Automation test engineer CV example

How to write a CV for an automation test engineer

As an automation test engineer, CV writing is probably quite detached from your usual day-to-day responsibilities. As such, it can feel a little alien having to sit down and put pen to paper – or your fingers to the keyboard – to get your application started (and finished).

However, creating a compelling CV is easy when you approach it step by step. The following sections will run through how to write a CV and what information to include – paired with answers to the most common CV writing questions. Let’s explore:

• What contact details should I include in my automation test engineer CV?
• How to write a personal statement for your automation test engineer CV
• How to present your work history on an automation test engineer CV
• Top skills for your automation test engineer CV
• How to add education to your automation test engineer CV

What contact details should I include in my automation test engineer CV?

If you want a call back from the hiring manager, remember to note your most up-to-date contact details at the top of your CV, preferably in a slightly bolder or larger font. Include the best number to reach you on, keep your phone off silent (you don’t want to miss an interview invitation), and ensure your email address is work-appropriate. Outline your information in the following order:

• Full name
• Location
• Phone number
• Email address

Example of contact section for an automation test engineer CV

How to write a personal statement for your automation test engineer CV

The personal statement is a brilliant opportunity to hook the employer’s attention and reel them in. It’s usually the first thing they read when opening your CV, so choose your words wisely!

You only have three to four sentences to prove you’re the right person for the job. The first sentence introduces who you are, including specialisms and career focus. Sentence two should blow the reader away with a dazzling statistic. Finally, use sentences three and four to summarise your unique skills, such as “familiarity with PHP” or “VBA programming”.

The statistic is crucial because it’s the centrepiece of your personal statement, showing the hiring manager how amazing you are rather than simply telling them. For instance, you might have “overseen performance testing and resolved issues, increasing page load times by 97%”. Ultimately, the more factual you can be, the more convincing your CV!

Still unsure? The following tips guarantee an extra wow factor:

• Write in the third person to sound more professional
• Use positive adjectives like “motivated”, “enthusiastic”, and “loyal”
• Tailor all the information to the job advertisement
• Keep the tone confident and formal
• Pack a punch with short, catchy sentences

Example of personal statement for an automation test engineer CV

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How to present your work history on an automation test engineer CV

Perhaps more than any other section, your work history is a treasure chest of valuable information for hiring managers. At a glance, they can see how long you typically stay with an organisation, your strengths and achievements, and whether you’ve received any promotions. Our top advice? Be mindful of what you leave out – they’ll assume missing information equals gaps in your knowledge!

When illustrating your past and current roles, run through:

• Job title
• Employment dates
• Company name
• Company location
• List of duties
• Notable achievements

We suggest noting between three to six responsibilities underneath each position – fewer for older jobs and more for relevant ones. Cover as many key areas as possible to show the employer the scope of your talents. For example, if you’ve mentioned “test planning, development, and automation” in one role, talk about “investigating problems” in another.

Plus, make your sentences engaging to inspire the reader to learn more. Lead with exciting action verbs like “programmed”, “devised”, and “spearheaded”, and swap boring adjectives for unique alternatives. Instead of “clever”, you might be “intelligent”, “bright”, or “competent”.

Lastly, like the personal statement, substantiate your skills with showstopping facts and figures. Use numbers to add weight to your claims and spotlight career awards, promotions, or references. There’s nothing more persuasive than real-world results!

Example of work experience for an automation test engineer CV

Top skills for your automation test engineer CV

Want to go that extra mile and prove your aptitude for the role? Create an irresistible CV skills section that sells your potential and solidifies your strengths. We recommend blending up to 12 hard skills and soft skills for maximum impact.

The former are often learnt on the job or via formal education, such as “negotiating holiday contracts”, “selling travel insurance policies”, and “using booking systems”. The latter are transferable – think “communicative”, “adaptability”, and “solution-focused”.

Hard skills are teachable, often learnt on the job or via formal education. They might include “adhering to test automation guidelines”, “writing software scripts”, and “Microsoft Excel customisation”. In contrast, soft skills are transferable and personality-based – think “adaptable”, “solution-focused”, and dependable”. Seeing as you can’t learn them, they’re equally as valuable.

Although relying on hard skills is tempting, employers also want to know whether you’d be a good fit for the team and organisation. Consequently, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Need more ideas? Check out the following lists:

How to add education to your automation test engineer CV

Education is the cherry on top for employers. While it’s not always essential, it gives you the edge over equally experienced candidates. You can talk about extracurricular training courses, certificates, and licences alongside formal qualifications. We suggest highlighting your core credentials at the top of your CV to catch the reader’s attention.

What does it take to become an automation test engineer? Although you don’t necessarily need a degree, most organisations prefer applicants who have studied Computer Science or a related subject at university.

Alternatively, you can find apprenticeships in test development, but they’re few and far between and highly competitive. You’d likely need some experience in software testing tools to be considered.

When outlining your education, include:

• Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
• Study start and end dates
• Subject title
• Qualification level – e.g. undergraduate degree or A level
• Qualification result

Example of education for an automation test engineer CV