We've seen lots of discussions on Reddit about the QA job market, so we analyzed current openings to get more insights. Some of what we learned might surprise you.
Most of the job openings request experienced software testers. We weren't surprised by this, as many job seekers are reporting the same thing. Here is the breakdown (rounded totals may not equal 100%):
No Experience Required: Less than 1%
Entry Level (a broad range of "new graduates" to up to 5 years of experience): 10%
Mid Level: 70%
Senior Level: 20%
Remote jobs still represent a large share of the job openings. This was surprising, as many testers report that there are very few remote jobs available. Here is the breakdown:
Remote: 30%
In Person/Hybrid: 70%
Most companies want testers with a Bachelor's degree. That's consistent with what testers are saying. But there are still jobs available for those with only high school degrees.
ISTQB Certifications may be required, but in any case, ISTQB certifications give job seekers an edge. That's not surprising. What might surprise you is that Mid Level and Senior Level job postings ask for ISTQB certifications as much or more than Entry Level jobs.
Information Technology and Aerospace & Defense were the top sectors looking for testers. IT is always a hot sector. Aerospace & Defense seems to be stronger than normal right now. The other top sectors were Manufacturing, Financial Services, Management & Consulting, Telecommunications, and Healthcare. But all industries are seeking software testers.
The jobs tend to be located closer to large cities. Aerospace & Defense, in particular, has a large presence in the Northeast.
What does this mean for you as a hiring manager? This is an "employer's market," meaning managers can be selective. Companies are looking for broad skill sets. Given that job candidates can use AI to craft their resume to match the job posting, employers want proof of those broad skills (e.g., ISTQB Certifications) to pass someone to the interview stage. Managers can also be selective about communication skills, so they can require that the candidates have passed the official American English ISTQB certification exams from ASTQB and AT*SQA.
What does this mean for job seekers? There is a lot of competition, so you will need to have an edge. That means ISTQB Foundation Level at a minimum, but practically speaking, you're going to need more than just CTFL because employers want broad skills, and they want proof. Any ISTQB certification through AT*SQA will help, but here are the top choices based on the current postings:
API testing is also in demand. Given that you get a free micro-credential with each ISTQB exam you purchase through AT*SQA, we recommend that you earn one or more of the API Testing micro-credentials. Taking your ISTQB exam through AT*SQA also helps you by:
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If you want to get ahead with AI and test automation, ASTQB and AT*SQA are making it easy! We have a special retake offer so you can get certified by year's end! Take any of the exams below from AT*SQA, and if you fail, you can retake it for just $99. (Don't forget, you also get a free AT*SQA micro-credential exam with each ISTQB exam purchase!)
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