Although an often overlooked and reluctant career, software testing is a highly sought-after position in the technology industry. Its main task is to continually test the software for errors, so-called bugs, and report any errors it finds to a tracking system. All software must go through several rounds of rigorous testing to ensure the product works as expected before it is released.
If you’ve ever wondered how to become a software tester, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t need to have a developer experience, but you do need to be a quick learner and very detail-oriented. While they don’t need to know the code behind the software, they should be able to read specifications, white papers, and other documents to ensure the software is WAD (working as expected).
Why Software Testing Is A Great Career Change
If you’ve ever used software, including applications, and been incredibly frustrated by the number of issues you’ve encountered, you can probably imagine how important it is to be the job of a software tester. You don’t need to have a degree in computer science – you need to be very proficient with different types of software and have a detailed mindset. The career requires a lot of documentation, which can be daunting for those without an engineering background.
The results of a software test job are tracked in a database so engineers can review them so they can fix the problem. There are times when the position may seem monotonous, but the focus of your work will constantly shift to different aspects of the program, avoiding a few repetitions. In addition, you will receive an overview of the latest technology at an early stage and ensure that the program is as error-free as possible. After all, with software an area that will continue to grow, software testers have one of the safest jobs in technology.
Career Levels for Software Testers
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Entry level
Also known as junior-level software testers, most people start at entry-level. A degree is not required, but a bachelor’s degree in computer science is preferred, with the majority of employees at this level being university graduates. An associate degree or certification can give a candidate an edge.
However, in this area, experience is usually as important as any type of degree. It is not uncommon for technical writers to be involved in a software testing role, as documentation is essential for both positions. Those with a degree will likely move to the next level much faster, as the main goal for them in the junior level position is to familiarize them with the process (no matter how good the education, there is nothing that can prepare a student for know how things work in reality or theory).
In an entry-level position, software testers primarily focus on running basic and established tests on the software. Typically, this means running tests designed for specific product steps. For example, all software functions should be tested before release, including areas that should not be affected by the changes.
Entry positions typically perform these tests because there is little risk of critical errors that delay the release date. Many of your regular tasks will use automated tests to ensure they are done from start to finish and then to report if any errors occurred during the automated test.
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Test Analyst and Senior Test Analyst
To qualify as a test analyst, companies consider experience first and education second. Certifications can be useful for some of the more technical testing areas, such as ASP.NET, but are generally not required for these positions. Many companies do not distinguish between these two positions and there is no standard for qualification as a Senior or Advanced Test Analyst. There are also several different names for people in this role, for example, B. QA Tester and QA Analyst.
Regardless of title, they are all relatively similar. The main difference between a tester and a senior-level tester is usually experience and expertise. The wealth of experience, which differs from each other, varies by company and business area. A tester who understands the code and can help troubleshoot issues is more likely to be considered at a higher level, although there may not be a clear definition of the task.
Analysts work in more complex and less established roles and programs. You will often be invited to technical staff meetings after development begins to understand the purpose of the changes, new features, and future direction. Professionals in these roles work closely with developers and often test the software at different stages to ensure there are no serious errors.
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Software Test Lead and Manager
Experience is essentially the only thing companies look for in this role. For example, about two-thirds of all software test managers in the United States were hired only after 10 years of work experience. This is mainly because of what a manager needs to know to manage the department properly.
Some companies have test manager positions that can become a stepping stone for a manager. A test supervisor provides the same services to a single group rather than an entire department. Many companies only have one manager, so the two are combined for simplicity. While other testers may specialize, managers must have all the tests needed to deploy the product:
- unit tests
- system test
- Integration Tests
- aptitude tests
- Functional and non-functional tests
- Regression Tests
Conclusion
As long as we have software, we’ll have software testers – this is an area that will likely be very stable for a while. Whether you’re just starting a career in software testing or ready to climb the ladder, ProITacademy’s online courses, including our Software Testing Course in Pune, can help you learn the tools and techniques you need. Be successful now and throughout your career.