Usability Testing
Usability Testing is a way to check how easy products, websites, or apps are for people to use. It involves watching real people try to complete tasks with a product and noting where they have trouble. Think of it like a test drive, but for digital products or physical items. Testers observe users, take notes on their struggles and successes, and then suggest improvements. This helps companies make their products more user-friendly, especially for people with different abilities or needs. Similar terms you might see include "user testing," "UX testing," or "accessibility evaluation."
Examples in Resumes
Conducted Usability Testing sessions with diverse user groups to improve website accessibility
Led Usability Testing and User Testing projects that increased customer satisfaction by 40%
Organized Usability Testing sessions with elderly and disabled users to ensure product accessibility
Typical job title: "Usability Testers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Usability Testers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you plan and manage a large-scale usability testing project?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating test plans, recruiting diverse participants, managing budgets and timelines, coordinating with stakeholders, and delivering actionable recommendations based on findings.
Q: How do you handle stakeholder disagreement with usability testing results?
Expected Answer: Should explain approaches to presenting data clearly, backing findings with specific examples, prioritizing issues based on impact, and maintaining professional relationships while advocating for users.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What methods do you use to recruit test participants?
Expected Answer: Should describe various recruitment methods, screening processes, ensuring diverse representation, and managing participant schedules and compensation.
Q: How do you write effective usability testing tasks?
Expected Answer: Should explain creating clear, unbiased tasks that reflect real user goals, avoiding leading questions, and ensuring tasks provide meaningful data.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between moderated and unmoderated testing?
Expected Answer: Should explain that moderated testing involves a researcher guiding participants through tasks in real-time, while unmoderated testing allows participants to complete tasks independently.
Q: How do you take notes during a usability test?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic note-taking practices, focusing on user actions, quotes, and observations without interpretation during the session.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic test session moderation
- Note-taking during sessions
- Following test scripts
- Writing simple test reports
Mid (2-5 years)
- Creating test plans
- Recruiting participants
- Analyzing test results
- Presenting findings to teams
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic test planning
- Managing large research projects
- Training junior researchers
- Advanced data analysis and recommendations
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience conducting actual user sessions
- Lack of empathy or patience with users
- Poor communication or observation skills
- No knowledge of accessibility guidelines
- Unable to provide examples of past testing projects
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Why Your Hiring Process is a Maze (And How Design Thinking Can Turn It into a Superhighway)
Rewiring Your Interview Templates for Better Candidate Experience
Reducing Time-to-Hire: Practical Strategies Using AI Tools
