Software Tester resume examples & templates

A software tester resume is like the code that efficiently runs an application. Elegant code completes its objectives more quickly. In the same way, an elegant resume completes your objective of a great new job more quickly. A resume with a streamlined design shows off your passion for smooth operations.

Resume guide for a software tester resume

Get the coding right with Resume.io. Our guides and resume examples for over 500 professions and our resume builder can help you develop a dynamic resume with ease.

This resume guide and the embedded software tester resume example will cover the following:

• How to write a software tester resume
• Choosing the right resume format for software testing
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries to your advantage
• Adding your software tester experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the software tester market looks like and what salary you can expect

How to write a software tester resume

Coding is a language with strict structure and so is resume writing. Before you begin, you need to know what sections all good resumes contain:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

A software tester resume guides the recruiter through your career the way a user manual guides people through a program. It first hits the highlights, to sell the product, and then delves a bit deeper into the details of all it can do for each individual. To target your resume to each individual employer and sell them on your value add, research their products and their culture and aim your resume squarely in those directions.

A great software tester resume will use this syntax to impress:

• Emphasize achievements instead of tasks. Yes, you test software. You’re a software tester. What the employer wants to know is: what did you do to improve the product? How did you streamline the testing process?
• Know the employer and adapt your resume to highlight the aspects of your professional expertise that dovetail with their needs. Modify your tone and style to match that of the company’s culture.
• Take care with the impression your resume layout and design projects. Keep it professional, but with a bit of flare so you don’t tip over into boring.
• Account for the ATS algorithms when applying online so your software tester resume won’t end up in the ether never to be seen by a person.

Choosing the right resume format for a software tester

Like good code, your resume needs to be elegant, efficient, and clear.

Opting for the reverse chronological format is the best solution for most software tester resumes —unless your technical skills overshadow your work experience. This format focuses on the employment history section, listed in reverse chronological order. It serves to illustrate the progression of your career. Below is an example of this format.

If you possess expertise in many technical areas or are just beginning your career in software testing, an alternative format, such as the functional format, may work better for your circumstances. This format allows room to expand on your skills and places less emphasis on employment history.

When you’re ready to choose, scan through from the resume templates in our resume builder to find the one that sends the best message to your targeted employer. All three formats are on display as resume examples.

The design for a software tester resume should be professional, organized and present you as someone who keeps current on technology trends. Try one of our modern layouts.

Include your contact information

The header of a software tester resume is your calling card. It displays all the information a recruiter needs to reach out and schedule your interview.

Every detail needs to be professional and easy to read.

• Full name and title. List your first and last name. This element should be the largest on the page (but don’t overdo it). Use the title of the role you are pursuing.
• Professional email address. Use a clean format like firstname.lastname@gmail.com. Numbers after your name are fine, especially if you have a common name. Don’t use a quirky, unprofessional email address.
• Phone number. List a number where you can be readily contacted, with a professional voicemail greeting.
• Location. List only your city and state. Don’t list street address or zip code. It’s both outdated and unsafe. Note 'Willing to Relocate' here if applicable.
• LinkedIn. If your LinkedIn profile is active, relevant, and shows your IT network, include it here.
• Portfolio. Include your GitHub or other portfolio links if it is relevant to the job.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth: Not necessary and could potentially lead to age discrimination.
• Personal details: Marital status, social security number, passport number, etc.

Make use of a summary

Software testing, or quality assurance, may seem like a solitary activity, but it’s far from it. Software testers work with and interview all the product’s stakeholders. How do you present yourself so they have confidence in your expertise and qualifications?

The summary of your software tester resume introduces your expertise and qualifications to an employer and convinces them that you are the right person for the job. How do you do that in 2-3 sentences? By highlighting the very best of your career successes and including a pithy sentence that sums up your professional identity.

Repeating items from your work history won’t do the trick, and it’s a waste of precious space. Instead, craft a sentence that tells who you are and what you will bring to the job. “Meticulous software tester with expertise in manual and automated testing brings robust quality assurance through rigorous test execution.”

Opt for strong action verbs such as test, optimize, perform, or debug, and avoid space fillers like “responsible for,” “tasked with,” or “seeking a position as.”

You can find adaptable software tester resume examples summary below:

Outline your software tester work experience: decode your career

Since your most recent accomplishments are most important, and demonstrate your current level of expertise, begin by listing your most recent position, including employer name, dates of employment, and location.

That’s the easy part. Now you need to curate bullet items focused on achievement. Jump right in with a powerful verb (eliminate “I was responsible for,” “I achieved success by” or any other words that don’t add to your success story). Software testers may start with analyzed, interviewed, automated, documented, or, of course, tested.

Great resumes avoid static job descriptions focused on daily tasks. Read these examples:

• “Documented bugs”
• “Tested software for usability”
• “Ran manual and automated tests”

Those statements sound like they were written by bad AI. Try to picture the software tester who wrote them and how they would enhance a project. Having trouble? That’s because these items focus on basic responsibilities instead of touting tangible successes.

A great software tester resume substitutes these with results-oriented listings. Answer questions such as “How did you improve processes?” “What did you do to smooth inter-departmental communication?” “Name a time you refined the scope of a project.” “How did your unique perspective enhance a project?”

Then, create bullet items such as the rewritten ones below:

• “Documented software bugs including steps to reproduce, expected results, and actual outcomes, utilizing bug tracking tools such as JIRA, to speed testing time by 20%.”
• Analyzed user interfaces, navigation flows, and overall user experience to identify areas of improvement, leading to 50% higher user engagement upon launch.”
• “Validated software functionality, performance, and reliability using manual and automated methods such as Selenium and Appium to reduce testing time and ensure robust software quality.”

Take a look at the software tester employment history resume sample below:

How to write a software tester resume with no experience

Compiling a software tester resume with no experience begins with an assessment of your assets as a worker. Even if you have no direct as a software tester, you have transferable skills that are valued by employers. 

Software testers are detail-oriented problem-solvers. Have you held any jobs where these skills are apparent? Think through all the jobs you’ve had. Were you a lifeguard? That requires great attention and responsibility. Did you work at Target? Your customer service experience translates into communicating with clients and other stakeholders to ensure the product is exactly what they envision.

As an IT person, you probably have a portfolio of work, even if all of it was created as class projects for your IT degree. These demonstrate your proficiency in the foundational skills you need to begin your career.

Even without direct experience, your work history gives you an advantage in creating an entry-level software tester resume. 

Include the relevant key skills that make you a great software tester

While the basic responsibilities of a software tester will be about the same, each job will place emphasis on different aspects of the work. In your skills list, combine hard and soft skills that make you an all-around expert. 

Customize this section to highlight the skills each employer wants. Proficiency in programming languages, preparation of software tests, Agile methodologies, and reporting are all hard skills that make you good at your job. 

Don’t neglect soft skills like project management, analytical thinking, interpersonal skills, and a desire to stay current on new technologies and trends.

When using the resume builder, you may choose from the pre-loaded skills list or type in your own skills. Either way, you have the ability to add your proficiency level.

Here’s what the skills box looks like in our software tester resume template. 

The skills section is a bare-bones overview of your talents. To make the best case for employment, demonstrate your accomplishments and include the skills you used to achieve them throughout your software tester resume.

Use your work history and summary sections to showcase your:

• Teamwork by describing your part in a successful collaborative project
• Problem-solving by detailing how you discovered a bug in testing and presented a solution that the team implemented
• Communication by focusing on the scope of a project you were able to modify after discussions with the stakeholders

Let the job listing guide which skills you should call attention to.

Detail your education & relevant software tester certifications

Most software testers have earned a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science or a related field. The education section is a simple listing of your degrees, in reverse chronological order. 

Drop your high school experience if you have an advanced degree or need to save space for your extensive work history.

This section provides an opportunity to tell employers how you develop your skills outside a university setting. You may list:

• Training and certifications. IT professionals often earn certificates in specific programs, methods, and technologies. List all your training and certificates, such as ISTQB Foundation Level Certification (CTFL), that enhance your candidacy.
• Internship. If you tested software or learned a new skill during an internship, list that here.
• Professional development. Belonging to an industry organization like the Association for Software Testing shows that you take an interest in your field outside work and that you want to stay up-to-date.

If your education section grows to exceed your work history—and is more impressive—consider moving it up to give it more prominence.

Pick the right resume layout and design for a software tester resume

Along with running smoothly and bug-free, the best software presents a user interface that’s pleasing to the eye and easy to remember. That presentation tells users the application will be easy to navigate and function excellently. 

Your software tester resume requires the same features so that you present the image of a detail-oriented yet flexible professional that the recruiter will remember for all the right reasons.

Signal your attention to detail by ensuring your document is error-free, and contains clean lines and section titles that stand out, making all your information easy to find. Choose a font that recruiters can breeze through without eye strain.  

To add pizzaz, choose an accent color, but only if the company’s culture is relaxed. Best erring on the side of no color if you’re applying at a conservative outfit. Leave out the graphics as well, unless you opt for discreet icons that represent each section.

Smooth your entry into the job market with our field-tested and customizable resume templates, and leave the design decisions to the experts. With the foundation laid, the path to the job market will be much smoother.

Software tester text-only resume example

What type of salary can be expected in software testing?

Senior software or quality assurance testers can earn more than $75,000, while entry-level workers may start below $59,000. The median salary in the field is $67,038, according to Salary.com. Glassdoor reports much higher salaries, with a range from $94,000-$161,000.

Key takeaways for building a software tester resume

To take the next step in your software tester career, infuse your resume with examples of both your hard skills, like proficiency in programming, and soft skills that demonstrate you can think creatively and communicate with stakeholders.

Cap it off with a layout and design for your software tester resume that presents you as a professional who pays careful attention to detail, but can also be flexible when it comes to scope, scheduling, and working with a variety of personalities.

Use our online resume builder to craft your application document efficiently and move into the job market with ease.