What Manual Testing is All About
Manual Testing is the process used to identify and remove software glitches from a product before it is released in the market. It is key to successful software development.
Types of Manual Testing include acceptance testing, black box testing, integration testing, system testing, unit testing and white box testing.
Some popular tools for Manual Testing are LoadRunner, Citrus, ZAP, NUnit, JIRA, etc.
What to Look For in a Manual Tester
The candidate should have a strong understanding of various Manual Testing methods. He should be asked questions regarding the different types of testing methods in the interview to test his knowledge of the subject.
Companies should keep an eye out for applicants who show the ability to work with multiple software testing tools. Some popular manual testing tools include FogBugz, QTP, Mantis, Jmeter etc.
Agile methodology is one of the most important skills a Manual Tester can learn. It is used to promote continuous testing throughout the software development lifespan of the project. This is one of the simplest processes to find a software solution for a business need.
What Do You Need to Know Before Hiring a Manual Tester?
Here are some important things to keep in mind if you are looking to hire a Manual Tester:
Most Manual Testers are Computer Science or Engineering majors. Hence, a degree in these fields would be desirable.
Manual Testers need to have strong critical thinking and communication skills. They should also be comfortable working as part of large teams.
Manual Testers should be detail-oriented and know how to accurately report on the findings of their tests. You should also keep a lookout for applicants with refined soft skills in addition to the above qualities.
Skills to Look For When You Hire Top Manual Testers
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Strong Reporting Skills: Companies prefer candidates who know how to compile information obtained from tests in the form of neat reports. Hence, the candidate’s attention to detail and report writing skills should be observed during the hiring process.
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Stellar Analytical Skills: The candidate should know how to analyze complex sets of data and report his findings accurately. This requires strong critical thinking skills.
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Technical Testing Ability: Manual Testers should be skilled in a number of technical skills. These include agile testing, software development life cycle, SQL and project management. Knowing these skills will help Manual Testers to stand out during the recruitment process.
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Planning: Planning is an important part of Manual Testing. It refers to the creation of a test plan, which is a detailed document that contains the test strategy, schedule and objectives. A test plan serves as a blueprint for conducting the test and is closely monitored by the test manager.
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Documentation: The testing team’s strategy, progress and results are contained in a set of files known as testing documentation. It is used to track future project requirements.
Steps to Hire Top Manual Testers
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Ensure that applicants have sound analytical skills and are attentive to the slightest of details. The Manual Tester should know how to create detailed reports of each test. Candidates with good communication skills are highly valued by the industry.
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Applicants can be asked questions as part of a technical interview to test their understanding of the subject. You may begin by asking relatively easy questions such as the difference between quality control and quality assurance.
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Test preparation involves all the steps leading up to the test. This comprises a lot of steps that are not necessarily performed in the natural serial order. It is important for Manual Testers to know how to properly plan each project to ensure a positive outcome.
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Make sure that your chosen Manual Tester has excellent communication skills.
How to Hire an Experienced and Reliable Manual Tester
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Prior job roles of the Manual Tester should be carefully analyzed to ensure that he would be a good fit for the role.
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The Manual Tester should have good time management skills to allow him to complete tasks efficiently.
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A patient personality is key to ensure good results as a Manual Tester. Manual Testers need to maintain patience and not get frustrated while doing their job.
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Make sure that the Manual Tester is up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.
