How to Be Automation Tester - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 30, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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FAQ

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Automation testing is a process of executing a program or script to test a software application or system. When automation testing is implemented, it can have a profoundly positive effect on the overall quality and performance of the software. It allows testers to quickly and accurately check for errors, bugs, and other issues, which can save time and money in the development process.

Automation also helps to reduce the risk of human errors due to manual testing, and it can help to improve the accuracy of test results. automation testing can be used to increase the coverage of tests, which can help to ensure that all aspects of the software are tested. Overall, automation testing can provide a number of advantages for software development teams, and can be a great way to ensure that quality products are delivered.

Steps How to Become

Develop Skills in a Programming Language. Automation testing requires proficiency in a programming language such as Java, JavaScript, Python, or C#. You need to learn the syntax and semantics of the language you choose to write scripts for automated tests.
Learn Software Testing Fundamentals. To become an automation tester, you must have a strong knowledge of software testing fundamentals such as SDLC, STLC, defect life cycle, and test automation architecture.
Get Familiar with Automation Test Tools. There are several automation test tools available in the market such as Selenium, TestComplete, WinRunner, QTP, SoapUI, etc. You can choose any one of them that best fits your requirement or expertise.
Learn About Continuous Integration & DevOps. Automation testers should have knowledge of the Continuous Integration (CI) and DevOps process. This will help them in understanding the automation process and integrating it into the CI/CD pipeline.
Get Certified. Getting certified in a specific automation test tool will help you to stand out from other job seekers. It will also help you to be updated with the latest technologies and trends in the automation testing industry.
Get Practical Experience. Once you have learned the fundamentals, it is important to get hands-on experience with the automation test tool that you have chosen. You can practice by writing scripts and executing tests on a test application or dummy application.
Find a Job. Once you have gained enough knowledge and experience, it is time to start your job search. You can apply for automation tester jobs on job portals or apply directly to companies that are looking for automation testers.

Automation testing is an important component of software development, as it helps to ensure the quality and accuracy of the software created. Automation testers need to be both ideal and competent in order to be successful. Being ideal means having a strong knowledge of different automation tools and processes, being able to identify and solve problems quickly, and understanding the system architecture.

Competency requires having excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, being able to work independently, having excellent communication skills, and understanding the critical importance of testing. With these qualities, automation testers can detect errors and bugs in the system quickly and accurately, thereby ensuring the highest level of quality for the software.

You may want to check Performance Tester, Mobile Tester, and Database Tester for alternative.

Job Description

Design and execute test cases for automation testing
Develop automated test scripts using testing tools
Analyze and document test results
Participate in regular reviews of product requirements, design and code
Report test progress and results
Monitor system performance and provide feedback
Identify, analyze and document bugs
Suggest improvements in test cases, test automation scripts and strategies
Provide technical support to end users
Research and evaluate new testing tools and technologies

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to create, execute and maintain automated test scripts
Experience with software development life cycle (SDLC)
Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, JavaScript, and/or Java
Knowledge of test automation frameworks and tools such as Selenium, Protractor, and/or Cucumber
Experience with database query language such as SQL
Ability to understand and debug code
Ability to analyze test results and identify software defects
Knowledge of Agile and DevOps principles
Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Automation Testing is a key skill for any software tester, as it helps to ensure the highest quality of products being released. Automation testing involves using special software to create and execute a suite of tests that can perform various tasks such as checking for bugs, ensuring the application meets specifications and verifying that all components are functioning properly. Automation testing can save a lot of time and resources compared to manual testing, allowing testers to focus on more complex tasks.

It also allows for tests to be performed in a much shorter time frame, since tests can be automated to run at any time. automation testing allows for tests to be repeated multiple times and on multiple platforms, which helps to ensure the highest level of accuracy and reliability. automation testing is an essential skill for any software tester, as it helps to improve the quality of the product and ensure it meets the standards set by the customer.

Beta Tester, Acceptance Tester, and Exploratory Tester are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with automation testing?
What challenges have you faced while automating tests?
How do you decide which tests should be automated?
What automation tools do you prefer to use?
What do you find most challenging about automation testing?
How do you handle maintaining and updating automated tests?
How do you ensure that your test scripts remain relevant and up-to-date?
How do you debug issues in your automated scripts?
How do you create an effective automation test plan?
What strategies do you use to keep your automation testing organized and efficient?

Common Tools in Industry

Selenium. Automation testing tool for web applications (e. g. Firefox, Chrome, and IE).
Appium. Open-source mobile app automation tool for Android and iOS (e. g. iPhone and iPad).
Cucumber. Behavior-driven development (BDD) testing framework for software development (e. g. Java, Ruby).
TestComplete. Automated functional testing tool for desktop, web, and mobile applications (e. g. Windows, Mac, Android).
JUnit. Open-source unit testing framework for Java (e. g. Eclipse IDE).
SoapUI. Automated API testing platform for web services (e. g. REST, SOAP).
Ranorex. Automated testing tool for GUI testing and code-based testing (e. g. Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android).
Katalon Studio. End-to-end test automation platform for web, mobile and API testing (e. g. Web, Android and iOS).
Robot Framework. Open-source test automation framework for acceptance testing and acceptance test-driven development (ATDD) (e. g. Python, Java).
HP QuickTest Professional. Automated software testing tool for functional and regression testing (e. g. Windows, Web).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Software Testing (AST)
Institute of Software Testing (ISTQB)
International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)
International Association for Quality Assurance (IAQA)
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Software Test Professionals (STP)
Test Professionals Network (TPN)
Professional Testers Association (PTA)
European Test and Automation Association (ETAA)

We also have Integration Tester, Accessibility Tester, and Manual Tester jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Test Case. A test case is a document that describes an input, action, or event and the expected result for a particular feature or functionality of a software application.
Test Suite. A test suite is a collection of test cases that are intended to be used to test a software program to show that it has some specified set of behaviours.
Test Script. A test script is a written set of instructions that are used to execute a test case.
Regression Testing. Regression testing is the process of testing a software application to make sure that changes made to the code have not caused unintended side effects.
Automated Testing. Automated testing is the process of running tests on an application using software tools to automate the process.
Test Plan. A test plan is a document that describes the scope, approach, resources, and schedule of a software testing effort.
Exploratory Testing. Exploratory testing is the process of exploring an application or system in order to uncover any potential defects that may exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Automation Testing?

Automation Testing is the process of automating manual tests to validate the functionality of software applications. It involves using special testing tools to create and execute test cases without manual intervention.

What are the benefits of Automation Testing?

Automation Testing provides significant benefits over manual testing, including increased speed and accuracy, improved test coverage, and reduced costs. It can also be used to run tests in parallel, allowing multiple test scenarios to be run simultaneously.

What are the components of Automation Testing?

Automation Testing typically consists of a test automation framework, a test execution engine, and an automation script or scripts. The framework provides the overall structure for the test environment, while the engine is responsible for running the tests. The scripts are the actual code that performs the tests.

What types of tests can be automated with Automation Testing?

Automation Testing can be used to automate a wide variety of tests, including functional, performance, regression, unit, integration, and end-to-end tests.

What are the challenges of Automation Testing?

Automation Testing can be challenging due to the complexity of setting up the test environment, writing and maintaining automation scripts, and troubleshooting issues. Additionally, Automation Testing requires significant time and resources to ensure that it is properly implemented and maintained.