Choosing Software Testing as your Career

If you are willing to choose software testing as your career then this is a must read!
Nowadays I get many mails asking me about software testing jobs. Should I select software testing as my career? How to switch to software testing from other job experience? Which institute should I join for testing course? And many more …

I will give a common answer to all these questions whether you should choose software testing as your career or not? Let me first explain in brief about software testing. Software testing and quality control are the processes by means of which application quality is improved. Software testing is done in each phase of product life cycle i.e from requirement specifications , design, coding, to the user acceptance.

Many complex software structures require in depth analytical and technical skill to test the applications. Knowledge of programming languages is required for unit testing, scripting skill essential for Automation testing.

Now we will speak about your career in software testing. No one can guide you choosing your career more than you! Its right and you are the only person to decide your career.
Do self-assessment to figure out where you can fit well. Do study of your skills, interests, strengths, weaknesses.

Ask some questions to your self like:
What is your goal in life?
What will increase your satisfaction and skill?
What is your interest?
Which skills you have developed in your life till now?
Which training you did that can be applied to future job?

By answering these questions you will automatically come to decision.

To switch to software testing career What skills you will require? Is the most important question I think.

In my previous post what makes a good test engineer, I mentioned some of the software testing required skills.

1. Communication: Customer communication as well as team communication most important for this job. Written communication as well!

2. Technical skill: As I mentioned earlier for testing technical domain skill in languages is important.

Some of the Testing skills are:
Project life cycle,
Testing concepts,
Knowledge of testing types,
Programming languages familiarity,
Database concepts,
Test plan idea,
Ability to analyze requirements,
Documentation skill,
Testing tools

3. Leadership quality
4. Analytical and judging skill

Don’t worry if you don’t have some of the skills mentioned above. You can always learn the things if you have interest. Non-IT personas can also grow fast by gaining necessary skills.

So finally selecting testing as your career ask one question to yourself:
Are you looking for career in software testing or just a Job?

Best of luck!