How to Become a Professional Software Tester?
by Nataliia Vasylyna | November 7, 2013 10:00 am
Note: the article was updated in August 2018.
To get the full and distinct image of a professional software tester, we should define all constituents of this occupation. The key component of our investigation is the software. The Oxford dictionary explains the software as “the programs and other operating information used by a computer”. Applications, scripts and a set of instructions are also used to describe the core of a software.
The second constituent of the profession that draws our attention is testing. The main objective of testing[1] is to determine whether a product (program, site or application) satisfies all the requirements and meets end users’ expectations.
Testing sphere, as well as the majority of jobs, depends on the qualification of employees. Professionals are people who are distinguished by the high quality of work they carry out and by the level of responsibility in the process.
Now we can answer the question that we are interested in. A professional [2]in software testing is a person who performs high results in analyzing computer programs.
Five key qualities of a professional software tester
We cannot speak of a specialist in any field without realizing top qualities he / she should possess to provide best results.
- Communication skills: combine customer and team contact, discussions, problem-solving. Let’s not forget about the writing skills.
- Technical knowledge: includes testing skills[3], familiarity with programming languages and testing tools, testing types knowledge, etc.
- Analytical and judging mind: presupposes the ability to think critically, analyze the performed work and mistakes.
- Creativeness: means that a person should think beyond the set limits and present fresh ideas and thoughts.
- Discipline: is the trait that helps a professional to stick to the stated timelines, evaluate tasks and structurize the information.
This list of qualities is not full or obligatory, but it helps people who work in QA sphere to analyze the missing skills that could help them to achieve the professional goal. Do not worry if you haven’t got all the skills mentioned above. The driving force of all future attainments is the wish. If you definitely know what you want, you can grow fast in the chosen occupation.
Software testing as well as QA (Quality Assurance[4]) is not the exception. This sphere is very demanding and challenging. It is not about channel switching on TV. Besides, all the skills mentioned, the professional in software testing is not deprived of such obvious qualities as love for work, curiosity, self-confidence, good teamwork, etc.
You may think that the title of a software pro requires too much from a person. This is just the first impression. It will not stop the one who has defined his / her life goals. If we look thoroughly, we will see that each profession has its own specifics.
Check yourself: what is the field of your interests? If it is the software testing, go for it. Combine your knowledge and wish and you will become the leader in this sphere.
Learn more from QATestLab
Related Posts:
- main objective of testing: https://blog.qatestlab.com/2011/05/06/myths-and-rakes-the-purpose-of-testing-is-to-find-errors/
- professional : https://blog.qatestlab.com/2011/04/29/do-you-consider-yourself-an-expert-in-testing/
- testing skills: https://blog.qatestlab.com/2019/07/25/manual-testing-skills/
- Quality Assurance: https://qatestlab.com/services/quality-assurance/
- Technical Tester vs Non-Technical Tester: https://blog.qatestlab.com/2015/12/08/non-technical-tester/
- Software Development (Doesn’t) Need Independent QA: https://blog.qatestlab.com/2024/11/14/software-development-doesnt-need-independent-qa/
- Is Your E-commerce Ready for Black Friday & Cyber Monday? Let’s Check!: https://blog.qatestlab.com/2024/11/12/is-your-e-commerce-ready-for-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/
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