Tips for Bulking Up Your Software Testing Staff

If you manage the software testing department of a large organization, at some point in your career you will likely go through the hiring process. This will need to be done whenever there is turnover in the staff, or if the company has decided to grow its software testing resources. The purpose of this article is to outline the general steps and points of consideration as you go through this hiring process for the first time.

Communicating and Marketing the Open Position

The first step is obviously to post the position either internally or externally. This can be in the form of a company Intranet job posting, or a newspaper "help wanted" advertisement. The best way to attract the right candidate is to clearly state the necessary qualifications when publicly advertising to fill open positions. The job description should include exact details. This will help to attract a good pool of qualified software testing applicants for the position, thus increasing the odds of hiring a highly skilled performer with a proven track record.

Doing the Actual Interview

Prior to scheduling interviews, the hiring process involves sorting through resumes to rule out those candidates who simply aren't qualified. There really is no benefit to wasting the organization's man hours by interviewing a candidate who is not sufficient for the job.

At the interview, every qualified applicant must be able to navigate all the questions efficiently. The primary focus of the interview ought to focus on software testing development, understanding of computer administration, and networking ability.During the interview process it's equally important to examine each candidate's personality and take into consideration how they will blend into the company's culture. It makes sense to take elaborate notes on each candidate regarding things such as their overall appearance, how they articulate and communicate, and the degree to which they have an innate ability to work well with other team members.

Critical Skills

What are the essential skills and requirements needed to qualify for a software testing job? First of all, software testing professionals should possess a demonstrated ability to complete case analysis by preparing and executing test case reports to detect software bugs and defects. It is not possible to assess this skill accurately in the interview, because there isn't a standardized test that measures writing ability. But it is possible to gauge the candidate's ability and demonstrated skills from talking to previous employers. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate real-time problem solving skills relative to their work experience and previous employment history.

Additionally, although it is not necessarily a requirement for these positions, additional undergraduate or post graduate education, certification and training is always a good idea. Applicants who possess software testing certifications are always strong candidates. Training and certification has its advantages, as it allows for software testing professionals to stay current on the latest development models from platforms such as Python, Agile, Java and Oracle. Remember that it is important to validate that they have learned the course objectives and have earned the stated certificate.

Bottom Line

Hiring software testers is very much like hiring any other kind of professional. The keys are to place effective ads, conduct effective interviews, and fully understand the skills necessary to excel at the job. By keeping these things in mind, you will be able to weed out the undesirable candidates and select the best person for the job.


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