All good testers should strive to have a solid understanding of as many technical subjects as possible. However, the problem arises when these technical skills become the primary criteria for evaluating a tester’s performance and value, overshadowing the importance of soft skills.

If you were to open any QA job listing, you’d likely find test automation, writing SQL queries, and testing APIs among the top requirements. While these skills are undoubtedly useful and practical, they alone do not define what makes a good tester. Soft skills play an equally crucial role, if not more so.

Let’s consider some of the most important soft and hard skills:

Attention to detail

Attention to detail is a fundamental quality that some individuals naturally possess, while others may struggle with it. It’s not something that can be acquired or studied. Being attentive to the smallest details can make a significant difference in the quality of testing.

Curiosity

A curious mind is invaluable in the field of software testing. The desire to understand why things work the way they do or why they fail is what drives continuous learning and improvement. Curiosity cannot be taught—it’s either ingrained in one’s personality or not.

Responsibility

Being dependable and organized is essential for any tester. Teammates need to trust that their colleagues will deliver their work reliably and consistently.

Empathy

Empathy plays a crucial role in software testing. Testers need to consider the perspective of end-users and understand their needs and frustrations. Caring about other people and their experiences is essential for delivering quality software.

Automated testing

Mastery of Selenium or any other UI automation framework typically takes around a few months if you have a grasp of programming fundamentals. UI automation is relatively straightforward, especially for the apps where typical solutions can be applied.

SQL

Writing basic SQL queries can be learned in just 1-2 days, which will get you covered in the majority of cases. I often find myself using the same set of queries with minor adjustments. If I need a new one, Google is to the rescue.

API testing

Learning how to test APIs may take a few days, with additional time spent familiarizing oneself with the advanced features of testing tools like Postman. However, once you master the tools, the actual testing process is often straightforward.

Soft skills are paramount

As far as I’m concerned, hard skills are much easier to obtain and improve. It will take you several months to transition from a manual test engineer to an automation role, and it will take you forever to learn to be responsible and attentive, if that is even possible.

In conclusion, while technical skills are undoubtedly important in software testing, soft skills are equally – if not more – important. Your personality and innate qualities define who you are as a tester, and it’s these soft skills that ultimately determine your effectiveness and value to your testing team and whole organization. When hiring software testers, it’s essential to prioritize soft skills, as they are the foundation upon which technical expertise is built.