Below you'll find examples of the skills you need and the day to day activities you'll be involved in, as well as our recommendations for what to do next.

0-2

Years' experience

£27,750*

Average salary

1-3**

SFIAplus

* source ITJobsWatch
** SFIAplus is a best practice benchmark, giving IT related professionals an internationally recognised framework to align their knowledge, skills, experience and career development. At foundation level, you can carry out a broad range of tasks, use your initiative and schedule your own and other people’s work.

What your role could look like

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is here to support individuals to achieve their professional goals. As a Junior Software Tester, you are at the start of your journey and BCS and your organisation can support your growth and continued professional development across four key areas:

Work activities
  • On the job training is a big part of your learning. We can support you through our certifications and membership to help you quickly gain and develop your knowledge in the workplace.
  • Reviews requirements and specifications, and defines test conditions.
  • Analyses test requirements, designs and builds test cases and test scripts under own direction, mapping back to pre-determined criteria. Prioritises sets of tests in order to carry out those most important within a limited timebox.
  • Interprets and executes sets of moderately complex test scripts using agreed methods and standards, recording and reporting outcomes.
  • Analyses test activities and results.
  • Reports test activities and results in a clear and concise manner.
  • Uses normal operating facilities, test scripts, diagnostic tools, technical manuals and systems documentation to identify, diagnose and report on basic system errors.
  • Identifies and reports issues and risks associated with own work.
  • Records explicit details of failing test cases, such that project or service teams can understand and reproduce issues found.
Technical skills

Software Testing

You’ll be proficient in testing techniques used to plan and execute software tests of all application components (functional and non-functional) to verify that the software satisfies specified requirements and to detect errors. Examples, but not limited to: dynamic testing techniques and test automation techniques.

Test Management Techniques

You’ll be aware of principles, methods, techniques and tools for the effective management of the testing process and the execution of tests throughout the lifecycle of development or integration projects. Examples, but not limited to: test efficiency and effectiveness measurement.

Software Testing Tools

You’ll be familiar with software tools which automate or assist any part of the testing process across all or part of the testing lifecycle. Examples, but not limited to: debugging tools and load test tools.

Development Approach

You’ll have an understanding and application of different development approaches e.g. iterative/ incremental methodologies (Agile, XP, TDD, SCRUM) or traditional sequential methodologies (Waterfall or V-Model) and their energy and resource footprints. Irrespective of development methodology a DevOps approach may also be taken where development and operational staff work collaboratively.

Operational / Service Architecture

You’ll have knowledge of the IT/IS infrastructure (examples, but not limited to: databases and LANs) and the IT applications and service processes used within own organisation, including those associated with sustainability and efficiency (examples, but not limited to: virtualisation and on demand services).

Soft skills

Soft skills are a key component of your continued professional development and success as a software tester. BCS offers a comprehensive suite of materials to members to support professionals in the development of their soft skills.

Written expression and emails

You will be effective at communicating with stakeholders in writing, such as through report writing and via email.

Attention to detail

An eye for detail is important for a junior software tester, as you will be tasked with applying specific quality standards to tasks undertaken to ensure that deliverables are accurate and complete.

Teamwork

You will need to work collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal.

Persistence

You will be tasked with meeting targets, acting and/or fulfilling agreements even when adverse circumstances prevail.

 

Learning and standards

ITQSB – BCS Certified Tester Foundation Level
Take your first step in our global software testing programme to understand, apply and analyse the concepts of software testing.

Find out more and book

RITTech
Demonstrate to employers your professional competence by joining the UK register of IT Technicians.

Find out how to register

BCS Membership AMBCS
As an Associate member of BCS, you’ll become part of a large professional community in the UK and beyond. You’ll get access to career support tools, latest BA industry news and exclusive BCS research.

Become a member

Pathway to professionalism

Attain a leading software testing certification and demonstrate that you’ve met the high standards set by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Over 100,000 professionals worldwide are certified with BCS.

Discover the pathway to professionalism with BCS