If you want to hire the best software QA pros, you have competition: Jobs requesting ISTQB/ASTQB certification have increased to a new record level.
Why? Companies realize it's more efficient to hire people who use the same testing terms and principles as their current employees. ISTQB certification makes that easy. This allows new testers to "hit the ground running" on their first day.
There were some interesting developments in the job postings:
23% of the jobs do not require a Bachelor's degree but allow for some equivalent. This is consistent with our discussion last week about the push by some major tech companies to recognize STARs ("Skilled Through Alternative Routes").
The top states for job postings are California, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
A significant number of jobs are now "Remote" positions.
What types of ISTQB Certification do employers want? The first thing companies ask for is ISTQB Foundation Level, of course, because it's required before a tester can take other ISTQB certifications.
After that, companies are asking for a variety of ISTQB certifications. Employers realize that ISTQB certification helps ensure knowledge of advanced and specialty testing areas, so they aren't stopping with just ISTQB Foundation Level.
Employers are verifying and comparing. Knowledge is easy to claim on a resume, but certification proves they have the knowledge. As an employer, you are smart to check the Official U.S. List of Certified Software Testers™ to verify a candidate's certification. In addition, you can use the Testing Tiers® ranking in the profiles to easily compare testers.
ASTQB's ISTQB online exams are more popular than ever, so the available times for taking these exams can be limited between now and the end of the year.
Here are recommendations that will help you:
Schedule in advance: If you know you are taking your exam before the end of the year, decide when you want to take an exam and schedule it early.
If you know you will not be able to take your previously scheduled exam on the planned date, log in and reschedule your appointment now. Do not wait until the last minute.
If you have been tasked to take your exam before the end of the year and/or you are not seeing available days and times, please contact info@atsqa.org. AT*SQA has an alternate online proctoring system and we can help transfer you to that system if you are taking an online exam.
It can help you get jobs with American companies. American companies and governmental organizations check with ASTQB & AT*SQA to see if you are certified. Why? Because ASTQB is the official U.S. board for ISTQB certification and AT*SQA is our official ISTQB exam provider. If you're on this list, companies know you took the official U.S. Board's American English ISTQB exam.
It could help your company get contracts with American companies. Your inclusion on the Official U.S. List of Certified Software Testers™ is a bonus for your company because it demonstrates your commitment to working with a U.S.-based software quality team. That's a big deal, especially when testing services RFPs include a requirement that testers appear on the Official U.S. List of Certified Software Testers™.
It makes you and your company more prominent. AT*SQA and ASTQB promote the importance of hiring individuals on our Official U.S. List of Certified Software Testers™, and our ads have been seen more than 50 million times. That makes your certification accomplishment more well-known to U.S. employers and clients every day!
Of course, ASTQB & AT*SQA also add you to the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register! Register for your ISTQB exam through ASTQB or our official ISTQB exam provider AT*SQA now to get on both lists and earn Testing Tiers® ranking points.
Take Your ISTQB Exam at Home Anywhere
Did you know you can take your ISTQB exam from ASTQB & AT*SQA anywhere in the world? You've always been able to do so through a testing center, but now you can also do so from home!
