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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Graduate Software Tester

💰 $55,000 - $75,000

Quality AssuranceInformation TechnologySoftware DevelopmentEntry Level

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a recent graduate with a passion for technology and an eagle eye for detail? This role requires a motivated and inquisitive Graduate Software Tester to join our dynamic Quality Assurance team. In this role, you will be the guardian of our software quality, playing a crucial part in the software development lifecycle from start to finish. You will collaborate with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to hunt down bugs, validate new features, and ensure our users have a seamless and bug-free experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to build a strong foundation in software engineering, learn cutting-edge testing methodologies, and grow your career in a supportive and innovative environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • University Graduate (Computer Science, IT, Engineering)
  • Coding Bootcamp Graduate
  • Internship or Co-op in a QA/Testing role

Advancement To:

  • Test Automation Engineer
  • Senior QA Analyst
  • Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Lateral Moves:

  • Business Analyst
  • Junior Software Developer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Meticulously design, develop, and execute comprehensive manual test cases and test scripts based on software requirements and technical specifications.
  • Proactively identify, document, and meticulously track software defects, bugs, and inconsistencies using bug tracking systems like Jira or Azure DevOps.
  • Collaborate closely with software developers and product managers to triage, troubleshoot, and resolve identified issues, ensuring a clear understanding of the root cause.
  • Perform thorough regression testing on existing functionalities to ensure that new code changes do not adversely affect the stability of the application.
  • Execute functional, usability, and user acceptance testing (UAT) to validate that the software meets business requirements and provides a positive user experience.
  • Conduct exploratory testing to discover edge cases and unexpected behaviors that may not be covered by formal test cases.
  • Perform compatibility testing across various web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari), operating systems, and mobile devices to ensure a consistent user experience.
  • Isolate and replicate reported bugs to provide developers with the precise steps and conditions needed to reproduce and fix the defect.
  • Gain hands-on experience with API testing using tools like Postman or Insomnia to validate data exchange and backend service functionality.
  • Validate data integrity by querying databases (using basic SQL) to ensure data is stored and retrieved correctly by the application.
  • Verify that all software outputs, including UI elements and data reports, are accurate and conform to the established design guidelines.
  • Support release management activities by performing final sanity checks and smoke tests in production-like environments before deployment.
  • Develop a foundational understanding of test automation frameworks and contribute to the creation and maintenance of automated test scripts under the guidance of senior engineers.
  • Review and analyze system specifications and user stories to provide timely and meaningful feedback, identifying potential issues early in the development lifecycle.

Secondary Functions

  • Actively participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and sprint retrospectives, to provide a QA perspective.
  • Create and maintain clear, concise, and comprehensive test documentation, including test plans, test reports, and quality metrics.
  • Assist in the setup and maintenance of test environments, ensuring they accurately reflect production configurations for reliable testing.
  • Communicate test progress, results, and other relevant information to project stakeholders and the wider development team in a clear and effective manner.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the quality assurance process by suggesting new tools, techniques, and best practices.
  • Develop a strong understanding of the product's architecture and the business domain to become a subject matter expert from a quality perspective.
  • Participate in peer reviews of test cases and test plans written by other members of the QA team to ensure quality and coverage.
  • Engage in performance and load testing at a basic level to identify potential bottlenecks and ensure the application can handle expected user traffic.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Solid understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC).
  • Hands-on experience with bug tracking and project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, or Azure DevOps.
  • Familiarity with writing and executing test cases using test management tools like TestRail or Zephyr.
  • Basic programming or scripting knowledge in a language like Python, Java, or JavaScript is a significant plus.
  • Fundamental knowledge of SQL for database querying and data validation.
  • Exposure to API testing principles and tools like Postman or Swagger UI.
  • Understanding of version control systems, particularly Git.
  • Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills with a knack for systematic problem-solving.
  • A meticulous and highly detail-oriented approach to all tasks.
  • Clear, concise, and professional communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • A collaborative, team-player mindset with a strong ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Inherent curiosity and a proactive desire to learn new technologies, tools, and testing methodologies.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0-2 years of experience in a software testing or quality assurance role (internships and co-op experience are highly valued).

Preferred:

  • Demonstrable project experience (university or personal) involving software testing principles and practices.
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