Why I Should Hire YouManaging your career in Software Testing

Introduction

• Who am I?• Who are you?• This presentation will be greatly

improved with interaction.

Skills – A Tester’s Syllabus

James Bach – www.satisfice.com

http://www.satisfice.com/bibliography.shtml

Recognize your transferable skills

• Communication Skills• Learning Skills• Teamwork Skills• Computer Skills• Time Management Skills• Listening Skills• Problem-Solving Skills• Creativity Skills• Organization Skills• Leadership Skills.

Develop/Collect a tool set (automated or not)

Keep your learning current (webinars, online articles, blogs, twitter)

Have a specialization

Specialize by:• Testing types (security,

usability, performance, accessibility, etc)• Domain (Multi media,

financial, embedded)

But… Be able to be a generalist

• You can switch your domain (have an open mind to new opportunities)

“Have a hobby” - Adam Goucher

It’s easier to solve a problem when you’re not thinking about it

Do things that are a little outside of your field (hackersnest, Agile meetups, kwartzlab)

Your Community - Know who’s out there (in testing)

Be a part of the community

http://www.associationforsoftwaretesting.org/

http://www.reddit.com

http://www.ministryoftesting.com

http://www.softwaretestingclub.com/

http://weekendtesting.comhttp://www.kwsqa.org

Contribute to the community!

Blog or tweet

Attend a conference

http://starcanada.techwell.com/

https://www.softwaretestpro.com/http://www.associationforsoftwaretesting.org/

http://www.qualityconference.ca http://starwest.techwell.com/

Better Yet, Speak at a conference (or a peer group or your work)

http://starcanada.techwell.com/

https://www.softwaretestpro.com/http://www.associationforsoftwaretesting.org/

http://www.qualityconference.ca http://starwest.techwell.com/

Keep a Notebook Handy

Be a part of a local network

Keep your Linkedin Profile up to date

• www.linkedin.com

AND have a profile pic!!

Career Pathshttp://www.ministryoftesting.com/2012/07/the-future-of-testing-mindmap/

You can still be a great tester if you are not a programmer

Agile Testing Quadrants

http://lisacrispin.com/2011/11/08/using-the-agile-testing-quadrants/

http://lisacrispin.com/2011/11/08/using-the-agile-testing-quadrants/

Domain Knowledge

Knowing a little programming comes in handy

You can still be a great tester if you are a programmer

http://behaviordrivendevelopment.wikispaces.com/Testing

Code reviewing

Getting Hired

Resume

• Keep it at two (three max) pages• Nobody reads solid text • Leave whitespace for notes• Objective is out of date – a Profile is better

Research the hell out of the company

• Sign up for newsletters• Understand the industry • Follow their leaders on twitter• Know who their competitors are

Interview process

• Generally 3 interviews• 1st is often an HR pre-screen• Check if skills match posting• Can you work in Canada• What is your salary range

• 2nd and 3rd are Management and Peer• Order varies• Often looking for fit

Prepare

• Have lots of good questions ready – about the company, the role, the team.

Take cues from the environment you are interviewing in

How people are dressed, the office environment, etc.

This can drive your interaction in the interview as well as help you decide if you want to work there

Tactfully ask about next steps

Follow up with a thank you – express interest