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Quality assurance is an important factor in the production process in many industries, particularly in software. QA (quality assurance) software testers help companies ensure their software is functioning correctly and effectively, before putting it in the hands of customers. QA software testers are responsible for assessing software, running various tests, identifying and solving bugs, generating result reports, and more.
To become a QA software tester, you will need a degree in computer science or IT. Hiring managers will look for someone with previous technical and/or software experience, such as previous roles as a functional tester or application engineer. The ideal candidate for this role will have technical expertise, in addition to strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
A big piece of the QA software tester’s job is to find and solve for bugs or issues found within the software. For this reason, you should highlight any experience you have identifying and/or solving for bugs in software. Even if your experience was in a different position, the ability to troubleshoot and problem solve is crucial to landing this role.
Traditionally, Quality Assurance Testers come in at the end of the development cycle of a new product. The title QA software tester is often used to emphasize that the QA team is a part of the development of the product from start to finish. This means that the team works in an iterative and integrative way, and that QA software testers will pay attention to all things that will affect the function of the program, from bugs, to slow load times, to poorly written customer copy.
Especially in any tech field, your skills section tells a story. It shows the tools you have used and those you can bring to bear on the problems at hand. This is also an easy way to customize your resume to better fit a company’s needs -- if you have the tech skills they’re asking for, change them to match what’s in the job description and you’ll read as a better fit to ATS filters.
Whenever you’re a person in a senior position with management responsibilities, one of the best things you can do is show when you were rewarded ahead of schedule or exceeded expectations. Any position, especially as a QA tester, is looking for strong soft skills and ability to lead — being promoted within 18 months of receiving a new position is a great example.
As a hiring manager who has recruited QA software testers at companies like Microsoft, Google, and Adobe, I've seen thousands of resumes. The best ones always stand out because they are tailored to the specific job and company, and highlight the candidate's most relevant skills and experience. Here are some tips to help you create a strong QA software tester resume:
Emphasize your knowledge of different testing methodologies, such as:
Quantify your impact where possible:
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. While it's not a mandatory component, it can be a valuable addition for QA software testers, especially if you have several years of experience or are making a career change. A well-crafted summary can provide context, highlight your most relevant qualifications, and convince hiring managers to keep reading.
When writing your summary, focus on your key strengths, skills, and experiences that align with the QA software tester role. Avoid using an objective statement, as it focuses on your goals rather than what you can offer the employer. Keep your summary concise, typically around 3-5 sentences or bullet points, and tailor it to the specific job you're applying for.
Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. As a QA software tester, this is where you'll showcase your skills and accomplishments to potential employers. It's important to highlight your most relevant experience and demonstrate the value you've brought to previous roles.
In this section, we'll break down the key steps you should follow when writing your work experience section. By following these tips, you'll be able to create a compelling and effective work experience section that will help you stand out from other candidates.
When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs that are specific to your role as a QA software tester. This helps to highlight your skills and accomplishments in a concise and impactful way.
Examples of strong QA-related action verbs include:
Avoid using weak or generic verbs like "worked on" or "responsible for." Instead, use specific verbs that demonstrate the actions you took and the results you achieved.
The education section of your QA software tester resume should be concise and highlight your relevant academic background. Include your degree, major, and any relevant coursework or certifications. Keep this section brief, especially if you have several years of work experience.
The skills section on your resume is crucial for QA software testers. It's where you highlight your technical abilities and show hiring managers that you have the right expertise for the job.
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant skills before a human sees them. Without the right skills, your resume might never make it to a hiring manager's desk. Here's how to write a strong skills section for your QA tester resume:
Here are examples of popular skills from QA (Quality Assurance) Software Tester job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on QA (Quality Assurance) Software Tester job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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