This is a guest article from Pradeep Soundararajan.

He is a
Consulting Tester, Satisfice Inc & Software Testing
Magician. Reach him at his blog Tester tested
These days a lot of people who pass out of engineering and
science colleges are interested about software testing as a
career. When I passed out at a time when the IT had
started to boom back in India, most of the fresh graduates
with whom I interacted didnt even know there existed jobs
or careers like software testing.
I was offered a job as a tester in a start up for 7440 rupees
a month compared to fresh developers (who were picked
from better institutes from where I graduated) being paid
34,500 rupees a month.
Today there isnt such a huge difference between what
testers and developers get paid and I consider this
generation to be luckier than my generation without
ignoring the idea that my generation might have been
luckier than its previous generation.
When I started my career as a software tester, I didnt find
any training centre, which could coach me on software
testing, and I lacked guidance. I didnt know about Google
and its power of search.
In the organization I worked for, there existed a senior
software tester, not by designation or for the technical
competence but just that he joined that organization 6
months before I did. He happened to coach me. I blindly
believed all that he said about testing. I believed him and
never questioned him.
By believing whatever he said I think I was becoming
dumb. I looked for someone who could coach me and

found two great people, one a developer and other a

software architect in the organization whose ideas were
much impressive than the senior software tester.
The duos were more open to questions from me as
compared to the so-called senior software tester. When I
questioned all things that I heard from the so-called senior
software tester, I found that most of what the senior tester
said was highly idiotic.
I realized that my quest in life was to see myself
doing good or great testing in future. To do that, I
must learn, I must learn, I must learn, I must practice, I
must practice, I must practice
What do I learn? What do I practice?
When I asked for information about software testing, some
of my friends sent me material that was nothing more
than, types of testing, techniques of testing, different
types of documentation, process of testing and
development.
A question that I asked changed my life and you might
want to know what that question is: Is there something
beyond what all these people think software testing
is which I can learn?
Now that leads to more questions. If it exists, where does
is exist? Who has the information? How can I find it?
That lead me to discovering James Bach one of the worlds
leading expert tester. His career graph is one of the most
impressive career graph I have seen till date. He is a school
drop out at 8th standard and yet became the youngest Test
Manager of the world at the age of 20 in Apple Computers.
He even helped Microsoft in Test Specification and was

expert witness in court cases that involved investigations of

the computer world. He has traveled to most countries
where software testing is being done and has carried over
consulting assignments there. He is a kind of tester that
can make most testers in the world feel ashamed of their
lack of skills, knowledge and maybe money. That reminds
me to say, he has made lots of money.
I thought this man must have a secret with him that other
software testers dont know and I wanted to learn that. I
found that James Bach is very similar to Jackie Chan as he
considers skilled testing to be a mental martial art. Sorry,
James doesnt have any testing certification that you know
of and he thinks certification doesnt help, so dont try to
think of certification when you are thinking of James Bach,
the great tester and guru of software testing.
I had to pass through several mental martial arts tests
before I became his full time student. Let me not take you
through the entire story but let you know that I reached a
stage where he hired me to represent his company in
India.
I dont like comparing myself with others and run a rat race
but some of my friends who were comparing with me were
very disappointed as I progressed. I travel around the
world speaking and coaching at international conferences. I
am featured as an expert tester sometimes (which I
acknowledge, I am not) in other countries. I have a fan
following for my blog. I am an independent consult,
working on different projects in a day and for different
clients from different parts of the world. I coach, consult,
speak, write, think, test, manage and learn software
testing and problem solving. I was interviewed by CNBC as
they considered me a problem solving expert and wrote a

column for them as Expert problem solver. I was invited to

manage testing for an organization products and services
division with about three years of working as a software
tester. I have tested over a hundred and twenty three
products, so far.
-----------Reputation means more money but if you do things just for
gaining reputation you wont get it. Reputation is a little
tricky. People think it is about doing things what other
people like but I think it is about other people liking what
you are doing.
Dont worry about too many I, I have written in this
article and for the moment, think if you have so many I
to say or probably even more, in testing that makes people
to approach you for consultation, you would be making
more money than you ever imagined you would make as a
tester.
I want to see Indian testers make more money than
what they have been making. Thats precisely why I am
writing this article for you all.
To start in the journey, apply this heuristic: Question
everything that you hear, you see, you feel, you want to
see, you want to hear, you want to feel, you dont want to
hear, you dont want to feel and other things you think you
missed.
How to apply this heuristic?
Let me give you an example to get you started: There
is a common myth (which means something is
fundamentally wrong but people blindly believe it) by which

most testers to my knowledge in India live: Testing is done

to improve Quality
Who said the above statement?
Why should I believe it?
By having the above idea that testing improves quality,
can any tester on Earth say how much quality he has
improved?
If a tester cant say that then there is something
wrong with the fundamental behind it.
Improve what quality?
What is quality?
Who defines what quality is?
Does a tester define what quality means?
If I go to a hotel and the hotel owner says he serves
quality food and I as a customer think the quality is
not good, whose view is important?
How can merely finding bugs improve quality?
So, if a tester reports 5000 bugs and the developer
quits the organization the same day, has the quality
improved?
So, if a tester finds 10000 bugs and doesnt report
them, has the quality improved?
In the above case, testing did happen, and hence did
the quality improve?
If I as a tester report 50 bugs, and the developer in a
context of fixing bugs introduces 100 more bugs, has
the quality improved?
Why do all other testers dont understand the
fundamental that it is a developer who can improve
the quality?
As a tester, isnt my job to find information about
quality than trying to think of improving the quality?

 Oh my God! I have been misguided all this while. So

whats testing then?
Isnt the above question, a good question?
Didnt I learn from this that many people around us
are fooling and that is what is stopping me from
becoming someone like James Bach?
Do I want to be fooled?
Should I allow people, bugs, documents to fool me?
0
inShare

Recommended reading:
Announcing My New eBook Software Testing Career
Package A Software Testers Journey from Getting a Job
to Becoming a Test Leader!
Choosing Software Testing as your Career
Top 5 Things a Tester Must Have to Excel (And the
Software Testers Shifting Perspectives)
Career options for Software Test Professionals
How to be a good tester?
16 Characteristics of a Great Software Tester
What is the Best Moment in Your Testing Career?
Answers to Such 14 Interesting Software Testing Interview
Questions
Living life as a Software Tester!
How to Improve Tester Performance?
Software Testing is About Mind and Eyes, Not About
Years of Experience!

The Best Software Testing Training You'll

Ever Get!

147 comments
#1

life99joy

on 10.02.08 at 8:48 pm

I think Mr. Pradeep Soundararajan is struggling a little bit with his big EGO! The article wasnt about
how to help testes to become rich but just to flaunt. If you didnt pay attention, its all about me,
me me This article wasnt anyhow related about practical advices, its all about the one Mans
Dream and preaching himself up.
Things dont work this way in the real world my dear friends
#2

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 10.03.08 at 3:51 am

@Life99joy,

I think Mr. Pradeep Soundararajan is struggling a little bit with his big EGO!
Lets assume for the moment I have a Big Ego as you mentioned. Whose problem is it?

If you didnt pay attention, its all about me, me meThis article wasnt anyhow related about
practical advices, its all about the one Mans Dream and preaching himself up.
How credible a person you are in the industry?
What have you done for the benefit of the software testing community?
Didnt you read the demonstration of questioning that in my opinion the most helpful part for
anyone in this article?
You are so bold to have put up your name as life99joy and those believing your words, deserve it.

Things dont work this way in the real world my dear friends

Oh, you explored the world?

People like me are aliens, you are right.
#3

Mohan

on 10.03.08 at 4:48 am

Life99Joy (i wish i could have addressed you by your name),

Its just enough if we have got the essence of the article. I see the article as his viewpoint (having
been there done that i hope you checked his blog) on how one can question, analyze and not
blindly follow the so called common wisdom.

Becoming richest tester does not just mean. RICH can be knowledge, RICH can be skill, RICH can
be wisdom, RICH can be attitude. If one is RICH in these other worldly riches will definitely follow.

I would like to understand what did you mean by this will not work in the real world. Can you please
enlighten?

#4

Gem

on 10.03.08 at 5:22 am

Looks like This sound a rajan is a real egoistic dude.

we are expecting some good advice from you dude
Please dont spoil it.
#5

Ajay Balamurugadas

on 10.03.08 at 5:35 am

Hi Pradeep,

Nice article.

It makes sense to question everything.

Horses can be led to the water, but it cannot be forced to drink the water.
Similarly, unless people apply, practice any technique, they cannot condemn/appreciate it.

As I apply questioning in my day to day testing and achieve excellent results most of the time, I
appreciate your effort of highlighting the importance of QUESTIONING.

Regards,
Ajay Balamurugadas
#6

Ajay Balamurugadas
@Gem

on 10.03.08 at 5:36 am

Hi Gem,

Have you applied the technique of Questioning before criticizing this idea?

-Ajay Balamurugadas
http://www.enjoytesting.blogspot.com
#7

Amit kulkarni

on 10.03.08 at 6:06 am

Hello Sir,
Its a good thing to share your experience.Actually the title u mentioned and the summary
below,dont u think it is going away a little bit.I will be very keen if u give some tips on the above
title u mentioned.What things we have to do to become a good tester.I also think today
certifications matter the most especially in Testing domain.Also if we do good job money
automatically comes,thats what i think.
#8

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 10.03.08 at 6:10 am

@Amit,

What do you get by reading the questioning that is happening towards the end of the article?

#9

Ajay Balamurugadas

on 10.03.08 at 6:11 am

@Amit,
Hi Amit,
What do you mean by good job?
It differs from context to context.
See, Pradeep has mentioned one of the skills/techniques to become a good tester and earn lots of
money.
Its upto us to imbibe the lessons and apply.
>> I also think today certifications matter the most especially in Testing domain.

It varies from company to company.

What if a tester has a certification but cannot test better than a tester who has no certification?

Feel free to comment back.

Regards,
Ajay Balamurugadas
http://www.enjoytesting.blogspot.com
#10

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 10.03.08 at 6:21 am

@Gem,

Sorry, I dont offer good advice. Most of what I advice is bad. Now that you are good, you may not
want to take what I advice.

#11

Amit kulkarni

on 10.03.08 at 6:44 am

@ Pradeep.

Yes, i read the questioning.I know that it is very important for us to understand the application right
from the requirement phase.Whatever doubts we have we should ask immediately.

#12

Suhas

on 10.03.08 at 6:44 am

Hi Pradeep, This is greatest and most inspiring article posted ever on the site. hope you will check
the junk mail of gmail account. Thanks for sharing the Information

#13

Amit kulkarni

on 10.03.08 at 6:49 am

@Ajay
Good Job,I mean that doing our job perfectly,trying to avoid mistakes as far as possible.
Also i think that Experience matters the most,but if u have certificate along with some experience
then u have a strong hand compare to others.
#14

Prashant

on 10.03.08 at 7:20 am

This article is so far very inspireing one, kudos to Pradeep.. for compiling this for us. I really liked it
specially I must learn.. I must learn, I must practice.

#15

Sharath Byregowda

on 10.03.08 at 7:24 am

Pradeep,

I feel most Testers are happy because they get paid for following the process. The techniques you
provide might help improve the quality of the information Testers provide their stake holder. But
who cares?

Why should any tester be worried about the stake holder its my project manager who does
the appraisal lets be good to him. because thats easy money.

Most Testers are happy to follow a process, which might promise them a bug free product or help
them achieve complete testing.

So please help most Testers understand/clear certifications, interviews, process, best practices,
etc anything related not to Testing, because thats easy money.

-Sharath.B

#16

Prashant

on 10.03.08 at 7:26 am

And as far as Certification is concerned.. it cant guarntee you to become a good tester. It will just
add a value to your resume to get a job.. but I think experience makes a good tester rather than
certification.

#17

Nithya

on 10.03.08 at 7:58 am

The topic was very good & convincing too.

#18

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 10.03.08 at 8:04 am

@Prashant,

And as far as Certification is concerned.. it cant guarntee you to become a good tester. It will just
add a value to your resume to get a job.. but I think experience makes a good tester rather than
certification.
Why is it something that doesnt make a tester good adding value to resume?

Is there no one who said, hey but you never asked me test before you certified me. Why would I
want to be certified by those who dont test me for my ability to test?

#19

pbk

on 10.03.08 at 9:18 am

I just started my career as a software tester. I ahd one and half years of experience as a manual
tester. How should i plan my career in testing going forward?

#20

Kishore

on 10.03.08 at 9:33 am

Sorry DUDE
The above article is beyond my thought. I simply know one thing that testing is a varied field and it
requires lot of research. Keeping process intact, you should act like an end user. No body is perfect
in testing. Its a matter of fact that some people work in organisation where process are followed
and become good tester and the one who does not follow keep delving for the right process as a
result average tester.
cheers
JAI
#21

Ajay Balamurugadas

on 10.03.08 at 9:43 am

@Kishore,
The above article is beyond my thought.
I did not understand your above statement.
What does it mean?
Could you please clarify?
-Ajay Balamurugadas
#22

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 10.03.08 at 9:46 am

@Jai,

If process can make testing happen better then why give money, or probably more money for those
who follow?

Followers are usually paid less. Creators are paid more. Create ( not process ) thoughts that leads
to better thinking and testing.

No body is perfect in testing

I like the above statement. Nobody can ever be perfect and yet a lot of people believe in best
practices and complete testing and 100% coverage. I wonder if they ever understood what a
human is all about.

A human is fallible ( which means he fails ) and how can anything that humans create not fail.

Process ensures whether dumb or intelligent, I will have people to do tasks to an extent that I can
replace them. If I do tasks that can be easily replaceable by anyone, I am not doing a great job and
hence I dont need to be paid a lot.

#23

Kishore

on 10.03.08 at 9:49 am

@Ajay
I failed to understand writers state of mind. But somewhere in his article writer has pointed out
competencies of a tester. So i commented in that context.
#24

Ajay Balamurugadas

on 10.03.08 at 9:54 am

@ Kishore,

Remember, process does not make a good tester.

If it did, there would be brilliant testers in all the CMMxx companies and other such certified
companies.
Human skills are more important than adhering/following a process.

Regards,
Ajay Balamurugadas
#25

Kishore

on 10.03.08 at 10:05 am

@pradeep, Ajay

Exactly, to some extent you are right and I do agree with it.
But,I do stress on testing basics, process which is a basic part of software testing. And if basics are
not clear its like finding sheep in deep shallow water. But it doesnt mean that you follow the routine
task. Testing is about bringing out innovative ideas to find bugs.
But again it is inevitable to ignore process.
Regards
JAI
#26

Ajay Balamurugadas

on 10.03.08 at 10:07 am

@Jai,
Can you give an example of process which cannot be ignored?
-Ajay Balamurugadas

#27

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 10.03.08 at 10:16 am

@Jai,

But again it is inevitable to ignore process.

When you talk about process, if you mean something that some humans create for others to
follow for achieving good results then I think Its humans who create for others to follow.

Everything we do is a process. What is the process of coming early to office?

Getting up early.
Getting refreshed as soon as we get up from bed.
Getting a nice breakfast.
Getting ourselves to office before the traffic snarls.
Getting ourselves to our seat.
Now, those are the kind of processes that organizations follow and yet dont achieve results.

Exactly, to some extent you are right and I do agree with it.
To what extent?

Testing is about bringing out innovative ideas to find bugs.

Innovation can happen when humans who perform testing, be it the so called manual or
automation, human thinking skills like:

Questioning
Brainstorming
Mental Modeling
Logical Thinking
Communication Reading, Writing, Speaking
Lateral Thinking
Pattern Recognition
Learning
Contextual thinking
Critiquing ( Self, too )
Analysis
Cognition
Managing Bias
Learning to learn
Unlearning
Knowledge of human limitations, ( i.e for ex: Inattentional Blindness )
Observation
Hearing
etc
that really matters.

#28

Kishore

on 10.03.08 at 10:23 am

Its sheer waste of time, having capabilities to do the task right without any defined process. The
team will be scattered resuling over budget and overschedue output.

#29

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 10.03.08 at 10:28 am

@Kishore ( Jai )

If they are capable and know their mission ( is to find information about quality such as bugs ) do
you think they need a process that says do this and then do that?

So, would Sachin Tendulkar need to know what he has to do the next over or his skills decide it?

#30

Ajay Balamurugadas

on 10.03.08 at 10:28 am

@Kishore
Suppose you are my customer.
If I give you a product to your satisfaction without following any process, will you be satisfied or if I
give you a product which you are not satisfied but adhered to the process, which one would you go
for?
Im not against process, Im against adhering to process(only) without meeting the mission.

-Ajay Balamurugadas

#31

Kishore

on 10.03.08 at 10:35 am

Yes, No matter how skilled a person is ? If he does not use his skills in right direction, whats the
use?
Tendulkar is a skiled player no doubt provided he uses it properly. Despite of having skills if he fails
to read the game and current condition. He surely going to loose his game.
#32

Kishore

on 10.03.08 at 10:43 am

@Ajay
I will be satisfied with my right product. But suppose if in future i requested you to deliver similar
projects to me, will u be able to do that. Since you have not followed any process, you wont be
having documents to follow. Dont u think it is a bad practice?
#33

Pradeep Soundararajan
@Kishore ( Jai )

on 10.03.08 at 10:47 am

I will be satisfied with my right product. But suppose if in future i requested you to deliver similar
projects to me, will u be able to do that. Since you have not followed any process, you wont be
having documents to follow. Dont u think it is a bad practice?
If Ajay delivers you a good product, it means, he has had skills or has learned ways to do it.
Irrespective of whether he has followed process or not, he is doing it and thats what customers
want.

Microsoft and Google do not follow CMM or Six Sigma or ISO for that matter. They rely on hiring
people who are highly skilled and also pay them more than any other organization that follows
them.

So, why do you think these companies dont follow those?

If you didnt know, go to Microsoft or Google website and you wont discover CMM, ISO and or Six
Sigma.

Are you really learning or still reluctant to change your opinion?

#34

Kishore

on 10.03.08 at 11:02 am

Are you really learning or still reluctant to change your opinion?

Yeah, I am not inclined to your opinion.
So you mean rest of the companies are wasting their resources on maintaining and following such
processes.
Companies like HCL, INFOSYS, EDS,CSC etc are just wasting their resources and time in following
such process.
#35

Kapil

on 10.03.08 at 11:38 am

I just started my career as a software tester. I ahd one and half years of experience as a manual
tester. How should i plan my career in testing going forward?

#36

Renuka

on 10.03.08 at 1:09 pm

I think the summary of this article can be in below 4 sentences:

To start in the journey, apply this heuristic: Question everything that you hear, you see, you feel,
you want to see, you want to hear, you want to feel, you dont want to hear, you dont want to feel
and other things you think you missed.

Title is totally different from the actual topic discussed.

#37

life99joy

on 10.03.08 at 1:31 pm

@Pradeep

Just to make it clear I was referring to the name of the article Money Making Software Career
Now thats just not a real life, or some kind of Cinderella story
How many testers in India can make it BIG??? At the most youll get Sr. QA title and maybe
satisfying salary. Only being in Management position you may get a break and actually consider
your carrier successful. Doing a good job testing software, thinking outside the box, and ect
simply NOT a Money making and thats my friend a Real Life.
To regards of my name life99joy I take everything from life what it gives me and enjoy every bit
of it
You may call it Bald or whatever youre pleased
#38

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 10.03.08 at 1:49 pm

@Renuka,

Title is totally different from the actual topic discussed.

The trick is the that testers who question plus those who have other skills that I mentioned in one of
the comments here has been helping testers whom I respect make lots of money. Secret cant be
that open unless you ask the right questions to unlock it.

#39

BASKAR.C

on 10.04.08 at 10:18 am

Hi to all Software Testers.My opinion is every month we may start a discussion regarding software
testing and we may just avoid personal conflicts or fame

#40

Beena

on 10.06.08 at 6:40 am

Hi Pradeep,

You hav shared ur experience with others, Nice to read.

#41

Manoj Upadhyay

on 10.06.08 at 10:47 am

hi Pradeep,

You shared ur experience With us , very intersting , Nice article

Thanks
Manj Upadhyay
#42

srilaxmi

on 10.07.08 at 2:40 am

Hi friends
what are the uses of the scripting windows when we use in testing (purpose of the scripting
windows )
and Data table integration and data driven test give some explanation and some examples
#43

Partap Singh

on 10.12.08 at 7:46 am

Hi Pradeep,
First of all I would like to give you congrats for this beautiful written article.This article gives inspires
to those who are willing to adopt testing as their career.
No doubt the testing has become a vast career option But I just want to Ask you, For how much
time we are safe in this field.?
One More thing, Is the Tester should have a programming knowledge in which the project has been
written(To whom he is going testing).
Regards,
Partap singh
#44

Sachin Wagh

on 10.14.08 at 7:17 am

Hi Pradeep,

This article is good. I like your socrates approach of teaching things. Waiting for your next
article..Hopefully things will get more clear..

#45

Christopher

on 10.14.08 at 7:23 am

The above comment by Sachin Wagh is geniunely mendacious..the resaon behind this is that, the
above articlle is not just good but the best its superlatively correct among the others that i have
read..
Hopefully, waiting to get some interesting articles like this !
Thanku for the information.
#46

kishore

on 10.14.08 at 7:30 am

How to remove email id from this article? I donot want to follow comments on such articles. Is there
any way out to remove email id?

Regards

#47

Poundararajan

on 10.15.08 at 7:08 pm

@life99joy

I sympathize with you!! Its not your fault that you felt that the great Mr.Poundararajan who
wrote this article has an ego which can challenge even the Himalayas!
Mr.Pounadararajan just pounds away the confrontation!

For him we small time testers are nothing but villagers wearing a flower on the ear

And Oh! Mr.Poundararajan here like to speak with his fake American accent .. and likes to flaunt it
too!

@Kishore
No wonder you dont wanna be a part of it anymore!
Take a chill pill pounder diffuse your ego a little bit; and for Gods sake drop the fake accent!

#48

Arun Vijayaarghavan

on 10.16.08 at 6:36 am

Hi Sir,

It was extremely interesting the way you narrated your journey in the software testing industry. I
have started my carrier and hope to follow your footpaths. My quest is and has been to explore and
ask Why,Where,How,What,Which. I call it W2W -> Will 2 Win.

I have started my own services entity called FOCUS Testing (FIST)

http://www.focustesting.com
I hope to follow your footpath to glory.

Thanks for your contribution.

#49

Sathesh Ramasamy

on 10.21.08 at 5:31 am

Mr .Pradeep Soundarrajan ,
I can understand that we should question everything that comes across us.I can do that .But who is
there to give me answer for those questions.Will you be with be All time to answer those.Then there
will one point of time where i end up with only questions.There comes frustration if u face such
answerless questions.So to avoid that you need not question everything but just get satisfied with
available answers and explore only if you are not satisfied with the Given answer.

#50

kishore

on 10.21.08 at 12:13 pm

Poundararajan

Take a chill pill pounder diffuse your ego a little bit; and for Gods sake drop the fake accent!

I dont think I need your advise. Kindly stop advising and comment sincerely without taking
personal.

#51

ShreeG

on 10.21.08 at 3:08 pm

I agree with Mr.Sathesh. Most of the time, our questions go unanswered. Developers tend to ignore
or slip away from our questions. Superiors just dont have the time or patience to answer us. If we
search the net for answers, we end up losing the little time given to test the application.

Most of the testing goes on in assumptions that we make by exploring the application. When we end
up with a report, we get an answer that most of the bugs are invalid and the client wants it to be as
it is. Wheres the end to this dilemma?

#52

shiva

on 10.25.08 at 11:38 am

Hi Pradeep,
U r really good and this article is great.
it is a motivation for me
pls do not go by the harsh words written by other people in this blog to intimidate u
U r great
#53

sudhanshu

on 10.25.08 at 7:21 pm

hi every1, i read all of your blogs..i think ..all we are getting away from the topic of testingevery1
is having his/her own expereince of life in this fieldths good we shoud share ..even i am happy abt
u all for experiences.but it look bit sad thatMr. Pradeep or none of u have replied a simple
questioned mentioend
by pbk that he tht he has started his career as a software tester with one and half years of
experience as a manual tester. How should he plan my career in testing going forward?
this is a general question a tested always havelevel of exp. could be different.so i would like to
ask to Mr. Pradeep and u all of experts of testing to do what ..to get beyond in this field!!!! how an
individual should get growth in this field and earn and get rich ..!??? thnks
#54

Pradeep Soundararajan
@Sudhanshu,

on 10.25.08 at 11:03 pm

What they should do in their career should be guided by what they want to do. Why should
someone else suggest that?

PBK asked how to plan his career. Is he going to ask in any forum, whom should I marry and how to
live my married life?

When PBK, you, me and other dumb testers dont want others to decide whom we should marry and
stay with for a lifetime why should we allow someone whom we dont know much to decide what
path we should take.

If you look at North American mindset and some successful people in India they have always
worked and done things that they would enjoy and not what others thought they would enjoy.

If a man is not successful, then his basics cannot be strong. No unsuccessful man is bothered to relook at basics.

For instance some great minds who shouted against me after reading this post is crying foul.
Shouldnt they be happy that a fellow Indian tester is making name. If I have not made it, let me
appreciate it?

or

A fellow Indian tester has something to say which I discover to be non obvious ways to get to the
place where I wanted to get, let me think about it carefully.

I just want to revisit this post after a couple of years or so to see if all those who cried foul are great
minds of testing. One who is more appreciative of counter ideas are likely to make it big in testing
as testing involves learning a lot of counter ideas.

I want to thank all those who cried foul because it is because of those people I am rich today. I am
rich because after employers and customers have seen such mindset and they see someone with
little better thinking they want to ensure they pay me a lot to retain me.

Thank you folks!

#55

koolharrys

on 11.04.08 at 12:20 pm

hey.ur article is to guddto kuch kamm ka bhi likhk dete to its gud..

#56

Anu

on 11.06.08 at 9:28 am

Hello
I want to know the job openings in testing in the present market please help me to get through.
The articles are realing great!
#57

Alka

on 11.09.08 at 3:33 pm

Hey Pradeep,

Article was thought provoking.

I have been a manual tester for the past 1.5 years now. Your article has inspired me to think and
act independently rather than listening to what other testers say/do.
Thanks,

Alka

#58

Shaily

on 11.19.08 at 9:33 am

Really good!!!!..

#59

Times

on 11.24.08 at 3:17 am

Very well guys, you are best!!!!1

#60

Vidya

on 12.01.08 at 2:44 pm

hi all,

I have 10 months of experience in testing , i have helped a lot to find the missing links and given
many suggestion to improve the application.

But still i feel that i am not being appreciated to an extent i deserved as i could make it out through
the appraisal. Can u any one guide me to improve my self.

#61

Bala

on 12.04.08 at 4:14 am

@Pradeep

Appreciate your effort to write the article and moer specifically answer.reply to others. However I
dont take all the contents as it isI am going to take the points what is going to make me enjoy
Keep writing..

#62

Prabath

on 12.05.08 at 2:15 pm

Hi Pradeep,

First let me tell you that the article brought back the certain amount of Nostalgia but there are a
few questions which i would like to ask you.

Should I allow people, bugs, documents to fool me?

What should we do for certain things which are above us?

#63

saikala p

on 12.12.08 at 11:57 pm

Hi all,

Where we have to use c# for testing? Please let me know. Thanks in advance.

#64

Rajesh Kumar

on 12.18.08 at 9:27 am

Any body know about Testing Certification?

Online examinaton is there or not?
#65

Tester

on 12.31.08 at 7:09 am

Why there is so much discussion on this topic???

Answer:- Article title Money making, software testing career and secrets of a richest tester is
misleading, content is not matching with the title (its a bug -:)) Please go to the depth of any topic,
be simple and concise if you want to keep such a attractive title for your experiences.
#66

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 01.02.09 at 6:22 am

@ Tester and others,

Article title Money making, software testing career and secrets of a richest tester is misleading,
content is not matching with the title (its a bug -:))
If the secrets of money making in testing is as simple as a+b the whole square is equal to a square
+ b square + 2 ab then everyone would have become rich by now.

As it is complex and tricky to figure out the message and deduce our own formula, not everyone
have been able to do it.

If you are really interested in becoming a rich tester then I would prefer you become the 1% who
understands this article. If you were God, would you create a straight forward way to success for
humans?

If you do that then people will enjoy failure more than success and call failure as success and make
you fail with your intentions in seeing them succeed. Gotcha?

#67

Divya

on 01.21.09 at 2:46 am

If you were God, would you create a straight forward way to success for humans?
So you think your god or something ? 50% of the article makes sense to me regarding the testing, I
appreciate thatrest of the stuff about u blowing your own victory need not be shown here !!
#68

Vikas Kumar

on 02.02.09 at 7:58 am

Nice

#69

Poundararajan

on 02.12.09 at 4:49 am

@ kishore

The advise was for the great Mr.Pradeep Soundararajan [Poundararajan].

#70

Manikandan

on 02.12.09 at 7:49 am

Hi Everybody,

I am working as a software Tester. My salary is not enough . Is there is any way to earn money
extra from my salary.
can i get any sepearate software to test with in a period to earn money.
Can anyone have any suggestion on this
#71

GuyScooby

on 03.12.09 at 9:43 pm

Hello folks,

Wow, from the original article to very insightful ideas from experienced folk. Nice to see. To address
what is quality? let me first say.It is what the customer believes to be quality. The customer
being your boss then his/her customers. The statement that you cant please everyone must apply.
Secondly, quality is changed and therefore usually improved. If nothing is done then it is obvious
the quality of a product is what it is. Only through testing and developmental changes do we realize
there is a need for more change and testing. This is usually quite cyclical but improvement occurs.

Overall perception of the quality of a product changes over time with use and more individuals. Only
metrics can prove this in every case. I have sent out 16+ softwares to about 800,000 users under 5
different companies. You know what? Quality has to be improved in order to keep your customer
base as well as grow it. Thats it, really. No matter how it is achieved albeit backwards means or
questionable development, it has to be addressed. Also, YES, get over the EGO, leave it at the door
and youll work better with all groups and get more accomplished over time. And also, you WILL get
more fixes into a application because theyll respect you more. Its a balanceover and out.

#72

priyank

on 05.04.09 at 9:08 pm

shut this pseudo-intellectual stuff up.

#73

priyank

on 05.04.09 at 9:09 pm

at the end of the day, youre still a tester. take it easy ,leave the kids alone.

#74

swapnil

on 05.13.09 at 7:07 pm

hi pradeep i read all statement u written but i dont clear the title what specific has been done for a
practice n u use the word i want 2 learn n i want 2 practice,so can u give me detail what type of
practice i want 2 do in my day 2 day life i m new n searching for new job plz guide me
thankuu
#75

XXX

on 06.02.09 at 7:10 am

Hello Pradeep,
you are thinking that ur a god and u r the person to reach this place.Many peoples are there who
got this palce already.Ofcource what u hv said on Testing is More then 50% is ok, but rest of the
article is not necessary to say others. it is upto u.Any how the article is nice.
#76

GMK

on 06.02.09 at 7:15 am

Hello Soundarajan,
I have 4 years of experience in s/w testing.according to me this article have a high severity
defect.no body will fix it.ofcource u will.
#77

Amuthan S

on 06.11.09 at 12:32 pm

Nice Article. Nice Comments!

#78

Vishal Mirani

on 06.11.09 at 1:46 pm

Hello Soundarajan,

I have just 7 month experience yet i have confidence that you way is totally wrong about software
testing.
May be confuse about some your khowlege.
#79

Samantha

on 06.13.09 at 11:20 am

After applying all the Heuristics and questioning logicblahblahblah.I have come to a
conclusion that this guy Pradeep Soundarajan is a big looser, who has made money only through
stupid hypes and publicity throughout his blogs

#80

nitin

on 06.16.09 at 5:45 pm

Hi,
This is Nitin here..
I work in software MNC and have strong Experince of 5 years in Manual Testing & Automation.
I run Tution classes for those who are looking for JObs in Software Testing at a very
cheap/reasonable rate.its like in very less amount of money u get huge experince about realtime
s/w testing STufss which enables you to fetch a job in max of 2-3 months.its not only coaching but a
complete guidance till you get the Job.Follow the steps shown by me and you will be in a software
MNC soon.
during course you will be working with me in my project.
Rest of the details we can talk face to face or on phone.
Feel free to contact me @9980213597
Regards
Nitin
9980213597
bangalore
#81

Girish

on 06.18.09 at 7:27 am

Hi Soundarajan,

I want some information related to do sometging extra things apart from job.

What can I do for this Do you suggest anything

1. External Fauclty etc something like this.
Pls suggest something for extra income.
#82

Krishna

on 06.19.09 at 11:34 am

Hi Pradeep Soundararajan,
Thanks a lot for the awesome articleit was a lot helpful.
Can you please provide the link of your Blog websitethanks.
#83

chetan sharma

on 06.19.09 at 10:29 pm

tell me the book for software testing which could lead me t o strong my basics for softwae testing

#84

chaitanya

on 07.02.09 at 12:06 pm

hi pradeep,
I really shocked because i am having same thinking , same story, same goal as u(really want to
come up in life)(want to achieve something in life)(want to give a value to company). I am seeing u
r invisible in this blog from jan09. Whole world is working because of money rite. k leave that for
time being. I am really worried abt my career. will u be visible in this blog so that i can ask abt
lightining path for career in testing. hope this msg reach u soon
#85

Aniruddhan

on 08.07.09 at 1:19 pm

Actually I think, testing is an art where the tester should work according to project stage and
requirements using his own skills (if he/she has so).

#86

harish

on 09.07.09 at 6:37 am

It doesnt make any sense

#87

Nagabhushan

on 09.09.09 at 4:32 am

Hi,
I got the oppurtunity to read the entire stuff a bit late. As you said sometimes one cannot find any
guiding person who can specifically train on the field.
Being in testing and QA since years, I see that the only way a tester can make his/her flag in
organization and career is only by their aptitute and reasoning knowledge. And nothing to worry on
different types of testing. If one can visualize in the imaginary world about the product from many
dimensions, its done.
Thanks for this good one,
Regards..
#88

Aniket Katkar

on 09.21.09 at 2:56 pm

Hi,
Myself Aniket Katkar, I am currently working as developer in software organization and now i want
to make my career in Software Testing. So do you think that i had a little bit of chance of making

career in Software testing?

Please Help me.
Thanks & Regards
Aniket Katkar
#89

Santanu

on 10.09.09 at 10:54 am

Hi friends,
Im just a beginner in the testing field. I struggled for job for years after my M. Tech (IT). My
struggling taught me many things in my life and one of these is World is like a mirror and this
goes to Mr. life99joy (a small piece of advice) please take the things which are useful to you and
dont see the bad ones (if any). This article was a real eye opener for me because it taught me the
basic principle of a tester who wants to stand out from the rest. If you (Mr. life99joy) think that you
can help me with so called real world help please do it. Im looking forward to it.
#90

Santanu

on 10.09.09 at 10:56 am

Congratulations Mr. Pradeep Soundararajan and thank you very much.

#91

Kayalvizhi

on 10.31.09 at 6:37 am

Now I too have the same beginning career in the IT, just before three months I completed my
masters degree in computers. Few of my friends placed in Giant software companies (with more
earnings) and I placed in a small IT company (with less than 10 thousand earnings/month),
everybody is suggesting me to try to get a job in the companies like where my friends placed. Now I
am working as a tester (manual). Im working here from project duration itself (Over 6 months).
The question arises in my mind is without gaining good knowledge how to enter into those
companies
Whether I need to do any testing courses apart from manual testing? Or any other way is there?
What is the next step u r suggesting me to take, that help me to get a bright future.
#92

Ganesh

on 10.31.09 at 9:07 pm

Dear Kayal,
After going through your post, I get reminded of initial days of my career. My situation was same
like urs. Never mind.difference bet small and big companies not only the salary package but also
the learningIn small companies you get to know lot of things domain side, or technology side, or
your specialised area (here testing). In small companies you get to recognised for your hardwork
and greater chance of you progressing in ur career ladder interms of roles and responsibilities. My
friends who still are in small companies after 4+ yrs, are in better role compared to mine. This is
true and you will realise it when experience the same.

I would suggest you to stick on for atleast 2 yrs before switching to so called big companies. Iam
sure by that time you wouldve gained so much so, that you land in a role and package much higher
in comparision with your friends.
#93

Jishu

on 11.09.09 at 11:01 am

Hi,
The artical you wrote is very motivating.
I have a question and if you can help me find a direction:
I am working in a fairly big organization, after spending 2 years into Manual Testing, I feel that I
lack skill setup. Also, after being deprived from Automation Projects/Automation Tools (Which the
organization is never going to offer me), what(where) should I and people like me do(go) to
improve our career in software testing?
Thanks..
#94

Neelima

on 12.17.09 at 8:58 am

this article is very good for testers

#95

whatz in a name !!!

on 12.30.09 at 7:47 am

Hi Pradeep

i went thru some of the articles in ur blog pretty much interesting n sorry to say some are not
that much impressive.i really admire the way u scribble down ur thoughts , but please make the
content a bit more elaborative.coz the freshers ( like me !!! ) who just started our testing
career will find it more useful..we can learn some practical ideasspy ur thoughts which u have
gained from your experience

#96

Shashwat

on 01.29.10 at 6:28 am

Hi Predeep,
Your article was really grt but it is confusing to me a bit related to the carrer in testing bcz nowdays
also people give prefrence to developers as compared to tester.
Who is BIG ?
Tester or Developer.
#97

Brama

on 02.18.10 at 11:54 am

What a great article!

I am really proud to say that i am a software tester.

You are great!

I am just 6months in Web application testing.

I Challenge you that i will become more great than you!

#98

sripraveena

on 03.05.10 at 7:10 am

Hello MR pradeep, I just decided to take up sw testing as my career, so i read the article in view to
gain few points but initially disappointed and irritaed with the article as it is meaning less with the
title..but after reading the comments by you IF success formula is as easy as a+b square thats
when i re read ur ariticle and though it is still a bouncer i am sure i will find atleast one point bcoz
one cannot be successful on mere luck if u have reached that point then there is something that
xtra u have i hope i get the essence of ur topic ..i am taking a printout and wuld keep it .thanks
for making me think i hope to get back to u with a gud job .

#99

sripraveena

on 03.05.10 at 7:11 am

pls answer me so that i can crack that secret

#100

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 03.16.10 at 10:33 pm

@sripraveena,

http://careers360.com/news/3757-Software-Testing
#101

Priya

on 03.25.10 at 8:59 am

i too agree Pradeep thinks that he rocks in testing

#102

AnuRam

on 04.19.10 at 5:38 pm

Hi @Pradeep,
Questioning
Brainstorming
Mental Modeling
Logical Thinking
Communication Reading, Writing, Speaking
Lateral Thinking
Pattern Recognition
Learning

Contextual thinking
Critiquing ( Self, too )
Analysis
Cognition
Managing Bias
Learning to learn
Unlearning
Knowledge of human limitations, ( i.e for ex: Inattentional Blindness )
Observation
Hearing
etc
that really matters.
All the above listed really matters for a tester. You are exactly correct Pradeep.
Its good to add process also to list. Process makes a lot of difference. Its an advantage actually.
Process knowledge saves a lot of time spent in training. It streamlines and helps to deliver customer
satisfied product. From the above article, I understand that you believe that the process makes a
resource to loose these qualities that you listed. Never, it only helps to direct to the same mission. If
everyone in team knows the mission and if all of them target the same point, its easy to reach the
goal. This is where you apply process.
If you find a resource A with all the qualities that you listed above and resource B with B= A +
process knowledge. Whom would you prefer in your team? Its obvious answer B, thats what
Kishore also explained earlier.
Nowadays I doesnt matter unless I fit into company processes to bring profits to organisation.
So lets follow the process streamlined by the company or customer and find the bugs.
Thanks Pradeep. keep posting more articles and your valuable reply. You make everyone to quest.
This is interesting !
Lets take this as a learning curve and try to take away more good. If process is one which brings
improvement /cost saving, then lets not hesitate to include that. Thanks to Kishore for pointing out
this.
2 suggestions:
1- is to encourage the critics always. Only friends send criticisms.. Never stop critisicisms, its a tool
for your improvement or to get to know where you are.
2 restrict the comments to the topic and avoid sending personal comments. It stops the interest to
return to the forum.

Regards,
AnuRam
#103

Shraara

on 05.02.10 at 1:29 am

Hello Everybody,

Just want to say dont worry be happy. The whole world is mad. Do whatever you want and leave
rest for the god..

Jai Hind Jai Maharastra !!!

#104

PradeepSoundararajan

on 05.10.10 at 7:26 am

@ Shashwant,

Who is BIG ? Tester or Developer.

Why compare testers with developers? Why not with the CEO of the company? Why not with
Network Administrators?

So, the idea of comparing testers with non testers is not plausible. You might want to compare
yourselves with other testers who are successful. That might make sense.

Once again: http://careers360.com/news/3757-Software-Testing

@SaiPraveena,

Can you help me understand your question.

@Priya,

i too agree Pradeep thinks that he rocks in testing

Well yes, I do. I accept that. Is that wrong? Is Pradeep thinking about that wrong? OR Is anyone
thinking about that is wrong?

Do I need to get to an age of 50 to be able to say that? Experience is not necessarily based on age,
it is what we have done to the time that has passed by.

I rock in testing and I want you to rock, too. Is that bad?

#105

jMREDDY

on 05.26.10 at 5:45 pm

@pounderrajan

u r great tooooooooooooo great but what is the use u donot have fill it up

#106

Sahil-Delhi

on 11.11.10 at 2:01 am

@ Mr Pradeep Soundararajan , I am not from Software Testing Field & Neither do I wish to get into
it, But I will tell you something You Have a Great Mind I wish 1% out of of so many people
Understand really what you wish to say.
Its when you ask questions you really get the Answers Stupid Modern Population of India Open
your eyes
#107

Jermeen Nasr

on 11.20.10 at 1:22 pm

well..
i loved the articleand whoever disliked it are those who are waiting for simple answers and simple
way to reach what youve reached to be rich by doing so and so and so.thats it
well what ive learned from you is that we should work hard we should have different perpective
than other testers to be able to compete and to be unique Thanks for sharing your experience
waiting for more articelsif you have any documents that would help id love if you send me
Have a great day
Greetings from Egypt.
Jermeen Nasr
Tester in the Quality control department- Hp Egypt
#108

Ma

on 11.30.10 at 12:13 pm

Regression testing should be performed:

v) every week
w) after the software has changed
x) as often as possible
y) when the environment has changed
z) when the project manager says
a) v & w are true, x, y & z are false
b) w, x & y are true, v & z are false
c) w & y are true, v, x & z are false
d) w is true, v, x, y & z are false
#109

praveen

on 12.02.10 at 6:36 pm

Pradeep,

I like your post.

I like the way your are countering to the feedback with logical points. I think your really talented,
gr8 self confidence and damn care attitude

Dont counter me with.

hw can you judge it?
what is feedback?
what is attitude?
what is confidence?
-praveen

#110

Preeti

on 12.03.10 at 12:10 pm

I am very new to software testing, I have worked in a company for nearly 7 months. I have
confusion towards knowledge that I should acquire. Till now I have done only manual testing:Functional, Usability, Compatibility. My question is shall I go for learning some automated testing
tool right now or shall I keep my self pushing into this areas more and more so that I make my base
strong. I will really appreciate, If any one can guide me how should I design my career in testing,
i.e what to do , when to do and things that I should not do.

#111

Pratap Gusain

on 12.03.10 at 1:04 pm

@Preeti:- First thing i wanna clear about manual testing is that its much better than automation
testing but its also depends upon the project i.e. what kind of project you r testing. for eg:- Website
or Any other app software.
i will suggest you do what ever u r doing.but keep the knowledge of all the domains.
just learn from your experience and start reading some testing books. you can also join a short
term testing course from any institute in your city.
if you have habit of reading books you can visit my scribd account.
http://www.scribd.com/PartapGusain
#112

Ratul

on 12.24.10 at 9:52 am

Hi Pradeep, this is worth reading. Indeed if we do Root cause analysis, NOT QUESTIONING is one
of the biggest reason for low quality work in testing. Not to mention, we need to continuously
improve and update ur skills to sustain in todays competition. I would also agree to get certified
just for the sake of getting interview calls and ornamenting our Resumes. But in a high level one

should really understand what you have mentioned We should really understand what we testers
are meant to do.. else no matter what we know, we will not be able to add value to the system

#113

KapilDev Kapoor

on 12.30.10 at 12:12 pm

Hello Pradeep,

nice article motivation for many people.. i have some question can i have ur mailid please mine
iskapildevkapoor@gmail.com.
Thanks & Regards
Kapil
#114

SankarGanesh

on 01.25.11 at 11:54 am

Hello Pradeep,
Its a good thing to share your experience. and I newly joined in one company for testing. could you
please guide me on testing. My mail id is sanganesh86@gmail.com..
Thank u.
#115

vishal

on 02.10.11 at 9:02 am

hello frds,
I newly joined as a tester trainee in company..could you guide me on testing & my future in
testing
my email id is urs_vishu72@yahoo.com
#116

Clieba01

on 03.28.11 at 8:52 pm

Observe.think out of the boxcreate..documentquestionquestionquestion.question.

Good articalThis is how i became a good Tester..agree to disagree..
#117

Mr. Money

on 04.03.11 at 10:55 am

This site contains lot of free service. I have benefited from this site. So thanks to Admin

#118

marie

on 05.19.11 at 2:28 am

I am married to a test engineer but I am in the medical field.We are based here in the US. I came
across this article to understand my husbands line of work.

I have the highest regard for engineers.

I gained considerable insight from this article. Thanks to you.

I hope we stop squabbling and talk like men.

#119

Hema

on 06.16.11 at 5:19 am

Hi,
Please advice me on this.I wrkd as a HR for the past 5 years want to shift my career into software
testing to earn money and to learn all about software testing.
#120

Balaji N M

on 07.10.11 at 12:02 pm

Hi Pradeep ,

This articles is awe-inspiring. Especially, for a bright testing career, one should keep on Learn &
practice. really good article

#121

sdfgsdfg

on 07.25.11 at 5:25 am

@Pradeep
BULLSHIT!!
#122

Abhideep

on 12.05.11 at 6:36 am

Hi sir,
I am starting on my journey as a software tester and your article was really inspiring. I see some
people criticizing the article as egoistic, but i dont agree with them. There are many books and
resources where I can learn about software testing. I dont need resources here. I need to hear
someone who has been there, done that to tell his story. The story will motivate me. And if I am
motivated enough, resources will follow automatically. I think this article truly serves the purpose.
Thanks for writing it.
#123

Jeet

on 01.04.12 at 5:22 pm

what a wast of time..To reading this blog (biography of other)..i think to secrets of a richest
tester is to explore yourself rather reading other..he always do copy of James Bach and never
teach/explain what James do..

#124

Arun

on 01.27.12 at 6:59 am

Pradeep ur such a loser.. try not to copy jamesbach ideas and start giving ur own ones.
each tester is unique in his own way of testing . ur not god to judge others u bully

#125

Pradeep Soundararajan

on 02.14.12 at 6:04 pm

@Arun @Jeet,

Thanks. You said it right. I copy James Bach and dont do all that well. James Bach will be in India
during December 2012. Check out with him.

#126

Anup Deb

on 03.05.12 at 9:56 am

Hi Pradeep,

I have been working for a software company with online marketing as my profile. But I cant find
pleasure in this job, and guided by a senior professional I am taking classes in software testing. I
am a graduate in Arts and after that about to complete MSc in IT in next April. Is software testing a
suitable job for me since I am happy doing and understanding the classes.

Please advise

Regards,

Anup

#127

bharat

on 03.16.12 at 12:07 pm

ALl I want to say is .. Software testing is a shit career there is nothing like career ..any school
going child can do wat these so called prof. testers do ..!!

#128

sagar shinde

on 03.16.12 at 12:08 pm

Hello pradeep..

Awesome article. Very specific and very logical way of putting things in front of readers about
testing .
I just loved your article. not only this article but other articles too. Few months back, I was going
through the same situation as you narrated. testing being less important/ easy/ any one can do
it..blah blah comments from my friends and even industry people. But ultimately it totally depends
on ones likings., what kind of work he/she should engage into. And I sincerely feel, Both developers
and testers/QA people r backbone of industry. Creating a software product is a TEAM work and not
just work of Developer or any one section.
Kudos.
Keep writing
Thanks
sagar
#129

Abhaya Kumar Jena

Hello Dear,

on 03.21.12 at 10:17 am

I am working as a software Testing Engineer. I have gone through your article which really useful to
software testers. But still i want more information about the testing knowledge both in manual as
well as automation. And also scripting knowledge. Can you let me know about free automation tool
as well as scripting where we can automate for our practice purpose.

Please get in touch & send me the links to my mail id.

Thanking You.
Abhay
#130

Nil Shriwas

on 04.06.12 at 11:56 am

Nice Article but some what Confusing i really not understand completely what Pradeep
Soundararajan want to say Tester Community

I think Whatever ours professions, we need passion related to ours Professions then Our Works
Like ours Hobby.

#131

DineshRobinson

on 04.23.12 at 4:27 pm

Pradeep, Kudos man. Excellent Article. Thoroughly liked all the post and replies. yes of course its
Inspiring.

#132

Wellwisher

on 05.06.12 at 8:49 am

Hi Folks:

This advice is for freshers and Not for Testers who already have 2-3 years experience and would find
it difficult to change career lines even if they wanted to.

Freshers- PLEASE, Stay out of Testing. If your company forces you to get into Testing, and if it is
financially feasible for you to say NO to them, please say No. Never ever fall into Testing, that too at
this stage.The reasons are as follows:
(1) Middle and Senior Management ladder is already clogged with folks from the 80s,90s and early
2000s. The chance that you would reach a manager position anytime soon, is EXTREMELY less since
the first batch of folks havent retired yet. You will have to invest 10-15 yrs, whereas earlier 5 years
was sufficient to be considered for middle management positions.
(2) Unless you are into management, there is NO MONEY in testing. Chances of you getting more
than 10 lacs is very slim unless you reach the MM grade. There are guys with more experience than
me, who report to me and make much lesser than i do just because they were not interested in the

management ladder. Whereas in Dev, you can stick to the techn ladder and be compensated for
it..IE..You can make good money for being an individual contributor.
(3) Even if you were ok with the above 2, here comes the nail in the coffin. Its a NO SATISFACTION,
BORING AS HELL job. Many feel this job as a knife being pushed in and out each and every day at
work.
(4) Easily replaceable. If you try to pull shots in your company, its so easy for your management to
tell you to take a hike cos they could even get a Zookeeper to do this job (exaggerating..but you get
the point)
(5) Low self esteem. Testing is looked upon (and rightly so) as a menial job, so chances are you will
always be demoralised.
(6) These jobs are the first in line to go, if the white countries look at destinations other than India.
I have 10 years of exp in Testing, 3 years as Test Manager handling multi million dollar accounts and
managed 70,000 hours of testing in the last one year alone. So you have an idea of what my team
size was.
This article is written just to give you a perspective and then you can make an informed career
choice. I never had anyone to advice me. If i knew this in 2000-2001, i would have never, ever
taken this career path.
For those who are in Testing, this is not to get you angry/depressed/ demoralised.i know you can
more than meet your families needs on this job, but i just wanted to tell the juniors that if you have
diamond and gold on the table and you have to select one, please be aware that diamond has more
value.
#133

danya s

on 05.21.12 at 11:44 am

Hi Wellwisher and pradeep,

I have 2 years of experience in s/w testing. I worked in a telecom domain as a manual tester. Could
you guys plz provide me your valuable suggestions to improve my profession in this field. Currently
I know HP QC,SQL basics and UNIX basics..nothing more than this..plz advice me what should i
learn completely to improve my current profession

#134

haraprasad

on 05.29.12 at 12:22 pm

Hi wellwisher
you are simply lacking commonsense ,
1.we have work to do ,whether its development and testing .
2.just ask a soldier who is going to war ,is he really enjoying his work
3.any body can learn code

developers are not that hyped genius

and this is the reason there are so many existing
and last of all take course and do your job
you seem to be having less sense
#135

Shweta Subhedar Bhide

on 06.07.12 at 5:42 am

Hi Pradeep Sir,

Nice Article
I agree with u mentioning that A tester should question
But I think making people answer the question properly is also important.
I started as a manual tester, and questioned the process of testing and other processes in the
organisation. I asked them WHY and they answered It is the way things work in this
organisation. I guess even they didnt have a specific reason.
Getting a questioned answered properly becomes more difficult from a higher management
personnel (Project manager). I never had training for Testing. So to increase my knowledge, I did
ISTQB certification, and it is through its Syllabus, I understood the WHY of the Testing process.
Now it has become my habit that I do not question them (unless its regarding the project

) but I

search for the answer on such forums and on Google. This makes me quite satisfied about the
answer i get.
I hope what I am doing is the correct process.
your new fan
Shweta
#136

Trupti

on 07.09.12 at 9:24 am

Hey,
Your telling about urself how you struggled and there is no solution for that.
Ppl search for the answer not the question..
Yes, watever u told was true which every Tester Face. It will gud if u can give the solution for your
article.
Regards,
Trupti..
#137

Abdirahim

on 10.13.12 at 6:42 pm

scammer!

#138

Praveen Cherukur

on 12.23.12 at 10:12 am

Sir,

I went through your article. I am just 6 months old Software tester. I need a suggestion from you.
To excel in Software Testing what are the skills and knowledge that I need to have.

#139

San

on 01.03.13 at 10:37 am

Hi Admin,
Request you to please remove the comments from Wellwisher, as this is a good site for testing
professionals, and such demotivating comments may distract and demotivate the testing
professionals. Software testing domain is a vast and good domain and such comments could be
harmful.
#140

PRASHANT

on 01.31.13 at 11:02 am

dear sir
I am currently persuing my MCA degree
now I am doing My internship
I m bit good in J2EE but due to the current market condition it is difficult for the fresher to get job
in java as from my and friends experience
so i just plan to move into testing
for fresher which wt r the courses to do in testing ???
wt step to follow??
plz reply..
with regards..
#141

Kiran

on 02.01.13 at 7:09 am

I think this article was motivating for true software tester

#142

Jithin

on 04.16.13 at 8:58 am

Hi Pradeep,

I am a fresher. I was working in a testing project(IT Compliance Testing). can u pleasr share ur
knowledge about compliance testing???

#143

Saurabh Banerjee

on 09.23.13 at 6:25 pm

Dear Mr Pradeep Soundrarajan

I had finished my MCA ten years back but could not find an IT job. But I want to make a career in
IT. So far I have been working in non-it jobs. Please suggest me if I can make a career in IT as a
software tester. I am now 37 years old.

#144

shravanthi

on 11.07.13 at 4:23 pm

Hi,
Can bcom graduate person choose software testing as a carrer.
#145

Tester_in_training_forever

on 01.11.14 at 7:09 pm

I liked the article and especially the arguments on what is quality. However, I would like to think
that developers can contribute to quality as opposed to them being able to be the sole people who
can deliver quality.

One thing I dont see time and time again in articles about testing is the mention of the
competencies of the developers! There appears to be more focus on a testers competency than any
other person involved in a project.

For me, testers are only advocates used to affirm functionality (or whatever it is they are testing!)
based on someone elses (be that developer, business analyst, customer, etc.) documented or
interpretion of how something should work. What they bring to the table is the concept of You told
me it would work this way, and it does not OR You told me it would work this way and it does OR
You told me it would work this way and it does BUT it also does this too, is that acceptable?

In my opinion, there needs to be more focus on project management and how it can help a tester
achieve the the intended goal so as to alleviate finger pointing.

Developers deliver an interpreted solution based on verbal or documented specifications. Testers

use the same information(if they are lucky to have it!) to affirm the functionality.

But there is a whole layer missing from testing discussions that leaves me wondering why there is
so much focus on the the competency of the tester. For example, developers very rarely look back,
they are always moving forward. They concern themselves more with new code as opposed to
existing code. Meaning, they are forward thinking and for good reason, the application must
continue to mature. But, how do they ensure that they are not breaking any code as they continue
forward? Very rarely have I been a part of projects where developers pay attention to the past in
order to continue into the future. This task is usually left to testers. Why?

Anyways, good article and if you have anything to add to what I have said above I would be more
than willing to listen

Thanks for your contributions to testing!

#146

pujitha

on 01.30.14 at 11:23 am

Hello,
Ive completed M.Sc(CS) in 2010,Later i had 1 year teaching experience.Due to personal reason,i
had 1.6 yrs gap.now i am looking for job in Testing,n joined course.so is it worth my trying to enter
into IT.Please do reply me sir
#147

Kadiri

on 02.12.14 at 6:31 am

hello,
I completed my B.E. in the year 2012
i have not placed and was in search of job for more than 18months,
now i got a job in small 3rd level IT company as a tester
can any one clarify me how the role of the tester be and how the growth will be.
here i am doing manual testing of a product
please help me to make my carrier good
I dont know nothing about Testing
please help me
what to learn to become a quality tester?
how to learn to become a quality tester?
where to learn?
Please Please Please help me