You're an executive looking for a software testing job. How do you find the right one?

1 Assess your strengths and gaps

Before you start looking for a software testing job, you need to have a clear idea of what you can offer and what you need to improve. As an executive, you should have strong leadership, communication, and strategic skills, as well as a solid understanding of software testing methodologies, tools, and best practices. However, you may also have some gaps in your technical, domain, or industry knowledge, or in your familiarity with specific testing frameworks, languages, or platforms. To assess your strengths and gaps, you can use self-evaluation tools, online quizzes, feedback from peers or mentors, or professional certifications.

4 Prepare for the interview

The interview is your opportunity to demonstrate your personality, passion, and potential as a software testing executive. To prepare, you should research the company, project, and testing team. Additionally, review your resume and cover letter and anticipate questions the interviewer may ask. These could include inquiries about your testing philosophy or approach, how you manage and execute testing projects, how you measure and report testing results and quality metrics, how you handle challenges or issues that arise in testing, how you communicate with stakeholders, and how you mentor or train team members . Furthermore, be ready to discuss your executive skills and achievements in software testing with examples or stories structured using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. Additionally, prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the goals and priorities of the testing project or team, expectations for the software testing executive role, challenges or opportunities faced by the testing team, how the team is structured and organized, and what tools are used.

5 Follow up and negotiate

After the interview, you should follow up with the interviewer by sending a thank-you note, expressing your interest and enthusiasm for the job, and reiterating your qualifications and value proposition. You should also keep in touch with the interviewer until you receive a response, and be ready to negotiate your salary and benefits if you receive an offer. You should research the market rate and the employer's budget for the software testing executive role, and consider your own needs and preferences. You should also be prepared to discuss other aspects of the job, such as the work schedule, the location, the travel requirements, or the career development opportunities.

Finding the right software testing job as an executive can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also requires some preparation, research, and negotiation. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of landing the software testing job that suits your skills, goals, and values.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?