1. Learn the QA Basics
Start with understanding SDLC and STLC concepts. Learn different types of manual testing like Smoke and Regression. Familiarize yourself with the Bug Life Cycle, test artifacts, and how to differentiate between severity and priority.
2. QA Tools & Hands-On Practice
Get hands-on experience with tools used in the QA industry. JIRA is essential for bug tracking, Postman helps with API testing, and VS Code is a great editor to get started. Learn GitHub for project sharing and explore UI automation using Selenium or Playwright — just the basics.
3. Create Mini Projects
Practice by creating real-world QA mini projects. Write test cases for a login form, document bugs with screenshots, and automate simple flows like login functionality. Do some public API testing using Postman and upload all your work to GitHub for portfolio visibility.
4. Build Online Presence
Share your QA learning journey on LinkedIn and craft a resume using real QA terminology. Engage with QA communities on platforms like Reddit and Discord. Actively apply to internships, freelance gigs, and QA roles for freshers to build experience.
5. Prepare for Interviews
Review the top 20 QA interview questions and practice using the STAR method to structure your answers. Bring along a sample test case and bug report during interviews, and be ready to talk about your GitHub projects. Do mock interviews to boost your confidence.
6. Know Why QA Is a Smart Move
QA isn’t a fallback — it's a core function in every tech company. It's perfect if you're detail-oriented, curious, and like breaking things methodically.
Career switchers: QA is often more learnable than dev roles, yet still tech-adjacent.
7. Learn Just Enough Tech to Be Dangerous
- Focus on testing concepts first.
- Basics of HTML, CSS, and how web apps work (requests/responses).
- Learn DevTools and basic JavaScript error tracing.
- Try Playwright or Cypress (just pick one).
💡 Tip: Knowing how to debug UI issues with DevTools makes you stand out.
8. Shadow Real Testers — Even If You’re Not Hired Yet
Join open-source QA communities or small GitHub projects. Volunteer with startups or freelancers and gain hands-on experience using tools like Jira or Postman while testing real bugs.
9. Understand Agile & Real Company Flow
- Learn how Agile ceremonies work (standups, sprint planning, retros).
- Understand where QA fits into CI/CD pipelines — even conceptually.
- QA is not just about testing — it's about feedback, risk mitigation, and communication.
10. What Makes a QA Candidate Stand Out in 2025
- Writes clear bug reports with screen recordings
- Questions unclear requirements before development starts
- Tests with curiosity: “what happens if I do this weird thing?”
- Communicates like a mini-product owner when needed
- Has beginner-level API, mobile, or accessibility testing skills
11. What to Actually Build for Your Portfolio
Forget demo apps. Instead:
- Test real public websites (e.g., IRCTC, Swiggy, Amazon clones)
- Write test cases for login/cart flows
- Create bug reports and record video walkthroughs (use Loom)
- Upload everything to GitHub and link it on your resume
12. From Resume to Interview
- Customize your resume for each job — no generic phrases
- Add a "What I’ve Tested" section: login, APIs, UI, etc.
- In interviews, explain your thought process, not just facts