8 answers
Do Thi Thu
Student
Hưng Yên, Hung Yen Province, Vietnam
1
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how to become a QA engineer?
how to become a QA engineer
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8 answers
Peter Grondin
Principal Engineer
3
Answers
Fairport, New York
Updated
Peter’s Answer
Hey,
I found the following link, from Indeed, very helpful with a deep dive into the path to become a QA Engineer. I hope this helps
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-qa-engineer
Directly copied below from the indeed website:
"How to become a QA engineer
Here are the steps you can take to become a QA engineer:
1. Choose which programming language to specialize in based on the desired field
For QA engineer positions it's recommended to learn how to code in an object-oriented language such as Java, C#, or Python. Select specific programming languages to learn depending upon the field you want to enter such as web development, software development or embedded systems. For example, a web QA engineer would need to know HTML, CSS and JS.
2. Learn coding and software development through college or a coding bootcamp
A degree in a technical field such as computer science, information systems technology or software engineering would be a good foundation for a QA engineer position.
Educational requirements vary by employer but an alternative to a traditional college degree is to attend a coding bootcamp for the specific language you want to learn. These are highly specialized and face-paced programs, usually lasting three to nine months, so if you already know the job you want this may be a desirable career path.
Read more: 12 Alternatives to College
3. Apply for internships or contractual positions
Seek internship opportunities or contract positions while you're still in school. These roles add impact to your resume, and a temporary contract position can be a way to enter the workforce and begin building a network of colleagues while still completing your training.
4 - Develop and refine technical skills
Technology is a rapidly changing field so it is important to remain current with trends and advancements within the industry. Continue to develop your skills and professional development with self-study courses, many of which are available online.
5. Get a professional certification
Attaining professional certification may allow for opportunities for higher-paying jobs. An example of certification for a QA engineer position would be the Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) designation through the American Society of Quality (ASQ).
6 Create your technical resume and software developer portfolio
A technical resume, used in fields such as information technology, engineering and computer science lists your technical experience and skills relevant to a job position.
Your portfolio showcases your professional projects and accomplishments and highlights your abilities and experience for prospective employers. This is basically a website where you detail who you are, how to contact you and features the best samples of projects you've completed.
Read more: Technical Resume Writing: Tips and Examples
7. Start your job search and prepare for a technical interview
As you begin your job search it is important to remember that a technical interview is a complex process. In addition to preparing responses to standard interview questions, be ready to demonstrate expertise in areas related to your field of specialization.
Read more: How to Prepare for a Technical Interview
Qualifications for becoming a QA engineer
Organizations will have specific qualifications depending upon the type of product being created, but here are some common qualifications for QA engineers:
Understanding and utilization of QA methodologies
Familiarity with testing and test planning with automation tools and scripts
Ability to create and execute test cases for software in development to check code for bugs and problems
Ability to identify and document any bugs or problems found during testing
Understanding and practice of Agile methodologies may be a requirement
QA engineers must be familiar with programming languages used to create software. Some of the most common programming languages used by QA engineers are:
Java
JavaScript
Python
Ruby
C
C#
PHP
Unix scripting"
Best of luck,
Pete
I found the following link, from Indeed, very helpful with a deep dive into the path to become a QA Engineer. I hope this helps
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-qa-engineer
Directly copied below from the indeed website:
"How to become a QA engineer
Here are the steps you can take to become a QA engineer:
1. Choose which programming language to specialize in based on the desired field
For QA engineer positions it's recommended to learn how to code in an object-oriented language such as Java, C#, or Python. Select specific programming languages to learn depending upon the field you want to enter such as web development, software development or embedded systems. For example, a web QA engineer would need to know HTML, CSS and JS.
2. Learn coding and software development through college or a coding bootcamp
A degree in a technical field such as computer science, information systems technology or software engineering would be a good foundation for a QA engineer position.
Educational requirements vary by employer but an alternative to a traditional college degree is to attend a coding bootcamp for the specific language you want to learn. These are highly specialized and face-paced programs, usually lasting three to nine months, so if you already know the job you want this may be a desirable career path.
Read more: 12 Alternatives to College
3. Apply for internships or contractual positions
Seek internship opportunities or contract positions while you're still in school. These roles add impact to your resume, and a temporary contract position can be a way to enter the workforce and begin building a network of colleagues while still completing your training.
4 - Develop and refine technical skills
Technology is a rapidly changing field so it is important to remain current with trends and advancements within the industry. Continue to develop your skills and professional development with self-study courses, many of which are available online.
5. Get a professional certification
Attaining professional certification may allow for opportunities for higher-paying jobs. An example of certification for a QA engineer position would be the Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) designation through the American Society of Quality (ASQ).
6 Create your technical resume and software developer portfolio
A technical resume, used in fields such as information technology, engineering and computer science lists your technical experience and skills relevant to a job position.
Your portfolio showcases your professional projects and accomplishments and highlights your abilities and experience for prospective employers. This is basically a website where you detail who you are, how to contact you and features the best samples of projects you've completed.
Read more: Technical Resume Writing: Tips and Examples
7. Start your job search and prepare for a technical interview
As you begin your job search it is important to remember that a technical interview is a complex process. In addition to preparing responses to standard interview questions, be ready to demonstrate expertise in areas related to your field of specialization.
Read more: How to Prepare for a Technical Interview
Qualifications for becoming a QA engineer
Organizations will have specific qualifications depending upon the type of product being created, but here are some common qualifications for QA engineers:
Understanding and utilization of QA methodologies
Familiarity with testing and test planning with automation tools and scripts
Ability to create and execute test cases for software in development to check code for bugs and problems
Ability to identify and document any bugs or problems found during testing
Understanding and practice of Agile methodologies may be a requirement
QA engineers must be familiar with programming languages used to create software. Some of the most common programming languages used by QA engineers are:
Java
JavaScript
Python
Ruby
C
C#
PHP
Unix scripting"
Best of luck,
Pete
Very thorough description. Good find!
Brian Weissman
Hi Peter: Your advice is insightful. Thank you for sharing.
Sheila Jordan
Wenmeng Wendy Zhang
Senior QA Engineer
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Wenmeng Wendy’s Answer
Here are some basic stuff I would suggest to start with if you want to become an QA engineer
1. I would recommend you to find an entry tester job first to get familiar with software development life cycle, Agile/Waterfall/Scrum process and standard QA process. Different companies' QA process may different but try to understand with one type of QA process first.
2. Understand how to write a test case using a test management tool. Some common test management tools are testrail, qTest, Azure Test Management. If you aren't familiar with any tools, I would recommend to start writing test cases using excel.
3. Learn/perform functional, integration and regression testing. Understand the differences between different types of testing and when to perform certain testings.
4. Learn how to triage bugs and analyze the root cause. Understand the relationship between frontend, backend, database and anything about the software/application that you test. This would help you to identify where is the defects and how to reproduce certain issues. This will also make your communication easier with developers when resolving issues.
5. Once you are comfortable/familiar with manual testing, I would encourage you to start learning QA automation. For QA automation tools, most of the tools require coding knowledge. There are also some automation tools that don't require coding such as Tosca. Depending on your interest and your coding skills, try to get familiar of how automation works. If you don't know how to code at all, I would highly encourage to take some coding courses first before you jump in coding required automation works.
6. Sharp your analytic and problem solving skills by advancing your knowledge on QA tools and coding skills.
1. I would recommend you to find an entry tester job first to get familiar with software development life cycle, Agile/Waterfall/Scrum process and standard QA process. Different companies' QA process may different but try to understand with one type of QA process first.
2. Understand how to write a test case using a test management tool. Some common test management tools are testrail, qTest, Azure Test Management. If you aren't familiar with any tools, I would recommend to start writing test cases using excel.
3. Learn/perform functional, integration and regression testing. Understand the differences between different types of testing and when to perform certain testings.
4. Learn how to triage bugs and analyze the root cause. Understand the relationship between frontend, backend, database and anything about the software/application that you test. This would help you to identify where is the defects and how to reproduce certain issues. This will also make your communication easier with developers when resolving issues.
5. Once you are comfortable/familiar with manual testing, I would encourage you to start learning QA automation. For QA automation tools, most of the tools require coding knowledge. There are also some automation tools that don't require coding such as Tosca. Depending on your interest and your coding skills, try to get familiar of how automation works. If you don't know how to code at all, I would highly encourage to take some coding courses first before you jump in coding required automation works.
6. Sharp your analytic and problem solving skills by advancing your knowledge on QA tools and coding skills.
Eric Linnert
Testing
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Hi, I'm a tester with about 10 years of experience now.
In my experience, in order to get started in testing, I'd recommend simply finding a job (paid or unpaid) that is looking for a manual tester. At the basis of every QA "Engineer", is a fundamental "tester", and the best way to build that skill is old fashion manual testing!
Once you've found that opportunity and have worked on your fundamental testing skills, you should be more marketable (now having specific professional experience to your resumé / CV) and skilled to search for more official testing / QA jobs. Continue to develop your testing skills (whether manual, automated, etc.) and repeat!
That's honestly how I did it. Never stop asking questions and searching for what's important, Quality! Good luck!
In my experience, in order to get started in testing, I'd recommend simply finding a job (paid or unpaid) that is looking for a manual tester. At the basis of every QA "Engineer", is a fundamental "tester", and the best way to build that skill is old fashion manual testing!
Once you've found that opportunity and have worked on your fundamental testing skills, you should be more marketable (now having specific professional experience to your resumé / CV) and skilled to search for more official testing / QA jobs. Continue to develop your testing skills (whether manual, automated, etc.) and repeat!
That's honestly how I did it. Never stop asking questions and searching for what's important, Quality! Good luck!
Toby Alterman
Talent Acquisition
5
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Toby’s Answer
To get into QA work you will want to hunt out jobs as a Tester, QA Engineer or Automation tester. People will usually start as a manual tester and as they build their expertise can progress to writing their own automation test codes. I would highly recommend looking for some work experience or an internship initially in this field to gain some experience and you can progress from there.
The world of work location is opening up also so you may be able to look outside of the traditional local jobs and find something remote from your location. Best of luck!
The world of work location is opening up also so you may be able to look outside of the traditional local jobs and find something remote from your location. Best of luck!
Divya Karumuri
Quality Assurance Manager
5
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Divya’s Answer
I'm thrilled to hear about your interest in becoming a QA Engineer! I assure you, it's a fulfilling and stable career choice in the current job market. With my 11 years of QA experience, I strongly recommend this career path.
Let's break down the steps to get you started. Firstly, obtain the required educational credentials, such as a degree in Computer Engineering. Then, interact with professionals in the QA field to figure out your specific interests. Are you drawn to Test Automation, Performance Testing, or Functional Testing?
Next, focus on acquiring the necessary technical skills. As for certifications, I recommend starting with ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) and Agile Scrum. Make sure to attend networking events and meetups to connect with other QA and Software testing professionals.
Finally, once you're confident in your skills and experience, start applying for jobs. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to your goal of becoming a QA Engineer. Keep going!
Let's break down the steps to get you started. Firstly, obtain the required educational credentials, such as a degree in Computer Engineering. Then, interact with professionals in the QA field to figure out your specific interests. Are you drawn to Test Automation, Performance Testing, or Functional Testing?
Next, focus on acquiring the necessary technical skills. As for certifications, I recommend starting with ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) and Agile Scrum. Make sure to attend networking events and meetups to connect with other QA and Software testing professionals.
Finally, once you're confident in your skills and experience, start applying for jobs. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to your goal of becoming a QA Engineer. Keep going!
Shruthi Bhat
Software Engineer
2
Answers
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Updated
Shruthi’s Answer
To become a QA engineer - Firstly analyze your interests and passion. Does making sure you are responsible for giving a high class product to the world excite you ? Does the thought of you as QA being the final gatekeeper of a product before it goes into production make you prideful ?
If yes, then this is a great profession that you will enjoy.
I have been QA engineer for more than a decade now in various domains and every project or domain has been enriching and there's something you get to learn and grow through every project you work on. You don't get "stuck" in one role or domain - As a QA engineer you will be versatile and be able to apply your QA skillsets to various projects and domains and get to work with different technologies and I think that's what makes a QA role very engaging and content.
To become a QA :
1. Get well versed with software engineering concepts and different models of SDLC. Agile is the latest and greatest. Understand different types of testing techniques - Functional testing, non functional , black box testing, white box testing to name a few .
2. Invest time in learning how you can apply your skills to cover edge cases testing and techniques of manual testing where you can flush out bugs that are not always surface level. You have to have a bit of finesse to uncover those hidden bugs . Comes with practicing crtiical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills
3. Once you are well versed with manual testing concepts and SDLC, next step is to invest time and effort in learning at least one programming language. Could be javascript, java, python - But the first step is to learn Basic concepts of Object oriented programming and then pick one programming language and get really well versed with it. Once you get a hang of it - its not very difficult to learn different languages as need arises
4. Next step is to learn one testing framework thoroughly and learn building frameworks around it. There are many many different open source testing frameworks and tools - like Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Robot framework, Testcafe to name a few. All of these are open sourced and tons of free learning and documentation available on the internet. There are also courses on Coursera, Udemy etc and some of them are free to. So jump ahead to learn one tool thoroughly
5. Lastly, once you are well versed with all of the above, it ain't hard to crack interviews . Please know that both manual testing and automation testing skills are equally important in any day to day QA activities involved.
All the best for the journey !!
If yes, then this is a great profession that you will enjoy.
I have been QA engineer for more than a decade now in various domains and every project or domain has been enriching and there's something you get to learn and grow through every project you work on. You don't get "stuck" in one role or domain - As a QA engineer you will be versatile and be able to apply your QA skillsets to various projects and domains and get to work with different technologies and I think that's what makes a QA role very engaging and content.
To become a QA :
1. Get well versed with software engineering concepts and different models of SDLC. Agile is the latest and greatest. Understand different types of testing techniques - Functional testing, non functional , black box testing, white box testing to name a few .
2. Invest time in learning how you can apply your skills to cover edge cases testing and techniques of manual testing where you can flush out bugs that are not always surface level. You have to have a bit of finesse to uncover those hidden bugs . Comes with practicing crtiical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills
3. Once you are well versed with manual testing concepts and SDLC, next step is to invest time and effort in learning at least one programming language. Could be javascript, java, python - But the first step is to learn Basic concepts of Object oriented programming and then pick one programming language and get really well versed with it. Once you get a hang of it - its not very difficult to learn different languages as need arises
4. Next step is to learn one testing framework thoroughly and learn building frameworks around it. There are many many different open source testing frameworks and tools - like Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Robot framework, Testcafe to name a few. All of these are open sourced and tons of free learning and documentation available on the internet. There are also courses on Coursera, Udemy etc and some of them are free to. So jump ahead to learn one tool thoroughly
5. Lastly, once you are well versed with all of the above, it ain't hard to crack interviews . Please know that both manual testing and automation testing skills are equally important in any day to day QA activities involved.
All the best for the journey !!
Sony Korlipara
Quality Assurance
10
Answers
Fremont, California
Updated
Sony’s Answer
First you need to understand roles and responsibilities of a QA engineer. What does a QA engineer do in each phase of the SDLC cycle of a project. A good QA engineer puts quality first than completing their job on time.
Do a search on QA engineer / Tester job openings around ( filter on entry level) and see what are the qualities employers are looking for in the openings
Once you get a high level understanding of roles and responsibilities of QA engineer, Prepare your resume for entry level.
Resume can include the following:
- what is your education qualification ( you can include degree's, certifications, any of your achievements from high school/ college)
- what are the different skills you have and also highlight which one's you are good at. eg: problem solving, Planning, technical skills,
communication, can do attitude etc
- experience you have from your past. it can be as simple as Volunteer work, Small project work you might have done in college..etc
Here are few things to prep for a QA engineer job
- Education qualifications needed for QA tester preferred are Bachelor Degree in computer science or something closer to Information
technology/systems background.
- Understand the different stages of SDLC life cycle, different models and which team owns each phase in SDLC. Also understand what is the role
of tester at each stage of SDLC.
- There are different types of Testing roles: Manual/Functional tester, Automation Tester, Performance tester. Choose which of this are you interested. You can start with Manual tester first and move to Automation/performance later.
- In my opinion, Automation tester has a better opportunities in current market. For this you may want to learn atleast one of the coding language like Java/ Python etc. familiar with atleast one automation tool like Selenium (most popular), UFT etc. API testing is also another option for which you need to understand Postman tool
- You also need to get understanding of atleast one Test management Tool for writing and managing test scenario's/ scripts.eg: ALM, Jira..etc ( There are many open source tools available in market)
- You also need to get understanding of Defect management tool.. eg: Jira, Bug zilla..etc
- Understanding of how to write simple SQL queries
- Good thing about QA testing job is, You will not be confining to test applications developed on single platform/technology. However, it is very
important to understand what the user requirements or expectations are from the application.
All the best !
Do a search on QA engineer / Tester job openings around ( filter on entry level) and see what are the qualities employers are looking for in the openings
Once you get a high level understanding of roles and responsibilities of QA engineer, Prepare your resume for entry level.
Resume can include the following:
- what is your education qualification ( you can include degree's, certifications, any of your achievements from high school/ college)
- what are the different skills you have and also highlight which one's you are good at. eg: problem solving, Planning, technical skills,
communication, can do attitude etc
- experience you have from your past. it can be as simple as Volunteer work, Small project work you might have done in college..etc
Here are few things to prep for a QA engineer job
- Education qualifications needed for QA tester preferred are Bachelor Degree in computer science or something closer to Information
technology/systems background.
- Understand the different stages of SDLC life cycle, different models and which team owns each phase in SDLC. Also understand what is the role
of tester at each stage of SDLC.
- There are different types of Testing roles: Manual/Functional tester, Automation Tester, Performance tester. Choose which of this are you interested. You can start with Manual tester first and move to Automation/performance later.
- In my opinion, Automation tester has a better opportunities in current market. For this you may want to learn atleast one of the coding language like Java/ Python etc. familiar with atleast one automation tool like Selenium (most popular), UFT etc. API testing is also another option for which you need to understand Postman tool
- You also need to get understanding of atleast one Test management Tool for writing and managing test scenario's/ scripts.eg: ALM, Jira..etc ( There are many open source tools available in market)
- You also need to get understanding of Defect management tool.. eg: Jira, Bug zilla..etc
- Understanding of how to write simple SQL queries
- Good thing about QA testing job is, You will not be confining to test applications developed on single platform/technology. However, it is very
important to understand what the user requirements or expectations are from the application.
All the best !
Ritika Sharma
IT Trainer
2
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Ritika’s Answer
Here are the steps you can take to become a QA engineer:
1. Choose which programming language to specialize in based on the desired field
2. Learn coding and software development through college or a coding bootcamp
3. Apply for internships or contractual positions
4. Develop and refine technical skills
5. Get a professional certification -Software testing course in Pune
6 Create your technical resume and software developer portfolio
7. Start your job search and prepare for a technical interview
1. Choose which programming language to specialize in based on the desired field
2. Learn coding and software development through college or a coding bootcamp
3. Apply for internships or contractual positions
4. Develop and refine technical skills
5. Get a professional certification -Software testing course in Pune
6 Create your technical resume and software developer portfolio
7. Start your job search and prepare for a technical interview