This Article is to explore not the technical skills requirements for automation testing, that can be learnt easily (at our Finceptive’s Training Camps too), but the Personality traits or soft skills that makes a GOOD Software Tester into a GREAT Software Automation Testing resource. This article is also very significant from hiring or training the right Automation Testing candidate’s aspect.
First let me clarify that knowing the right softwares like Microfocus UFT, Selenium etc are important and are required over and above the soft skills or these personality traits. And if the knowledge of these softwares meets certain soft skills, that can convert a GOOD Automation Testing resource into a GREAT and efficient Automation testing resource.
We will define these Traits under 4 major Skills which can further be defined in more ways. We will just touch upon the main trait and identify the sub traits that it can be defined into. Following are the major traits that makes a great Software automation tester:
HIGHTENED SELF AWARENESS
Self-awareness is how we perceive ourselves versus our environment and try to become more open minded and aware about our thoughts, abilities, experiences and actions and are trying to live more consciously rather than going along in life with whatever life is throwing at us.
Critical thinking becomes a major dimension or skill giving birth to more skills like analysis, problem solving, researching, trouble shooting etc. Unfortunately these soft skills are not easy to measure on a scale and also not easily measuerable while interviewing a person. Some of the skills that can come under this category are :
- Passionate about work
- Open to Change & Flexible
- Reasoning & Questioning
- Analyzing Skills
- Excellent Problem Solving
- Continuous Learner
- Eye for Detail
- Creative & Innovative
- Ability to Visualize yourself as Customer
- Customer Centric
- Being extra cautious
- Hard Working
PROFESSIONAL OUTLOOK (LEADERSHIP)
Being professional is defined by a person’s conduct, aim and qualities that showcase a person class ahead in competency with respect to aspect to conducting in more accountable and mature manner. Professional person does not change its stand point on aspect as per political, emotional or egoistic reasons but has self-regulation and integrity to their commitments. Some of the skills that can come under this category are:
- Clear Understanding of responsibility
- Accountability & Healthy Ego
- Guarding Quality
- Being Aggressive
- Maintain Accuracy
UNDERSTANDS GROUP MECHANICS (TEAMWORK)
Teamwork is process of working in tandem with a group of people to achieve a common goal. When people showcase good interpersonal skills along with open communication to work towards commitment of group’s success while being interdependent on each other for completion of task and accept individual accountability on their part that need to play in the group. Some of the skills that can come under this category are:
- Good Team Player
- Active Collaboration Culture
- Active Listener
- Valuing and respecting other people’s opinion
EXPRESSION MASTER (COMMUNICATION)
Without the ability of expressing and communicating oneself in a more appropriate manner, all other skills or abilities go for a waste for a person. To become a through professional or a good team player or questioning the appropriate aspects in right manner as a more aware person, a good Automation tester will never be able to become a great Automation Tester. Communication is one aspect that binds and amplifies all the above skills together. The skills under this category are :
- Excellent Communication
- Expressing thoughts /views
So, what skills make a good software tester a great one is defined by soft skills which are not easily learnt, or easily measurable, but can still be identified and defined in one way or another and sets apart one software tester from another.
As long as software testers are ready to learn and adapt to changes on continuous basis, they will not be able to find ways to improve their skills and attributes.