Career Advice
Paul Brown
31.05.2022
The software testing market grew over USD 40 billion in 2020 and is estimated to further expand at over 7% CAGR between 2021 and 2027. Software Testing is a critical function within businesses. A career in software testing can be challenging but satisfying, requiring you to problem solve, manage risks, and improve quality throughout all phases of the software development lifecycle.
The COVID-19 pandemic has propelled an unprecedented growth in technology. This has accelerated a demand for testing solutions particularly in retail and IT industries to reduce delivery times and provide better customer experience. Given the massive scope of software testing and its application across multiple sectors and industries, it’s worthwhile to consider a career as a software tester.
In this blog we’ll cover:
- What does a software tester do
- Who can become a software tester
- How to become a software tester
- Software testing jobs
- Why become a software tester
- How to launch your career with FDM’s Software Testing Programme
What does a software tester do?
A software tester is responsible for the quality assurance stage of the software development lifecycle. As a tester your role is to conduct different manual and automated tests to ensure that any new software made by developers is suitable for end users and any glitches or bugs are removed before the product is deployed.
Your work will prevent live incidents, which, depending on the purpose of the software, could cause significant reputational damage, financial loss or even, in extreme cases, loss of life. Since your role is focused on technical solutions and flagging any inconsistencies in new developments, you’ll need a sound knowledge of programming and coding languages.
A software testing role also involves working in collaboration with multiple stakeholders including developers, project support teams and system users to understand the scope of the project. A software tester troubleshoots, writes bug reports, provides feedback to developers, and also communicates test outcomes with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Who can become a software tester
Software testers usually have a background in science or IT. However, graduates from other streams like engineering, chemistry, mathematics, statistics and physics, often find themselves in software testing roles. If you’re considering a career in software testing, you’ll also need a relevant software tester qualification like an ISTQB or CSTE certification that specialises in test life cycle, software development and a range of different testing methodologies.
How to become a software tester
An ISTQB or International Software Testing Qualifications Board certification teaches skills that are used across multiple areas of testing. The certificate is offered by the American Software Testing Qualifications Board that offers a variety of other certifications like Advanced Test Analyst and Advanced Security Tester.
A CSTE or Certified Software Tester certification requires either six years of relevant industry experience to apply for the test or an undergraduate degree followed by two years of work.
Software testing jobs
The career progression for a software tester can be rapid, depending on your skills, qualifications, and natural aptitude. You can start your software testing career at an entry-level position on a graduate programme but as you gain more experience and relevant certifications, you can advance to more senior roles like Senior Software Tester, Test Manager, and Software Test Team Lead.
Software testers work closely with project teams, so a natural career path for testers is project management or a PMO role.
Why become a software tester
Here are the top five reasons you should consider a career in software testing:
Get Creative
This may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of a role in software testing. However, you have to get innovative when testing a software application. A good software tester has to think like a customer and understand any possible pain points they may have whilst using the software. This involves studying the latest trends, analysing different stages of the software and then presenting the findings to the developers to improve the overall quality of the product.
Constant Learning
In a software testing role, no two days are the same. As the buffer between the user and a new product, you have the chance to use and test the latest tech before anybody else. You could be testing software for websites, mobile apps or content management systems. This presents a constant and ongoing opportunity to learn.
Various Pathways
Almost every sector that uses software needs software testing. From banking to retail, testers are deployed across multiple industries and in varied roles. You can choose from manual testing, performance testing, automated testing, providing several pathway options.
It’s Challenging
If you’re someone who enjoys a challenge and solving complex problems, a career in software testing might be just the thing for you. Each new software is different and poses different issues. This requires looking at products from different angles and adopting a new approach to testing each time.
High Demand
Companies are recruiting for software testers across multiple sectors so there is a constant demand for testers. Software testers play a vital role in the software development lifecycle – ensuring each new product meets optimum quality standards. So, the demand for testing skills is high and ongoing.
How to launch your career with FDM’s Software Testing Programme
At FDM, we provide you with several weeks of industry-recognised accredited training, giving you the skills and confidence to launch your career as a Software Tester. Once trained, you are deployed as an FDM Consultant to work with our prestigious clients, to gain valuable commercial experience.
You will learn how to write and execute tests, assess and manage risks, report results and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of seniority throughout the development lifecycle. You will also learn the fundamentals of Java programming, that will allow you to work with test automation tools and frameworks, such as Selenium Webdriver and Cucumber.
You will learn how to successfully test in both Waterfall and Agile environments, giving you experience with different working methodologies. To certify and validate your new skills, FDM also offers you access to the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level qualification.
Once on-site, you will work in fast-paced digital environments supporting projects that deliver innovative new features and software across mobile and web, from both a functionality and user experience perspective. You could be testing anything from self-service checkout machines and software for retailers, regulatory reporting systems for global banks, advertising scheduling systems for large media organisations, vehicle diagnostic applications for the automotive industry and much more.
Launch your career today with FDM’s Software Training Graduate Programme.