The automation testing industry is booming! It has now become a profitable career. The main reason is that automation is taking root in almost every sector.

Automation testing is displacing conventional manual testing practices. It is doing so by making time-consuming testing functions more convenient and easier.

We now live in a fast-paced world of technology. And every single organization wants to automate its business operations or work processes. That is where automation testing comes in. It enables businesses and organizations to increase their productivity and efficiency.

Automation testing is a field to consider if you want a career that offers steady growth. Even though it can be challenging at the beginning, the end could be rewarding. In fact, the estimated average salary of an automation tester in the United States is $80,248 per year.

And if you want to join this field, you can start to make moves to begin your career as an automation tester.

But first, you must fully understand what is automation testing. And, who is an automation tester?

What is Automation Testing?

In general, testing involves checking to see if something works well. Software testing has to do with validating and verifying software. The reason is to ensure that the software matches all requirements before production.

Automation testing uses technical testing tools to execute the testing process. Automated tests can run many times at any time of the day. It is a much simpler method when compared to manual testing.

Who Is an Automation Tester?

An automation tester is a professional who can run special test automation scripts. And not everyone can immediately be one. You have to undergo seminars, and training to become one reliable tester. There are several automation testing guides for beginners to start learning test automation.

An automation engineer analyzes application functionality. The tester/engineer also develops automated tests to confirm their performance.

Some of the key roles of an automation tester include:

• Making an automation test plan and approving it.

• Creating, Enhancing, Debugging, and Running Test Cases.

• Organizing and monitoring defect management processes.

• Handling changes and conducting Regression Testing.

How Can One Start a Career in Automation Testing?

Automation testing is one of the most sought-after job roles among IT professionals. But, before you begin your career in the field, it is best to understand the major skill sets.

Below are ways you can get started with your career in automation testing.

1. Understand the Basics of Testing

There are certain prerequisites before beginning your career as an automation tester. First, you should understand basic computer functionality, mathematics, computer language, and logical operators. Then, you should also know the basics of testing very well. It would be best to build a solid foundation of knowledge about testing as an industry.

Automation testing involves creating scripts and executing them using various tools and software. To become a viable automation tester, you should know what you're testing and why you're testing it.

1. Get Familiar With Programming Languages

Coding and programming skills are necessary for getting into automation testing. You must be well-versed in programming languages and related programming concepts.

Having a basic understanding of programming will help you to simplify automation scripts. It will also help you communicate even better with the developer. And it will prepare you for a range of critical automation testing jobs. Some of such jobs are Code Review, Unit Testing, Task Automation, and many others. Begin with programming languages such as Java, Python, C, SQL, Perl, HTML, CSS, or XML.

1. Have an Experience in Manual Testing

To become a skilled automation tester, you must have decent manual testing experience. Automation is a machine that obeys manual commands. And, it is not every phase in the testing process that requires automation.

For example, verifying the functionality of an application's gesture requires a manual process. Visual testing also demands a manual approach. You cannot depend on automation tools to discover visual differences. Instead, you can check for issues manually by testing on real browsers and devices.

1. Learn About Automation Testing Tools

In today's Agile era, the industry expects both speed and quality. Companies expect you to deliver a high-quality, bug-free application in a short period. As a result, automation testing is becoming more popular. Organizations will expect you to know some automation tools as an automation engineer. Some of these automation tools include

• Selenium

• SoapUI

• RFT

• HP-UFT

• Apache JMeter

• Appium

Experience with these tools will help you choose the best one to use in a given situation. This is an important step you should take to advance your testing career.

1. Understand the Automation Testing Life Cycle

Every automation should adhere to the Automation Testing Life Cycle (ATLC). ATLC helps in preventing errors at an early stage in the automation process.

To have a successful career, you need to know the six stages of the Automation Testing Life Cycle. They include:

• Choosing the scope of test automation

• Deciding the right automation tool

• Plan, design, and strategy

• Environment set up

• Test script & execution

• Generate & analyze test results

1. Understand Applications

Another crucial element is understanding applications. An automation testing engineer must have a thorough understanding of software applications.

Testers must know the languages used for development and database systems. They should be able to recognize the development platform, APIs, or web services. And they should know the application's goal, bugs, and expected functionalities.

1. Discover How to Develop a Test Automation Strategy.

An automation tester should be able to create automated testing strategies. You can now develop your first automation strategy after you've mastered the ATLC methods and the testing tools.

To advance your career, you must be someone who initiates the strategy's preparation. You should also be able to complete tools and calculate the cost and ROI.

Developing an automation strategy is important for you as an automation tester. First, it helps you to reduce the number of manual testing hours. And it also provides excellent ROI to companies that invest in automated testing.

1. Stay Updated With Latest Testing Trends

Keep up with the latest news and trends in software testing. It's not only about the tools. It's also about the principles that can enable testers to complete test programs.

Conclusion

Businesses are looking to invest in test automation as their systems become complex. As such, there is an increase in the demand for automation professionals. A career in automation testing is a great move for you! This article has provided you with the checklist you need to get started. So go ahead and rule your world.