Many budding professionals in the technology sector opt for software testing as the maiden step in their career journey.
Even if your ultimate goal is to transition into software development, getting your foot in the door as a software tester can be a smart move.
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This article will delve into the do’s and don’ts when trying to secure your first position as a testing specialist.
What You Will Learn:
- Securing a Software Testing Job with No Experience
- #1) Be Passionate About Testing
- #2) Possess the Necessary Skill Set
- #3) Select Your Specificity
- #4) Debunk All Myths
- #5) Craft the Ideal Cover Letter and Resume
- #6) Seek Recommendations
- #7) Consider Applying to Startups and Smaller Firms
- #8) Communication Skills: The Icing on the Cake
- #9) Circulate Your Resume
- #10) A Few Additional Tips
Securing a Software Testing Job with No Experience
#1) Be Passionate About Testing
Why have you chosen a career path in testing? This is a common query raised in testing interviews.
You should be prepared to answer the following questions:
- Why have you decided to become a software tester?
- If you have a degree in computer science, why didn’t you opt for software development?
- If your academic background is unrelated, why are you interested in software testing?
Only truly passionate candidates who aspire to evolve as expert testers secure the finest job opportunities. Training is available to anyone, but only those with a genuine interest and enthusiasm truly shine in this role.
Consequently, it’s vital to acquaint yourself with the fundamentals of software testing and quality assurance and kindle a sincere interest in the topic. Your success in a software testing role depends on your fervent passion for it. Otherwise, you may perceive testing as an obligation, negatively impacting your performance and efficiency.
Thus, consider a software testing position only if you genuinely wish to embark on such a career journey.
#2) Possess the Necessary Skill Set
The primary responsibility of a software tester is identifying software flaws. This position calls for strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as familiarity with testing methodologies and tools.
During an interview, your basic understanding of software testing and the essential skills for the role will be examined.
The following resources can aid in the development of your software testing skills:
Training Institutes
Fresh graduates may lack substantial exposure to test scenarios and cases. In this case, consider enrolling in a reputable institute offering software testing training.
By doing so, you’ll gain a valuable understanding of software testing and hands-on experience that will aid in securing a software testing position.
For the top software testing training institutes in India, visit: Software Testing Course: Which Software Testing Institute Should I join?
Freelancing & Crowdsourced Testing
To garner additional experience that strengthens your resume, consider freelance work or participating in crowdsourced testing projects. Platforms like uTest offer software testing opportunities for freelancers.
Certifications
Currently, many job listings stipulate having specific testing certifications. Companies often give preference to certified candidates as it showcases their command over basic testing concepts, therefore, lessening the requirement for extra training.
If you are committed to a testing career, think about attaining certifications like ISTQB to heighten your appeal in the job market.
Tutorials
Make the most of online software testing courses and tutorials. Several resources are available for mastering software testing and preparing for job interviews. Tutorials can be found on Software Testing Help.
Books
Reading books on testing is another route to bolster your skills. Here are a few highly recommended eBooks for beginners:
- The Art of Software Testing
- Practical Software Testing – Free eBook
- Lessons Learned in Software Testing – A Context-Driven Approach
- Software Testing: Essential Skills for First Time Testers
- Software Testing Career Package – A Software Tester’s Journey from Getting a Job to Becoming a Test Leader!
Given the prevalence of the Agile methodology in software projects, it’s likely you’ll work with an Agile team at your first job. Enhance your familiarity with Agile testing by reading the book Agile Testing: A Practical Guide for Testers and Agile Teams.
Tools
Many renowned software testing tools offer free trial versions. Start exploring Selenium, which is the most prominent open-source automation testing tool, to get acquainted with automation testing. For more information, visit the Selenium website: What is Selenium?
Other tools worth exploring include QTP, RFT, Bugzilla, and LoadRunner. Familiarity with at least one popular software testing tool will enhance your chances of securing a software testing position as a newcomer.
#3) Select Your Specificity
It’s often said, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” In today’s IT industry, specialization is key.
Most companies prefer hiring specialists over generalists (though specialists can have limited scope). While it’s beneficial to specialize in a specific area, it’s also profitable to be cognizant of other testing areas and be ready to shift to another domain if need be.
As a newcomer, focusing on areas such as manual testing, automation testing (using Java and Selenium), and performance testing will augment your attractiveness in the job market. If you have a blend of programming and testing skills, consider exploring the role of a Software Developer in Test (SDET).
In 2017, skills predicted to be in high demand in software testing are Big Data Testing, SDET, DevOps, TDD & BDD, Docker Container, IoT Testing, Lifecycle Testing, and Mobile Testing.
#4) Debunk All Myths
Various misconceptions about software testing jobs are prevalent in the industry.
Common myths include:
Software testing is a simple job that anyone can do.
While software testing is not highly complex, it requires testers to invest effort and possess intellectual capacity.
Testing is considered less important than development.
Testing and software development are distinct processes, and comparing their difficulty levels is not valid.
Testers are paid less than developers.
A salary in software testing is dependent on numerous factors such as job role, responsibilities, skills, company standards, and the specific type of testing involved. Comparing salaries between testers and developers isn’t a fair comparison.
Automation testing is easy, and doesn’t require programming skills.
While some test cases can be automated by clicking a few buttons, most automation testing requires scripting. Don’t make the mistake of assuming automation testing is simple and a fantastic opportunity for those adverse to programming.
Testing is dull.
If you perceive testing as boring, you might not be approaching it correctly. Testing can not only be enjoyable and rewarding but also offers opportunities for exploring products, thinking creatively, and continuous learning.
#5) Craft the Ideal Cover Letter and Resume
When applying for a job, remember to customize your resume and include a personalized cover letter. Generic resumes and cover letters will fail to impress recruiters.
Take the time to tailor your resume to match the specific job requirements and spotlight pertinent skills and experiences. Refrain from listing false experiences and skills, as this can backfire during interviews.
Ensure your resume is free from inconsistencies and errors before submitting; any errors can cast a poor impression of you as a candidate. Your resume is your gateway to the interview panel, so make sure it accurately represents your persona and skills.
#6) Seek Recommendations
The quickest and most straightforward way to land a job is through recommendations from friends, relatives, or acquaintances already in the industry. Employee referrals often fill many job vacancies.
Reach out to your connections working in software testing or companies with software testing opportunities and ask them to refer you for job openings. Referrals can significantly enhance your chances of being hired.
#7) Consider Applying to Startups and Smaller Firms
Startups and smaller firms are more likely to hire newcomers than larger IT companies. They are more flexible in their candidate assessments and often have a greater demand for software testers.
#8) Communication Skills: The Icing on the Cake
Strong oral and written communication skills are vital for software testers. You need to effectively document test-related data and clearly communicate bugs and issues to stakeholders.
Before applying for a software testing job, focus on enhancing your communication skills.
#9) Circulate Your Resume
Upload your resume to software testing forums, job portals, and professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.
Join forums like STS and upload your resume to job portals including Naukri, Shine, Indeed, and Monster.
#10) A Few Additional Tips
As a newcomer, you may not be expected to have extensive experience. Be confident, revise basic testing concepts, and speak without hesitation during interviews.
Be genuine and honest in your resume. Avoid including false information that you cannot confidently discuss during an interview.
Consider reading about the experiences of software testers who started as newcomers in their respective companies. Websites like GeeksforGeeks offer valuable insights into real-life interview experiences.
About the Author:
This guest post is authored by Adarsh Thampy, a career and marketing expert at Jombay. Adarsh shares insights into different resume formats that newcomers applying for testing jobs can use.
Update from Vijay
In the comments section, our friend Govardhan Reddy shared some valuable advice for newcomers seeking testing jobs. Here’s a summary of his comments:
#1: Passionately focus on testing. Don’t let your focus be diverted to other fields or roles. Master your testing skills and strive for improvement.
#2: Equip yourself with the necessary skills. Seek assistance from friends, family, or reputable training institutes.
#3: Wisely choose your specificity and gradually develop expertise in other testing areas.
#4: Question and debunk misconceptions related to software testing jobs.
#5: Craft a custom cover letter and resume for each job application. A generic approach won’t cut it.
#6: Utilize your network and seek recommendations from professionals in the field.
#7: Apply to startups and smaller firms that may offer more opportunities for newcomers.
#8: Communication skills are crucial for software testers. Make efforts to improve your oral and written communication skills.
#9: Float your resume on multiple platforms and job portals.
#10: During interviews, be confident, truthful, and genuine. Learn from the experiences of other software testers.
Over to You:
Are you a newcomer trying to land a software testing job? What obstacles have you encountered? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments section.