Over the last decade, the profile of a Software Tester has undergone tremendous changes. Testing has become a show-stopper for several applications/product implementations and businesses have realized the importance of Structured Testing of applications before release.
Testing has created several levels, types & specializations and these various types of testing have increased the intrinsic value of a software tester.
Right from being a monotonous test case executor, several career options have evolved in front of the testing community.
What You Will Learn:
Career Options for Software Test Professionals
The below diagram depicts the various options available to a Software Tester.
Of late, testing has been looked after as a good professional career for many of the aspiring youths. As mentioned above, from being a test engineer one can move to senior test engineer, test lead to test manager; else can become QA lead, QA Manager.
The options available on the testing tool side are enormous. There are a number of functional, performance, and security testing tools besides test management tools like Quality Center from HP, CQTM from IBM, etc.,
The demand for niche skills like SOA testers and Security testers is on the increase. There is a dearth of skills in test automation areas – scripting skills in tools languages like VB, Java and other scripting languages like Perl, Shell, Python, etc.,
Technical resources with the capabilities to evaluate automation tools, create automation frameworks and reusable components are on demand. There is always demand for good performance testers who can analyze the performance test results, identify the bottlenecks and suggest tuning techniques.
Specialization has Come to Stay in the Testing Career
Given below are some of the key areas where one needs to specialize to move ahead in a career path in testing apart from good knowledge in the Software Lifecycle Testing Process.
#1) Domain Knowledge: Good knowledge in the domain area of the application adds value to the testing professionals. There are several ever living domains like BFSI, Telecom, Healthcare, manufacturing, embedded, etc. A number of certifications are available for each of these areas where the tester can get himself/herself certified.
#2) Automation Testing Tools Knowledge: There is a great demand for Automation and Performance testers. Good skill in scripting languages of these tools is the basic necessity for succeeding in test automation. Knowledge on creation, validation, and enhancement of test automation frameworks is very much required.
#3) Certifications: QAI, ASQ, ISTQB, and several other institutes are offering testing specific certifications. These certifications improve the confidence of the clients in the testing professionals. CQTM and PMP are some managerial certifications, that would help the testers to scale up on the professional ladder.
Certifications on the testing tools offered by vendors like HP increases the technical competency of the individual.
#4) Niche areas in Testing: Experts predict that niche areas like SOA testing and Security testing are gaining momentum in the testing space. Many tools are emerging in these areas. As testing professionals, we should be aware of where the industry is heading and update our knowledge in those areas.
Knowledge updation is a continuous process. Several websites like sticky minds and QAForums offer excellent insight into various facets of the testing arena. I always request my team members to spend at least two hours a week on these selected websites to update themselves to the current happenings and events.
As the saying goes “You need to run continuously to keep yourself in the same place“, – we as testing professionals we should always work towards sharpening our testing skills to succeed in this competitive environment.
What is your career goal?
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About the Author: This is a guest post from author Gunasekaran Veerapillai, Bangalore
Hi harish
I have sent a mail, let me know when you are starting new batch.
Hi..I’m chetan from bangalore.I have done MCA and i know core PHP. And i want to do some other course to get a good Job. But my problem is my programming skill is not so good.So please advice me those courses in which i can give my 100%
what knowledge i should have to become software tester,
which languages should i know ,
tell me about requirments for software tester.
Dear ALL.
I got message from all from different back ground with diff exeperince levels. Many of them having tesitng experince. Many of them having many doubts. As per my understanding in testing if u r very strong in english written and verbal communication they can grow like any thing. Apart from that if some one is specialized in any toll then they can demand good salary for that. Otherwise only in manual testing exp it will not create big difference with yr of experiences.
Hello,
Can any one please give me a fair suggestion and scope of software testing as a career option.Currently i am working as a QA for payment module and testing the admin as well using cyber source. Please suggest me if i can enhance ma career by pursuing any extra course which will add up in my career.
Awaiting for a reply
Sonam
Hi,
I am a B.tech graduate looking to make a career i Software Testing.
Please suggest me the way that I can become a Software Tester.
Currently i am working in an IT company for the last 6 months.
Is there any possibility that i can get job in the desired field???
Suggest me What to do??
Thanks.
Hi ,
Please help me out my brother has done his MBA in marketing and finance. If he wants to pursue his career in QA testing then please let me know that whether its going to help him out.
Bhai Pracheer.. Tuze aur tere bhai ko BABA JI KA THHULLU!!!
Hai sir
Am completed B.Tech(IT) in 2014.I want to know the scope of testing career.please give suggestion about testing
i did my bca and having 2 year gap till now will testing couse help me furture. does it have scope in market ??
Hi everyone,
I am presently on training for testing profile and have an option to choose between database testing and automation testing. As coding part is concerned I am not that too good. So please any one who have good knowledge provide me a some suggestion on what should i opt as my career option.
I am just copleted b.tech in ece. Now i want to go.on it field. Desid to in software testing. To learn sw testing ,any other progg language need to to learn?
I need serious guidance.
Am a software tester (manual) for 5 years.Have ISTQB certifications(Test analyst).I dont see much of a future in my career unless i develop some new skillsets(automation/Database testing).
Need to discuss with someone who could guide me through….
Hi,
Nice post, Software Security Testing is also very good option.
Great Article
Very helpful.
Thanks
Hi…I am into functional testing for more than 5 years. Now i got into Performance Testing. Is it a good idea or do i need to continue as functional tester only? I am in a great dilemma. Please help me…
I am looking for people with 4-6 yrs exp in testing, for a giant involved in medical software testing.
Interested people could contact me at 9742104143 or email me at sharadsud@rediffmail.com
Hi, I was working as a lecturer 3years back….I resigned my job after marriage, so 3years break….so now I would like to start my carrier in software ……particularly in software testing…..till now I don’t have any expreience in IT….my qualification is MSC information technology… I m 2009 passed out..
Anyone plz help me…if I do course in manual testing and any tool like sellinium,or informatica…. Is it possible to get place …..or am I wasting my time….
Hlo
I’m kartikesh kumar having knowledge of java I want to learn Software testing.
So I want to know that What is the scope of software testing.
Hi..
I just want to know that to have a software testing course, is it compulsory that one should have a background of engineering or anybody can do it?? Please answer.
which institute is good for tesing tools in hyderabad ??
im from ece stream….
and including placements also….
This is the exact question that arises in the Software tester’s mind. While, persuing any of the web field this becomes a question of worry that Is it a good career option that we are persuing?. Your blog helped me alot. Thanks!
Hi,
nice post Sotftware SOA Testing and performence Test and Security Testing
Any One know about Selenium with F# automation or BigData Testing courses .
I AM FROM KOLKATA AND I AM CURRENTLY PURSUING MCA. I AM QUITE INTERESTED IN SOFTWARE TESTING FIELD. I WAN TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE ON THIS . MY ELDER SISTER IS WORKING IN TESTING FILED IN IT SHE SUGGESTED ME TO KNOW AUTOMATION.
SO ANY BODY WHO IS EXPERTISE ON THIS FIELD COULD SUGGEST ME WHAT CERTIDICATIONS AND WHAT WORK RELATED TO TESTING SHALL I LEARN TO GET AN OPPERTUNITY IN TESTING FIELD IN IT. THANK YOU
Nice discussion on testing … I have 10 + yrs exp in both Manual and Automation testing. I don’t see great career in testing after 10 yrs though I’m working as a Test Manager. As per current trend, anyone can survive for max 10 yrs in test career even with sound automation knowledge. This doesn’t mean testing is having low priority, rather it means corporate world don’t want experienced candidates. Any Test Lead can play Test Manger’s role in half of the test manager’s salary … or a resource having testing exp of 3 -4 yrs can do test lead’s job … and if we refer to latest trend of DevOps … there is no concept of test manager, Test lead and test automation is expected from developers … So, remaining testing team need to do minimal manual/exploratory testing for which organization don’t need testers with 10+ yrs exp… choose your career wisely .. do some research before starting career .. think of next 5 yrs now .. I am not pessimistic … however just want to highlight current market situation and latest trends … All the best !!!
Thankq for sharing such a great information and mentioned websites is great helpful for building my career
Hi i am sraban kumar naik from odisha . i will complite my O level under NILET .can i join for software testing course . i have good knowledge about software use and installization skill. please help me
Hi , I am working as a senior Test Engineer. I want to upgrade myself. I am confused to choose the tools (selenium or UI path) of shall I learn Data science. Please suggest.
Thanks,
Karthi
Good Post…
Can You please suggest some advance skills which is required for experienced software tester?