Software testers perform a critical role in application development. They are quality assurance authorities who put applications through the wringer to root out bugs, poor performance, and essential interface issues. To do this, they run all kinds of tests stress, performance, functional, scalability, user acceptance at different stages of the software life cycle. Because software testing is so essential to the quality and usability of the last product, testers are made in at the planning and design stage, and usually live involved throughout post-release support.
The software tester is an unacknowledged hero for most development projects. They save end-users from working with highly buggy software or applications that don't work well, significantly decreasing tech support calls from frustrated customers. They also get the development team, and the software vendor looks good in the eyes of customers.
Essential Education, Background, and Skills for Testers
Many employers view for software tester candidates with a bachelor's degree in computer science, math or engineering, although it's not always required. If you have got a lot of experience, stable work history, and reliable references or letters of recommendation, it is reasonable to land a job without a college degree. An intermediate-level position typically needs three to six years of direct experience in software testing or some mixture of education and experience.
Regardless of how you prepare for a software testing career, here are the skills you should have or intend to develop:
-
Understand different development methodologies, such as Agile and Scrum, and platforms or environments.
-
Create and document automated and manual test procedures and procedures, execute tests, examine results, and report on test problems and document bugs.
-
Perform software testing in all aspects of the design-develop-test-release-maintain software life cycle.
-
Have an understanding of different programming languages, such as Java, JavaScript, C# or C++, SQL, Python, PHP, and Ruby on Rails.
-
Possess thorough knowledge of several testing tools.
-
Be fluent in UNIX, Linux, and Windows, as well as scripting and command-line tools.
-
Be a multi-tasker.
-
Be an excellent communicator with development, operations, product management, and customers.
-
Some positions need programming skills and an understanding of databases. You don't certainly need years of programming experience to be a tester, but that wouldn't hurt a bit.
-
Many governments or army jobs in national security and intelligence, as well as some general contractors, require a TS/SCI clearance. TS/SCI is small for Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information. It is sometimes related to as a "TS/SCI poly clearance" because a polygraph is usually part of the process.
Must-Have Certifications
Software testers should think about getting one or more certifications to prove their courage and get the attention of hiring managers. Most software tester certifications are vendor-neutral and understand knowledge and skills applicable across all phases of software testing.
Here are the two most popular software tester certifications:
1. ISTQB Certified Tester:
-
The American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB) allows the vendor-neutral ISTQB Certified Tester credential at the Foundation and Expert levels.
-
ASTQB also gives Agile Tester, Advanced Test Analyst, Advanced Security Tester, and Advanced Technical Test Analyst certifications, among others, pointed at business analysts, test automation engineers, mobile app testing, and test managers.
2. Certified Software Tester (CSTE):
-
The International Software Certification Board (ISCB) maintains eight certifications for quality assurance, software testing, and business analysis.
-
Also, you must prove you have worked in software testing within the last 18 months. If you do not fit CSTE work experience requirements, view the Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) as a starting point.
Vendor-specific or platform-specific software development certifications are numerous, but it is harder to find vendor-specific credentials that focus on testing.
However, if you have experience with a particular platform and want to go on projects made on that platform, get out if the vendor has a certification program and whether any of its dev certifications cover a testing component?
You will find lots of other software testing certifications and boot camps by doing a quick search on the web.
Five Easy Steps to Getting Software Testing Jobs and Promotions
-
Start by learning about the ISTQB Foundation Level Certification.
-
Then study for the ISTQB exam utilizing the free ISTQB syllabus, sample exam questions and answers, and glossary of software testing terms. Or you can choose the more comfortable, faster route of taking an accredited (proven) software testing training course.
-
Next, register for your exam by ASTQB. Note: American companies check with us, ASTQB, to see if you are approved, so you must register for this site for ASTQB’s ISTQB exam! Managers want you to take ASTQB’s version of the ISTQB exam to show you can interact with the rest of the American team.
-
Finally, pass the exam. Excellent! Now you can seem on the official list of ISTQB certified testers that American companies check. You will also be able to boastfully display your software testing certificate and include your certification on your resume. Only ASTQB provides you retake your ISTQB Advanced Level exam for free when you join the criteria!
-
Don’t let your career stop there. Look at the Software Testing Career Path to understand where you should take your job.
Salary survey tells the average salary of a software tester in the U.S. is about $55,962, but it can rise much higher depending on the company and city.
Conclusion
With the software testing job market being more competitive, it does help you improve yourself by taking a software testing certification. Go through the options posted above and match them based on syllabus, recognition, and cost. Also, be sure to check the availability of the certification in your field.
All the best!