Description of software testing jobs
People who are hired for software testing QA jobs are required to test software programs to spot and eliminate programming anomalies such as bugs. A software tester will conduct specific tests to ensure the software works as planned without any glitches that may become apparent after the product has been delivered to the client; so, in this sense the job is akin to that of a quality analyst in any other industry. Software testing jobs are offered as full time employment or on a per project basis.
What is a software tester expected to do?
There are several software programs that are ordered by clients and designed by companies that offer software solutions each day. Unfortunately, the designer or the programmer cannot always get a gist for the issues that may be lurking behind and may only come into play when the software is used in certain environments. A software tester is supposed to test the program in conjunction with other programs and also in various environments. The aim is to ensure that the program performs regardless of the environment it is operated in and who operates it. A software tester analyzes the performance of the program from the perspective of the end user. A tester is also responsible for preparing a detailed report of all the bugs and issues that the program may have.
To ensure that the final product meets the customer's specifications, the software tester also has to be involved in the initial phases of the designing process; so, the tester has to be present during all client consultations so that he/she fully comprehends the scope and requirement of the project. The tester then creates a testing plan along with his team or individually depending on the size of the project. The parameters in the plan are based on the information gathered during client consultation. A software tester will employ various tools and record metrics so that the program can be tested for reliability functionality and performance. During the software testing procedure, the tester may offer recommendations to the programmers or debug the software.
Educational Qualification
Although you don't need a bachelor's degree, a background in programming will help a lot if you are interested in software testing jobs. You will need to have in depth knowledge about programming languages such as Java and C++ and other programming platforms. You can hone your programming skills by enrolling in a college course which will give you an associate's degree upon completion. Also, there are several proprietary schools that offer exclusive software testing related training; upon completion; graduates receive a formal certificate. Alternatively, you could also secure a certificate by enrolling n a training course at the Quality Assurance Institute.
Apart from the technical qualifications, a software tester will also need to have wonderful communication and interpersonal skills because he/she will be expected to develop a rapport with the programmers. The design and development team has to be at ease with the testing team for the successful completion of a project. The software tester will need to have an acute understanding of the application being tested and the issues that the programming team had to face when developing it.
Where can you find software testing jobs?
There are several ways in which you could find software testing QA jobs; an experienced candidate can look for jobs through the help of a staffing agency. Also, online forums that specifically deal with information technology related jobs such as Dice.com can prove remarkably useful. You can also find software testing jobs in the traditional print media such as newspapers. If you are interested in working for a specific organization, you can approach the human resource department of the company and inquire about current or future openings. Obtaining membership in professional IT or software testing related associations will also help you to get valuable leads.
Remuneration
The average salary for software testing jobs is $70,000 per annum. Apart from this, the Department of Labor Statistics has predicted an astounding 32% increase in demand for software testers which is three times more than the growth seen in most other industries.
