Wanted to become a successful software tester? Here are the skills that you required

Table of Contents

1. What is software testing?
2. Technical skills
3. Non-technical skills:

What is software testing?

Software testing is an activity that validates the output of a developed application. It also ensures whether the created application is meeting the expectation or not.

The software testing process also highlights missed requirements by identifying the defects. As a whole, we can say that testing is the backbone of the software development lifecycle, without which nothing can go live.

Also, if we talk about career options, QA is one of the demanding fields. There is always a need for a quality tester who can deliver results. Hence, here we are mentioning the skills required to become a software tester.

It will help aspirants to make themselves perfect for the position of a software tester. Moreover, being an ideal software tester, you will be able to earn a handsome amount.

Do you know the principles of Software Testing?

Before going into the detailed discussion for the skills, look at the principles of software testing. There are seven principles around which the objective of testing revolves. These are:

Testing shows the presence of defects:

The main objective of testing is to highlight the presence of errors and bugs so that developers could work on it and make the application even more flexible, reliable and user-friendly.

Also, during testing QA team makes sure that the required document should be accurately followed or not.

Exhaustive Testing is not possible:

See, nothing can be 100% perfect. It is a fact, and the whole world considers it. Every time testing each test case is impractical because we can not imagine all the possible combinations to validate the output.

Early Testing:

Early identification of bugs helps in getting a quick resolution. Hence, immediately after the development, testing starts.

It also helps the developer to resolve the issue and make the application workable. Also, early identification of bugs saves the cost that further helps in making the system robust.

Defect Clustering:

We have experienced that the majority of issues belong to the same module, and fixing the same module reduces the number of bugs by a large margin. Fixing such a risky module comes under defect clustering.

Pesticide Paradox:

Let us have a look at an example. If we use the same pesticide to kill the insects during farming, it will not be that much impactful because by the time the resistance amongst insects increases, and they fight against the pesticide.

In the same way, using the same test case again & again will compromise the quality of the software, and hence the test cases must have variation. Further, it helps in making the system result-oriented.

Testing is context-dependent:

The process of testing varies with the type of application. And it is pretty much obvious. The way we test a dynamic website, we never test an eCommerce website with the same method.

It happens because the features of both applications are different. Hence testing is always executed based on the type of the application.

Absence of errors fallacy:

Sometimes, the testing team validates software against the wrong requirement. It may be possible that software works perfectly, but it is not beneficial from the user’s perspective.

Hence always early testing is performed to counter the problem of the Absence of errors fallacy.

Technical and Non Technical Skills Required to Become a Software Tester

The role of a software tester is very much critical because based on his decision product is launched in the market. Meeting client’s expectations and gaining user’s trust is the primary aim of a testing team.

Here we will elaborate on the skills required to become a software tester. Technical and Non-Technical skills are there. Let’s have a look one by one.

Technical skills:

Knowledge of Linux command:

As we know, Linux operating system is in use for software development. Hence a tester should have a strong hand over Linux commands so that he could run the test cases comfortably and also able to analyze the output.

Understanding of databases and SQL:

The majority of software involves data processing in the backend, and to manage them, the dedicated database is used such as SQL or MySQL, etc. To check the response of the database, knowledge of the database is essential.

When testers know the flow and response of the data, only then will be in a position to validate the various queries of the database.

Hands-on experience with test management tools:

To become a reliable software tester, you must have strong command over test management tools. You can not survive in the testing industry without the knowledge of test management tools.

Also, these tools validate the performance of software under multiple environments thus one should have sound knowledge of these tools.

Test Planning & Documentation:

A tester has to follow a set process during the process of testing. Documentation is an integrated part of software testing because it helps in analyzing the software after a certain period of development.

The document should have each and every detail of the software along with all the test cases, bugs, resolution, and futuristic implementation.

Experience with automation tools:

Automation has acquired the world, and IT companies prefer to use automation testing methods to validate software's response. The method takes the least time and delivers quick results.

So, automation testing is in great demand, and a person having strong command over automation testing tools gets preference during interviews. So those who are seeking to become software tester should start learning automation tools.

Cross-Browser Testing Skills:

To become a successful software tester, the aspirant must know to test an application across various browsers. As we know, each browser has its own features and settings. Also, they behave differently in certain situations.

Hence one should have the ability to test an application across all the browsers because we do not know, users will use which browser.

Non-technical skills:

Thinking Ability:

Testing demands the presence of the mind because various combinations are analyzed to analyze the behavior of the software. There is no set method to test software because each software has its own approach and significance.

So, you need to be intelligent and active while checking an application. Also, while testing, the tester should think like an end-user.

So, testing is not at all an easy job as it demands a determined and active mind to deliver a quality result.

Reporting and Communication:

A tester is responsible to manage the entire communication in the proper format. Before launching an application, testers test it under various conditions.

Also, sometimes it is sent to higher authorities for approval, etc. Hence all such kinds of communications need to be maintained to avoid futuristic discrepancies.

Analytical skills:

A software tester should have a powerful analytical skillset because it helps in analyzing the requirement of the software and the client’s expectation.

Also, with strong analytical skills, you will be able to divide the complex codes into simpler and smaller modules. It eases the testing method and thus drives quality to the application.

Time Management & Organization Skills:

Time is the most significant asset of an organization as people say that time is money. IT companies always estimate their budgeting based on the time required for the delivery of the project.

Hence a tester should always ensure to test an application in the shortest possible time frame. As we know, once testers highlight bugs and defects, the developer fixes them.

Code fixing also takes time, so testers need to test the application and identifies bugs at the earliest. Time management is one of the most required skill sets of a tester.

The right attitude:

Being a reliable tester, you must follow the right attitude during the entire testing process. The majority of things depend upon the view of a tester.

One should not do testing for the sake of doing it rather they should give their 100% to bring quality to the application.

Hence if you are looking to become a tester always follow the best practice, keep yourself calm and work with the right attitude.

Synergy and Trust Building:

Testing is something that makes an application reliable, robust, innovative, and flexible. Also, a quality output maintains synergy and builds trust among the public for the product.

So, one should always test an application to gain people’s confidence. A product becomes valuable when the audience approves it. If they reject the application, it spoils the whole effort. So, one should make sure to test an application precisely.

Conclusion

So guys, hope you have understood the skill sets required to become a software tester. Testing is the combination of technical and non-technical mindset. It is a challenging position that always demands an energetic, active, calm, and patient aspirant.

Also, the position is in great demand across the world. Hence if you are passionate to opt software testing as a career, work on the mentioned skills.

Also, QAble is the leading testing company in India and if you need any kind of support, feel free to get in touch. Our team is always available to assist you in the right direction. Keep searching to know more about such facts. Stay safe!!! Stay at home!!!