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Test analyst is a profession that attracts more and more interest. However, standing out in the IT industry, which is, after all, one of the most dynamically growing industries in the world, is not easy.
The process of finding a job in this position involves not only facing eager and highly-qualified competition but also meeting a number of requirements and going through several stages of recruitment. And that’s only if your CV is good enough to grab the attention of a potential employer.
But how can you easily create a CV that meets all the UK standards, best represents your professional profile and makes you stand out from the crowd of other job applicants?
We have the answers! See how to write a great test analyst CV. We’ll help you choose the best CV format for your profession, and guide you through all the essential parts of writing a top-notch CV. Get inspired by reviewing the test analyst CV example, learn proven tips, and answers to frequently asked questions and take the opportunity to increase your chances of getting the job you always wanted.
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Choose the best format for your Test analyst CV
Choosing the right CV format for your application can be crucial to the success of your candidature. Why? Many recruiters, especially in the IT industry, make their candidate review process easier by using pre-selection software. These software programs scan CVs for the presence of certain keywords. However, if you use the wrong format for your CV, you may find that the software struggles to scan your document accurately, or worse, it may not be able to extract results from it at all. Unfortunately, if this happens, your CV may end up in a bin…
To prevent this from happening, we recommend that you use a reversed-chronological format that fits on one page. This format is the most commonly used CV format in the UK, so you can be sure that the software can handle it. What’s more, this reverse-chronological layout allows you to present your career path clearly and demonstrate professional growth.
This format involves providing information about your work history and education in reverse chronological order. This means that you start with your most recent experience and follow with your previous ones.
If you have many years of relevant industry experience under your belt, we recommend that you list the last 10 years of your work history. You can then discuss the rest of it in your cover letter.
What are the other formats?
Other CV formats recognised in the UK are:
- skills-based format (best for candidates with no experience)
- two-page format (for those with a very extensive professional profile)
- European format (standardised format without a personal statement, good for those looking for a job abroad)
Create a test analyst CV contact section
The process of writing a CV should start with the first section, which is the contact details. What data should be included here?
First and foremost:
- Name
- Address of residence (city and postal code are enough)
- Telephone number
- Email address.
You can also provide a link to your LinkedIn profile or professional portfolio here if you have one.
Your name should be at the top, properly highlighted. Use a large font and bold it. The rest of the details, depending on which test analyst CV template you use, can be placed under the name or in a side column.
Example of test analyst CV contact:
Peter James Andrews
22, Grasmere Road, Wigan, Lancashire
01924 65498
peter.andrew89@example-example.co.uk
Add your test analyst CV personal statement
Another section of the CV according to the UK standards is the personal statement. You may also come across the name professional summary.
This section is somewhat of an introduction to your CV. Use it to discuss your years of experience in the industry, your greatest professional achievements and what has brought you to the current stage of your career.
A standard personal statement is three to five sentences long. As a rule of thumb, personal statements are not written in the first person, but in an impersonal form. See the following example of a well-written professional summary for a test analyst CV.
Examples of personal statements to put on your test analyst CV
Professional Summary example 1:
“Test Analyst with 8 years of experience in developing and implementing quality assurance tests within the gaming industry. Identified optimal procedures and produced reports to provide interpretations relevant to production and further testing. Dedicated to optimising production cost-efficiency. Ready to apply his expertise to achieve company goals. “
Professional Summary example 2:
“An I.T. professional with ISEB qualification and enrolled for study towards MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional). With experience in hardware and software testing, both manually and using HP Functional Testing automated scripting. Accomplishments include business needs evaluations and major rollout of laptops, tablets and server connections for sales force and field engineers. Currently looking for a new challenge to gain further experience and develop professionally.”
Showcase relevant test analyst CV work experience
To be or not to be of your career as a test analyst, in other words, your experience.
From a recruiter’s point of view, this is the most crucial section that says the most about what kind of specialist you are. Use it to its full potential and present your employment history in such a way that an employer will want to have you on their team as soon as possible.
This section should be located just below the personal statement. You can title it Work history, Professional experience or simply Experience.
What information should be included
The experience section in a reverse chronological CV format starts with the most recent experiences and continues to the earlier ones. Ideally, you should include the experience of the last 10 years or the last 3 jobs.
The structure of the section is as follows: start with job title, then give the dates of employment (month, year). Follow it up with the name of the company and its location.
Use the full potential of this section
In theory, this is where you could finish the information about your employment – after all, you have provided all the necessary information. Yes, this is true, but it does not mean that you have used all the potential that this section gives you.
To do this, list at least three main responsibilities (or achievements) you have dealt with in each role. This will provide even more information about your actual capabilities. The best way to do this is to provide unique examples for each of the roles.
Let’s put this into practice and see what a sample employment history section should look like for a test analyst.
Examples of test analyst CV work experience
Test analyst work experience example 1
Test Analyst, | 07/2019 – Current
Online Ltd. – London
- Planned and executed testing strategy for large data analysis.
- Monitored systems, and quickly identified and fixed potential risks to ensure flawless workflow.
- Dynamically improved testing strategies to meet company’s KPIs.
Software Testing Assistant, | 05/2012 – 06/2019
Cloudly – London
- Conducted server back-ups and recovery operations according to internal protocols.
- Maximised ROI by evaluating and modifying tests for improved effectiveness.
- Liaise with clients and partners to ensure the best project outcomes.
Test analyst work experience example 2
Software testing assistant | Dalgiddy Agriculture, Link Business Park, Ashton-in-Makerfield (January 2013 to date).
- Software functionality and performance testing with Mercury Load Runner.
- Working on rollouts to sales and technical staff.
- Ensuring that all work is documented in accordance with departmental procedures.
- Entering results in Test Director system and drafting reports for manager approval.
IT Trainee | Landleigh School, Brymton, Wigan – Business Apprenticeship (October 2009 to November 2012).
- Providing ICT technical support to classroom staff.
- Working with chief technician to support cabled (Ethernet) network and wireless connections.
- Supporting teaching assistants and staff with PCs and interactive whiteboards.
Skills for your test analyst CV example
Skills in the IT industry are playing a very important role. For this reason, quite often the recruitment process for any IT position includes a practical test to confirm your set of abilities. That’s why it’s so important that you have a set of core skills necessary for the job at hand. Of course, any additional skills are not only welcome but truly increase your chances of getting the job you dream of. Due to the responsibilities of your role, the vast majority of the skills required for a test analyst position are technical skills. However, it is also worth remembering that as a team member you will often be working with others, so well-developed social skills are a definite plus. See what skills come in handy here…
Essential test analyst’s skills
- Agile testing
- Automation testing
- Testing tools and techniques
- SQL or other database management systems
- Basic programming knowledge
Nice-to-have skills to increase your employability
- Project management
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Attention to detail
- Good planning and organisation skills
- Critical thinking
Mention your education in your test analyst CV
The last essential section of any test analyst CV template is Education. As a general rule, we only include information that is relevant to the role you are applying for. This includes academic background as well as additional courses or training.
Similarly, as with the work history section, if you decide to include more than one entry, keep it in a reversed-chronological format. This means that the degree or course you completed the most recently will be at the top of the list.
What education do you need to become a test analyst?
The IT industry is turning everything we have known so far about getting a job in the top-tier market upside down. Far more important than an academic background are skills and a portfolio. When browsing through job vacancies, you will realise quite quickly that while an official title is a big plus, in most job advertisements it is not a necessity.
However, if you want to significantly increase your chances of being hired as a test analyst, the most suitable degree would be a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or another related field.
In addition, the best test analysts belong to the Certified Software Tester (CSTE) association. However, in order to be eligible to take the certification exam, you have to meet quite strict requirements, which include, among others, either 6 years of experience in the industry or having a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience in the industry.
Example of academic qualifications to add in a test analyst CV example:
A-levels:Maths (B), English (B), Technology (A) – Wigan College, 2007|2009.GCSE passes in Maths, English language, Combined Science, ICT and German (grades A to C) – Wigan High School, 2007.
Make a perfect duo with a test analyst cover letter
Once you have a well-written and properly formatted Test Analyst CV, don’t forget to write a cover letter. We recommend you do this, even if it is not specified as a requirement for a particular job offer. This way, you will not only elaborate on the information provided in your CV and introduce yourself to the recruiter even better but also demonstrate that you are eager to work, motivated and not afraid to take the initiative.
Keep your cover letter in the same style as your CV. This means sticking to a similar layout, the same fonts and colours.
A good cover letter should include:
- a headline with contact details (just as in your CV)
- a polite greeting, e.g. Dear Hiring Manager
- an introduction, i.e. 2-4 sentences about who you are and why you are applying for this position
- a main section in which you present your strengths and professional achievements
- a conclusion, in which you emphasise your readiness to take the next steps in the recruitment process and highlight your value as a potential employee.
Top tips for your test analyst CV
Don't just hit the apply button
Take the time to analyse a few or even more than a few similar job offers. See what they have in common, what the main requirements are and how they are worded. Then apply the same keywords to your CV.
Make it fit
Recruiters review dozens, if not hundreds, of CVs a day on a regular basis. They usually spend just a few minutes on each one. This means that the information provided should be clearly presented and easy to locate quickly for your document to be well received.
In terms of length, ideally, your CV should fit on one page. A two-page CV length is the absolute max and can only apply if you have a lot of relevant achievements and experience to present.
Don't forget to proofread
There is nothing worse than a CV with errors when applying for a position that requires, among other things, looking for errors. Take the extra time to check your CV thoroughly. Make sure your contact details are correct and the content has no typos.
Frequently asked questions about test analyst CV
What is the role of test analyst?
The test analyst role is quite dynamic, requiring multitasking and a willingness to work in changing environment.
The test analyst role includes the following tasks:
- Preparing test plans and schedules
- Conducting tests
- Providing feedback to the development teams
- Conducting risk assessments
- Continuous testing, monitoring and upgrades
- Writing test scripts
- Creating new test strategies.
What skills does a test analyst need?
A successful test analyst needs the following skills:
- Manual and automated testing
- Knowledge of database management systems
- Project management
- Good communication skills
- Teamwork and well-developed interpersonal skills
- Time management and organisation
- Problem-solving and critical thinking.
How do I write a data analyst CV?
- When writing a data analyst CV, start with your contact details. Your name should be at the top of the document, written in large font. Follow this with your address, phone number and email.
- Below the contact section, add 3-4 sentences summarising your professional profile. State what relevant experience you have in the industry, and any unique relevant skills or achievements.
- Beneath the professional summary you should include a work history section. List experiences from the last 3 jobs or the last 10 years.
- Next, list your skills. Ideally list 6-8 skills, including both technical and transferable ones.
- Conclude your CV with a section about your education. Add a degree, the year you graduated and the name of the institution where you received your education.
How much does a test analyst earn in UK?
As a starting test analyst, you can expect to earn salaries from around £32,000 a year. As you become more experienced, you can look forward to a higher salary, with those most seasoned test analysts earning up to £58,006 a year.
Test analyst CV example takeaway
Creating a winning Test Analyst CV from scratch can be a daunting task, but with our expert help you’ll be up and running in no time. Get inspired with professional CV examples, check out templates that make the whole process easier and don’t forget to create a matching cover letter. Use the full potential of our builder with our collection of personal statements, skills suggestions and format tips and create your test analyst CV now.
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