In this article, we are going to discuss about the soft skills that every software tester should be aware of. Being technically strong will definitely help you in getting the software testing job that you have been dreaming of, but if you wish to excel in the software testing field in the long run, you need to have great soft skills, as well. There are quite a few non-technical skills that are required for being successful in testing. Now, let's have a look at the various soft skills that make you a successful software tester.
1. Communication
Skills:
Good communication skills
actually are one of the most important traits in a candidate for any position. For
a tester, both verbal and written communication are crucial. Software testers
need good communication skills to ensure test artefacts created by them, for
example, test strategy, test plan, test cases, etc. are easy to understand by
other members in the team.
As a tester, you must be able to clearly document and
communicate defects in a program to developers, you need to update testing
status of the project to clients, communicate your work progress to test
management and prepare test reports for management, so effective communication
is vital.
2. Prioritization
Skills:
Testers have a lot of
responsibilities. You'll need to write and execute test cases, document test
results, report bugs, etc. Also, a tester may be involved in more than one
project at the same time. So to be able to work in a fast-paced environment you
should know how to prioritize tasks based on project deadlines. You should try
to complete testing tasks in the order of priority rather than in the order
they were assigned to you.
3. Organization
Skills:
To be able to deliver work within
the specified timeframe, you will need to organise your work. Even though you
have a plan to complete your work on time, each day brings new challenges, for
example, changes in requirements, unstable test environment, blocking issues,
and your day may not end up the way you expected it to. With these in mind, you
should hone your organization skills.
4. Time Management:
Time management skills are
critical for Software Testers. You should have the ability to estimate the time
needed to complete a testing task. For example, time to prepare the test
environment, time to create test data, and the time required for the testing
process. Prioritize the work that you have to do, determine the sequence of
tasks and plan how you'll spend the available time. Sometimes there are too
many activities going on at the same time especially during the software
release. A software
tester must be able to manage workload and maintain the productivity level.
5. Teamwork:
Teamwork skills are the skills
that enable you to work well with others. Software test engineer work closely
with every member of the software development team to build a product that
meets end-user requirements. They collaborate with developers to resolve
issues, collaborate with other team members to complete testing tasks.
Employers expect employees to be team players. Candidates with strong teamwork
skills are sought out by employers for many reasons.
Software testing
engineer must have flawless attention to detail. Often small things can
have a pretty serious effect on an entire application. They need the ability to
notice small changes in a system and understand their significance.
7. Analytical Skills:
This is one of the essential
requisites of a software tester. Software testers should be able to analyse
every aspect of a system, identifying any potential weaknesses that could
impact the overall quality.
8. Understand User
Perspective
A test analyst must step
into the shoes of an end user, only then he or she can understand the real
needs of an end user and test the application accordingly. Understanding how
end users use an application and how they interact with application will give
insights on what really matters for end users.
9. Passion for
Software Testing
In order to give the best out of your
work, you should love what you do. To be a professional software tester, the
candidate has to be passionate about the things he is dealing with.
Conclusion: Soft skills can be developed over time. With commitment
to growth and continued learning, anyone can develop these skills. Possessing
these skills not only make you an excellent tester, but helps the team succeed
as well.
Reference – Must-Have Non-Technical Skills For Software Testers
