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What is a tester and how to become one
A tester is responsible for testing software to ensure proper functionality. Testers use a variety of tools and methodologies to identify product issues that could impact the user experience. Testers work with developers and project managers to provide feedback on product quality. They craft and execute tests before reporting their findings to stakeholders. Testers must have strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.
Avg. Salary $65,202
Avg. Salary $59,228
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%
Asian 11.99%
Black or African American 6.24%
Hispanic or Latino 8.82%
Unknown 4.70%
White 67.73%
Genderfemale 37.00%
male 63.00%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a tester?
Pros
Possibility for flexible working hours and remote work
Potential for good compensation, benefits, and job security due to demand for testers
Valuable experience in the software development life cycle
Possibility for career advancement in testing or related fields
Ability to work in various industries
Cons
Can be repetitive and tedious
Stress from tight deadlines and high-pressure expectations
Risk of burnout due to long hours and high workload
Can be challenging to communicate technical issues to non-technical stakeholders
Can be frustrating when bugs are not fixed or acknowledged by developers
Tester career paths
Key steps to become a tester
Explore tester education requirements
Start to develop specific tester skills
Skills Percentages Java 10.00% Test Results 4.66% Web Application 4.48% Test Scripts 4.27% QA 4.13% Complete relevant tester training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New testers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a tester based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tester resumes.Research tester duties and responsibilities
- Manage requirements and maintain test repository using QC.
- Manage departmental inventory and troubleshoot testing, reporting and inventory issues.
- Network scanning using tools like NMap and Nessus.
- Perform unit testing using Junit for class, method, & web services testing.
Prepare your tester resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tester resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a tester resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable tester resume templates
Build a professional tester resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your tester resume.
Apply for tester jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a tester job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first tester job
Jozrin Harar
Tester
However, in project under Censof (M) Sdn Bhd, I had been guided how to prepare Test Script and Test Description for the systems. I learnt how to prepare the testing data to be used in QA or in UAT/FAT.
In any projects, after developer develop the software or the system, they will test internally before pass it to QA. Once they pass it, QA need to test manually end to end the software or system. If any errors or stopper, QA will creat ticket in JIRA and submit them to developer. QA need to sit down and discuss with Business Analyst for the flow of the system, and the business rules.
Once JIRA ticket submitted and developer will fix the bugs. QA must have a discussion with developer to make them more clear of what the requirement needed as written in SRS. Last step after all bugs being fixed, the system is ready to be in UAT and FAT. The objective of QA is to release the system with no bugs/errors or minimise it. We want to deliver quality software/system to our stakeholders.
Average tester salary
The average tester salary in the United States is $65,202 per year or $31 per hour. Tester salaries range between $42,000 and $99,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do testers rate their job?
Tester reviews
I like testing because it can be interesting. Things can change but also stay the same. I like routine but not repetition doing the same thing. Testing isn't the best job but a good job.
Some things you test can be really picky to pass. It's likely they will always fail the first time. Some test seem to always pass and seek insufficient. I always look at productivity but also efficiency. So if not necessary by customer and always passes I can't see why a part of the test he removed especially if another part of the test will fail if it does. Options I am always open to.
testing games and having fun meeting new people working with people whi trust you
being delayed
Working with technology.
Automated testing is more in demand than manual testing.
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Updated January 8, 2025
