Software Tester
What is a software tester?
A software tester is someone who tests software to ensure that it works correctly and meets the requirements.
What does a software tester do?
Usually, a software tester does the following:
- Collaborates with developers and stakeholders to understand the software requirements.
- Designs test cases and test scenarios to ensure that all aspects of the software are tested.
- Executes tests and identifies defects or bugs in the software.
- Documents and reports the defects found during testing.
- Retests the fixed defects to ensure they have been resolved.
What does the day-to-day life of a software tester look like?
A software tester usually works between 9am and 5pm, though this may vary depending on the company you're working for.
Your day-to-day tasks as a software tester may include:
- Reviewing software requirements and creating test cases.
- Executing test cases and logging defects.
- Communicating with developers to explain issues found during testing.
- Participating in meetings to discuss project progress and test planning.
Where does a software tester work?
Software testers can work in various types of companies, including:
- Software development companies.
- IT consulting firms.
- Government organizations.
- Financial institutions.
- Healthcare organizations.
You can find software tester positions throughout the whole of the United Kingdom. Some larger cities, such as London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, have a higher concentration of job opportunities in this field.
What tools/software/hardware does a software tester use?
A software tester uses a variety of tools including:
- Test management tools: JIRA, TestRail, or Zephyr.
- Bug tracking tools: Bugzilla, Mantis, or JIRA.
- Automation testing tools: Selenium, Appium, or Cucumber.
- Virtual machines or cloud services: VirtualBox, AWS, or Microsoft Azure.
- Mobile devices and emulators: Android Studio, Xcode, or Genymotion.
What do I need to become a software tester?
There are a number of ways you can become a software tester, including:
- Bachelor's degree: A degree in a related field such as computer science, information technology, or software engineering can be beneficial.
- Certifications: Some employers may prefer candidates with professional certifications such as ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) or CTFL (Certified Tester Foundation Level).
- Training courses: Completing software testing training courses or bootcamps can provide you with practical skills and knowledge.
What career paths are available?
There are a number of career paths available to you as a software tester, including:
- Senior Software Tester: With experience, you can progress to a senior tester role, where you may lead testing efforts, mentor junior testers, and contribute to test strategy and planning.
- Test Automation Engineer: This role focuses on creating and maintaining automated test scripts using tools like Selenium and developing frameworks for efficient testing.
- Quality Assurance (QA) Lead/Manager: In this role, you oversee the entire quality assurance process, manage a team of testers, and work closely with stakeholders to ensure the software meets the required quality standards.
To start on these career paths, gaining experience and continuously learning new testing techniques and tools is essential. Taking on additional responsibilities and showcasing your abilities can help you move up in your career.
What jobs are similar to a software tester? (Include those with transferable skills that a software tester usually has)
- Quality Assurance Analyst: Focusing on the overall quality of software and ensuring that it meets defined standards.
- Test Analyst: Designing and executing tests to validate the functionality and performance of software.
- Test Manager: Overseeing testing activities, managing testing teams, and coordinating testing efforts.
- Business Analyst: Collaborating with stakeholders to gather and analyze requirements for software projects.
- Technical Writer: Creating documentation, user manuals, and guides for software applications.
(Print the text below but don't answer the questions and replace software tester with the given job.)
What made you want to become a software tester?
How did you get your first software tester job?
What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being a software tester?
Are you a software tester? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers to [given job]. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.