QA Jobs Bouncing Back: AT*SQA Index of the Software Testing Profession

After a tough start to 2025, the AT*SQA Index showed signs of new life with jobs leading the way. Salaries were down slightly, while the number of software testing certifications jumped.

If you’re between jobs or concerned about job security, it’s important to make your resume stand out. One of the best ways to do that is by earning certifications because employers take them seriously. In fact, a recent ISC2 report found that 89% of employers would consider hiring someone based on certification alone, even without a related degree or long work history.

Although the report focused on cybersecurity, the same trend likely applies to software testing. Both fields have long relied on certifications to validate skills, especially since traditional college programs often don’t cover these specialties.

ASTQB offers ISTQB certification, of course, but only ASTQB and AT*SQA give you free career extras:

• Job Assistance: Inclusion in the AT*Work™ List of Testers for Hire™ if you need a job.
• Skill Building for Your Resume: A free software testing micro-credential to prove speciality skills or learn new areas such as API testing, test automation, or cybersecurity testing.
• More Attention: Inclusion on the ISTQB SCR plus the Official U.S. List of Certified & Credentialed Software Testers™ and, if applicable, the AT*Consult™ List of Consulting and Testing Services Companies.

Start improving your credentials now. See all of the ISTQB certifications from ASTQB.

Free Micro-Credential Exams With ISTQB Exams

3 Ways Software Testing Certification from ASTQB Helps Test Managers

Managers: Keep Your Software Out of the Headlines® and Protect Your Career

As the #1 U.S. and worldwide software testing certification, ISTQB certification from ASTQB gives you global standards that make your job easier and protect your career.

“I use the CTFL [ISTQB Foundation Level] syllabus to ensure common vocabulary and skills across multiple disparate teams.” – Director of Business Testing at a Fortune 500 company with more than 40 testers that have ISTQB Certification through ASTQB

ASTQB helps ensure your team has software testing and communication skills that improve software quality and reduce costs. Learn how to protect yourself and your company.

Know a Tester Looking for a Job? AT*Work™ Can Help

AT*Work™ connects employers with testers seeking jobs due to layoffs or career changes. If you know of someone looking for a software testing job or freelance project, share this with them.

Employers use AT*Work™ to find testers because:

• Employers can search by knowledge/skill.
• The testers in AT*Work have proven themselves through one or more certifications earned through ASTQB and  AT*SQA. These include all of the ISTQB certifications offered by ASTQB.
• The testers in AT*Work are arranged based on their Testing Tiers® rankings with the highest levels at the top.

To opt into the AT*Work™ Software Tester Directory, do the following:

• See the AT*Work™ overview
• Log into your AT*Work profile
• Update your AT*Work preferences, answer two questions, and add your skills and experience levels

AT*SQA Makes It Even Easier to Take ISTQB Exams

"I would like to thank you for the great support..."

No one makes it easier to register for ISTQB exams than AT*SQA, our official ISTQB exam provider. Now they've made it even easier! 

AT*SQA provides detailed videos and instructions on the ISTQB exam instructions page. Learn about creating an account, scheduling/rescheduling an exam, and tips for the online testing experience. 

Exam instructions may not seem that special, but the more you are prepared for your exam, the better your exam day will be! This is another great AT*SQA advantage.