Treat your CV as more than just a piece of paper.
With so much competition for jobs, you’ve got to have something special to stand out.
This means your CV has to be more than just a list of your previous duties and qualifications. It’s got to be focused on the role you are applying for and include those exact competencies a recruiter wants. For a test engineer position that means using your skills to ensure that products, software or services are of the highest quality and meet customer expectations.
Avoid the common pitfalls and errors of CV writing by following the advice on this page.
By: Iejaz Uddin – 26 June 2024
Page overview
- Areas to focus on in a Test Engineer CV
- How to write a Test Engineer CV
- Contact information
- Personal summary
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Education
Areas to focus on in a Test Engineer CV
Test engineers are responsible for inspecting and reporting on the quality of software through its entire production cycle. They are the go to person for checking a products functionality, durability, safety and speed.
On a personal level testers should also have natural curiosity about and strong interest in how things work. Additionally, they must have a good imagination that allows them to deconstruct products literally and metaphorically.
These are abilities that you have to include in an easy to scan CV that is targeted at just one job role only.
Test plans
This is one of the most important parts of test engineering. It related to determining the main objective of a test, the various stages of each test project and the responsibilities of each staff member in it.
Analysis
Relates to carefully analysing test results to find out how to make improvements to a product, software or engineering process. Testers have to analyse a situation so as to discover what the problem is and then decide on a course of action to fix it. For this they need a keen eye for small details, and knowledge of how to use the latest testing tools and technologies to their advantage.
Project management
It’s important to be able to take ownership of a project, delegate work and lead a team. Being able to work as part of a group is a must have, as is instructing junior staff in their duties and keeping senior ones updated with what is going on in a test program.
Communication skills
A test engineer must be a good communicator. They have to be able to clearly explain test results to non-technical audiences and give presentations to senior managers on their findings and conclusions.
Team work
Test engineering is a team effort, where you have to work with other specialists as part of a group. A fundamental part of the job is being able to work in harmony with others, this contributes to a pleasant working environment and more productivity.
How to write a Test Engineer CV
Writing a CV can be one of the most difficult parts of job hunting.
This applies both to people with no experience and those with a long career history. All of this makes it a level playing field, where there are opportunities to shine for those who write a good CV. There are, however, certain rules you must follow when doing this. This guide will show you what they are and how to stay within them.
Target the job
You want to come across as a specialist in your field. Therefore, highlight the experiences that the recruiter is looking for in a candidate. Ruthlessly exclude irrelevant experience of skills, which can dilute the image your trying to portray. Only include that information that will strengthen your CV and is relevant to the vacancy in question.
Mention your ability to:
- Implement new test methodologies, diagnose defects, and improve the software product before market release.
- Streamline the testing process.
- Design and execute test cases using standard testing techniques.
- Representing your company in a professional manner at all times.
- Record, analyse and report on all test data.
- Check products during their creation and production to ensure they match a customer’s needs.
- Perform tests according to strict criteria.
Describe your experience of:
- Running tests on various components and features in order to identify problems and issues.
- Operating in line with Health and Safety Regulations within the workplace.
- Creating test environments.
- Extensive knowledge of software, engineering and testing procedures.
- Deciding how products should be tested
Contact information
Name – Your name is the CVs logo. Make it stand out by using slightly larger text than everything else. Below it goes your professional job title, which should ideally be the same as the job you are applying for.
Address – There is no need to give your full postal address that includes your postcode or street name. Just the name of the town, city or municipality will do.
Location – If a vacancy specifies that a candidate has to live in a particular city, then highlight that you meet this criteria. This will reassure them that you don’t need to move or relocate.
Phone number – Give your current mobile phone number and have a professional message recorded in case they employers have to leave a message.
Email – Give a formal email that only includes your first and last name. For instance, Maxine.corry@dayjob.com. Avoid informal ones like ‘stantheman@dayjob.com’ etc.
Personal summary for a Test Engineer CV
Launch your CV with a splash by writing a summary that immediately demonstrates your suitability for a job.
Try to subtly flatter the hiring manager by mentioning their reputation and how they are an industry leader. This sort of talk always goes down well with the reader.
In a short paragraph of no more than a few sentences, concisely explain your most relevant work experience, skills, achievements, and career aspirations. Always try to end your personal summary on a high note by stating which of the company’s values you hold in high regard etc.
Finish off the statement by telling them what attracts you to the role and why you want to join them.
Personal summary example:
Maxine has excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and is a detail-oriented individual.
She is a high calibre candidate who has good working knowledge of the industry your company operates in. As per your requirements she possesses 10 years’ experience of designing and implementing tests that will ensure the quality and the functionality of a product or software.
A true professional who is committed to staying up to date with the latest testing tools, techniques, and methodologies.
Right now, she would like to join a company like yours where there will be future opportunities to further her career with a world-class team.
Test Engineer CV Work Experience
This is the section prospective employers base their hiring decisions on the most.
Located in the top half of your CV, this is where you tell the employer about your previous experience. Written properly it can demonstrate your industry know-how along with how likely you are to excel at your job.
Your goal is to emphasise your skills that are relevant to that particular job.
Career in the same company
If you’ve held multiple jobs in the same company, then stack these under the same employer, with just the dates and job title changing.
Promotions
Create a timeline that starts with your most recent job and works backwards. Aim to show a track record which demonstrates you’ve been building your expertise over the years. Show a clear career path of growth in your chosen field.
Work experience example:
TEST ENGINEER – Start Date – Present Employers name – Location
Responsible for testing and identifying any potential issues or glitches before they become larger problems in the business’s operations.
Duties;
- Meeting with the product design team to determine testing parameters.
- Executing test scenarios to identify defects and then raise awareness of them.
- Record of working effectively to meet scheduled development goals and deadlines.
- Interacting with other departments and Software, Production and Engineering teams.
Test Engineer Skills
This is the place to list those key skills that might not be evident from your work experience or anywhere else in your CV. Along with your experience, they can help employers to quickly evaluate your credentials.
In the eyes of a prospective employer specialist skills supplement your work experience, especially if they are directly applicable to the role.
Be truthful
Only include those skills that you really possess. Do not be tempted to exaggerate or lie, you can easily be found out, especially in a technical role like a test engineer.
Skills to include in your CV
Time management
Testers should know how to manage their time effectively, this will help them to ensure that deadlines are met and products or services are released on time.
Latest technology
They must have knowledge of the latest technology and tools, so they can use them to their advantage. This will help them to be more productive by understanding the limitations of certain tools and the advantages of others.
Examples of Test Engineer skills:
Analysing features
Analytical skills
Data capturing
Fault finding
Health & safety
Procedure improvement
Quality control
Report writing
Resource planning
Technical support
Test planning
Test definition
Testing units
Time management
Education
Summarise your academic achievements in this section.
Test Engineers should always aim to learn and improve their technical software testing skills and knowledge. All new ones should be added to the education section in descending order of importance and relevancy.
For maximum effect, ensure that any relevant certifications or specialized training you have received are prominently featured in this section. The usual degrees required for this role are in computer science, engineering, or other similar technical certifications.
Your academic achievements can prove to employers your commitment to continuous learning and honing your skills.
Example:
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
University name Degree details Study Dates
College name Qualifications Study Dates
School name Subjects / Grades Study Dates