Why I Should Hire You

1. Why I Should Hire You Managing your career in Software Testing

2. Introduction • Who am I? • Who are you? • This presentation will be greatly improved with interaction.

3. Skills – A Tester’s Syllabus James Bach – www.satisfice.com

4. http://www.satisfice.com/bibliography.shtml

5. Recognize your transferable skills • Communication Skills • Learning Skills • Teamwork Skills • Computer Skills • Time Management Skills • Listening Skills • Problem-Solving Skills • Creativity Skills • Organization Skills • Leadership Skills.

6. Develop/Collect a tool set (automated or not)

7. Keep your learning current (webinars, online articles, blogs, twitter)

8. Have a specialization Specialize by: • Testing types (security, usability, performance, accessibility, etc) • Domain (Multi media, financial, embedded)

9. But… Be able to be a generalist • You can switch your domain (have an open mind to new opportunities)

10. “Have a hobby” - Adam Goucher It’s easier to solve a problem when you’re not thinking about it

11. Do things that are a little outside of your field (hackersnest, Agile meetups, kwartzlab)

12. Your Community - Know who’s out there (in testing)

13. Be a part of the community http://www.associationforsoftwaretesting.org/ http://www.softwaretestingclub.com/ http://www.reddit.com http://www.ministryoftesting.com http://www.kwsqa.org http://weekendtesting.com

14. Contribute to the community! Blog or tweet http://c4lpt.co.uk/Top100Tools/blogger.png

15. Attend a conference http://starcanada.techwell.com/ https://www.softwaretestpro.com/ http://www.associationforsoftwaretesting.org/ http://starwest.techwell.com/ http://www.qualityconference.ca

16. Better Yet, Speak at a conference (or a peer group or your work) https://www.softwaretestpro.com/ http://www.associationforsoftwaretesting.org/ http://starcanada.techwell.com/ http://starwest.techwell.com/ http://www.qualityconference.ca

17. Keep a Notebook Handy

18. Be a part of a local network

19. Keep your LinkedinProfile up to date • www.linkedin.com AND have a profile pic!!

20. Career Paths http://www.ministryoftesting.com/2012/07/the-future-of-testing-mindmap/

21. You can still be a great tester if you are not a programmer

22. Agile Testing Quadrants http://lisacrispin.com/2011/11/08/using-the-agile-testing-quadrants/ http://lisacrispin.com/2011/11/08/using-the-agile-testing-quadrants/

23. Domain Knowledge

24. Knowing a little programming comes in handy

25. You can still be a great tester if you are a programmer http://behaviordrivendevelopment.wikispaces.com/Testing

26. Code reviewing

27. Getting Hired

28. Resume • Keep it at two (three max) pages • Nobody reads solid text • Leave whitespace for notes • Objective is out of date – a Profile is better

29. Research the hell out of the company • Sign up for newsletters • Understand the industry • Follow their leaders on twitter • Know who their competitors are

30. Interview process • Generally 3 interviews • 1st is often an HR pre-screen • Check if skills match posting • Can you work in Canada • What is your salary range • 2nd and 3rd are Management and Peer • Order varies • Often looking for fit

31. Prepare • Have lots of good questions ready – about the company, the role, the team.

32. Take cues from the environment you are interviewing in How people are dressed, the office environment, etc. This can drive your interaction in the interview as well as help you decide if you want to work there

33. Tactfully ask about next steps

34. Follow up with a thank you – express interest