How to Become a Junior Software Test Engineer: Skills and Learning Path

Today we discuss how to become a junior software test engineer, addressing many who want to switch to the internet industry without a computer science background and are unsure where to start.

The entry barrier for junior testing is low; with a clear learning roadmap and self‑study, anyone can acquire the needed skills.

Based on job postings in Shanghai, a junior test engineer with less than two years of experience typically earns between 7k and 12k RMB per month.

While top graduates from prestigious schools may start at much higher salaries, most junior testing positions require passing multiple interview rounds.

For a fresh graduate or a zero‑base career‑changer, mastering certain core skills is crucial to secure a decent testing job, as interviews often demand more than the day‑to‑day work.

In daily work, a junior tester mainly performs functional testing (often called “click‑click‑click”), which requires understanding the full testing workflow from requirement analysis to release and being able to write test cases.

The biggest hurdle is obtaining the interview opportunity; interview expectations are usually higher than the actual job requirements.

Below is a concise list of the skills you should master for junior testing interviews and their practical uses:

Testing fundamentals: understand the roles of front‑end, back‑end, product managers, and the complete version‑iteration process, including test case design techniques.

Functional testing: includes app, web, and especially API testing; learn to use Postman for API calls and Fiddler for packet capture and bug localization.

Databases: start with MySQL, master SQL queries (CRUD, sub‑queries, joins), and optionally stored procedures, indexes, transactions, and basic optimization.

Linux: be familiar with basic commands, log inspection, and setting up test environments, as most servers run on Linux.

Network protocols: understand HTTP/HTTPS, GET vs. POST, cookie vs. session, TCP three‑handshake/four‑teardown, and the flow of a typical web request.

Version control tools: know Git (command‑line) and SVN (GUI) for managing code and documentation.

Programming language: Java or Python basics; being able to write simple algorithms (e.g., bubble sort) is a plus.

Automation: awareness of web, app, and API automation frameworks; prioritize learning API automation, which is in highest demand.

Performance testing: not required for junior roles, but familiarity with JMeter for API load testing is a bonus.

The first six items are essential and determine whether a company will consider you; items 7‑9 are bonus skills that can increase your salary negotiation power. Master the basics before the interview to avoid wasting opportunities.

You can self‑study using resources referenced in a separate article, or attend a training program; future posts will compare the two approaches. Follow the public account for updates.