I Landed a QC Engineering Job Without Testing Experience Using ChatGPT

Have you ever been handed an opportunity that both excited and terrified you? That's exactly what happened to me. Fresh out of a full-stack JavaScript Bootcamp, I was laser-focused on becoming a front-end developer, only to land a role as a Quality Control (QC) Engineer without prior experience, all thanks to chatGPT.

In this article, I'll take you through my journey and lessons learned. I'll start from when I was offered the opportunity, to how I mastered End-to-End (E2E) testing with chatGPT despite a tight deadline and secured a role I never imagined.

Let's dive in.

You Don't Always Have to Be Ready

The call came out of nowhere. A hospitality software company wanted to interview me for a QC Engineer position. My response was "Wait, are you sure you have the right person?".

They explained that while they were impressed with my programming background, they urgently needed a QC Engineer and believed I could be a good fit. After some hesitation, I thought, "Why not? This could be a chance to broaden my horizons."

However, excitement quickly turned into anxiety as the technical test required knowledge of Cypress, a tool I had zero experience with. On top of that, I had only two days to complete it. But I wasn't going to let that stop me.

I had some knowledge of TDD, which helped me as I took the test. Every skill you gain helps you in new challenges, even if you're not 100% ready.

Ask ChatGPT The Right Questions

With less than 48 hours on the clock, I did what most people would do, watch tutorials and read documentation.

However, The more I read about E2E testing and Cypress, the more overwhelmed I felt. The clock was ticking, I had to try a different approach. Although I had heard about chatGPT, I never used it. So, without wasting another minute, I signed up and began asking questions.

I started with the basics: "What is E2E testing in software development?". Then I asked questions about setting up Cypress, followed by an example of a basic Cypress test. Finally, it was getting clearer but not clear enough. But that's fine. Knowledge is something that you build one step at a time. The more questions you ask, the more your knowledge compounds, so I kept on asking.

I asked more specific questions like handling asynchronous operations and writing maintainable tests. One of the test requirements was to simulate user interactions authentically, including testing various login scenarios, so I broke down the complex requirement into smaller, more manageable questions.

Each question built on the previous ones, and with each answer, my confidence grew. Patience and learning to ask the right questions is key when learning something new.

Practice is Everything

Armed with newfound knowledge, I began writing test scripts. I crafted scenarios that covered user login, error handling, and edge cases. Here's a snippet of the code I developed with ChatGPT's guidance:

describe('Login', () => {
  beforeEach(() => {
    cy.visit('<https://www.saucedemo.com/>')
  })

  it('User is showed error message with invalid username/password', () => {
    cy.get('#user-name').type('invalid_username')
    cy.get('#password').type('invalid_password')
    cy.get('#login-button').click()
    cy.get('[data-test="error"]').should('be.visible').and('contain', 'Epic sadface: Username and password do not match any user in this service');
    cy.url().should('eq', '<https://www.saucedemo.com/>')
  })

  it('User is showed error message when username is not filled', () => {
    cy.get('#password').type('valid_password')
    cy.get('#login-button').click()
    cy.contains('Epic sadface: Username is required').should('be.visible')
  })
    // Additional test cases...

})

As the deadline approached, I double-checked my work, ensuring everything ran smoothly. I ran the tests repeatedly to catch any issues. When I finally submitted the test, I knew I had given it my best shot.

More importantly, I learned that practice was what cemented everything I had read during my research.

Smart Work Pays Off

A few days later, my phone rang. It was human resources: "We were impressed with your test," he said. "Not only did you meet our expectations, but you exceeded them." I couldn't believe it. I went from zero experience to landing the job, all in a matter of days.

This experience taught me the power of determination. By asking the right questions and applying the answers diligently, I was able to overcome what seemed like an impossible challenge. It wasn't just about getting the job—it was about discovering what I could achieve when I fully committed to learning something new.

In my new role, I introduced ChatGPT to my team. We began using it to brainstorm test cases, troubleshoot issues, and even onboard new hires. The collaborative environment it fostered was incredible. We also explored AI test automation tools like MagicPod to streamline our processes further.

My journey from complete beginner to QC Engineer showed me that with the right mindset and tools, you can achieve anything as long as you're willing to put in the effort.

Embrace AI for Growth

AI isn't here to replace us, it's here to augment our abilities and push the boundaries of what's possible.

My journey is a testament to what's possible when we embrace new technologies with an open mind. Whether you're facing tight deadlines, looking to upskill, or aiming to boost your team's efficiency, AI tools like ChatGPT can be invaluable.

So here's my challenge to you: Next time you're faced with a daunting task or an unfamiliar challenge, consider turning to AI. You might amaze yourself with what you can accomplish.

Resources

• Completed Test Github Repository