret that decision to take the job.

Q: By any means, do you regret being associated with software testing?

A: I love to be associated with software testing!

Q: Do you think software testing is less respected than other departments in IT industry?

A: Yes it is. It is a fact that a lot of “other IT people” still don’t know what testing is and don’t know how a tester can help them in their work. Testers are still “the enemy” of the developer and project leader in their thoughts. It is getting better, but we still have to explain many times what we do and why we do it. I think it will never be a popular job though. But we are not alone I guess. IT auditors, security officers, QA people are for example not too popular either.

Q: What will you suggest to people who want to join IT industry as software testers?

A: Apply for a job as a tester and start reading at least a half hour a day about software testing on the internet. There are a lot of good websites and testing blogs that you can start with. And of course, get the best books about testing.  Start with reading “Lessons Learned in Software Testing: A Context-Driven Approach”.

Q: Where do you see software testing in next five years?

A: Almost the same as it is now I guess. Maybe it will be integrated more in the complete cycle of software development, where the tester also contributes more in the requirements. Furthermore I hope automated testing will have a revolution, because until now that is a bit on the same level as 10 years ago (with some exceptions). More schools are adopting testing in their studies (at least in the Netherlands), so I hope it will gain more attention there too the next 5 years. Testing should be standard practice in schools beside designing and programming.

Q: What qualities will you look for in a candidate when you want to recruit someone for software testing job?

A: Someone who has test experience in more than one area in the IT.  Someone who has done testing alone within projects and is creative oriented. Someone who can communicate with other IT people and shows flexibility. He or she should be aware of the latest discussions in the testing world and visit at least three times a year a testing conference (or other IT conferences).

Q: Your weekend routine?

A: Saturday: sleeping longer than necessary, reading the weekly IT papers, shopping, visiting the family, relaxing, walking a few miles with the dog or girlfriend, watching a good movie.

Sunday: Sleeping longer than necessary, studying communication and multimedia design, reading test blogs, writing test blog or article (or whatever I want to write) when I have the inspiration. Walking, relaxing, and watching a movie. Last weekend, I did some work for my current project, but want to keep that kind of activity to “once a year” or so.

Q: Movie you would like to watch again?

A: I really like movies and could give a big list here. The first one in mind when typing this is “Office Space”.

Q: “I am a social networking site geek” Or “I hate facebook /orkut / twitter”?

A: I like the social networking revolution. I am using it mainly in my profession as a tester though. You will not find a lot of my private life there. Maybe only some movies and music I like to be promoted to my friends.

https://i0.wp.com/www.testingcircus.com/wp-content/uploads/Rob-van-Steenvergen_Testing-Circus.png?fit=160%2C108&ssl=1https://i0.wp.com/www.testingcircus.com/wp-content/uploads/Rob-van-Steenvergen_Testing-Circus.png?resize=150%2C108&ssl=1Ajoy Kumar SinghaInterview with TestersInterview with TestersRob van Steenbergen Organization – Chickenwings Test Consultancy Role/Designation – Tester, Test Consultant, Test Coordinator, whatever has the word test in it. Location – The Netherlands Rob van Steenbergen is an independent software test consultant from The Netherlands. In the last 4 years he has been involved in infrastructure projects and is working...