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What does a Tester do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A tester is someone who tests things. They might test products, software, or anything else to see if it works properly.

Tester job duties include:

  • Design and develop test plans, test cases and test scripts based on business requirements
  • Identify, record and track defects using a bug tracking system
  • Conduct functional, regression and end-to-end testing
  • Prepare test reports to communicate the results of the testing process
  • Work with cross-functional teams to ensure quality throughout the software development life cycle
  • Develop and maintain automated regression tests
  • Perform root cause analysis for defects found during testing
  • Provide input to improve software development processes
  • Stay up-to-date on new trends and best practices in software testing

Tester Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for a tester, although a college degree in computer science or a related field may be helpful. Certification is not required, but many testers choose to pursue certification through organizations such as the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). Experience is also not required, although most testers have at least a few years of experience in software development or quality assurance.

Tester Skills

  • Analytical skills
  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Creativity
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Patience
  • Quick learner
  • Flexibility
  • Technical skills
  • Independent

Related: Top Tester Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Tester

There are many reasons why someone might want to become a software tester. Maybe they’re interested in the challenge of finding bugs in complex systems. Maybe they want to help ensure that the software they use is of high quality. Or maybe they’re just curious about how software is made and how it works.

Whatever the reason, becoming a software tester is a great way to learn about technology and to make a difference in the quality of the software that we all use.

If you’re interested in becoming a software tester, there are a few things you should know. First, it’s important to have strong problem-solving skills. Testers need to be able to quickly identify problems and figure out creative solutions.

Second, it’s helpful to have experience with different types of software. Testers need to be familiar with the features of various applications so that they can effectively test them.

Third, testers need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely. When writing bug reports, it’s important to be able to describe the problem in detail so that developers can easily reproduce and fix it.

Finally, patience and persistence are essential qualities for any tester. Bugs can be difficult to find, and sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error to finally track one down. But the satisfaction of finding that elusive bug makes all the effort worth it!

Related: Tester Resume Example

Related: Tester Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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