Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.
Manual testing CV template (text format)
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Dedicated and detail-driven Manual Tester with 6+ years’ experience in software quality assurance, including manual and automation testing of client–server applications. Proficient in Agile methodologies, exploratory testing, and test strategy design, with a strong record of delivering bug-free releases in cloud-based and API-driven environments. Looking to contribute my rigour and technical knowledge to your QA team.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Manual QA Tester
ThoughtWorks, London
Aug 20XX – Present
- Design and execute manual and exploratory test plans for SaaS platforms supporting UK government services
- Lead functional testing efforts for web and mobile applications; authored 100+ reusable test cases and tracked defects via JIRA
- Partner with developers on BDD scenarios using Gherkin syntax in Cucumber, enhancing test coverage and clarity
- Validate backend APIs with Postman and REST Assured, verifying request/response patterns and HTTP status compliance
Software Tester
Capita, Manchester
Jul 20XX – Jul 20XX
- Developed regression and smoke test suites in Selenium for both client-facing portals and internal services
- Maintained traceability matrices and test logs, ensuring compliance with public sector QA standards
- Co-created release test plans and produced UAT summary reports for product owners
- Supported non-functional testing activities, including load testing via LoadRunner and performance profiling in JMeter
Junior QA Analyst
Sage Group plc, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Apr 20XX – Jun 20XX
- Ran manual tests for SME accounting software modules across desktop and web interfaces
- Logged defects in JIRA with detailed reproduction steps and environment variables
- Supported customer-facing teams with issue replication and investigation, contributing to root cause analysis sessions
EDUCATION
Manual QA Tester
ThoughtWorks, London
Aug 20XX – Jan 20XX
Manual QA Tester
ThoughtWorks, London
Aug 20XX – Jan 20XX
KEY SKILLS
- Exploratory Testing
- API Testing (Postman, REST Assured)
- Agile & BDD (Cucumber, Gherkin)
- Test Case Design & Execution
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
- Puzzle solving
- Hackathons
- Technical blogging
- Board games
How to write an impressive manual tester CV
To make a strong impression on employers, your manual testing CV needs to clearly demonstrate your niche industry knowledge, technical expertise, and track record of identifying and documenting software bugs and defects.
Use the following tips to tailor your CV and present yourself as a detail-oriented, highly reliable candidate.
1. Identify the right keywords for your niche
Putting the right skills, experiences, and personal qualities on your CV shows the employer that you understand the job requirements and have the technical knowledge to address those needs.
Testing is a vast field, but most employers will want to know about your strategic experience, problem solving ability, and technical skills.
Here are some of the most common keywords that appear in manual testing job ads:
- Regression testing
- Conduct functional Testing
- System testing
- Integration testing
- User acceptance testing (UAT)
- Collaboration
- Test documentation
- Test planning meetings
- Testing infrastructure
- Test status reports
2. Highlight key information in your personal statement
As the summary of your skills and achievements, your personal statement should immediately highlight any skills, certifications, or areas of experience that make you a great fit for the job. Here are examples for different career stages:
Junior Manual Tester (Rockstar North)
Eager and detail-oriented recent graduate with a passion for gaming and a foundational understanding of software testing. Keen to contribute to the renowned quality of Rockstar North’s immersive game experiences by diligently executing test cases and identifying defects. My analytical skills and enthusiasm for ensuring a seamless user experience align with Rockstar’s commitment to high production values and engaging gameplay.
Manual Tester (Sage Group)
Experienced Manual Tester with a proven ability to ensure the reliability and functionality of software applications. Seeking to bring my skills in test case design and execution to Sage Group, contributing to the quality of their essential SaaS solutions for businesses. My understanding of various testing methodologies and commitment to delivering user-friendly software would be a valuable asset in maintaining Sage’s reputation for dependable business tools.
Senior Manual Tester (Revolut)
Highly experienced Senior Manual Tester with a strong track record of leading testing efforts and implementing effective test strategies for fast-paced digital platforms. Eager to contribute my expertise to Revolut, ensuring the robustness and security of their innovative FinTech services. My deep understanding of the SDLC and commitment to delivering high-quality, user-centric applications align with Revolut’s agile and customer-focused approach.
Lead Manual Tester (Darktrace)
Results-oriented Lead Manual Tester with a proven ability to manage testing teams and ensure the delivery of robust and secure software solutions. Seeking to leverage my leadership skills at Darktrace, contributing to the quality assurance of their cutting-edge AI cybersecurity products. My experience in planning, organizing, and overseeing testing activities would be crucial in maintaining the integrity and reliability of their threat detection systems.
Manual Test Analyst (Capgemini UK)
Insightful and detail-focused Manual Test Analyst with a strong ability to analyze complex requirements and design comprehensive test scenarios for diverse business service applications. Keen to apply my skills at Capgemini UK, ensuring software not only functions correctly but also meets client needs and business objectives. My focus on thorough analysis and providing valuable feedback aligns with Capgemini’s commitment to delivering impactful solutions for their clients.
3. Measure the impact of your achievements
Testing requires precision when identifying bugs and defects. Quantified evidence of your success in previous roles is the best way to make the achievements on your CV stand out and prove to employers that you have the necessary skills and experience.
Some good metrics to highlight on a manual testing CV include:
- Number of bugs found and reported
- Percentage of test cases executed
- Test pass/fail rate
- Reduction in post-release defects
- Test coverage percentage
Here are a couple of examples of how these metrics look when added to a work experience section:
- Meticulously documented 18 critical and 65 high-severity bugs, contributing significantly to the stability of the core platform before its public launch
- Executed 95% of the planned test suite within the allocated timeframe for the latest mobile application release, ensuring comprehensive functional validation
- Achieved a pass rate of 98% across all executed test cases for the user interface redesign project
- Played a key role in achieving a 15% reduction in post-release critical defects compared to the previous product version
- Ensured 100% test coverage of all defined user stories for the new customer onboarding feature, guaranteeing thorough validation of all key functionalities