30-Day SDET Technical Interview Preparation Plan | Naveen Automation

Summary

In this video, Navia shares a comprehensive 30-day interview preparation plan for QA automation engineers, especially those who have recently been laid off or are looking for a career change. The plan covers essential topics such as programming, data structures, test automation frameworks (like Selenium, Playwright, and Cypress), API testing, CI/CD, and advanced system design. It includes coding practice, mock interviews, and real-world project development. The guide encourages structured learning, revision, and hands-on practice, ensuring candidates build confidence and are well-prepared to tackle technical interviews with a solid portfolio.

Takeaways

• 😀 Set clear goals for your interview preparation. Don't study randomly—follow a structured plan.
• 😀 Focus on mastering core programming concepts and data structures (arrays, trees, graphs, algorithms) in the first week.
• 😀 Dedicate time to test automation frameworks such as Selenium, Playwright, and Cypress, including hands-on practice with real-world projects.
• 😀 Implement both UI and API test automation as part of your preparation, using tools like TestNG, JUnit, and Postman.
• 😀 Set up a CI/CD pipeline for automated test execution using Jenkins, Docker, and GitHub to ensure smooth integration and deployment.
• 😀 Build end-to-end test automation frameworks with multiple components, including UI, API, and database automation, to demonstrate your expertise in system design.
• 😀 Practice solving coding problems regularly on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your algorithmic skills and coding speed.
• 😀 Revise common Java and Selenium topics, including data types, collections, and advanced concepts like custom wait strategies, drag-and-drop handling, and implicit/explicit waits.
• 😀 Prepare a strong system design and framework architecture that you can easily explain in interviews. Practice diagramming key concepts on paper or a whiteboard.
• 😀 Simulate mock interviews to get comfortable with answering both technical and behavioral questions. Include at least three mock interviews in your preparation.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this 30-day interview preparation plan?

The 30-day interview preparation plan is designed for individuals preparing for technical interviews, especially those who have recently been laid off or fired. It provides a structured approach to improve their programming, testing, and automation skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for interviews in a short period.

Why is programming and data structure a priority in the first week?

Programming and data structures are crucial for cracking technical interviews, as almost every technical interview involves problem-solving using algorithms and data structures. Mastering the basics such as arrays, hashmaps, stacks, queues, and understanding time and space complexities is essential to succeed in coding interviews.

What are some key topics to focus on in week 1?

In week 1, focus on core programming concepts like arrays, lists, hashmaps, and stacks, as well as understanding time and space complexities (Big O notation). Additionally, review object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts such as inheritance, polymorphism, and interfaces, and practice basic coding problems on platforms like LeetCode.

What is the significance of design patterns in interview preparation?

Design patterns are important in technical interviews because they demonstrate a candidate's ability to design scalable and maintainable software solutions. Knowing various design patterns like Factory, Builder, and Strategy can give you a competitive edge, especially when explaining system designs or frameworks during an interview.

What should be covered during week 2 of the plan?

In week 2, focus on mastering test automation fundamentals such as framework basics, including tools like TestNG, JUnit, and Cucumber. Spend time building a basic test automation framework and improving your knowledge of web automation, including core concepts of Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress, with emphasis on locators, waits, actions, and page object model implementation.

How should one approach web automation during week 2?

For web automation, concentrate on learning and applying core concepts of the chosen tool (e.g., Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress). This includes understanding locators, wait mechanisms, action classes, and handling complex web interactions like pagination and infinite scrolling. Also, try automating use cases in real applications, such as building a basic e-commerce test framework.

What topics are recommended for API testing in week 3?

Week 3 is dedicated to API and advanced testing. Key topics include RESTful API principles, tools like Postman, REST-assured, JSON/XML parsing, and handling various types of authentication (e.g., OAuth 2.0, API keys). Additionally, you should focus on creating an API test framework, understanding HTTP methods, status codes, and advanced topics like mocking servers and GraphQL.

What are some important topics in CI/CD and infrastructure setup during week 4?

In week 4, focus on Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) concepts such as using Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab. Learn Docker fundamentals, including Docker commands, image building, and container management. Understand Selenium Grid for cross-browser testing, and practice setting up a complete infrastructure with automated test execution using tools like Jenkins and Docker.

What should be included in the final week of preparation?

The final week should be dedicated to behavioral interview questions, particularly the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare to explain your project experience, how you've solved problems, and optimized frameworks. Also, revise system design patterns and practice mock interviews to simulate real interview conditions and gain confidence.

How much time should be allocated each day for interview preparation?

It is recommended to spend around 5 to 6 hours each day on preparation. This includes 2 hours in the morning for coding practice, 2 to 3 hours in the afternoon for framework learning and project building, and 1 hour in the evening for reviewing important interview questions or taking mock interviews.