How to Become a QA Tester

How to Become a QA tester? Skills, Requirements, and Jobs in 2023

Embark on an exciting journey to learn to be a QA tester and unlock endless possibilities in the dynamic world of software testing. QA testing is an emerging and demanding career path for freshers and professionals who intend to get into the software testing field. 

The rapid advancements in technology and software development methodologies create a constant need for QA testers to adapt and stay updated. Testers must continuously learn new tools, technologies, and testing approaches to keep up with the evolving landscape.

In this blog, we shall discuss how to become a QA tester and the job opportunities of QA tester in various industries.

Understand what is QA testing?

QA testing can be classified into seven types

Unit testing-This type of testing is utilized to ensure their functionality.

Integration testing- Ensure they function together seamlessly and produce the intended results.

System testing- Utilized to evaluate the entire integrated system"s functionality, performance, and reliability.

Regression testing- Regression testing is a software testing process that validates modifications or updates to a system to ensure bug-free functionality. 

User acceptance testing-It is the final testing phase, where the end-user evaluates products to determine product meets end-user requirements.  

Mobile testing- Aid in evaluating the functionality, usability, performance, and compatibility of mobile applications and websites across various devices, operating systems, and network conditions.

Who is a QA tester?

A QA tester is an individual who works with the website or software to ensure the integrated features run appropriately. Moreover, they are the professionals responsible for ensuring bug-free new or existing software goes to market. They closely work with the developer to produce top-quality and run manual and automated tests while developing the product.

To become a QA (Quality Assurance) tester, you can follow these general steps

 1. Gain a solid understanding of software development

Before starting your career as a QA Software tester, you should have a solid understanding of software development processes, methodologies, and concepts. Moreover, you need to be familiar with the different stages of the development process and the type of process suitable for different stages.

2. Develop technical skills

If you intend to become a QA tester, manual tester, or automation tester, you must have a solid understanding of programming language hard skills like Java, Python, C#, and JavaScript. Besides having coding skills, you must be proficient in testing tools and frameworks like Selenium WebDriver, Appium, TestNG, JUnit, Cucumber, and Robot Framework.

3. Obtain relevant education or certification:

• There is no required specific degree for those who intend to become a QA tester or software tester. If you desire to take the testing field, join the QA tester course to equip your relevant skills. Alternatively, you can pursue certifications specific to QA software testing, such as ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) certifications.

• Some of us intend to become automation tester, so those interested in stepping up their career in QA automation industries can join automation software tester courses. But a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field can enhance your job prospects.

 4. Gain practical experience:

you must have practical knowledge in any field you choose, whether manual testing or QA testing. Look for opportunities to gain hands-on experience in software testing. Moreover, you can join qa tester internships, QA tester boot camps, freelance projects, or even contribute to open-source projects. Practical experience will aid you in understanding real-world scenarios and build your skills.

 5. Learn different testing methodologies and techniques

Different testing approaches include black-box testing, white-box testing, regression testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT). Understand the underlying principles of each methodology and when to employ them. So, to have a comprehensive understanding of different types of testing processes, you can join the QA tester course online.

 6. Develop QA analytical skills

You might choose to become an automation tester or manual tester; whoever it may be, you must have qa tester key skills like analytical and problem-solving. For example, if you are a QA tester, you must identify, analyze, and troubleshoot issues effectively. So, develop your problem-solving, logical reasoning, critical thinking skills, and debugging techniques.

7.  Learn software testing tools

Explore popular tools and frameworks such as Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, and Cucumber. Learn how to use these tools to automate testing processes and improve efficiency.

 8. QA Tester Certification Course

As we discussed above certification course is mandatory. If you are interested, you can join automation tester courses or software testing courses online, which aid you in learning the qa tester entry level to advanced concepts.

 9. Stay up to date with testing industry trends

The discipline of software testing is constantly evolving. Keep up with the latest QA testing trends, tools, and best practices. To stay current, attend conferences, workshops, and webinars, and read industry blogs and forums.

 10. Build a QA tester portfolio

After gaining skills and knowledge, create a portfolio and mention the testing projects that you have done. This will help you demonstrate your skills and expertise to potential employers.

 11.  Apply for QA tester positions

• Begin applying for QA tester jobs in companies or organizations that interest you.
• Make your resume and cover letter stand out by emphasizing your relevant skills and knowledge.
• Prepare with a qa tester mock interview with technical questions, problem-solving activities, and test scenarios for interviews.

These are the mandatory steps you are required to follow. Moreover, it"s important to have programming skills as a QA tester. The programming knowledge may vary based on the specific role and organization. It"s always beneficial to stay updated with the latest tools and technologies in the QA field.

What do I do as a QA tester?

QA testing is a crucial part of the software development life cycle. It assures that an organization"s product is of the highest possible quality.

The following are a few ways QA testers assist the organizations for which they work:

• QA saves time and improves efficiency: QA testing during the development phase might help you uncover issues early on. Fixing bugs and other problems early in a product"s life cycle can be significantly simpler. It is also simpler for engineers to modify code they have recently worked on.
• QA testers aid in protecting the brand. QA testers implement their QA testing skills to develop bug-free software—this help in preventing an organization"s reputation.
• QA testing allows products to evolve safely: When developing software, scalability is crucial. They must make sure that new features will maintain security and user experience. Your product will be able to be released right away and scaled up later with the help of effective testing.
• QA ensures the security of products: QA testers ensure that customer expectations and industry and government standards are satisfied. They adhere to rules to test, record, assess, and report findings.

What is the Job market for QA tester?

The job market for QA testers is in steady demand, with opportunities in various industries seeking professionals to ensure software quality, detect bugs, and improve user experience. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts job growth of 25 to 27 percent between 2021 and 2023, and it is expected to increase double.

How much do I make as a QA tester?

The salary of a QA tester can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, industry, and the company's size. The average annual salary for a QA tester in the United States ranges from $50,000 to $80,000. So, based on the experience, the QA tester"s pay scale shall differ.

What are the Job titles and salaries I could earn as a QA tester?

QA tester salaries differ based on the role. Note that the salary we mentioned below is the average pay scale.

• QA engineer: $60,000 to $100,000 per year.
• Test manager: $80,000 to $130,000 per year.
• Test engineer:$60,000 to $90,000 per year
• Test analyst: $55,000 to $85,000 per year.
• Test automation engineer: $70,000 to $110,000 per year.

In conclusion, becoming a QA tester is an achievable goal that requires a combination of foundational knowledge, technical skills, practical experience, and continuous learning. Embracing the principles of software testing, gaining proficiency in testing tools and methodologies, and actively participating in the testing community can pave the way for a successful career in QA. With the ever-growing demand for software quality and the importance of thorough testing in software development, QA testers play a critical role in ensuring that software products meet the highest standards of reliability and functionality. Whether you're starting your journey or looking to advance in the field, the path to becoming a QA tester is rich with opportunities for growth and contribution to the software industry.