Want to Become a Mobile QA Expert?

Behind every good app on your smartphone, there is a hard-working tech organization of software developers and engineers. This person is the first to completely check app features, performance capabilities, and graphic interface elements to discover errors and glitches that may spoil your experience. 

If you consider starting a career in QA services, being considerate to details, result-oriented, and ready for challenges will benefit you a lot. Your duties won’t end with listing defects and pointing out app errors. But if you are eager to provide digital product quality improvement, time to determine what to do to become a mobile QA engineer. 

Essential Background and Skills

The tech industry is very effective. Getting a job in the IT segment indicates constant learning and mastering your skills. Employers often have various requirements regarding the preferred background and skills of a mobile QA specialist.

Many organizations that implement software testing services gladly exercise entry-level specialists, allowing on-site training and possibilities for growth. Some, however, will ask if you have a qualification in computer science, UX design, or a related field.

The list of things that help you begin the career in mobile QA incorporates: 

• knowledge of basic testing types and methods;
• certifications that demonstrate your knowledge;
• experience with gadgets and passion for new tech;
• knowledge of mobile testing tools.

Tech skills aren’t the only component of the formula that determines a competent QA specialist, indicating that recruiters always pay attention to soft skills as well. So what will be a bonus for applicants with little practical experience? 

• Analytical thinking – concentrate on user perspective and ability to utilize the previous experience of using/testing similar apps.
• Creativity – modeling uncommon “what if” situations and experimenting with possible user flows.
• Attention to detail – a thorough inspection of software to discover bugs that are not obvious.
• Flexibility – being able and comfortable with various testing techniques and methods.
• Business-oriented approach – understanding business purposes and ability to explain tech moments in terms of business value.
• Communication skills – specific reporting and ability to discover common ground with developers, stakeholders, C-level executives, to hear well, and ask the right questions.
• Motivation – wish to become a team player and a better expert.

Training and Learning Resources

You can start learning with free resources to understand whether you like this kind of occupation. Microsoft Virtual Academy, edX, and Coursera will do just fit. There are other free choices as well, in particular: 

ASTQB (short for American Software Testing Qualifications Board) gives free resources, involving glossaries, syllabi, webinars, and podcasts.

AST (Association for Software Testing) has a YouTube channel where you can discover new things and obtain some valuable insights into the QA niche.

IIST (The International Institute for Software Testing) also has a Free Training section on their website, where you can discover numerous webinars.

You can also discover a training program, online or onsite. Courses, in addition to well-structured and related material, usually allow Quality Assurance Engineer certifications and chances for employment upon completion.

Certifications to Consider

Experience and skills are more appreciated than certificates, but proper certification is a significant career booster. Most certifications are vendor-neutral, so you receive a document saying that your knowledge and skills are fit for dealing with a full variety of testing tasks in different niches. Some of the common certifications are listed below:

ISTQB Certification. The International Software Testing Qualification Board allows several entry-level programs and doesn’t need a tech background or experience.

CSTE (Certified Software Tester) by The International Software Certification Board (ISCB). To register, candidates should have a tech degree and experience in software testing.

IMTQN (International Mobile Testing Qualifications Network) is one more graded testing certification designed for specialists that desire to serve in mobile QA.

CMAP (Certified Mobile App Professional Tester) is an entry-level certification put on a wider foundation level program. You should understand the general testing methods before you concentrate on studying mobile testing.

There are also various courses that concentrate on more narrow areas (security or cloud testing, for example) and vendor/platform-specific certifications. They will appear useful when you have some experience and choose to deepen your knowledge of particular in-demand tools. 

So, a certification is not a necessity, but it is a bonus for a freshman mobile QA specialist that will help to draw the consideration of recruiters of a good software testing company.

Job Requirements

A quality assurance specialist addresses mobile testing keeping in mind common testing methods and procedures. However, they should be informed of the characteristics that are suitable for mobile applications only, from environments to UX and tools employed. It indicates that recruiters will have higher expectations about your abilities and knowledge. 

In addition to the testing basics, you are assumed to be familiar with: 

• mobile operating systems (Android, iOS, etc.) and their versions;
• telecommunication basics (to model network situations with various capabilities, including switching between various data transfer types);
• telephony functions (to verify the interruptions and background mode);
• mobile-specific features and kinds of user interactions (e. g. landscape & portrait modes, multiple input options, etc. to validate cross-platform support and accessibility), etc.

The required technical skillset differs from project to project, depending on the niche and scope of jobs a mobile QA specialist will have to close. So the record of qualifications of a senior specialist may seem impressive, but motivated and active QA juniors are still in-demand. If you are just beginning the career, soft skills, simultaneously with an ability to write concise testing situations and explicit test reports, will be adequate.

What’s Next?

With a fundamental knowledge of mobile QA and some experience/document that explains it, you can begin looking for a job. There are various choices for beginners to consider: 

Find out whether a provider of the courses you completed assists with employment.

Look for internships in IT organizations, even if they aren’t high-paid.

Register on freelance platforms, sign up for simple tasks and small projects.

Ask friends who work in a QA company, whether they have a referral program.

Also, post a CV on a job portal. You can view up vacancies on various platforms and corporate websites, but recruiters are quicker to discover candidates than post job descriptions. 

The career path of a mobile QA engineer is adjustable. If you are just beginning a career, you’ve got plenty of compelling tasks to work on and material to learn for at least a couple of years. And after you discontinue the beginner level, begin looking for more chances. For example: 

• Discover new tools – emulators and simulators, performance, network, etc.
• Learn automation. Manual testing is a background for automated test scripting.
• If interfaces and graphics are your passion, well-developed important thinking will help you become an excellent UX Designer
• If you like the way tech phases of software interweave with the business approach, consider a Business Analyst position.
• Learn your managerial skills to become a Team Lead, a Project Manager, or a DevOps Manager.

Also Read: Vital MobileApp Test Scenario For Android And IOS Apps

Bottom Line

There are three elements to the formula of a great mobile QA specialist: familiarity with various mobile devices, analytical skills, and experience of mobile testing & QA. The good news is that motivation and persistence concern more than your background. The sooner you begin learning, the sooner you’ll become a tech prof QA industry requires. Good luck!

Need to implement mobile application testing? Think no more! TestUnity provides the testing services on-demand, serves with projects of any scale, and is ready to start with a few days’ advance notice. Choose to team up with a QA services provider like TestUnity. Our team of testing experts specializes in QA and has years of experience implementing tests with different testing software. Get in touch with a TestUnity expert today.

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