Description

If a software or application creator is developing a program intended for consumer or professional use, software testers play an important role in the development process. The tester is usually part of an engineering or quality assurance Quality Control department. The tester receives software development at different stages of completion, and then puts the program through various tests, logging the software's responses. One of the most important elements of testing is documenting the procedures used in software testing. Documentation is particularly important because it's often crucial in helping software engineers identify coding issues. Another important aspect of a testing process is identifying repeated crashes and bugs within the program.

Testers can use scripted testing scenarios or conduct more stress tests that are freeform and generally work with software at every stage of development. They may also give feedback to users and provide reports on excessive interface clutter and non-responsive user interface systems and other issues, like tools that do not show or display menus which trigger excessive clicks. Although many software companies have dedicated testers for user interfaces who give feedback to users early on, feedback from software testers seeking out programming mistakes and crashes can assist in smoothing the process of development.

The majority of software testers are looking for jobs in the area that deals with software development. This is usually a position at beginning-level, but it may still require programming skills and certifications in programming. Many software engineers have found feedback from testers who know the development process to be particularly helpful Testers who have certifications and expertise in this field are sought-after within the software industry.

Roles & Responsibilities

Within the context of the Software Tester, employees are expected to fulfill the following roles and responsibilities in order to make meaningful contributions towards organizational success.

  • A software tester with 0-3 years of experience in India is responsible for planning and documenting test strategies, test plans, and test cases.
  • They execute test cases and report defects found in the software, while ensuring that the testing conforms to best industry practices.
  • The software tester communicates with developers, stakeholders, and project managers, collaboratively working towards the resolution of any discovered issues.
  • Lastly, software testers are responsible for the documentation of defects, including the steps to reproduce them, ensuring quick remediation of issues and improving software quality, while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications & Work Experience

Major educational qualifications required for Software Tester are:

  • A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related area.
  • Current knowledge of test software designs and testing methods.
  • Knowledge of testing methods and compatibility with different software applications.
  • Knowledge of programming.

Essential Skills For Software Tester

1

White-box Testing

2

Unit Testing

3

Selenium

4

Functional Programming

5

Auditing

6

Test Procedures

Skills That Affect Software Tester Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

White-box Testing

46%

Unit Testing

21%

Selenium

28%

Functional Programming

32%

Auditing

72%

Test Procedures

15%

Java

28%

C++

28%

Integration Testing

18%

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load)

120%

Career Prospects

As a Software Tester in India with 0-3 years of experience, there are several other job roles to consider. Here are four alternative roles:

  • Software Developer: With an understanding of the software development process, a tester can easily transition into the role of a developer.
  • Business Analyst: A tester can also choose to specialize in analyzing business requirements and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Technical Writer: A tester can leverage their experience in writing test cases and create technical documentation for software products.
  • Data Analyst: A tester can learn data analysis skills and utilize their knowledge of software testing to identify patterns and trends in data.

How to Learn

The software testing sector in India is rapidly growing and it is expected that the demand for software testers will continue to rise in the coming years. According to recent statistics by IBIS World, the software testing services industry is projected to grow at a rate of 9.1% between 2021-26. Additionally, a 10-year analysis by Employment and Social Development Canada suggests that employment opportunities for software testers are expected to rise moderately (3.1%) over the coming years. With a predicted boom in the IT industry in India, it is estimated that there will be ample amount of employment opportunities available for software testers in the future.