In this article, we will learn how to figure out what QA job best suits you based on your skills. We will try to make the job search process easier for you. Let’s get started.
Job searching is undoubtedly the most stressful part of our careers. We will try to simplify the tiring process for you. You will be able to figure out “What kind of job can you aspire for, with the skills you possess?”
Table of Contents:
Identifying QA Job Based On Your Skills
Every job post/ad/requirement comes with its own set of primary/required/mandatory skills & good-to-have. While we would like to be a ‘know-it-all’, it is often confusing because a part of the job description may fit our experience and skills, and part of it does not.
We are left wondering, “Am I a good fit for this role?” We will do some kind of skill matching in this article.
We will try to create a list of skills and the jobs that are suitable for these skills.
However, it has to be noted that this should not be your only source of reference. It helps to remember that it is an approximation and intended for a general audience.
At STH, we adhere to and diligently follow a golden rule: “When submitting a job application, it is uncommon for any candidate to meet all the job requirements. Therefore, we recommend applying for the job, if 75-85% of the criteria matches with your skill set”.
And yes, even if one point you won’t satisfy is the years of experience, this rule still applies. What this means is, if you have ALM knowledge, SQL, QA concepts, etc as required for the job and all that you lack is the years of experience that the job asks for–I would say, apply for it.
The key is to focus on skills and proficiency rather than the number of years or experience. Are you wondering, “Has that ever worked?” It is a time-tested theory.
We encourage the same method through our STH’s QA class and a lot of our students are happily testing in their respective jobs. So, yes. We can say that it works.
Let’s go back to the main topic for today:
Given below is a “Skills- QA position” checklist that you could use to understand what skills you have and what you want to work on qualifying for the most popular QA positions:
Note: We mentioned HP ALM (for test management), HP QTP/UFT (functional testing), SOAPUI (web service testing), HP LoadRunner (performance testing) as tools that you will need to know. But please feel free to replace any tool of a similar genre.
Skills – QA Position Checklist
| Core Skills | Additional Skills | To Learn and Perfect | Position Qualified For |
|---|---|---|---|
| QA concepts and working knowledge | Defect management tool ALM tool Agile/test management software | SQL and UNIX | Functional Tester/Manual Tester/Software QA engineer |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Java and exposure to selenium | Selenium IDE and web driver | Automation Test Engineer using Selenium |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | SQL | Database and Database Testing concepts ETL concepts | Database or backend tester ETL test engineer |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | XML, Webservices knowledge | SoapUI or other webservice testing tools | Webservice tester or SoapUI tester |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Strong domain and business knowledge | Business models and BA processes | QA and Business Analyst |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | HP Quick Test Professional(HP UFT) and VBScript programming | Framework creation, ROI concepts, resuability aspects etc | Automation Test Engineer using HP QTP(UFT) |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Release management and source code management tools | Code deployment tools like Kintana and the associated processes | QA release manager |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | HP ALM – Admin or any other management software administration | Admin certification(may be) | QA tool administrator |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Mainframe knowledge and exposure to QTP(UFT) | HP QTP(UFT) proficiency | Mainframe Tester using QTP(UFT) |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Mobile Testing understanding and Emulator knowledge | Different mobile OS systems knowledge | Mobile Test engineer |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Agile methodology knowledge | SCRUM and Kanban models in-depth understanding | Agile Tester or Scrum master |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Performance Testing concepts and HP Load Runner(or similar performance test tool knowledge) | Performance fine tuning, analytics and other trouble shooting expertise | Performance Test engineer |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Security testing concepts, network protocol knowledge, NMAP or similar tool experience, Metasploit/Wireshark knowledge for penetration | Ethical hacking do’s and don’ts | Security Test engineer |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Exposure to real time projects and good communication | Meeting software working knowledge, general awareness of the current trends in the field | QA facilitator |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Metric collection Test estimation Team leading experience | Process knowledge and certification | QA lead/QA manager |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Excellent documentation and written communication skills | Documentation creation working knowledge and general awareness of the current trends in the field | Technical writer |
| QA concepts and working knowledge(all work management tools) | Excellent eye for details and good knowledge of www standards | Data collection and interpretation skills Heatmap based data collection tool knowledge | Usability tester |
Conclusion
We want to again emphasize that this is just a generic list. Besides these skills, it is important to note that a positive attitude, excellent communication, work ethics, and a general awareness of the current events in the field can be instrumental to being successful in the QA field.
For most of the tools mentioned in the above article, as well as the testing techniques mentioned, we have plenty of reading material on STH that can get you all set up and started.
Here are the links, check them out:
- Free QA training
- QTP Tutorials
- HP ALM Tutorials
- Load Runner tutorials
- Penetration Testing Tutorials
- Usability testing
- Selenium Tutorials
- JIRA Tutorials
- Database Testing Guides
- Agile Testing guides
Additionally, there is a vast array of interview questions and articles related to interviews. Be sure to take a look.
Author: This article is written by STH team member Swati Seela. She is also an instructor for our online software testing training course.
We hope this article was useful to you. We encourage you to provide your feedback in the comments section below and ask any questions you may have regarding the aspects we have discussed. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
All the best!
wow, surprised there are so many options in QA field also. This is really a very useful matrix for QAs.
Hello,
I have worked in support domain (application & production) for 2 years in a reputed company under BPO payroll. I got to work mostly on SharePoint.
I wanted to switch company. Someone experienced guided me to switch to Testing domain so that I can go to Development in future.
Can you please help me in this regard –
1. Is it a good decision?
2. How can I build my career in a better way in tesing from a scratch?
You can reply on my mail-id :
aniketsk.2211@gmail.com
Regards,
Aniket Keni
@saloi: Thank you for stopping by and your interest in our online class. You can find tons of information, along with demos here: http://www.softwaretestinghelp.org/best-software-testing-online-training-course/
hi Swati,
this was indeed a very helpful article.
i am a Tester, and just read about this online training you provide. can I get more info on this service plz..
mail me ..
Sal
@amrita: Yes. Plenty of options. Isn’t it great!
@Aniket: Sure. It is a great choice. Please pursue that.
https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/non-it-to-software-testing-switch-how-to-get-into-qa/
The above article might help. All the best!
@Cez Quebete: Thank you stopping by and your readership!
Hi,
I want to know the details about IT HELP-DESK application testing for a small concern with 300 employees.
Pls share the details like
1)How many months it required to develop and test this application.
2)Which language and database is used to develop.
3)How many members want to develop and test this application.
Kindly share all the relevant details about this application. Thank you.
Hi Swati Seela,
This is very helpful. Thank you to this site for giving a lot of infos for all Software QA around the world. Kudos to you!
-Cez (Manual Tester in Phils)
@rekha: Sometimes we testers assist the UAT process. Even though the software GO/No-GO decision is not for us to make, we still perform the UAT and present results. When this happens often, and the company wants to hire someone to play this role specifically, we are UAT testers. The job desc and the responsibilities will be similar to that of functional testers. I hope this helps!
Hi Swati,
Very helpful post. Thank you. It cleared most of my doubts :). I’d like to know where UAT Tester fits in?
Great Work… Very useful post to freshers who are looking QA jobs.i have to 3 years of experience in the QA(manual) testing now i am looking for Performance testing can you provide some video links of Hp Load runner.