You might have applied to so many testing job vacancies, might have received some calls for interviews and even you would have attended some, but still you don’t have the job you are looking for. Well, then there could be many reasons you have not in the right job you dreamed of being.
Be honest and think on below mentioned points. What you did wrong until now? Probably you might get the answer – Why you couldn’t crack any software testing interview yet!!
What are these reasons?
1) You have a bad formatted resume. No one cares to read it. You don’t even think to change it.
2) You don’t have passion for testing. You just run behind software testing job as others do. You look for software testing job just for the sake of being somewhere employed.
3) You don’t see the job details before applying, whether it suits your profile or not.
4) You don’t have strong and VALID reason for the question – Why do you want to join/switch to software testing?
5) You have not spent time doing some homework on job openings – about the company, required skills, experience etc.
6) You are faking the software testing experience.
7) You pretend to have all the testing skills.
8 ) You think “Testing is easy-to-do task” and “Anyone can do testing”.
9) You think no training is needed to work in software testing field and you will learn when you are on board.
10) You don’t have practical examples to explain and support your answers.
Plus one more reason why you are still away from making career in software testing
- You are from non-IT background and now want to switch to software testing, but you don’t have the skills required for software testing jobs and even you don’t care to know what is STLC and SDLC.
Oh! Too many “You’s” here. Why? because you are the only person responsible for your career. No one can deny you the job in software testing without any reason. Find out what that reason is? After all, employer will always select the best fit for their positions. You just think – how you can be that best fit for them!
Remember, you won’t get any job without doing hard work.
If you can think of some other reasons for not getting job in software testing and quality assurance, then please share it with us. We will be happy to discuss.
If you like this article, consider subscribing to get all Testing Updates in your Inbox for FREE. To get testing tips Click Here.
83 comments ↓
You hit the bull’s eye! Perfect 10. Anyone looking for QA job should thoroughly go through this list and correct the mistakes they are doing.
Its not anyone can do career. Testing requires strong analytical, problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
Thank you Vijay for sharing the list.
Hope to see articles on each point
Well! i’m a final year B.E electrical domain gonna pass out in 2010.I’m interested in PHP,SQL,JAVASCRIPT & i would like to work where i can work on those languages.Does software testing has the usage of those languages? If you find my question invalid apology me! i’m a newbie..
Those r real top 10 pts ,Especially home work on Testing which i am missing a lot……
I will do that from today….Thanks for ur advice yaar
Really good 10 points………..I would like to say one more thing …………there is so many different kind of work in V&V…….and the game of testing is about the domain………We should search for the similar kind of work that we have already done…..:)
hey thnks..bt my question is how to convince the interviewer that u r d right candidate?? i gave interview to almost 6-7 small scale companies bt dnt know still where m lacking..
i really need a job..
Nice to Read the Article.
Thanks for the 10 points now I understood why I not getting the job in testing , if u want the job in testing u have to work hard on preparation of interview so all my friends keep it up your work hard and definately u will get the job in testing
The 4th point is absolutely nice.
Its very very important to have a clear reason to explain the question-Why do you want to join/switch to software testing?…most of them fails here i think..
Thanks vijay.This ll help a lot..
all the points r valid.s/w engineers should go through it and make corrections in their approach.
Exactly…what u told is write….if want to crack the interview than we must take care of above 10 points and we will easily crack the interview…but i want to add one more point this that don’t hesitate at the time of interview..that also help u to crack the interview.
4) You don’t have strong and VALID reason for the question – Why do you want to join/switch ( switch JOB) to software testing?
This is absolutely a direct question many/all interviewer ask….well my answer when i appeared for the interview was…..
“To get more challenges, additional responsibilities grow professionally and financially”……thats a political approach of direct answering. However some times interviewer cross questions on this …” are you not able to find right/additonal challenges and responsibilities in your current firm”…..in this type of cross questioning candidates fall trapped…..
Anyone has better answer to this difficult question which can answer direct question as well as cross question?
When i read this mail, i really heart, but it’s reality of my career. All 10 points are real. These are applicable not testing but all other’s jobs also.
Now i am trying to right direction..
Really good & infogetic
Hi can any body tell me
How to write sql scripts for backend validation.
plz help me am fresher in this field so am looking some positive results from your side plz help me for above said topic.
Plz send me format or queries if U hav…..on my mail ID
mail2navneetgupta@gmail.com
Its urgent ……
Nice article for 10 reasons for not getting job in software testing(QA)
Could you Pl send me a “sample” of best resume as I can modify. Pl send me at studyhall2007@gmail.com or ramkeshmaurya@aim.com
@ Jeby
Good idea. I will definitely try to write article on each point I mentioned.
@ Karthick
Yes, you can use any scripting languages in software automation testing. Scripting skill is necessary to write unit tests and BVT scripts. Most of the testing projects need SQL knowledge especially if you are a backend tester.
It’s subject of debate whether tester should look at the code or not, but when I was on a PHP web project I used to see PHP code to understand and write test cases on builds under test in an agile environment.
So in short it’s always a plus if you know any programming knowledge.
@ anuja
You have given 6-7 interviews so you should be able to find where exactly you are weak. Do some simple analysis, which questions you are not able to answer and prepare for those questions.
Let’s compare giving interview and selling any product. Think for a while that you are selling any product. How will you approach to a buyer? How you will convince buyer about the qualities of the product? On the similar lines you will have to present yourself in interviews.
The best idea is to write down a ‘About me’ page in simple words covering your skills and your career objectives. You need to explain how you are the best fit for the job. Explain by giving simple examples that you have most of the skills required for the job.
Be confident while giving the answers. Say ‘I don’t know’ if you really don’t know answer to any question.
@ Praveen
Answer to this question depends on the situation. I am not saying that you should have a very solid and political answer, be specific and tell the truth why you want to be in testing.
@ Navneet
What backend validation you want to perform? Do you want to just verify the output by running SQL queries or want to process the output to another format?
Could you Pl send me a “sample” of best resume as I can modify. Pl send me at bhanuk@inspira.com
In my experience I came across with the following points as well.
1.How do you think for situation,
2.Your communication skills,
3.Your sql knowledge,
4.Salary Expectation
hello vijay,
whatever reasons u had mentioned its true but wht could be the solution on it.as u mentioned that though u r not belonging to the IT background we people run after the testing job.
I had completed B.Sc(maths) and then c-programming and atlast dilpoma in Software Testing from SEEDINFOTECH,nagpur.but steel I m unable to get the job in the Testing field.so wht more courses should I do, so pls guide me and give me more details about it.
thank u.
Hi.. All these 10 points which you have mentioned is really valid.
I am software testing engineer working as a contract employee now trying out for job. I have nearly 2 years of exp. I am not getting any interview calls. I have realy passion for testing but my accademic marks are less. How can improve myself so that I get interview calls? Please give me some tips as how I have to build my career from here on. Thanks.
@bhanu
Preparing a good resume depends on various factors like your experience level, job you are applying for, job industry etc. Contact me using our ‘Contact’ form and we will discuss further.
@Atul
All are perfectly valid points. You can compromise on things like salary but you must be technically perfect.
@ kshitija
I didn’t say that non-IT persons can’t make career in testing. There is a pool of people who don’t even know about software testing but they just try in this field by hearing something from their friends.
If you have the right skills then it doesn’t matter you are from which background. In your case think, what went wrong in interview till now? Do you have good understanding of the testing concepts? Do have practical knowledge of testing? What you learned in your testing course or was it just a waste of money and time? This may give you the direction in further proceeding.
@Amar
It’s a fact that you have not good academic score. I assume there might be any reason you couldn’t perform well in your academics but now you have good command over software testing. If this is the case then you should definitely re-write your resume. If you think you are very good at testing but your academic score is barrier to get interview calls then simply don’t put your score in resume. I am advising this to you because if you have good hands-on in testing fields then your bad academic score should not hold you back.
Hi Vijay ,
Hop u r good
Am looking backend validation for just verify the output by running SQL queries. So can you send me how to validate backend through SQL server queries.
Pls send me som example on my mail id
mail2navneetgupta@gmail.com
Thanks
Thanks Vijay. Now i have updated my resume without my academic marks. from now on How can I approach?? Should I update my resume in job portal and wait for the call or approach any consultancies? will the be helpful?? Please let me know what I can do further. Now I have 1.8 years of exp.
hi vijay
does testing in banking domain have scope now …and have same number of oppurtunity as before
hey thanks vijay..i really work on your suggestions..
one more question i found is why u choose youe career as a software testing?? as i am a BE Entc so they ask why not in a electronica or a communication field??
anyone tell me todays software testers salary
for the freshers and experiance person
Hi,
Thanks for this useful article. It shows the mirror to us that where i am wrong.
Thanks again
Well, my apologies to the author of the article but I would definitely want to seek some alternative to point 6 going by my scenario-
I completed my BE (CS) in 2001 and subsequently MBA -IT in 2003. I couldn’t get into the Software industry due to the market slump at that time and ended up in customer service.
If today I want to swithch to testing, I believe no company will consider me for an opening.
Do I have an option? I have fair enough knowledge of testing concepts and tools
Hi vijay, Do we as a software tester test the SAP application? If yes than where and what do we test in SAP software?
Could you Pl send me a “sample” of best resume as I can modify. Pl send me ambrutha.gowda@gmail.com
I think a primary point that has been missed out is the need for a certification. This is important to showcase your growth in your chosen field i.e. software testing. As a matter of fact, with the launch of CMST in the market, there is a defined career path available for IT professionals as they can first get certified as a CSTE (Practitioner level) and can then upgrade to CMST (Manager level) after gaining about 8 years of exp in Testing – http://bit.ly/qaistp
Hi,
I need some meterial for Banking domain…interview questions and mostly i need payment system, stocks and trading.
please post as early as possible.
Regards,
Gangadhar
Hi,
i m hving 2+ yr exp in testing.i started searchin job when i crossed 2yr exp.i m workin in MNC but getting same salary frm2yrs. for me the prblm is the notice period and my domain is Insurance.i never got opportunity to work in automation testng,then how cani get prjct exp in automatio testing.the current world wants only Automation testers.Whr V should go,i nw feel why i didnt wrk in banking,telecom,mainframe domain?its nt my mistake rite.i gv 2 interviews went well but de didnt call bck.wat needs to be done any solutions?
THANKS FOR THE REPLY VIJAY SIR…HOW TO CONTRACT???I AM IN CONFUSION??
my friend studed
Hi thats a good article i have read about in the reacent past.
and for people who r looking for a job u can visit my blog knownaukri.blogspot.com
hi freiend..
this is really useful article which u posted over here.
see i am commerece graduate and i want to enter in field of softwate testig so can u pls help me what should i do to become a software tester
exactly correct.For getting testing job every person should read this 10 points must..very good
Hi i am very impressed you are answers and you post some practical examples which you faced.
Anisha, You have a good domain background. Dont worry about the Automation skills.. Learning domain is harder and tidy process.. Learn QTP or some automation tool on your own and try to project that you can do automation with your skill set.. you will definitely get good oppurtunity..
i am really impressed and i learned lot..thank you very much..
thank you so much for your information.. All is well….
Hi ,
Hop u r good
Am looking backend validation for just verify the output by running SQL queries. So can you send me how to validate backend through SQL server queries.
Pls send me som example on my mail id
mail2navneetgupta@gmail.com
Thanks
Thanks, vijay for a wonderful article. All are valid points to crack the interview not only for testers but also for other job profiles too. The key things to remember is that only that 1hr of interview matters a lot but to win over that 1hr we have to prepare several hours. The interviewer might not be knowing more about the candidate & his/her skills but how he is able to judge the candidate in 1hr? That’s why the resume “contents” matter a lot. I have seen a lot of people mentioning so many things just for sake of getting calls or getting noticed but have no knowledge about that at all. What’s the point in mentioning that all which you have not worked on or not experimented or not having a good amount of knowledge at all? This eventually become an embarrassing situation.
I would like to add few new things to it.
1. Lack of preparation of the resume
2. Not showing eagerness to learn new techniques, new technology in the interview.
3. Not enough communication skill. He/she might be knowing the best answer but fails to explain.
Hello All,
Well, I’m Manjunath having overall 6+ years of strong experience in Software Testing.
If anybody want to know more about software testing or suggestions can drop a queries to: manjunath.ramareddy@gmail.com, so that we can have discussion and find out the best path.
Hope to looking forward to answer your queries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEST OF LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 4th point is absolutely nice.
Its very very important to have a clear reason to explain the question-Why do you want to join/switch to software testing?…most of them fails here i think..
Hi Guys.
Can someone will let me know about the software testing course. I have done B.A. and one year diplome in IT from NIIT. IS it right for me or not.
hi dear can anyone tell me about the answer of the question why you want to go for Software testing ..??
and please let me know how i should sarch jobs in s/w testing i have done 6 month course fron webcom delhi no i a searching job in testing ..? plz help me out how i can get a job in testing ..?
hi i have done BE in computer sc. 2 yr work ex as lecturership. now want job in testing.
hi deepa,
do a s/w testing course or get knowledge from a real time tester, its better than doing a course. go thru all the interview question related testing and try searching…
Hi deepa,
Try learning manual testing process and one automation tool. Its better to learn one database also.
For 2 years you are more into test case development and executio so better try different case studies before applying for job.
Let me know if you need any help @ suresh.jami@yahoo.com
hi all. this is sandeep. i am a b-tech graduate from EEE background and 2009 passout presently i am learning software and protocol testing. even before i have done coarses in Microsoft server 2008, CCNA, EXCHANGE, LINUX. my acadamic score is verry low. i want to get into IT industry as a protocol or software tester. how can i prepare to get a job. PLEASE HELP ME..
hi all. this is sandeep. i am a b-tech graduate from EEE background and 2009 passout presently i am learning software and protocol testing. even before i have done coarses in Microsoft server 2008, CCNA, EXCHANGE, LINUX. my acadamic score is verry low. i want to get into IT industry as a protocol or software tester. how can i prepare to get a job. PLEASE HELP ME..
This is my mail ID gaddamsandeepreddy01@gmail.com / yuva20_san@yahoo.com
Hi,
This is meena, i have done BSC maths and passed out 2006 with second class… After that i have done MSC IT passed out 2008 with first class… Now i wanted to shift into the software tesing…
So what needs to be done for this, if i study the software testing course, could i enter into the software industry, because every MNC requires 60% of all the academic courses…
Pls help me…
This is my mail ID : meenatv@yahoo.com
Hi,
This is meena, i have done BSC maths passed out 2006 with second class… After that i have done MSC IT passed out 2008 with first class in corresponce… And currently working in an insurance comapny as a senior officer operations.
Now i wanted to shift into the software tesing…
So what needs to be done for this, if i study the software testing course, could i enter into the software industry, because every MNC requires 60% of all the academic courses…
Pls help me…
This is my mail ID : meenatv@yahoo.com
Is there any training cum placement course availble to get job in software testing. pl guide. bec i have done MCM as well software testing course but till i did not get job in testing.
Hi i am prajakta patil done software testing course, i am looking job in testing i am 2007 passout. till i did’nt get job in testing . i have query is really training cum placement course will help me to get jon in testing. pl guide me.
HI ,
I am a Tech support engineer and aged about 37
I have done the Tesing courses but did not apply for Jobs as the market was slow last year .
Is this the right time to get into testing job ?
will my tech support help in my experience or do I show a fake experience ?
well I can rate myself 7 out of 10
I dont want to be a liar but my passion is to get into a testing job as I have a very strong practical experience in electronics and computers as good hands on Microsoft Office applications and troubleshooting skills.
I have come a long way to get to the position where I am and need to go a long way
GOOD AND POSSITIVE SUGGESTION WILL BE APPRECIATED
Hi,
I have done BE (mech) & presently working in mech field. I am also doing software testing course.
Can you please tell me what should I have to answer if the interviewer asks me why are you switching to software field?…..
I agree to all points. But here is an issue you just told the reasons of rejection not provide the solution. I think it will be a very good and best article if you provide the solution about these points.
thank you.
I need the reasons.
hai..
“SUCCESS DOESNT COME TO YOU YOU GO TO IT. SO, HARDWORK IT NEVER FAILURS”
-ZAMEER AHMED
Hi everyone, nice to meet you guy,this is my first time log on this website..i have 5+ yrs of experience in software testing..after read this article..i’m totally agree on what you say..as a QA engineer must work hard + work smart !!
I am 39 and a post-graduate in computer management and have been working as Computer Operator for the last 9 years. As I don’t see any progress in my present career, I want to switch-over to software testing field. In the past, I had few months working experience as software engineer as I worked on some small web-based projects using CSharp and SQL server 2000. Please guide me.
Hi Vijay its nice to see your post..thanx for the information u give all of us. well my problem is that i got call form 3 consultants all for same company, its been a week time and i have got no calls for the telephonic interview as the person on phone said to me that there will b telephonic interview in a week time..i dont know what’s the reason behind this..Can u kindly help me out??
i like this article, so i want to shift in testing field only, i am ready to hard work,testing field is very interesting for me, so please help me in searching a job and give me a tips how to preapre, thank u sir
I would like to list out 10 reasons why testing is important and how you develop this skill to not only get a testing job but also prove yourself capable of the job.
Testing is important to ensure the following
1. Product Quality
2. Usability
3. Reliability
4. Consistency
5. performance
6. Re-usability
7. Profitability
8. Enchancability
9. Adaptability
10. Customer Satisfaction
10 Qualities that you should identify in you to realise if you can be a good tester?
http://umasreeraghunath.blogspot.com/search/label/What%20makes%20a%20good%20tester%3F
10 Tips to find a Software Testing Job?
1. Find which companies have different domain testing opportunities
2. Pick one suitable domain and learn a bit of domain knowledge for that gives you advantage
3. Update your profile with the gained knowledge and let people know
4. Approach good testing companies to find openings
5. Do a certification if you could invest both time and effort
6. Learn the quality processes
7. Start to write good documentation
8. Always think and speak from the customer’s or end users point of view
9. Learn automation or testing tool if possible
10. Believe that in no way, testers are less to developer…strength lies in breaking the things they create… so that the end user will get what he wanted and not what is given and will not break the business in future!
hello vijay sir ,the article is realy a great help for many of us .i have a question ? i had completed my BSc (micro)in 2003 and MSC in (bio_chem) 2008in between and at present i am in teaching proffession but i have no satisfaction in my present job,i have good Knowledge over sdlc ,stlc as i completed a course in software testing(QTP),sql server but have no practical knowledge of any project ,frnds suggest to keep fake it is not right worth from the article u have for us ,then how and what is the way to get into testing field pls help out ..pls send ur suggestion
pls tell me are their any sites which gives us information regarding projects.
sir,iam an electronics student and i will be pass out in a month from now and iam looking for a career in testing tools, how should i approach
Simply superb article vijay. Nice about your work.
Wishes…!!!
Hi Ravi,
There are lot of companies are now recruiting freshers. Just search a lot, apply a lot, don’t demotivate with others words / failures in some interviews.
Before these all you should prepare well about testing. Initially try to learn through about manual testing, testing documentation procedures, testing terms and keywords, and its better if you start with knowledge in some tool. Even in some open source tool Selenium, Open STA, etc.
In industry the most wanted tool is QTP and now selenium.
hi guys
this is jayanthi i am finished testing course in chennai i am trying job what are the interview in software line.plxsany tell me
Hi Jayanthi,
Lot of fresher openings are there in Chennai. Just broaden your search, prepare well before going to interview, try to apply lot.. so that you’ll be get placed asap.
Wishes…!!!
hi mayasan,
how to prepare the interview and which topic i have to cover ple help me and trying last year onwards and inform me which company conducting the interview to my id is kutijay@gmail.com
if we go through those 10 points.surely will get job…
hiii prajakta..i am also 2007 passout in IT..i want 2 know from u that whr did u do this testing course and whr?plz tell me details.my id is-parthasparida@yahoo.com
I jus wanna suggestion from u guys:-)am actually a 2010 passed out(ECE BRANCH).Got placed in a big company for the post of software testing.But i dint get the offer letter. I need to undergo one training for this post.At the end of training they ll conduct an online exam. I can get the offer letter only if i clear that exam.I don know anything abt this job.So kindly help me.whether it is easy to do?…will i be able to clear dat exam?..what kind of job it is?…I don have proper guidance …so pls help me to know
dis s my mail id….mail2sureshd@gmail.com
Hi, I have 4 years experience working as a software test engineer out of which 2 years was spent working on GIS domain(LBS, tracking etc). I had to quit my job due to personal reasons and now I have a 1 year gap. I am looking to apply again and would like to know how I can fit in after a long break and what are the chances that I would be accepted.
Could you Pl send me a “sample” of best resume as I can modify. Pl send me at
rajeshranjanmca@gmil.com
Hi,
I have 4 years of experience in SAP technology. I had to quit my job and now have got 8 months of break. I have thought of shifting my career towards software testing. Can you guide me in this career path.
Please let me know whether I would be able to get a job in software testing after attending a training in software testing.
I would also be interested in doing a certification in software testing.
Please let me know what certification I can do in software testing.Whether it is possible for me to write the certfication as soon as I finish my training or any experience is required before writing any certification?
Really all test enginer have go through these 10 points…………
Leave a Comment