INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Tester positions are at a 22% growth rate, which is much faster than average. With that said, there are currently 1,847,900 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 409,500 to 2,257,400 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Software Tester jobs was $110,140 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $65,210, and the highest 10% more than $170,100.
Our conclusion? The Software Tester job market is wide open for candidates.
Top software tester sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Things to remember when writing your software tester experience section
Software tester experience section checklist:
- Keep it short: use no more than 4-6 bullet points per position;
- Go for short, easy-to-read sentences to keep recruiters engaged;
- Focus on relevant job experience that will enhance your application;
- Describe your experience using the C-A-R (challenge, action, result) methodology;
- Ditch buzzwords and go for power words instead.
To illustrate it more clearly, we’ve collected some of the best experience section examples from real Software Tester resumes. Check them out below!
- Used the Ticket Tracking System (JIRA) to register and track issues.
- Operated bug tracking tools to find, log, and resolve issues .
- Developed high quality test conditions, test plans, test scripts and test procedure centred on user needs and specifications
- Conducted specification and structured based testing in an effective manner.
- Thorough knowledge of models used in Software Development Life Cycle.
- Managed test conditions and test cases, applied them in practical environment.
- Worked on Unix command lines as a test engineer.
- Used Selenium for automating the test cases for web applications.
- Monitoring system and managed production services through conducting tests.
- Used Japanese language skills in translation of specifications and GUI, later used technical skills to understand the logic documents, develop test cases and detect bugs.
- Trained other team members in GUI Testing.
- Provided translation support in Japanese error message content validation, Japanese test data preparation.
- Understanding software requirements and preparing test scenarios, test cases
- Testing software to identify and resolve problems from end users perspective
- Accurately monitoring and recording results in test documentation
- Created test plans for project
- Analyzing & communicating results to all stakeholders needed
- Monitoring the testing process and identifying and logging test failures (defects)
- Performing peer reviews and estimates
- Involved in Performance Testing, Scalability and Load Testing
- Understanding the whole system process gathering specifications and created user documentations.
- Testing full product suite's, identifying problems & resolving them with the development team
- Learned and practiced context-driven testing
- Tested and delivered viable product for legacy partner on target dates
- Performed manual/regression testing on all assigned applications
- Utilized Test Management tools efficiently
- Collaborated with stakeholders and counterparts to effectively create and execute test cases
- Participated in automation exercises
- Created test cases/guidelines according to Application Design, Functional Design, Technical Design, or User Stories
- Shared the responsibility for setting up the QA processes in mode.
- Extensively carried web based testing like UI Testing, Cross browser testing, accessibility testing, functional testing, regression testing on mode website.
- Tested API's which were powering the foodie mobile app, and APIs which were used for uploading and trans coding content on app and website.
- Responsible for requirement gathering from SRS document
- Responsible for capturing and mapping of requirements in Requirement Template Matrix provided by the client.
- Design and Development of test cases from SRS and execution of test cases.
- Preparation & updating of defect reports and test completion reports
- Facilitated meetings with internal stakeholders, customers, and third party vendors to ensure that projects fulfilled workflow requirements and integrated with ancillary software
- Worked with cross-functional teams to define project scope, create designs, and plan timelines for iterative sprint cycles
- Emphasized early risk identification and mitigation through project pre-mortem meetings, test plan mapping sessions, and retrospectives to identify actionable follow-ups for future projects
- Interacted directly with end users through usability studies and on-site support of nurses and physicians across the country as they transitioned from other EHRs to Epic
- Balanced responsibilities as a project manager in addition to manually testing software, leading quality improvement initiatives as the Inpatient Foundation System QA Lead, and additional tasks on an ad-hoc basis
- Running manual and automated tests, compiling the results in excel format for detailed analysis and data visualisation
- Present findings to software development and business user teams
- Providing objective feedback to software development team
- 5+ years of experience working as a Software Test Engineer in an Agile environment.
- Active role on all phases of STLC (write and review test cases, execution of functional, regression, sanity, API tests, reporting and triage of bugs found).
- Active role in all Scrum meetings.
- Proactively identifying any potential quality issues and escalate risks to management.
- Sprint review presentations with the Client.
- Fully integrated with other team members such as UX / Design / DEVs / PO / Managers.
- Experience as QA Lead, coaching and mentoring of the intern and younger QA Engineers.
- Hands on BDD, writing tests in Gherkin.
- Performed manual performance tests and using JMeter with a large number of threads to capture Latency time.
- Create mind-map brainstorm tree for better flow analysis.
- Tested web and mobile applications (for Android, iOS devices and tablets), such as games, localisation apps and server-client side, tablet apps for health-care, photo-grid and collage app, Samsung world cup app, Rio2016 Olympics official app, flight booking app, video players, etc.
- Created and executed test scenarios and test cases for System Integration Testing and User Acceptance Testing activities
- Automated a simple report comparison tool in 2 weeks using Excel VBA, resulting to $500 in monthly savings
- Worked closely with developers to build product with quality for 7 projects
- Coordinated with onshore and offshore teams for a billing quality assurance project for a Telecommunications company and achieved a 20% increase in defects found
- Constructed Testing Status Reports and Defect Status Reports for stakeholders
- Created and maintained test scenarios, test cases, and defects in HP Application Life-cycle Management Tool
- Python Software Developer for a real-time interactive 3D graphics solution, delivering on-time tailored solutions for our customers.
- Software Tester working both in local and international projects with overseas teams.
- Customer Support providing day-by-day on-time effective technical support to our world-wide users.
PRO TIP
The person reading your Software Tester resume will be busy, make sure you never waste their time with fluff.
Action verbs for your software tester resume
Recommended reads:
The Best Way to Write Your Software Tester Resume’s Skills Section
Software tester resume: skills section checklist
- Scan the job advert for keywords worth including in your resume;
- List both hard and transferable skills;
- Leave room for discussion: include some of your skills in other sections of your resume;
- Focus on skills that prove your expertise and leave the irrelevant ones behind.
Top skills for your software tester resume
VB Scripting
HP QTP
IBM RFT
Rational Performance Tester
HP QC
HP ALM
JIRA
Sikuli
Web Application Testing
UAT
Communication
Organisation
Analytical thinking
Creativity and innovation
Accountability
Flexibility
Eager to learn
Perseverance
Problem solving
Resourcefulness
PRO TIP
When picking skills to feature in your resume, make sure they'll be relevant to the position you’re applying to. The point of listing skills is for you to stand out from the competition. Stay away from repetitive, meaningless skills that everyone uses in their resumes. Or else, they’ll backfire and make you look like an average candidate.
Software tester resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your software tester resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include a link to your portfolio in your Software Tester resume header. Most companies will require that you include one in your resume, and even if they don’t, it’s an excellent opportunity to directly show them your proudest projects.
Writing a strong software tester resume summary
Software tester resume summary checklist:
- Mention your position and total years of experience in the field;
- Highlight 1-2 of your top achievements;
- Go for shorter sentences and keep them to the point – don’t include anything that doesn’t support your application;
- Add 2-4 keywords present in the job description.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Your summary should act as an elevator speech, briefly promoting how you will benefit the employer if hired. Pitch your strengths in the summary and expand on them in your Software Tester experience section. Give examples like how your work benefited each employer.
Recommended reads:
Adding education, courses, and certifications to your software tester resume
Education section tips and tricks:
- Add info about your highest degree level, incl. year of graduation, place of study, and degree subject;
- Mention some education-related awards you’ve received;
- Share a bit more about your certifications (if they are relevant);
- Entry-level applicants: Tailor your education section by including classes that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Top certifications for your software tester resume
Software Testing Masterclass (2022) - From Novice to Expert
Learn software testing and become QA Engineer/Agile Tester. Mobile/Backend/Web/QA testing. JIRA, TestRail & much more!
Software Tester: From Zero To Hero!
Become a professional software tester starting from a scratch.
The Complete 2022 Software Testing Bootcamp
Everything you need to learn about software testing.
Certified Tester ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) -Updated 2021
Be an ISTQB certified tester and Learn the basics of Software testing principles and techniques from the first trial
Software Testing Interview Masterclass: Ace the QA interview
The Ultimate Software Testing Interview Course. Get a job as a software tester, QA, Manual QA, Quality Analyst, Engineer
Recommended reads.
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Software Tester. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
The best format for your software tester resume
Choosing the right format for your resume might seem difficult, regardless of whether you’re a newbie or a master. In short, there are three basic resume formats for you to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
The choice you make depends on your level of experience and the company you’re applying for.
The reverse-chronological resume format is great for you if you have at least 10 years of experience, no employment gaps, and are not looking for a career change. Here, you are expected to list all your previous jobs in a reverse-chronological format, starting from your most recent position and going back to the oldest one. It’s perfect for experienced individuals who are looking for a straightforward way to highlight their expertise.
The functional skills-based resume format, on the other hand, is great for recent graduates or professionals with large employment gaps. It focuses on skills and education, rather than experience. This makes it ideal for showing you’re the right fit without putting too much emphasis on your lack of (relevant) experience.
If you’re looking for something a bit more creative, go for the combination resume format. It’s a mix of the reverse-chronological and the functional skills-based formats, which makes it ideal for all types of applicants. What’s more, it’s considered modern and innovative, and isn’t this what you want your application to feel like anyway?
After choosing the right format for your Software Tester resume, it’s time to perfect the layout and style.
- Go for traditional 1-inch resume margins;
- Choose a simple resume font, sized 10-12p;
- Make sure that the length of your resume matches your applicant profile: try to fit in a one-page template; two-page templateare suitable only for candidates with over 10 years of experience.
- Save your resume in PDF to avoid issues around formatting and unauthorized editing.
Looking for more ways to make your application stand out? Read this article!
Recommended Reads:
PRO TIP
If you feel that you don’t have high chances in a particular company, due to lack of relevant experience, then you can still consider using a creative layout. That might help you get noticed and invited for an interview, as most of the other applicants will have boring resume designs.
Other sections to include in your resume
Depending on the type of company, your position, and your general desire to experiment and showcase your creative side, you might want to add some additional sections to your resume. Some examples include:
Creating a memorable software tester resume
You want your resume to put you in front of other candidates even when the competition is high, right? Right!
One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding a drop or two of creativity. You can choose a colorful and out-of-the-box template, or maybe even put a ‘what my typical days look like’ section at the bottom of your resume
It’s totally up to you. Just make sure to match the level of creativity to the industry, the position, and the company.
What makes a great software tester resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
