How to Become a QA Tester With No Experience?

Posted on May 31, 2024June 3, 2024 by Learnix Tree Center team

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How to become a QA tester with no experience?

A QA tester is accountable for evaluating the quality of software, websites, and mobile applications that a company produces. This specialist prevents the release of digital solutions with errors to the market. He or she identifies "bugs" in various situations, keeping the developer's reputation at a high level and maintaining customer confidence. A quality assurance tester ensures that the product conforms to legal regulations, industry standards, and the standards of a particular company.

These specialists are in demand in the IT field, as well as in banking, legal, educational, and healthcare sectors. Ensuring the reliability and safety of various services is extremely important in e-commerce, where users leave their contact details and confidential information by filling out lead forms and downloading various files.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for QA testers is expected to increase by 25% from 2022 to 2032, resulting in more than 410,000 open positions. Considering the decent pay, this is great news for anyone choosing a profession or looking to change jobs. In the U.S., a novice specialist earns from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. Most importantly, to become a software quality tester, you do not necessarily need to study for a long time and earn a diploma. Anyone can become a QA tester with no experience, regardless of age and experience.

What Are the Responsibilities of a QA Tester at the Beginning of Their Career?

You will need skills in computer coding and basic programming languages like Java, C++, Python, Perl, and SQL. The exact list of technical skills depends on the programs the company works with and the extent of the requirements for you as a specialist. Let's consider the typical responsibilities of a QA tester without experience.

Writing test cases, recording test results, and documenting identified issues in the form of reports.
Conducting regression testing to prevent new defects.
Performing manual testing and checking software compliance with quality standards.
Setting up test environments and configurations.
Communicating with senior QA testers, developers, product managers, and other team members.

The following skills and qualifications can often be found in job vacancies for a QA tester with no experience:

a high school diploma, ideally a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field;
attention to detail, logical thinking;
written and verbal communication skills, ability to work effectively in a team;
time management;
willingness to learn and readiness to quickly master new testing tools.

Coding skills are a great advantage, but in many cases, but in many cases, candidates for entry-level QA jobs with no experience can start with manual testing, gradually learning automation. It is also advisable to understand the four main software testing models–Waterfall, Iterative Development, Agile, and Extreme Programming.

How to Pass an Interview for a QA Tester Position?

To be invited for an interview, your resume needs to stand out among other beginner CVs. Certificates can help with this. For beginners without coding or testing experience, suitable options include Google IT Automation with a Professional Certificate in Python, Continuous Delivery and DevOps from the University of Virginia, certificates from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), such as CTFL, Test Analyst, Agile Tester, and others.

You should be prepared for a range of questions that may be asked during the interview. First of all, the interviewer will want to know about your level of knowledge and ambitions, readiness to work in a team, and willingness to learn. You may need to talk about your experience in QA and ways to handle complex situations. We recommend using the STAR method to describe your professional stories:

Situation.
Task.
Actions.
Results.

If you don't know how to get into QA after completing the training, prepare for an interview. You can talk about your most challenging project, listing the tasks assigned to you and describing the sequence of actions. When discussing the results, it is important to demonstrate how you approach professional challenges, such as how you managed to fix all the errors while meeting strict deadlines.

You may be asked theoretical questions, such as "What does a test plan include?" or "Describe the QA testing lifecycle". Don't forget that candidates for the position are also given the opportunity to ask questions, and you should take advantage of this. It will show your interest in the position and your knowledge of the field. Ask about the tools and programs the company uses and how the quality control process is carried out.

You can choose one of the positions in the quality testing field, such as becoming a quality engineer, test manager, test analyst, and more. In any case, do not be afraid to start from scratch and immerse yourself in learning. There are many online courses where you can quickly acquire basic knowledge and skills and apply for entry-level QA jobs, as well as find colleagues and first clients through networking.

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What is difference between quality assurance and software testing?

Posted on May 28, 2024June 3, 2024 by Learnix Tree Center team

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What is difference between quality assurance and software testing?

QA and testing are interconnected processes essential for creating high-quality digital products. Quality assurance engineers and analysts are involved in all stages of the digital product development process, from design to post-market improvement.

In contrast, software testers perform their tasks at the stage of checking the website, online service, mobile application, or other finished product. They look for bugs and suggest ways to solve the identified problems. Testers do not necessarily interact with all the specialists involved in the development. They start working after the basic functions and interface have been created, based on established quality standards.

Let's take a closer look at the responsibilities of testing and QA specialists.

What does a Quality Assurance Specialist do?

QA analysts check digital products for compliance with company requirements and industry standards. This process is called quality engineering and involves ensuring certain product characteristics at all stages of its development.

Design and planning. During the material collection for creating a specific solution, a QA specialist can anticipate certain difficulties and help other specialists choose the most effective paths.
Development. Without quality assurance, the direct creation process of software, a website, etc., cannot fully occur. An analyst or engineer can collaborate with programmers, considering the functions and interface features important to users.
Testing. The responsibility of a QA specialist also includes evaluating the finished product, checking its usability, security, and other properties. However, it is at this stage that the tester actively participates in the work.
Delivery. After making the final changes, the company releases the product and analyzes the reaction of the first users. If there are any comments or negative feedback, the causes of the errors need to be identified and eliminated. In such a case, the quality assurance specialist also performs their functions.

Thus, quality assurance often continues after the product's market release. Target audience representatives can express their wishes regarding its design, functionality, and reliability. And this is what distinguishes QA from traditional quality control measures: it takes place throughout the entire production process and after it.

Thanks to software testing and quality assurance, an organization can reduce defect elimination costs and increase sales. After all, users trust companies that usually offer high-quality solutions with impeccable content and design.

The goal of QE is to ensure product quality from the very beginning, minimizing potential losses caused by defects. Among the key goals of software quality engineering are process control and monitoring, implementing standards and basic metrics, collecting and analyzing data, developing tests, identifying problems and ways to solve them, and corrective actions after product release. The scope of a QA specialist includes finding defects, analyzing their density, monitoring code coverage, searching for and studying the root causes of deficiencies. To start working in IT, it is advisable to take a certified software testing and quality assurance course.

What does a Software Tester do?

A software tester evaluates how well the product meets standards. They come into action after the product is created and before it is released to the market, specifically at the testing stage. The types of tests depend on the specific industry.

Typically, the requirements for test engineers are stricter than for quality control engineers. They must have knowledge of specific testing practices and relevant skills.

Software testers usually have a highly specialized education. At the same time, finding good vacancies for this position can be faster, as special technical skills are highly valued by employers. Many are given software testing and quality assurance training and choose their current direction after taking online courses.

Specialists involved in testing must understand its four main levels:

Unit testing
Integration testing
System testing
Acceptance testing

They perform both manual and automated testing, so they must be able to create test cases for codes and write scripts to automate processes.

Thus, the difference between quality assurance and software testing primarily lies in the scope of work and the specialization of tasks. In the first case, the specialist must be involved at all stages of product development and promotion, while in testing, the depth of knowledge and the perfection of technical skills are crucial.

A tester must know the basic programming languages and independently conduct manual and automated testing. A quality assurance specialist must thoroughly understand the business and the specific product, as they are responsible for its compliance with the end user's needs and industry standards.

What is Software Testing?

Software testing is the process of checking for errors before release. It can involve performance evaluation, compatibility, security, load testing, functional testing, or other types of testing, either manual or automated.

What is Quality Assurance?

Quality assurance is the monitoring of a digital product's properties to ensure its compliance with organizational and industry standards. The control focuses on the usability and reliability of the website, application, program, etc. It begins at the design stage and continues after the product is released to the market.

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How to start a career in cybersecurity?

Posted on May 25, 2024June 3, 2024 by Learnix Tree Center team

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How to start a career in cybersecurity?

A cybersecurity specialist is responsible for protecting information systems from hackers, viruses, cyberattacks, and other threats. If you lack experience but have a strong desire to build your career in this field, you can start as a junior network security analyst. In the future, you will be able to choose from various positions related to cybersecurity, such as information security analyst, security manager, risk assessment manager, IT auditor, or cryptographer.

The demand for people well-versed in IT security is constantly growing, leading to an increase in job openings in companies of various levels. Often, the work is remote, and it almost always involves significant responsibility and the need for continuous learning and development.

How to Start a Career in IT Security Without Formal Education?

Starting a career in IT security can vary depending on your opportunities and preferences. If obtaining a good education is a priority for you, it makes sense to pursue an official bachelor's or master's degree in cybersecurity.

Let's consider other ways to develop a career in IT security without specialized higher education.

Online Courses and Certifications

It's advisable to take several certification courses to learn about different aspects of cybersecurity. Some examples of good certification courses include CISSP, Security+, CEH, and CISM. You can also take the Microsoft Technology Associate Security Fundamentals exam or obtain the introductory certificate from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (CSX Cybersecurity Fundamentals).

Popular certifications include EC-Council's Network Security Administrator, Cisco Certified Network Associate (Routing and Switching), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and CompTIA Security+. These industry certifications make a specialist's resume more attractive to employers.

Self-Education in Other Formats

If you understand what is a career in cyber security like, you are likely ready to learn a lot on your own. For beginners, thematic online resources for self-study and skill improvement are helpful. Books, online articles, and industry publications will enrich your professional vocabulary, introduce you to interesting cases, and help you understand which area of IT security interests you most. You will also stay updated on industry events.

Participating in industry conferences and other events, and networking with colleagues, can help you find your first projects and seek advice from more experienced specialists if needed.

Freelancing

Starting a career with practical work might feel like a leap into the unknown. However, while you are doing simple and low-paid, or even free, tasks, your portfolio will grow with new achievements. In any digital technology field, practical experience cannot be matched by theoretical training.

It's advisable to register on reputable freelance platforms and join professional communities as soon as you master the basics and can work a few hours a day. For example, you can find jobs that match your experience on Upwork.

Internships in Companies

If you want to showcase relevant work experience to your dream employer, consider early internships in college or small companies. After completing online courses, you can obtain positions such as network administrator, security administrator, or system administrator. This will not only enhance your resume but also help you build valuable connections, find future clients, or partners.

Many educational institutions offer additional specializations related to digital data security. This allows students to gain specialized knowledge and skills. Often, these programs include coursework in digital and computer forensics, database development and administration, and even cryptology.

What Kind of Skills Do You Need to Master?

Learning cybersecurity is not just about gaining knowledge. Getting the basics right is crucial, and memorizing complex theory can be challenging. However, if you have the aptitude and a strong desire, you can develop the necessary technical skills in a relatively short time.

Working with the network and controlling network security

A beginner must first learn the basics of data communication. Then, they can familiarize themselves with network protection methods. Preventing unauthorized access ensures that company or individual user confidential information is not read by attackers. Network security control prevents hackers from harming information systems. Many solutions exist for this process, including firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs).

Cloud Security

Many organizations build their networks using cloud or hybrid platforms. Understanding these systems and the ability to protect web servers is crucial for cybersecurity professionals. You may need a CompTIA Cloud+ or Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certificate.

Mobile Device Management

This involves managing access for laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets to the computer network. It can include certain policies or software solutions combined into an MDM protocol.

SIEM Management

Security Information and Event Management includes comprehensive solutions like Microsoft Sentinel.

Intrusion Detection

This is comparable to a car alarm, alerting the car owner of a criminal breaking into the vehicle. Whenever an unauthorized user gains access to a computer network, the cybersecurity system notifies about it. This is achieved using specific software.

Penetration Testing

Conducted by ethical hackers, also known as confidence validators. Specialists understand hackers' thinking and methods well and test their strategies on company systems to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen them.

Digital Forensics

This field is more about restoring the system after a cybercrime incident.

Coding

Knowing the basics of programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++ is sufficient.

For a successful career in cybersecurity, you should possess soft skills such as attention to detail, critical thinking, risk management, and communication. The latter will enable you not only to complete tasks but also to manage a team and oversee projects.

So, is cybersecurity difficult to learn depends on your inclinations and ability to acquire the necessary skills.

In Which Industries Can a Cybersecurity Specialist Find a Job?

While studying to become a cybersecurity specialist, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the job market in this field. Certain industries highly demand your new knowledge and skills, offering many job openings, interesting tasks, and decent pay.

1. Banking and finance

Banking and financial organizations have a great interest in securing their clients' data and assets. The increasing volume of online operations is making multi functional authentication systems and additional layers of safety crucial.

2. Government

There are many opportunities, especially for beginners, since payment from government agencies is typically lower than from private organizations. However, the need for data protection is high. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) hires specialists.

3. Healthcare

In this field, the uninterrupted and accurate operation of software can affect people's lives and health. Protecting personal data is also critical. Medical organizations constantly strive to enhance cybersecurity standards and hire corresponding specialists.

4. Technology and Business

Cyber risks for technology organizations include intellectual property theft, social media hacks, confidentiality breaches on internet devices, portal disruptions for online payments, and more. Any business using certain applications is vulnerable to cyberattacks. E-commerce attracts cybercriminals because this field often involves stealing personal information and credit card data. Cybersecurity prevents phishing and protects sites with firewalls, payment gateways, and antivirus programs.

An increasing number of large companies prefer to employ in-house IT security experts. This allows them to regularly test and improve their security systems without waiting for breaches to occur. If you would like to try your hand in this promising field, choose reliable cybersecurity learning resources and don't postpone your courses. Mastering a new profession can take little time if you are ready for intensive self-education.

How long does it take to learn cybersecurity?

If you decide to become a cybersecurity specialist after obtaining specialized education, it will take you 4 years for a bachelor's degree and 2 years for a master's degree. Self-education can take as little as 6 months. For this, you need to find suitable courses and practice extensively.

How to learn cybersecurity for beginners?

To learn the basics of cybersecurity, you need to engage in intensive self-education. You can obtain a Google Cybersecurity Certificate, complete courses like CISSP, Security+, CEH, or CISM, among others. It is also worth looking for free courses and additional materials.

Which industries need cybersecurity the most?

Industries such as banking and finance, healthcare, commerce, and business have the highest demand for cybersecurity specialists. The profession is also in high demand among government organizations and agencies.

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What is the Difference Between SDET and QA?

Posted on May 2, 2024May 2, 2024 by Learnix Tree Center team

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What is the Difference Between SDET and QA?

SDET engineers (Software Development Engineer in Test) are involved in designing, developing, and maintaining automated test scripts and frameworks. Their involvement in the project begins at the planning stage, and throughout the product development period, they are responsible for its verification, improvement, and test automation. On the other side, the main function of QA experts is to provide a quality guarantee for applications, software, or other digital products. They ensure that the products meet the expectations of the market and the target audience, focusing on functionality, user safety, and usability. Let's consider the differences between SDET and QA in more detail.

QA testers often participate in checking and improving the product at the final stage of its creation, directly before its release. In contrast, SDET engineers are involved continuously, starting from the project's early days. They not only test but also automate, design, and develop.
QA testers may work either automated or manually. In the former case, understanding coding is necessary, linking them with SDET engineers. However, knowledge of programming languages is not necessary for manual testing.
SDET work is creative, as they are partially developers. QA testers do not create anything; their task is to evaluate the finished product and fix any detected issues.
Mostly, QA testers perform minor tasks related to testing digital products. SDET engineers play a critical position and are more actively involved in the company's process of development.

At the same time, they share many common features—programming language proficiency, automation and testing skills, data management, etc. All SDET specialists perform certain QA functions, but not all QA testers are SDET engineers. The concept of Software Development Engineer in Test is much broader, while QA tasks may be somewhat superficial and general. SDET engineers bear greater responsibility, particularly for code stability and reliability.

Tasks of SDET engineers and QA engineers

SDET engineers perform tasks related to creating high-performance code. This is done in partnership with developers, product specialists, and testers. Among the most common tasks of SDET, the following can be highlighted.

Writing automated test scripts.
Creation of concepts of databases for the development of user screens.
Development of advanced scenarios for testing automation.
Creating functional and acceptance cases.
Analyzing the performance of test scenarios, planning or implementing the required improvements.
Fixing test cases, results, and frameworks.
Configuring automation frameworks and tools.

Meanwhile, QA engineers control product quality. They also work in teams, coordinating their actions and decisions with developers and reporting to them. Here are some key responsibilities of software quality engineers:

planning the testing process considering its budget and schedule;
functional testing in conformity with defined protocols;
writing code for automated tests;
testing the efficiency, compliance and accuracy of the product in extreme conditions;
end-to-end system testing;
if necessary, checking the correctness of software operation on mobile devices;
interface evaluation, product feature analysis from a user perspective;
security testing, including preventing user data leaks;
finding functional errors in digital products before releasing them to the market.

Compared to QA testers, the duties, and consequently, the knowledge and skills of SDET engineers are more universal and in-depth. The emergence of automation in testing has led companies to more frequently seek SDET specialists, and their work is more highly paid. It's good news for software testers—transitioning from one specialty to another can be quite simple and quick.

How to become an SDET engineer?

There are two most common starting points for becoming an SDET engineer—experience in software development and qualifications in QA testing. In the former case, you'll know how to code, which is already half the battle. You'll be able to automate manually written cases and, under the guidance of a QA tester, eventually tackle more complex tasks.

If you have a good understanding of software testing, have obtained a certificate in this field, or completed relevant training in a company, transitioning into the SDET field will be easier than for a developer. This requires learning one programming language, which can be done in a matter of months.

Once you learn how to create automated code, try writing scripts for websites and applications. This way, you can develop in SDET engineering and land a prestigious position. However, some companies have strict requirements for candidates for SDET positions, and practical skills alone may not be enough here.

Education

For some organizations, a high school diploma may be sufficient. But most jobs require a bachelor's degree in computer science, informatics, or a related area. In some cases, a master's degree in computer science or other related field may be helpful.

Certification

Usually, certification is not mandatory. But it can make your resume stand out by underlining your specialties. To do this, you should take specialized online courses that will certify you as a software development engineer in the testing field. You can also validate your qualifications with other certificates, such as QA from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Professional Experience

For many employers, the most important criterion for selecting specialists is experience. Your portfolio, especially cases with feedback, is compelling evidence that you have the necessary knowledge and skills. Experience as a junior developer or QA tester will be helpful, as it demonstrates your understanding of a particular programming language, testing types, etc.

SDET Engineer Skills

Like in any profession related to programming, a future specialist must master certain technical skills. Hard skills include programming skills, including working with programming languages like Java, Python, HTML, etc., working with QA tools, including understanding basic software testing models, and the ability to analyze databases, manage risks in the code verification process, and quality control results.

Basic soft skills include excellent written and oral communication skills, teamwork, deductive reasoning, the ability to quickly and efficiently solve problems, including non-standard ways, project management, time management, and self-development combined with adaptability. The latter is related to the volatility of technologies and the need to regularly learn to work with new tools and methods.

SDET stands for «Software Development Engineer in Test». The specialty is quite in demand in the modern job market. It is more highly paid than the job of a QA specialist, but it also comes with higher responsibilities and requirements for the employee. SDET engineers often engage in writing software code, but their main duties are based on test automation.

Unlike QA testers, they not only test but also design and develop software, configure automation frameworks, and tools. They participate in the digital product creation process at all stages, from planning to final testing. At the same time, QA testers evaluate the product in terms of standard requirements and user needs.

A QA specialist, like a software developer, can expand the range of their technical skills and transition into the SDET field. These experts focus on creating, controlling, and maintaining automated testing.

Is SDET better than QA?

The SDET field is broader than QA. Therefore, it is easier for SDET engineers to find high-paying jobs. However, without understanding QA, it is impossible to become an SDET professional. Specializations share many similarities, such as the need for programming language proficiency, automation and testing skills, data management, etc.

What is the difference between SDET and tester?

SDET specialists are involved in software development. QA testers use various testing tools to identify functional errors in programs, applications, and other digital products. They create scenarios for fixing these flaws and coordinate with SDET staff, who can then carry out high-quality control tasks.

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Month: May 2024