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Hope you're having a great day!

This is my Third Newsletter article on this platform.

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In my first two articles I wrote about My Journey as Fresher in IT Industry and Domain knowledge for Software Testers. You can explore them in the Email Signature for Previous Newsletter articles.

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In this article, I am going to share my Journey of Learning Automation Testing.

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In 2015, I had joined an Offline Training Institute in Chennai to learn the Core Java, Selenium Automation Testing, so that it would help me for Job Switch. I was working as Manual Tester and no exposure to Automation Testing that time.

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I had thought to learn in 2014, and somehow it got delayed to 2015.

Anyways it is good step to start learning around mid of 2015. I used to spend the Weekends, travelling to the Training institute and learn, make notes. Practice the topics during the weekdays.

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There were fewer social media influence/usage and OTT Apps at that time.

I used to go for movies in Theatres and watch on laptop.

But These days folks have very low attention span, which is due to over usage of social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube short form video content.

Try to reduce this usage, and Phone is a Tool, and we should not get too much addicted to using it.

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The Above paragraph of Low attention span, why I am saying here. Because many people often Complain that I don't have time, I am occupied full day at Office work. But you don't often measure the Amount of time going into the social media apps usage, and all the time is going into unproductive Video reels scrolling. Limit your OTT watch time and focus more on what matters for your growth. Just I am sharing some tips.

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Getting 1 hour of time every day somehow may be possible or figure out some time during weekends.

Install the Coding Editor in the Office laptop if required, from the Company Software portal.

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Whenever you get free time in Office or Home for 20 mins or 30 mins daily basis, you could practice topics you learnt in any course, you enrolled or if you want to deep dive any topic, use google search. Read Stack overflow solutions etc.

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In 2015, I had spent Six months during Weekends, it was good experience. But obviously there was lot of fear and confusion, when I would switch Job to new Company. Also, I wanted to move from Chennai to Hyderabad location.

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In 2016, I had started giving Interviews in Multiple companies.

I got rejected in many Companies, My Weekend used to be attending Walkin drives for the Companies.

Usually there would be written tests with MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) in some companies, and then Two Technical rounds. Some Companies would be Two Technical rounds mostly.

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I used to work in HCL (2011 to 2016).

I got my First offer with Cognizant around Sep 2016, there were Three rounds of Interviews that time. Code needs to be written on a White paper during Technical rounds. These days in 2025, most of the Walkin drives happening with MNCs would be same expectation, to write Sample code on paper and Explain the concepts to the Interviewer.

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Cognizant offer was in Chennai work location, but as I wanted to move to Hyderabad. I took Referral with Infosys and attempted it. Got offer in Infosys, asked for Hyderabad Location joining.

The Advantage with MNCs, is that you could ask for desired Work location and if it is Open recruitment they would easily offer for other Work location. If it is project specific role, it is not possible.

Many MNCs does accept 90 days' Notice Period even today. If you are not well prepared, I recommend do not resign and leave your current Job. During this difficult Job Market, it would be not easy to get good opportunity and also Match your CTC Expectations.

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Prepare well and give yourself 3 to 6 months' time. Understand that in 1 to 2 months it is not possible to Upskill and switch jobs. The time spent in Learning and Practice, does not go waste. It helps in future job switches.

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The AI or other Code less Automation tools available in the market, would not replace any existing market share of current Automation test frameworks that easily. It can help to assist and grab some market share, and we should not worry much on it.

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Do not worry a lot which is just an imagination, that is not in your Control.

Set some Weekly Goals and Monthly Goals to complete Topics for learning.

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Practice coding to get hand's on and understand that every Job role does not need very Complex coding.

If you aspire for High Paying and Specific companies, then preparation should be Next Level Accordingly.

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Don't stay in Comfort zone.

Being in same Company at lower salary is more Riskier and injustice to self with growing Inflation.

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It is Okay to face Interview Rejections.

No Interviewer would remember your name, you just learn more with Every Interview rejection.

Have some buddies - Friends, Colleagues who are in similar Journey of Job switch, learning for discussion and sharing knowledge.

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I am having a YouTube Channel; in case you are not aware of it.

So far have uploaded 107 videos (mostly long form Technical Educational videos) and more content is work in progress.

If you have Goal to switch from Manual to Automation Testing in Java programming, you can learn from my YouTube Playlist - Core Java and Selenium - Web Automation Testing (58 videos). Automation Framework videos would get added shortly on my YouTube Channel.

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Learn, Practice in Coding Editor.

Make some notes on Physical book with Pen based on understanding, it helps for quick reference later on.

It may not be possible to memorize everything or watch videos again.

First time you should definitely explore, learn. Practice.

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If you want me to write on any Specific Topic (Software Testing, Automation Career), or some questions to be answered in Upcoming Newsletter articles, do reply to this email with your question.

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Let's meet in the next Newsletter article.

You can read the Previous Newsletter articles here.

Best wishes,

Swaroop Nadella

Test Automation Engineer, Tech Educator, YouTuber

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Schedule 1:1 Call for Career guidance here​

Swaroop Nadella Find me on LinkedIn, YouTube, SN Academy​

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