As a manual tester, you are the shield that guards the realms of end-users, and you do it like a pro. Prove it to the recruiter with this impeccable resume.
Aleksandra Makal
Career Expert
Your manual tester resume will have to pass a test. An Applicant Tracking System scan to be exact. Unlucky for you, there won't be time for any beta testing. So you have to make sure it is 100% bug-free.
You’ve got the skills of a programmer and the knowledge of a range of test design approaches, and you fit the profile perfectly. Put it all together on a piece of paper and show the company you’re applying to that you’re the candidate they’re looking for.
In this guide you'll find:
A manual tester resume example better than 95% of other applicants.
How to put your skills and achievements on your manual tester resume.
Proven techniques to help you land a manual testing job.
How to write a manual tester resume that stands out.
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Multi-talented manual tester with 3+ years of experience designing test plans and scenarios to ensure compliance with specifications and documentation provided. Written 100+ test plans and helped enhance software performance by 24%. Strong knowledge of test automation and data analysis. Seeking a challenging position in manual testing in a progressive organization to develop further and widen competences, business experience and analysis skills.
Experience
Manual Tester
Applab, Denver, CO
June 2013–November 2016
Implemented quality control standards that increased quality of developed systems by 17%.
Evaluated product code according to system specifications.
Designed test cases using Selenium RC and TestNG for Web Applications and Client Server Applications.
Ensured all aspects of testing, including manual execution, regression, automation and performance testing, are completed.
Key achievement: Contributed to the development of software which increased process efficiency for a government client by 20%.
Software Engineering Intern
Coderlytics, Denver, CO
October 2012–May 2013
Created applications for migrating data between systems using C#, XML, and Excel Macros.
Provided work estimation and tracking information to support management decision making, coordination and analysis.
Worked collaboratively with a skilled team of software engineers.
Education
Bachelor of Computer Science
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2012
Soft Skills
Strong analysis skills
Critical thinking
Team player
Ability to meet deadlines
Organizational skills
Excellent eye for detail
Communication skills
Hard Skills
Selenium
Watir
JIRA
C#
XML
Certifications
ISTQB Certification
Now, let’s get to the essence. Here’s the point-by-point method of writing a killer manual tester resume:
1. Use a Proper Manual Tester Resume Format
Formatting a resume is like testing software so it’s important that you make sure it is glitch-free and polished to the highest standard. Your resume format shows how well you pay attention to detail (which is SUCH an important skill as a manual tester).
Think of these guidelines as the preconditions required for successful implementation. Use these resume format guidelines:
Save your resume as a PDF to ensure cross-platform compatibility.
How long can your resume be? If you’re writing a manual tester resume for a fresher, one page should be enough. If you have more experience under your belt, a two-page resume is fine.
Expert Hint: A recent CareerBuilder study has shown that one of the major deal-breakers for recruiters are resumes that have typos and grammatical errors. Make your resume flawless with the help of a tool like Grammarly that will check your spelling and grammar.
2. Write an Eye-Catching Resume Summary or Objective
The hiring manager is the “end-user” of your resume. You want to provide a document that, apart from being well-written, shows you off and clearly demonstrates your qualifications.
The truth is—you have only 7 seconds to impress the recruiter. Make them count with a comprehensive resume summary that will grab their attention and pass the unit testing phase. Add:
An adjective (professional, dedicated, hard-working)
“Manual tester”
Years of experience (3+, 4+)
What you do (carrying out manual tests, analyzing system specifications)
Two or three of your most prominent achievements (...improved software quality by 17%)
These manual tester resume samples will show you how to compile it:
Manual Tester Resume Summary
The second example definitely needs debugging. The first example shows quantifiable skills and the key information required to get the job. In your experience summary you’re basically saying: “Hey, look at me. I can do this and that and I will help your company achieve the business results that matter.” The second one doesn’t really say much. It’s bland, general and doesn’t have that OOMPH.
Don’t have anything to show off because you’re just a fresher? No worries. Make your resume stand out and include a well-written career objective statement that briefly states your short-term professional goals and shows that you have the key skills that match most of the pre-requisite requirements advertised in the manual tester job description.
Manual Testing Resume Objective
Expert Hint: Write your resume profile after you are done putting your resume together. Take out the best chunks from your skills, achievements and experience and put them together into a short, consistent paragraph.
3. Write a Solid Manual Tester Job Description and Skills Section
Because your experience is what matters, you need to be able to demonstrate that. If you want to land that dream job, your work experience section has to clearly illustrate your ability to handle complex and nuanced test scenarios.
How to make that happen? Let’s take a look:
Start with your most recent job experience, then list the jobs you had before that, and so on.
Each position should have at least 3 bullet points that describe your role and your achievements. But remember—use numbers to show your achievements.
Use powerful action verbs that will increase your chances of grabbing the attention of the hiring manager.
At the bottom of each entry add a “Key achievement” that shows off your most major quantifiable accomplishment.
Carefully study the job ad and 5-6 essential phrases and refer to them in your job description section.
How to make that work: The job ad wants these manual testing skills: Soap UI, front-end and back-end application testing, 508 compliance testing, mobile browser testing.
Manual Tester Job Description for a Resume
The good example will make the recruiter go: “Aha!” The experience you’ve described clearly puts you in the role, making you—you guessed it—the perfect candidate. The bad example doesn’t really show what you can do and what tools you have been using in your previous jobs. That doesn’t tell the recruiter a thing.
When it comes to your application, knowing what skills for a resume will get you more interviews is tricky business. But here’s an idea of what will prove that you have what it takes to be an accomplished manual tester.
Manual Testing Skills for a Resume
Test Planning/ Management
Web & Mobile Technologies
Knowledge of database/ SQL
SDLC
Selenium Web Driver
JIRA
QA
Linux Commands
Project Management
Business Process
Customer Support
Written & Oral Communication
Rational Analysis
Don’t just CTRL+C and CTRL+V the list. Target your resume, instead. Use the job ad as your guide and only add those soft and technical skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. This way you’ll make sure you've got an ATS-friendly resume.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
4. Write Your Education Section Next
While most recruiters focus mostly on your work experience, your education section can be a great way to optimize your resume and help you pass that beta testing stage (especially if you are writing a resume with no experience).
Research shows that the top 25% of college-educated workers with computer engineering and computer science majors earn more than $110k annually. So time to make your education section shine. You should include:
Expert Hint: If you’re writing a manual testing resume with 1 year experience, add an extra “Awards” section where you can list scholarships.
5. Finish Your Resume With a Strong “Additional Information” Section
To make your resume stand out from your competitors, add an extra resume section. This will elevate your game and show the hiring manager you are passionate about the industry. Make sure you write about what’s relevant to your field.
If you have some of these up your sleeve, make sure to include them in your resume:
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Key Points
So in a nutshell, here’s how to write a professional manual tester resume:
Use the manual tester resume template up top. Simply fill in the blanks and significantly increase your chances of getting hired.
List manual tester achievements in your resume summary and experience section. Remember, they should be quantifiable. This will prove that you’re the best candidate for the position.
Include manual tester keywords and skills from the job ad.
Write a manual tester cover letter to sell yourself and highlight what sets you apart from other candidates.
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Written byAleksandra Makal
Aleksandra is a career expert with a solid professional background in various industries. At ResumeLab, she shares her knowledge, insights and expertise with all applicants looking to make a career move with a perfect resume and cover letter that guarantee recognition and success.