This post is dedicated to the people who want to start their career in Software Testing. Based on my knowledge and experience I have listed a few points below which may help an individual to achieve this goal.
1. Why you want to become a Software Tester?
Before you start with anything; first ask this question to
yourself why you want to become a Software Tester? As a
fresher you will come across this question on many occasions; and it is always
required to come up with realistic, logical answers to such questions rather
than preparing something from readily available materials.
In order to prepare an answer for this question, find out the
origin where you heard this term Software Testing first time,
what all things you know about it, what is the essential qualification &
skill sets required for it etc. This will help you to consolidate your
knowledge about Software Testing and you can prepare the
logical answer for the interest that you have in Software Testing.
2. Take a training on Software Testing
Once you
decide to take a forward step in Software Testing, your first job
is to find out a good Training provider for the same. I recommend getting
trained from the industry professionals as conceptual and pragmatically
endorsed learning is more helpful.
Check the
course content properly and coverage of Testing Tools (if any). Make sure to
ask questions and get them answered during your training itself. Simultaneously
read some articles about Software Testing, develop a proper understanding of
every term, and remember Thought Clarity plays a vital
role in Software Testing.
3. Test something on
your own
During
and after the completion of your training, try testing something on your own.
Though you are a fresher, still you can gain some experience by performing
following activities. Note; this is the point where you should start
applying what you are learning or learned about Software Testing.
- Consider a popular Social Network Facebook (Web Application) as your application under test.
- Write down the Test Scenarios, Test Cases (may be for Login page & Timeline) in the format or a template that you were asked during training.
- Get them reviewed from respective trainers or an experienced person in your network.
- Start executing those Test Cases and log the results. The probability of getting any defect is very less but do it seriously as you will do it in your first job. :)
4. Build professional network
Building a strong professional network really helps in your career
path. You can join some Software Testing Groups, Communities, Discussion Forums
which are available on popular Social (Facebook, Twitter) & Business
networks (LinkedIn) and get in touch with industry professionals. This is the
source where you will come across useful articles on Software Testing, keep
reading them, and subscribe to good blogs or websites.
Here is the important point to note, reading is good, but don't
read too much which may lead to confusion in some cases. Eventually based on
your experience you will have the ability to distinguish between what you
should read and what you shouldn't.
5. Get ready for an
Interview
Prepare a neat resume which highlights your education details and
exposure on Software Testing. Avoid any sort of spelling or grammatical
mistake; don’t forget that this is a Resume for the post of Software Tester. :) Make
sure you are putting only those skills about Software Testing which are in line
with your training contents and you can rigorously justify them.
Upload your Resume on job
portals and keep updating it frequently. In addition share your profile within
your professional network, communities etc.
