How to Become a Software Tester?

There has been a great increase in the development of more and more software applications due to businesses going online. As a result, the need for testing those applications to check their quality has also risen. Software testers play a key role here.

Software testing is an indispensable part of the software development life cycle SDLC. It is the process of validating software products for their correctness and checking whether they meet the specified requirements. It makes software products free from bugs and defects by identifying and fixing them.

If you aspire to become a software tester and don’t know how to become one, I will help you with this article.

*How to Become a Software Tester? *

A software tester is a professional who specializes in assessing software products to check whether they function as expected, meet all the specified requirements, and satisfy all the quality standards.

The following is a typical path to becoming a software tester:

1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree

These days, many organizations prefer hiring candidates as software testers who hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or the relevant domain. By obtaining a bachelor's degree, you demonstrate that you are well-versed in the fields of software development and software engineering.

So, the first step to becoming a software tester would be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

2. Develop all the Essential Skills

As a software tester, you need both technical as well as soft skills. So now, let us explore the required technical skills first.

Technical Skills

• Database Knowledge: Software applications need databases in the backend to store vast volumes of data. As a software tester, there may arise a situation where you will need to validate the data. In such a case, it is essential to possess knowledge of popular databases, such as MySQL, Oracle, etc., and SQL queries to validate the data stored in databases.
• Basic Linux Commands: As there are many types of applications, such as web servers, application servers, and databases, that need to be deployed on Linux, it becomes necessary to have a good grasp of basic Linux commands.
• Knowledge of Test Management Tools: Every software tester’s work revolves around test management tools. A proper test management technique plays a crucial role in the success of the testing process. There are numerous test management tools available out there that help testers manage all artifacts related to testing. These tools make the testing process easy and simple.
• Experience with Defect Tracking Tools: Defect tracking tools are yet the other types of tools that are essential in the testing process. These tools assist testers in managing and tracking all the identified defects systematically. They help the entire development team to know about defects and their status. So, having working experience with defect-tracking tools is essential to become a software tester.
• Working Experience with Automation Tools: After working as a manual tester for a while, if you want to switch to automation testing, you should have some expertise with one of the automation tools.
• Knowledge of Scripting language: Knowledge of scripting languages is necessary for automation testing. Some popular scripting languages that a software tester should know are VBScript, C#, and JavaScript.

Soft Skills

• Communication: It is essential that you have excellent verbal and written communication skills as a software tester. You will be in charge of creating test plans, test strategies, artifacts, and bug reports that are easy to understand. In addition, there will be constant communication between you and the software developers.
• Analytical Skills: This skill will help you break a complex software project into small units so that it becomes easy to manage. Furthermore, it helps you identify possible bugs and defects in software.
• Time Management & Organization: Every product comes with a release date. It is the responsibility of a software tester to test the product, address all issues to the development team, and retest it again to deliver high-quality software products to customers. This entire process requires time management and organization.

3. Work as an Intern

After you develop all the essential skills, you can work as an intern and gain working experience. This will help you understand concepts practically and, in turn, provides credibility to your resume. You gain more visibility, and potential employers are more likely to hire experienced candidates. So, working as an intern is beneficial to gain more skills and land a dream job.

4. Earn Certifications

Like other IT job roles, holding a certification for a software testing career is not so important. But having a certification demonstrates your skills and knowledge. The two major software certifications you must consider are as follows:

• International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Tester: ISTQB is a widely popular and vendor-neutral certification scheme in the field of software testing. It provides three categories of certifications: Agile, Core, and Specialist. Choose the certification, opt for any one accredited training providers, appear for the certification exam, and earn it.
• Certified Software Tester (CSTE): This certification demonstrates that individuals possess a high level of knowledge of principles and practices of quality control. However, this certification requires a bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience or six years of experience without a degree.

5. Apply for Jobs

Create a resume and mention all your skills, achievements, work experience, and certifications. It is now time for you to start applying for jobs. You can upload your resume to various job portals and also find jobs on LinkedIn.

Until you get any response from any employer, make sure to practice your skills and prepare for the software testing interview.

Conclusion

This was a typical path to becoming a software tester. As many organizations prefer candidates holding a bachelor’s degree, it is always better to opt for this career path. It is also possible to become a software tester without a bachelor’s degree, but you need a few years of experience in the field. Besides, develop all the essential skills, keep practicing them, apply for jobs, and meanwhile prepare for the interviews.

Good luck!