Top 10 Tips to become an effective Software Tester

The major plus points that i will discuss here are from my own experience and i would love it if you could share some of your opinions/comments on the same: 1) Technical Edge: No employer would want someone who is not up to date or technically sound. One needs to re-sharpen ones skills whenever the chance or need arises. 2) Hard work and Dedication: Technical aspects aside, one has to work hard and be very attentive at all times due to the critical thinking involved in testing projects. Any carelessness/laziness, and the very person (the tester) who has been chosen to point out the mistakes would be making a lot of them. Hence, a lot of patience and hard work is expected. 3) Adaptability: This is a special skill and will actually take a tester to greater heights. For example if you need to learn a bit of new technology for an upcoming project and executing it, then your adaptability will bring in more knowledge and highlight your capability more and more. However, this must not be carried to extremes where you might end up doing something which is beyond your scope of learning or understanding. Somethings are better left to specialists. 4) Highlighting Risks early: The ability to highlight risks early in the project can help to remove a lot of suffering during the subsequent phases of the project. The risks identified must be brought before the management and written down by the Test Lead in the test strategy in order to identify corrective actions. 5) Soft Skills: Often during client calls we find testers who are unable to comprehend what the Subject matter experts are saying and this creates a lot of confusion. Hence it is wise to avoid future frustrations by letting the Subject matter expert/developer know that you haven't understood what he/she is saying. Also, don't make the mistake of asking the same questions over and over again as this will totally blast the mind of the opposite fellow! Always take notes during a call/developer interview while gathering inputs for testing and send an email confirmation on your understanding. The most important skill is to listen and confirm your understanding with the developer or else there is more chance of defects entering into your testing cases while writing them than executing them! If you feel your communication skills are weak, then JOIN a weekend course! It's YOUR career! So many testers out there you would be lost if you don't stand out in the crowd! 6) Choose a right time to change the job: Always make sure your paycheck is fat enough to suit the market standards or else you might lose out in the crowd again and will being to de-motivate you. Always make a move after a minimum of 2-3 years and this reshuffle everything in our mind and keep you fresh. Do not change the job because your project is tough etc, change only if you have spent enough time in the current organization,you have contributed enough in the number of projects etc, if you think you are extremely underpaid.7) Dress Code: Have a great sense of dressing and always look fresh, not to attract women but appearance matters a lot in this arena wherein just by looking your dress your personality can be judged. However, you dont need to go for asuit or anything but just the basics like good looking shirt/trouser etc. This can differ greatly on the work culture across various organizations. 8) Gossip: Avoid Gossiping about office matters with colleagues. Always refuse to give any information that you feel could be an item of gossip. This could infact target you in the long run. 9) Secrecy: Never discuss any personal matters with colleagues as they are not always best friends. Their patterns change when they are competing with you. 10) Always be in the good books of the BOSS! : It is always good to be in the good opinion of your boss as it will fuel your growth better and faster. However, this doesn't mean you need to polish their shoes to get into their good books! Always highlight to them what you planned to achieve and what you actually have in all aspects and keep them updated so that they will know what you are up to. Most managers have a "Plan" in place for their employees and this helps them track their progress. Following that "Plan" religiously might help in enhancing your image in front of your boss.For more learning resources keep visit my blog at :http://softwaretesterfaqs.blogspot.com/