Test Engineer Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a test engineer provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving reporting bugs promptly and designing test plans. For a successful test engineer application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll explain how to write a winning resume for test engineer applications that best showcases your skills and experience.
This complete guide to a test engineer resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience levels. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your test engineer resume.
Core sections to include in a test engineer resume
A successful test engineer resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant test engineer experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Focus the content of your resume on your soft and transferable skills, and any hard or technical skills you've learned from your studies or career to date. You can also mention any relevant internships, training courses or voluntary roles you've taken on.
For those with some prior experience as a test engineer work experience is the most important element of a resume. Use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format to emphasize your career timeline and achievements. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
If you're applying for senior test engineer positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
In your test engineer resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Gary Wright
gary.wright@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
linkedin․com/in/gary–wright123
Resume Profile
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a test engineer.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a test engineer, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for test engineer jobs below.
Detail-oriented Test Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and extensive experience as a Quality Assurance Engineer. Skilled in designing and executing test plans, identifying software defects, and ensuring product quality through meticulous testing methodologies. Proficient in various testing tools and frameworks, with a strong foundation in both manual and automated testing. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions on time and within scope. Proven ability to troubleshoot complex issues, enhance testing processes, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
Test engineer with some background in computer engineering and experience in quality assurance. Worked on making sure things work right by checking for issues and following certain methods. Used different tools and ways to test, both by hand and with automation. Worked with different teams to try and make software good and on time. Can find tricky problems, improve how testing is done, and help make things better overall
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Work Experience
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your test engineer skills. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to test engineer roles.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Quality Assurance Engineer, January 2022 - Present
TechVerity Solutions, Oakland
- Led a team to implement automated testing, reducing regression testing time by 50% and improving bug detection by 30%
- Developed a comprehensive QA strategy, increasing product release cycle efficiency by 40% and enhancing overall software quality
- Conducted root cause analysis on critical issues, leading to a 25% reduction in post-release defects within six months
Quality Assurance Engineer, January 2022 - Present
TechVerity Solutions, Oakland
- Managed team projects to improve testing processes and outcomes
- Created strategies to enhance software quality and efficiency
- Analyzed issues to reduce defects in software releases
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Educational Achievements
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to test engineer roles.
If you're applying for test engineer positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your programming in JAVA or automated testing skills.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, 2017 - 2020
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Hard and Soft Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a test engineer role. Skills such as manual testing expertise or attention to detail are particularly useful for test engineer jobs. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a test engineer.
Listing hard skills on your test engineer resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a test engineer. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a test engineer resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a test engineer resume below.
- Manual testing expertise
- Automated testing skills
- Programming in JAVA
Adding soft skills to your test engineer resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for a test engineer resume.
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Effective communication skills
Certifications
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional test engineer certifications, licenses or qualifications. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for test engineer roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a test engineer resume:
- ISTQB Foundation Level, 2022
- Certified Agile Tester, 2022
- CSTE Certification, 2022
Additional Information
In addition to the core sections of a test engineer resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies and Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world test engineer experience. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
If you're lacking relevant test engineer work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard test engineer resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your test engineer resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Develop
- Execute
- Analyze
- Document
- Validate
- Troubleshoot
- Automate
- Collaborate
- Design
- Implement
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example of a test engineer resume
The test engineer resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
•
gary.wright@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/gary–wright123
Results-driven Test Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and extensive experience as a Quality Assurance Engineer. Proven expertise in designing and implementing test plans, identifying and resolving defects, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Adept at leveraging analytical skills and technical knowledge to enhance product quality and performance. Strong collaborator with excellent problem-solving abilities and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Quality Assurance Engineer
2020
-2022
PrecisionAssure Tech (Memphis)
- Implemented automated testing framework, reducing manual testing time by 50% and increasing defect identification by 30%
- Led cross-functional team to achieve ISO 9001 certification, enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction
- Developed and executed comprehensive test plans, resulting in a 40% reduction in post-release defects
Manual testing expertise
Automated testing skills
Programming in JAVA
Attention to detail
Problem-solving abilities
Effective communication skills
ISTQB Foundation Level
Certified Agile Tester
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a test engineer resume
- Use a professional resume format with clear headings, a defined structure and consistent margins for optimum readability.
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different test engineer roles (e.g. design, implement, develop).
- Include your educational achievements, including any impressive grades. Focus on the most relevant qualifications for the role.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't list work experience that has no relation to the role you're applying for. It wastes space and is unlikely to impress hiring managers.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
- Don't lie or exaggerate any information on your test engineer resume, as this can cause you problems further down the line.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. There are several things you can do when writing your test engineer resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
FAQs for a test engineer resume
Now that you know how to write a professional test engineer resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the test engineer role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
Even if you have no work experience, following a few simple tips for your test engineer resume can ensure you make a strong impression on employers. Select a resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience, such as a functional format. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for test engineer jobs. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Junior Test Engineer Seeking Opportunities
- Experienced Test Engineer Specialist
- Senior Test Engineer Specialist
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Takeaways for your test engineer resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
