What is a QA tester?
A quality assurance (QA) tester, also referred to as a software tester or software test engineer, creates test plans for testing new and existing software, debugging the code, and improving the usability of programs. As part of the development team, a QA tester ensures that the software is of the highest quality.
What does a QA tester do?
Software and web applications must function perfectly to deliver high quality to customers, which is why quality assurance testers are so important. Testers and evaluators identify, and correct bugs, glitches, and other problems associated with new and existing programs.
QA tester job duties include:
When it comes to a QA tester job role, you might be required to conduct the following activities:
- Validating and exploring the validity and feasibility of users stories and/or use cases
- Cooperate closely with other members of the team and other departments
- Complete all testing levels (System, Integration, Regression)
- Whenever possible, design and create automation scripts
- Finding and tracking defects and inconsistencies in software
- Providing timely solutions
- Integrate quality engineering principles into the Agile product lifecycle
- Providing support and documentation
Job brief for QA tester
A QA tester must review and implement systematic testing plans. To determine project scope and requirements, you will work with software developers and project support. To demonstrate success in this role, provide quality output, screen for errors, and improve usability throughout the software implementation and development process. The following are the main tasks a person at a QA tester job role is responsible for:
- Analyzing and reviewing system specifications
- Reviewing test results and executing test scripts
- Troubleshooting and documentation of technical issues
Responsibilities of QA tester
In a QA tester job role you have the following responsibilities:
- In a QA tester job role you have to detect bugs and errors in software. Determines whether a product meets regulatory requirements. Detectives who know exactly where to look for bugs, even when no one expects them to. Using deduction, attention, and sometimes software, they test the system.
- In a QA tester job role you have to choose what and how to test is the first step. The product should exactly do what it says it will do. Helps simplify the QA engineer’s life by organizing the information.
- Searches for solutions that will meet the needs of the client and the resources of the team. Completely understands the software system. Fully understands all of its features and how they interact with each other.
- A good test manager takes full responsibility for a project’s success (or failure). Plan and execute testing strategies, define the scope of work for other members, control testing.
- Often just checks the status and manages the team, but may take part in any of the processes above. Schedules and conducts interviews. Recruits new employees and mentors them. Handles mostly managerial duties rather than technical issues.
Requirements for QA tester
If you are applying for a QA tester job position, you may need some of the following qualifications:
- A strong background in Quality Assurance Testing or a similar position
- Experience managing projects and conducting quality assurance
- Regression testing and experience with Agile frameworks are plusses
- The ability to troubleshoot and document errors
- Having familiarity with test management software (such as qTest, Zephyr) and SQL is advantageous
- Good communication skills
- Paying attention to detail
- Problem-solving ability and analytical mind
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, Engineering, or an equivalent field
Average Salary for QA tester job role
The average salary for a QA (Quality Assurance) tester in Singapore varies based on experience, company, and specific roles within the testing team.
General Salary Overview
- Entry-Level (0-2 years of experience): Approximately S$30,000 - S$42,000 per annum.
- Mid-Level (3-5 years of experience): Approximately S$42,000 - S$60,000 per annum.
- Senior-Level (5+ years of experience): Approximately S$60,000 - S$90,000 per annum.
Salary by Industry
| Industry | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | S$60,000 |
| E-commerce | S$55,000 |
| Financial Services | S$50,000 |
| Telecommunications | S$52,000 |
| Healthcare | S$48,000 |
Salary by Top Employers
| Company | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| DBS Bank | S$70,000 |
| OCBC Bank | S$65,000 |
| UOB | S$60,000 |
| Singtel | S$58,000 |
| Capgemini | S$55,000 |
This overview indicates that QA testers in Singapore can expect varying salaries based on their experience and the type of company they work for. Major companies tend to offer competitive salaries due to the high demand for skilled professionals in the technology sector.
Key Skills
Knowing how software works is crucial. If you want to become a successful QA tester, you need the tools to learn how to program, but you won’t excel without learning how to develop software. A QA tester’s responsibility includes finding and fixing bugs and ensuring that the end product is friendly and easy to use. QA testers must pay close attention to details in addition to prioritizing bugs in the code. You may need some of the following skills if you are applying for the QA tester job role:
- You will have a big advantage as a QA tester if you know how the software works, so that employers realize that you’re familiar with the development process. As a QA tester, it’s important to know to code well since one of the best reasons to know to code well is that coders usually possess good reasoning skills.
- The purpose of QA testing is not just to find bugs in the code, but it is also to prioritize the bugs that must be fixed first. They are best positioned to determine what needs to be prioritized to create a great application when they can identify bugs that are significant contributors to major issues.
- After analyzing and reporting for long periods, it can be easy to lose focus on QA testing. To complete the job, QA testers need to exhibit discipline since a lot of the work can be repetitive. Testing a large-scale application on multiple hardware and software combinations can be very time-consuming, especially when you’re looking for bugs.
- QA testing sometimes has the misconception that it is a low-interaction, low-collaboration process. It involves constant back-and-forth communication between stakeholders in QA testing to produce a top-notch product.
Why pursue a career as a QA tester?
The role of a QA tester is crucial for any business. It is a rewarding career that requires you to solve problems, manage risks, and enhance quality throughout the entire development process of software. The following are some of the reasons why a QA tester job role is such a great career choice.
- Testing may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of a role in software development. To test software applications, you need to be a bit creative, and creativity is the way to do it. It won’t be explained to you – you’ll have to do a little detective work. To figure out where inconsistencies may exist, you have to consider yourself as the end-user.
- One of the things that our QA testers mentioned frequently when asked what they liked best about their roles is that they are continuously learning and improving. If you’re starting as a software tester, automating tests, or performing security tests, there’s always room to grow. Also, your team is likely to support you and ensure you have all the resources at your disposal. In addition, you will always be improving and growing your practice, so you’ll never get stuck in a rut.
- As a career pathway, testing offers a range of business and technical roles. Opportunities for advancement are virtually limitless. For those interested in launching a career in technology, testing is a great place to start as you gain skills that can be used throughout the lifecycle of a software application.
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How to become a QA tester?
The following steps can help you pursue a career in quality assurance testing:
- Find out what type of degree or certification you need based on the requirements for the industry you’d like to work in.
- If you want to become a QA tester, you should choose a good major.
- Students and new graduates participate in internship programs to gain professional training with employers.
- Once you have obtained an education and gained some experience, you are eligible for quality assurance testing positions. Job openings in industries that interest you and match your qualifications can be found on job boards.
More resources : Software Tester interview questions | 25 Functional Testing Interview Question and Answers |Top 10 Automation Testing Interview Questions
