Why You Need a GitHub Portfolio as a Tester: Showcasing Bugs with Style!
The Power of a GitHub Portfolio for Testers
How many times did you go to a job interview and you were asked:
Why shoould I hire you? What makes you stand out?
Of course you can say that you did this and that in your work projects but you cannot really show anything because they are work project and you are not allowed to show anything outside.
So what can you do?
Well you need somenthing to make you stand out. Somenthing to show you go the extra mile and shows how you do your work. And that can be done with … a github portfolio.
Showcasing Bugs with Style: How a GitHub Portfolio Sets You Apart
Having a GitHub portfolio is like having an online resume that speaks volumes about your skills, experience, and coding style. It’s a platform where you can not only highlight your successful projects but also demonstrate how you handle challenges and bugs in your code.
Potential employers and collaborators often review GitHub profiles to get a sense of a developer’s coding style, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to clean, efficient code.
By showcasing your bug fixes and problem-solving skills on GitHub, you present a more comprehensive picture of your capabilities.
Where to start?
Before creating your portfolio I would first recommend you learn Github. Do not worry I got you covered. I have a resource for you that will allow you to catch a bird with one stone:
- Learn about Github
- Create content for your repository
Once you have done a few of the lessons you are ready to go and start creating you Portfolio. Now there is only the question about automation and non automation Portolios. Which one should you select?
Building Your GitHub Portfolio: For non Automation
Creating a GitHub portfolio for non-automation testers can be a valuable way to showcase your skills, experience, and contributions to the testing community.
Here are several elements you might consider including in your GitHub portfolio:
1. Test Cases and Test Plans:
- Share well-documented test cases and test plans for projects you’ve worked on. Highlight your ability to design comprehensive test scenarios and explain how your testing strategies contribute to overall project quality.
2. Bug Reports:
- Showcase your bug-finding skills by including examples of well-documented bug reports. Explain the steps to reproduce the issue, the expected vs. actual behavior, and any additional context that helps understand the problem.
3. Documentation:
- Emphasize your ability to create clear and concise documentation. This could include testing guides, process documentation, or any other materials that showcase your commitment to thorough and effective communication.
To showcase these skills you may ask yourself where can I try my skills? Should I use a known website or a test one?
There is no right or wrong answer to the last question, although I would recommend you try some test websites or challenges like the one below
Github repository setup for testers, organizing test cases on Github, documenting bugs effectively
Building Your GitHub Portfolio: For Automation
Creating a compelling GitHub portfolio is essential for automation testers to showcase their skills, experience, and contributions to the field.
A well-curated portfolio not only serves as a testament to your technical prowess but also provides potential employers and collaborators with a tangible representation of your capabilities.
Here’s a list of project types you can do:
YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO THEM ALL
Web Browser Automation:
- Develop automation scripts for web browsers.
- Showcase interactions with various elements like dropdown menus, checkboxes, text fields, buttons, links, alerts, file upload widgets, and frames.
- Implement clean test code and utilize design patterns such as the Page Object Model or Screenplay Pattern.
Mobile Automation:
- Demonstrate automated testing for both iOS and Android apps using Appium.
- Include mobile-specific gestures like swiping and pinching.
- Use tools like Apple’s XCUITest and Google’s Espresso for separate iOS and Android projects.
Visual Automation:
- Add visual testing capabilities to your web and mobile projects.
- Emphasize the importance of verifying the appearance of applications.
- Highlight how visual testing can identify aspects missed by conventional tests.
API Automation:
- Develop a project for testing APIs, covering methods like GET and POST.
- Use APIs with parameters, request bodies, and complex responses.
- Employ advanced verification techniques like deserialization or approval testing.
Data-Driven Automation:
- Incorporate data-driven testing in at least one project.
- Demonstrate the ability to read data from external sources like spreadsheet files.
Database Usage:
- Develop a project that interacts with a database using queries within the code.
- Showcase reading and writing to a database within a testing context.
Accessibility Automation:
- Showcase the ability to automate accessibility testing for websites and mobile apps.
- Utilize the same sites/apps used in web and mobile projects to demonstrate accessibility testing.
Performance Testing:
- Add a performance testing project to showcase nonfunctional testing skills.
- Stand out by demonstrating expertise in an area that many automation engineers may not possess.
Personal Touch:
- Profile README: Leverage the new GitHub Profile README feature to provide a brief introduction about yourself, your testing philosophy, and what visitors can expect from your repositories.
- Multiple Languages and Libraries Switch between languages and libraries for different projects to showcase versatility.
Remember to keep your GitHub profile organized, with clear and concise explanations for each repository or project.
This will make it easy for visitors to understand your contributions and expertise in the field of automation testing.
Regularly update your portfolio to reflect your latest projects and achievements, ensuring that it remains a dynamic representation of your skills and growth in the automation testing domain.
Also for Automation Projects you can have a look at the below list of Sites that you can use to practice upon.
Inspiring tester portfolios on Github showcasing unique bug findings and solutions.
Level Up Your Testing Game with an Awesome GitHub Portfolio!
In conclusion, a GitHub portfolio is not just a passive repository; it’s a dynamic showcase of your testing journey.
Elevate your testing game by utilizing this powerful tool to demonstrate your skills, creativity, and passion for finding and solving bugs.
Your GitHub portfolio is your personal testing brand — make it impressive, make it memorable, and make it uniquely yours.
Write in the comment a link to your profile.
