Trish Khoo

Organization – Campaign Monitor

Role/Designation – Test Lead

Location – Sydney, Australia

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

A: I have been professionally testing software for about 6 years.

Q: How did you become a software tester?

A: After graduating from university, I started work as a programmer in a small team. As our team only consisted of two programmers, we would take turns in testing each other’s work. My boss noticed that I had an aptitude for finding bugs and suggested that I consider a career as a tester. I was bored with programming and found testing interesting, so I took a job as a tester and found the job to be very enjoyable.

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

A: Absolutely not, it’s a great profession.

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

A: I get the impression that in some organizations the testing role is viewed as a less skilled profession than many other IT roles. I even had an IT recruiter tell me that “any idiot can do testing”. I think this is a shame, and possibly a reflection on the hiring process of many places. I hope that as more skilled people join the profession and prove themselves that this idea will fade over time.

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

A: I would suggest that they study software development, and I would suggest that they learn a programming language. It will help them to gain a greater understanding of the software that they are testing, and the people that they are working with. It will also enable them to write helpful tools for use in their work.

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

A: I don’t think I’m well-placed to predict the direction of the whole industry, but I’m hoping to see more growth in the testing community, and a more positive attitude towards testing as a profession.

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

A: When I recruit a new tester, I look for somebody who enjoys testing and is interested in what they do. I look for someone who will get along well with the other testers and developers, and I will give them a short test to see how they would go about testing an application.

Q: Your weekend routine?

A: I don’t really have a routine for weekends, but they seem to get filled up with social activities and whatever hobby I am into at the time. My hobbies tend to go through phases. My latest fads are salsa dancing, drawing, playing Mariokart Wii, learning guitar, writing, learning Ruby, taking photographs and learning about a different country every week.

Q: Movie you would like to watch again?

A: I’m trying to build up enough courage to watch “Primer” again, perhaps with some kind of timeline guide this time.

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

A I have to admit I am a social networking addict. I start to get withdrawal symptoms if I’m away from my iPhone for too long.

https://i0.wp.com/www.testingcircus.com/wp-content/uploads/Trish-Khoo_Testing-Circus.jpg?fit=612%2C612&ssl=1https://i0.wp.com/www.testingcircus.com/wp-content/uploads/Trish-Khoo_Testing-Circus.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1Ajoy Kumar SinghaInterview with TestersInterview with TestersTrish Khoo Organization – Campaign Monitor Role/Designation – Test Lead Location – Sydney, Australia Q: How long have you been associated with software testing? A: I have been professionally testing software for about 6 years. Q: How did you become a software tester? A: After graduating from university, I started work as a programmer in a...