Getting noticed as a QA professional is tough. You must prove you’re the jack-of-all-trades recruiters have been searching for all along.
But how do you demonstrate a multifaceted background on your manual tester resume?
Our exhaustive guide will coach you on:
- How to outline your experience by showing you industry-tested resume examples
- How to arrange each section, based on who the prospective employer is
- Which technical skills for manual testers to list on your resume to leave a lasting impression
- How to frame your work history, regardless of how much experience you have
Keep reading for tons of actionable tips, as well as manual tester resume samples!
Manual Tester resume examples
By Experience
Manual Tester 5 Years Experience
- Precise integration of QA methodologies and testing vocabulary – The resume distinguishes itself by seamlessly weaving in terminology such as regression testing, defect life cycle, exploratory testing, and requirements traceability matrix. This illustrates not only familiarity with industry standards but also fluency in articulating one’s practical experience in a way that aligns with recognized best practices.
- Demonstrated progression within relevant testing functions – Candidates who clearly map how their previous roles and responsibilities—ranging from constructing detailed test cases to leading user acceptance testing—directly connect to the open manual tester position show a committed and upwardly mobile trajectory in quality assurance. Such career storytelling demonstrates both experience breadth and dedication to manual testing as a professional path.
- Focused expression of professional intent and enthusiasm – Outlining a clear motivation for applying, such as a desire to contribute to high-quality product releases at a fast-paced organization or a passion for collaborating within strong QA teams, adds authenticity and energy. Applicants who convey this sense of purpose stand out as genuinely engaged candidates, driven to excel in manual testing roles.
Entry Level Manual QA Tester
- Demonstrating a clear drive to start a QA career – A standout entry-level manual QA tester resume instantly conveys genuine enthusiasm for quality assurance, perhaps mentioning a passion for detail and the appeal of structured testing. Rather than listing generic objectives, it articulates why testing interests the candidate and how the role fits their broader professional aspirations, conveying a sense of intentional career choice rather than defaulting to the position.
- Reflecting a real understanding of the target company – Top resumes reveal the applicant has investigated the organization by referencing specific products, tools, or values unique to that company. Tailoring bullet points or summaries to complement the company’s priorities, whether that's innovation, client satisfaction, or process rigor, suggests a readiness to be part of the team and signals alignment with the company’s culture and objectives.
- Showcasing flexibility across different environments – The most appealing applications highlight situations where the candidate has quickly learned new systems or adapted their approach in response to shifting project needs. This adaptability can be illustrated by describing experiences from internships, academic projects, or part-time roles in which they utilized multiple tools, platforms, or collaborated across diverse teams, indicating readiness to tackle the varied tasks a QA tester might encounter.
Junior Manual Tester
- Inviting conclusion that promotes engagement – An outstanding junior manual tester resume wraps up with a concise, upbeat closing that not only restates the candidate’s enthusiasm for joining the team but also actively encourages the employer to take action, making it difficult for the hiring manager to overlook their candidacy.
- Immediate compatibility with the tester position – Right from the header and summary, the resume radiates a clear fit for the junior manual tester role by highlighting a focused skill set, relevant project experience, and a strong grasp of manual testing fundamentals, giving the impression that the applicant is ready to step into the position seamlessly.
- Distinctive strengths that distinguish the applicant – Rather than just listing routine testing abilities, a memorable resume features unique experiences, such as exposure to cross-browser testing or a knack for creating detailed bug reports, underlining what makes the candidate especially valuable compared to other entry-level contenders.
Lead Manual Tester
- Demonstrated quantifiable testing success – Highlighting distinct accomplishments, such as the reduction of post-release defects by a specified percentage or spearheading the efficient delivery of major projects ahead of schedule, gives the resume credibility. These tangible results show a candidate’s proven ability to deliver continuous improvement and significant QA contributions within their previous roles.
- Showcasing varied project and tool exposure – Including a spectrum of experiences, from working across different domains (like healthcare and finance) to adapting quickly to both agile and waterfall methodologies, underscores the tester’s versatility. Citing examples where new test management platforms or unique client requirements were swiftly mastered reflects readiness to tackle evolving project landscapes.
- Utilizing clean, clearly organized formatting – A resume with ample white space, well-structured sections, and precise bullet points not only boosts visual appeal, but also enables hiring managers to effortlessly scan for critical qualifications. Proper use of headers, alignment, and consistently formatted text helps ensure the key achievements and skills command the attention they deserve.
Entry-Level Manual Tester
- Demonstrated flexibility in project environments – Showcasing experiences where you've switched between various testing tools, managed both web and mobile testing tasks, or adapted to shifting project requirements emphasizes your readiness to handle the unpredictable nature of entry-level testing roles. Providing concrete examples—such as learning new bug tracking systems quickly or contributing to both functional and regression testing—illustrates a proactive and resourceful attitude.
- Immediate alignment with entry-level testing needs – The resume catches attention by clearly presenting relevant coursework, certifications like ISTQB Foundation, or real-world experiences (such as internships) at the top. A well-constructed summary or objective that emphasizes eagerness to grow and the ability to meticulously document and communicate issues demonstrates purposeful intent, reassuring recruiters of your suitability for a junior manual tester position.
- Clean, scannable layout supports rapid comprehension – Strategic use of whitespace, logical section organization, bullet-pointed skills, and consistent formatting all contribute to a visually appealing and easily navigable document. Judicious spacing between roles, clear section headers, and restraint from clutter ensures the content remains inviting for hiring managers, allowing them to quickly grasp relevant qualifications and professional highlights.
Senior Manual Tester
- Impactful beginning showcases expertise – A Senior Manual Tester’s resume gains immediate traction when it opens with a precise statement that highlights years of hands-on experience, proficiency in various testing methodologies, and a commitment to delivering high-quality software. This kind of opening signals both capability and dedication, instantly assuring the reader of the candidate's suitability for a senior position.
- Overall profile radiates alignment with the role – The resume makes a memorable impression when it draws attention to a solid history of collaborating with cross-functional teams, mentoring junior testers, and leading complex test cycles. These elements not only demonstrate technical competence but also showcase leadership and communication skills crucial for a senior tester, emphatically supporting the candidate's fit for advanced responsibilities.
- Evidence of research into company’s testing culture – A standout resume weaves in references to the company’s products, industry, or quality assurance practices, such as mentioning experience in regulatory environments if the company is in finance or healthcare. This conveys that the applicant has tailored their application, understands the business context, and is genuinely interested in contributing to the organization’s goals.
Principal Manual Tester
- Demonstrated ability to pivot across projects and technologies – A standout Principal Manual Tester resume includes concrete examples of stepping into varied roles, such as switching between industries or testing both web and mobile platforms. This breadth suggests the candidate thrives in new environments and quickly adapts to emerging tools and methodologies, a key asset for leading diverse QA efforts.
- Quantifiable outcomes from leadership initiatives – Exceptional resumes move beyond job descriptions by highlighting achievements—like reducing regression testing time by 40% through improved manual processes, or spearheading cross-functional bug bash sessions that led to a measurable drop in post-release defects. Clearly stated results underscore the tester’s influence and strategic contribution to quality outcomes.
- Opening statement crafted for immediate relevance – The initial pitch captures attention by succinctly positioning the candidate as a principal-level authority, referencing years of expertise and a passion for driving product excellence. A strong opener sets the stage, assuring hiring managers that the applicant possesses both leadership and technical prowess tailored to the nuances of manual testing at scale.
By Role
Manual QA Tester
- Mastery of QA methodologies reflected in language – A competitive Manual QA Tester resume leverages precise terms such as “regression testing,” “defect lifecycle management,” “requirements traceability matrix,” and “exploratory test cases.” By showcasing these concepts organically within experience bullets and skills sections, candidates prove familiarity with foundational quality assurance procedures as well as familiarity with commonly used tools, instantly aligning with hiring managers’ expectations in the field.
- Engaging summary that spotlights core strengths – The introduction sets the tone for the entire resume, and a compelling opener clearly highlights the candidate’s years of experience, specific domains tested, and a brief mention of technical skills or standout achievements. This targeted, confident beginning quickly positions the applicant as a self-assured professional with a tailored fit for manual QA work, enticing recruiters to read further.
- Immediate assessment of job alignment and professionalism – Upon first viewing, a standout Manual QA Tester resume visually balances detailed experience with concise formatting, using bullet points, consistent fonts, and logical structure. The content mirrors the requirements commonly seen in QA roles, while the organization and lack of clutter underscore the candidate’s attention to detail—an essential trait for success in manual testing positions.
Manual Software Tester
- Strategic layout featuring clarity and coherence – A standout Manual Software Tester resume employs a thoughtfully organized structure, utilizing clear headings, concise bullet points, and a logical sequence that guides the reader smoothly from one section to the next. This streamlined presentation, complemented by consistent font usage and judicious application of white space, allows hiring managers to quickly identify key qualifications and relevant experiences without visual clutter.
- Relevant professional background tailored to testing roles – A compelling resume draws a distinct connection between previous roles and the demands of manual testing. By highlighting project contributions such as defect identification, collaborative troubleshooting with developers, or user scenario simulation, candidates directly demonstrate how their prior work has equipped them with hands-on skills essential for success as a Manual Software Tester.
- Effective integration of testing terminology and methodologies – Exceptional resumes in the software testing field incorporate terminology specific to the discipline, referencing methodologies like black-box or regression testing, tools such as JIRA or TestRail, and concepts including test case documentation and bug life cycle management. This precise language signals deep familiarity with industry practices and ensures alignment with expectations in technical environments.
Good manual testers are known for their critical thinking and analytical skills. Like good detectives, they have the investigative know-how and years of experience to uncover defects and guesstimate where bugs tend to go into hiding.
How to format a manual tester resume
You may be a QA guru, but your expertise won’t mean anything unless your resume is properly formatted.
Among some of the most common reasons why a resume never reaches a recruiter’s desk is a wrong layout and poor design choices.
Correct formatting is critical to pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) checks and, later down the road, win you an interview.
When it comes to your manual QA tester resume, we recommend you:
- Opt for the reverse-chronological resume format if you have more than three years of related experience.
- Use the hybrid resume format, if you’re switching careers or just starting out as a manual tester.
- Include a portfolio with case studies in the resume header to grab hiring managers’ attention from the get-go.
- Be conscious of the length of your resume. You can go over a page, but only if the information you add is absolutely relevant to the role.
- Move the education and certification section near the top of the resume, if you’re applying for a corporate position. Larger companies place emphasis on continuous self-improvement.
- Save your resume as a PDF file unless otherwise stated in the job ad, so none of your formatting and design choices get lost in transit.
Keep in mind the market you’re applying to – a Canadian resume, for instance, might have a unique layout.
Is your resume good enough?
Drop your resume here or choose a file. PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
Once you select the general layout of your resume, you must decide which sections to add.
Crucial sections on a manual tester resume:
- A resume header to detail basic personal information and link to your portfolio
- A resume objective or summary to put the spotlight on your professional achievements
- A well-structured experience section to provide an overview of your work history
- A talent segment to feature your top hard and soft skills
- A certificates and education section to outline your additional expertise
Depending on how much practical experience you have, the arrangement of the sections will vary.
If you’re yet to make progress in the QA industry, list the education section near the top of your resume.
But if you’re a tenured professional, start with your work history in a reverse chronological order.
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- The various types of testing you’ve done so far and how familiar you’re with basic testing concepts. Was your focus more on backend or front-end development?
- What your go-to tools are. Even if some of them are not listed in the job ad, there’s bound to be some overlap. Show recruiters you can learn new things on the go.
- How well you can explain and talk about the projects you’ve worked on. Part of your job entails having excellent presentation skills, so flaunt them.
- How you determine what type of test would be more appropriate for various situations. This indicates you’re very methodical and able to plan ahead, when starting a project.
- How you handle tough challenges or issues you haven’t tackled before. Demonstrate your curiosity, patience and knack for solving difficult issues.
- If you have any experience with test-driven development (TDD). Rarely a product is fully fleshed out before it hits the marketplace. Prove you can work in a constantly changing environment.
- How well you work with other teams and departments. Show you can communicate with individuals with varying levels of tech knowledge and background.
- Display your troubleshooting abilities and strategic thinking skills by discussing how you’ve tackled a non-reproducible bug.
How to write your manual tester resume experience
Generally, manual testing professionals aren’t required to have in-depth understanding of programming languages. As such, the industry has a low entry threshold.
What’s more, this makes most junior QA resumes look almost identical.
So, to stand out among other job candidates, reference tools and tech skills in the experience section whenever possible.
Don’t forget to share how you’ve applied them in practice and what goals you’ve reached in the process.
This will let recruiters determine the current scope of your expertise. And whether you’ll be able to assist with hybrid testing projects in the future.
Another way to ensure you’ve built a powerful resume is to include personal projects which showcase other relevant job skills.
Take a look at the sample experience section and think about what it says about the applicant.
06/2020 - 04/2022 
- •Improved test case reusability.
- •Taught junior testers
- •Test requirement coverage and accuracy
- •Reduced report turnaround time
It gives the impression of a very hastily made resume with not much thought put into the writing process. Some of the more glaring issues include:
- The company description doesn’t reveal what was the business focus of Lucas’ past employer. As a result, recruiters won’t know which industries he is knowledgeable about.
- The applicant hasn’t included a company website to elaborate on the projects he was involved in.
- Instead of achievements, Lucas has listed a laundry list duties and responsibilities. Plus, the presented experience doesn’t match the seniority of his position.
- None of the bullet points explain what type of testing was conducted.
- The formatting and punctuation isn’t consistent throughout the entry.
Taking into account the above points, here is an improved version of the example:
06/2020 - 04/2022 
- •Improved test case reusability by 33% by reviewing, analyzing and rewriting parts of the existing testing documentation and guidelines.
- •Mentored over 15 junior manual testing specialists on best standards and practices by involving them in ongoing software development projects and teaching them about TDD.
- •Expanded the test requirements coverage to include 86% of the company's top-selling software, thus increasing time allocated for testing custom-made features by a week.
- •Reduced report turnaround time by two days for critical issues after implementing Xray for JIRA as a test case management method for both the development and testing teams.
How to quantify impact on your resume
When talking about your work history, you must be able to quantify your accomplishments.
As you’ve already seen in the example section above, data and numbers play a crucial role in supporting your claims.
Having this in mind, consider factors such as:
- Size of the projects you’ve worked on
- Variety of testing you’re able to conduct
- Overall impact your work has on company work processes
- Number of high-level complexity issues you’ve resolved
- Contribution to corporate achievements (increased income, business scope expansion, etc.)
- Risks you’ve managed to mitigate
- Ability to implement and adapt new tools and methods
- Effective team and cross-team communication
Pro tip
If you have a signed non-disclosure agreement (NDA), remember not to expose any sensitive information when referencing past projects in your resume.
How do I write a manual tester resume with no experience
If you’re switching careers or you’re fresh out of college, there are a few things you can do to build a foolproof resume:
- Review the job description and see how much of the requirements you can match.
- Think about any transferable skills and experience you can bring from past projects.
- Decide whether the hybrid resume format or the functional resume layout would be more appropriate for your case.
- Take into account relevant side projects or competitions you’ve participated in.
- Reference pertinent training or bootcamps you’ve completed.
How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume
You won’t always be able to completely align your talents with the job description. And you shouldn’t.
Hiring managers value applicants who are willing to admit when they don’t know something. Still further, they prefer candidates with an intense drive to learn new skills.
So, don’t get discouraged!
This is a good opportunity to balance out your resume skills section. Create a nice mix of your:
- Hard skills - all the top tools and technical skills for manual testers you bring to the table. (Don’t forget that ATS software is programmed to search for such keywords.)
- Soft skills - your strongest social talents and any other relevant transferable skills. These will make you stand out as an exceptional candidate.
Remember, results and data are much more convincing than just empty words. So, for each of the skills you add to the section:
- Think about a situation where your abilities played an important role.
- Share a challenge you’ve had to face and how your talents have helped you.
- Mention how the problem was resolved.
- Consider if there is a way to quantify the outcome of the situation.
Compare the list of skills you have with the ones listed in the job description.
If you’ve already covered the must-have portion of the requirements, here are other key skills you can list:
Best hard skills for your manual tester resume:
- Selenium, LoadRunner, WinRunner
- TestNG
- Jenkins
- Bugzilla
- JIRA
- Testpad
- Cypress, Playwright
- Quality Center
- Cucumber
- Postman
- HTML, XML, JS
- Perl, VB Scripting
- Java, C++, Oracle, SQL, Python, etc.
- Scrum, Lean, Kanban
- MS Office, Power BI, Tableau
- .NET
- VBA Fundamentals
- Confluence
- End-user requirements
- Software development life cycle
Best soft skills for your manual tester resume:
- Quality assurance
- Troubleshooting
- Support
- Testing
- Evaluation
- Task delegation and prioritization skills
- Decision-making skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Detail-oriented
- Abstract thinking
- Curiosity
- Resourcefulness
- Adaptability
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Leadership skills
- Organizational skills
- Time management skills
How to list your certifications and education on your resume
As we mentioned in the beginning of this guide, if you’re aiming to win a corporate position, you must emphasize your academic background.
If you have more than five years of experience as a QA professional:
- Move the education segment under the experience section
- Mention only the highest level of academic qualifications you have
- Avoid listing your GPA because it won’t be as relevant as if you were a fresher
- State the name of the college or university
But if you’re switching careers or a college grad:
- List relevant majors and minors
- Share any related accomplishments, school projects or computer club memberships
- Include your GPA to show you’ve been consistent with your studies
Have a look at the sample education section below for reference:
09/2017 - 08/2020 - •Won the 2022 University of Texas Software Development Jam as part of a four-member team by providing testing and analysis support throughout the software development process
If you want to include a certificate on your resume, always check the date of validity before adding it.
With that in mind, if you’re just starting out as a QA specialist, any of the ASTQB(ISTQB) certifications will boost your chances of getting an interview.
Experienced manual testers should feature advanced-level qualifications, such as CSQA or CQE.
For other essential QA certificates, check out the table below:
Best certifications for your manual tester resume:
- ASTQB (ISTQB) Certifications
- FITA’s Manual Testing Certification Training, 2021
- Certified Software Test Professional Associate Level (CSTP-A)
- Certified Software Quality Analyst Certification (CSQA)
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
- Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
- Certified Software Tester (CSTE)
- Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST)
- Certified Cloud Tester - Foundation Level (CCTFL)
- Professional Scrum Developer Certification
How to write your manual tester resume summary or objective
Although the experience section is by far the most significant part of your resume, what really gets your foot in the door is the resume summary.
This is the small box at the top of your resume, where you highlight your best career milestones, strengths and qualifications.
If you have lots of QA experience, make sure to choose achievements which make sense for the role at hand. It’s important to show how your expertise will benefit potential employers.
By contrast, if you’re a novice manual tester, write a compelling resume objective.
How is it different from the resume?
Technically, they are very similar in terms of content and format.
But the focus of the resume objective falls mainly on how you will apply your current skills to the benefit of your future employer.
Have a look at the following sample manual tester objective. Do you think it’ll impress hiring managers?
This example doesn’t say much about the candidate, apart from information that could be found elsewhere in the resume.
As a result, Lucas has wasted the opportunity to stand out with a unique talent or an accomplishment. He also hasn’t hinted at how his talents could work in favor of the company.
And while he has listed quite a few skills, there is no mention of how they were applied in practice.
Let’s revise it:
This version is cleaner and provides an excellent overview of Lucas’ abilities and how they were acquired. Plus, the focus is not only on his tech skills, but also social skills necessary for the role.
Last but not least, Lucas shows that he is a competitive individual who adheres to current industry standards and practices.
Optimize your resume summary and objective for ATS
Drop your resume here or choose a file.
PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
Additional sections for a manual tester resume
You can always add extra sections with relevant information about your professional growth.
These segments include, but are not limited to:
- Personal projects and case studies
- Publications and conference presentations
- Bootcamp training, hackathons and computer club memberships
- Awards and prizes
How to put a personal projects section on a resume
As with any other tech-related job, personal projects and case studies is what catches the eye of both recruiters and team managers.
When listing a project on your resume, make sure you:
- State the name of your project
- Provide the start and end date of your involvement
- Describe what was the project’s main goal
- Add one or two project-related achievements to highlight the scope of your work
In the end, your entry should resemble the one below:
09/2019 - 09/2020 - •Raised over $2.4 million in investments for the project's core product by advising and supporting a team of 15 developers and business analysts with target audience and end-user requirements identification.
Key takeaways
- Take into account your experience before choosing an appropriate resume format;
- Link to a portfolio with case studies in the header;
- Emphasize how you can contribute to the company’s goals in the summary;
- Lead each experience section bullet point with an action verb;
- List your academic qualifications and relevant certificates;
- Present a well-rounded skills section;
- Feature a personal project which highlights other job-related talents you have.