How Would My First Day be in QA Tester Job? Which is the Best QA Certification? Which Automation Tool Should I Learn? – All Answered

The Top 3 Queries from New QA Testers – Answered

Our recent venture into QA training course has offered us a wealth of knowledge regarding the frequent inquiries and worries that newcomers to QA testing typically have. Although we address these concerns throughout our training courses, we think it would be beneficial to our loyal STH readers to compile these questions and their answers on our website.

So here are the 3 most frequently asked questions:

1. What should I anticipate on my first day as a QA tester? What happens if I fail to meet the expectations?
2. Which one is the most valuable QA certification?
3. What if I’m skilled in a particular automation tool, technology, or programming language, but the employer is seeking different skills?

Here are the answers to these queries:

Question #1) What should I anticipate on my first day as a QA tester? What if I can’t meet the expectations?

Answer: This question is crucial, especially for beginners. Be aware that everyone starts somewhere, and your employer will understand this. Both you and your employer desire the best outcomes. Hence, they are as prepared as you are.

Companies typically have employee induction programs. Based on my experience with a client, they believed that strong employee-employer relationships are key for the success of the company.

They adopted a 30-60-90 rule for newcomers:

• 30 days to get acquainted with roles, responsibilities, and the system.
• 60 days to work under the guidance of a team member(s).
• 90 days before the newcomer works independently, granting a 3-month period for transition.

While not every company adopts the same rule, most have some type of induction program.

Be assured, no one expects you to outperform everyone from day one.

Learn more = > Deciphering the typical QA process

Standard activities on your first day may encompass:

• An overview of your role, workspace, schedule, and company culture.
• Introduction to the team members and the relevant contact points for specific queries.
• Access to the necessary systems.
• Transfer of knowledge sessions.
• Sharing project-related documentation.
• Allocating small tasks to evaluate your comfort level.

As a new QA tester, you might want to:

• Go through the documentation provided.
• Examine the system, if accessible.
• Understand the project’s current phase.
• Shadow a colleague to comprehend how things operate.
• Follow up on obtaining necessary access for your tasks.

Most importantly, be self-assured on your first day and concentrate on comprehending your duties. Everything else will fall in line…

Question #2) Which QA certification holds the most value?

Answer: Acquiring certification is highly recommended for beginners entering the IT QA field as it validates your know-how in QA and demonstrates your commitment to this domain to prospective employers.

Numerous beginner-level QA certifications are available in the market such as ISTQB-CTFL, QAI’s CSTE & CAST, and others.

If you are familiar with a specific automation tool, you might want to consider getting certified for that tool, like HP QTP certification, HP ALM certification (QC), or LoadRunner certifications. It’s easier to decide on an automation testing certification if you already have expertise with a specific tool.

Identifying the best certification is not a straightforward task. It’s challenging and potentially unfair to compare certifications based on their curriculum effectiveness and market recognition. Each certification has its own unique characteristics, including:

• Format
• Validity
• Scoring pattern
• Fee
• Prerequisites

You can refer to the table below for a quick comparison. For the latest information on fees and prerequisites, click the links to the exam websites.

Details	CSTE	ISTQB	CAST
Prerequisites and more	CSTE	ISTQB	CAST
Validity	3 years	lifetime	3 years
Exam format	essay questions and multiple choice	multiple choice	multiple choice
Scoring Pattern	No negative marks	No negative marks	No negative marks
Duration	2.5 hours	60 mins	75 mins
Minimum score to pass	70%	65%	70%

Given these differences, it isn’t fair to directly compare these certifications; it’s like comparing apples to oranges.

Most certifications offer similar value and recognition in the market. The final decision depends on your individual preferences and situation. Consider these points:

• Do you prefer a multiple-choice or essay format?
• Is lifetime validity of importance to you?
• Which fee structure suits your budget?
• Do you prefer a short or intensive exam pattern?
• Do you meet the specific prerequisites?

Additionally, review the syllabus and exam patterns thoroughly before you decide.

For the most recent information on these certifications, click the links in the comparison chart above.

Question #3) What should I do if I specialize in a particular automation testing tool, technology, or programming language, but the employer prefers different ones?

Answer: Let’s consider this: if you’ve been utilizing Yahoo Mail and decide to switch to Gmail, would it pose a challenge? Would you require special training? Can you adapt? The same principle applies to learning software testing tools.

The most commonly used tools are:

1. Test Management tools – HP ALM (QC), TestLink, qTest, and others.
2. Bug Tracking tools – Bugzilla, Mantis, and others.
3. Incident/Project management tools – JIRA, Rally, and others.
4. Automation tools – QTP, Selenium.
5. Performance Testing tools – HP Load Runner, JMeter, and others.

It’s truly impossible for an individual, regardless of experience level, to be well-versed in all tools, let alone utilize all of them.

Therefore, mastery of a tool is not the main requirement for projects – proficiency in the testing process is essential.

For instance, without understanding Defect Management, no tool can be of assistance to you. Also, while we commonly use Microsoft Word to create documents, it does not automagically create a test plan for you. Without knowledge of the underlying processes, tools are pointless.

We suggest concentrating on understanding the processes thoroughly. Learn about the key concepts of defect management, automation, performance testing, etc. Gain hands-on experience with at least one tool from each category, and you’ll be well-equipped.

Most tools within the same category share similar features. Familiarising yourself with a new tool might take a day or two, or a few weeks at most. The same applies to programming languages and technologies. Basics take precedence over technical variations.

Conclusion

That sums up our enlightening Q&A session. We hope this information has been useful to you and look forward to your comments and feedback.

About the author: Swati S., our instructor for the software testing online course, has provided the answers to these three paramount questions for QA beginners. Click here to learn more about our software testing course through a demo session.

If you have other queries, please post them in the comments section below. We assure you we will address all of them. 🙂