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INSIGHTS / Articles

How to Kick-Start Your Career in Software Testing

 15 Jun 2016 
INSIGHTS / Articles

How to Kick-Start Your Career in Software Testing

 15 Jun 2016 

If you’re an IT professional looking for a role change, a recent graduate, or someone with a non-IT background looking to kick-start your career in a rapidly growing industry, working in Software Testing can be a life changing and rewarding experience.

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It’s not hard to get started, but having the right skillset is very important, which can be achieved through certification. With a combination of training and a great attitude, the guide below will give you some good tips on what to expect and where to begin your career in Software Testing.

What does a Software Tester do?

General activities include understanding and reviewing requirement documents, creating test cases, executing test cases, reporting and re-testing bugs, attending review meetings and performing User Acceptance Testing activities. The Software Testing and Career Guide from Guru99 provides a comprehensive overview of the typical workday tasks for Software Testers.

What do I need to know about Software Testing?

Great Software Testers have natural analytical skills, technical abilities, good written and verbal communication, time management and organisation skills, as well as passion, interest and dedication to doing an excellent job.

  • An academic background in Computer Science can help, but most jobs in Software Testing now require the ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing as a minimum benchmark.
  • Understanding different development models and methodologies such as waterfall, V model, incremental and Agile processes are essential, and full knowledge of techniques are strongly recommended.
How do I prepare for a Software Testing role?

Creating an effective resume with an easy-to-understand layout, making it clear to your prospective employer that you are the right person for the job is key to securing your next Software Testing role. The Basics of an Australian-style resume from CareerOne (also applicable globally) provide the essentials you need to get started, including:

  • Providing key contact details at the top of the page, including your name, address, phone number, mobile and email address.
  • Ensuring that your resume has a simple layout, including easily-readable fonts, clearly bolded headings and consistent formatting.
  • Summarising your strengths upfront using a list of ‘Key Strengths’ represented as dot points, or creating a section under a heading like ‘Career Profile’.

With your resume ready, the next step is preparing for your job interview. Interview questions for Software Testing roles are based on practical skills that you will need during your job, as well as real scenarios where training and academic knowledge come into play. Some good links to brush up on your knowledge are: Software Testing Interview Questions and Answers and the Top 150 Software Testing Interview Questions.

Where can I find Software Testing job opportunities?

Building a shortlist of employers takes time, effort and research. However, there are lots of resources available to help you sort out your options such as careers fairs, trade journals and online job boards.

When searching for a job it is vital to stay in touch with opportunities as they become available. Websites which provide Software Testing alerts include:

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Social media also offers many Software Testing opportunities, and Prospect’s Job hunting and social media information outlines how to best utilise channels such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn during your job search.

How can I progress my Software Testing career?

At Planit, we believe in a continual learning environment to keep your career progression on target. Why? Simply because it puts you ahead of the pack.

  1. Many companies include ISTQB Certification in their job posting requirements.
  2. Many hiring managers like to see ISTQB Certifications on a resume. It shows your interest in Software Testing, dedication to the profession, and a desire to learn and grow.
Conclusion

Software Testing provides an excellent career path for people with the right prerequisites, academic background and personal attributes.

With our industry leading training programs, Planit has been recognised for providing aspiring Testers around the world with a helping hand to get started in the industry for over 17 years. If you would like to discuss your career options or find out about the latest certification trends including ISTQB, Agile and BA training, we look forward to assisting you to get on the right path for your career.

Contact a Planit Training Advisor to learn how we can help you.

James Pennefather

Director of Training

Top Choice for Testing Training

At Planit, we specialise in software testing. We share our extensive knowledge and experience through our world leading training including ISTQB, ASTQB, TMMi, and other specialist testing courses.
 
Find out why over 30,000 QA professionals have built their skills and careers through training with Planit.

 

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