How to Write a Test Manager CV / Resume (With Examples)

Let’s cut to the chase: writing a CV as a Test Manager can be tricky. It’s not just about listing your skills and experiences; it’s about presenting them in a way that stands out to hiring managers. In this post, “How to Write a Test Manager CV / Resume (With Examples),” we’re going to walk through a no-fuss, straightforward process to get your CV up to scratch, with clear examples to illustrate each point. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, you’ll find practical tips to make your CV shine. Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive in? Let’s get started.

Read The Job Description / Advert

The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.

When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.

Test Manager Job Description Example

Research The Company

Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.

• Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
• Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
• Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far

See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.

Find A Good CV Template

When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.

This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)

Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’

A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.

Test Manager Professional Summary Example

• Boasting a robust 10-year career in software testing and quality assurance, with a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and a Certified Software Test Manager (CSTM) credential, specializing in leading diverse testing teams through complex projects, ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products in various sectors including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.
• Spearheaded the testing initiative for a groundbreaking cloud-based CRM solution at SoftTech Innovations, managing a dedicated team of 15 testers, and successfully delivering the project 3 weeks ahead of schedule and 15% under budget, while ensuring zero critical bugs in the production environment, which was pivotal in securing a lucrative partnership with a major retail client and enhancing the company’s market position.
• Recently led a strategic shift towards automation at WebCrafters, managing a team of 20+ testing professionals, implementing a Selenium-based testing framework integrated with Jenkins for CI/CD, which resulted in a 30% reduction in testing cycle time, improved defect detection by 25%, and facilitated the timely and successful release of 5 major product updates in the last year, significantly enhancing user experience and customer satisfaction.

Detail Your Employment History

Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.

As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.

When jotting down your responsibilities on your CV, especially as a Test Manager, make it a point to weave your achievements into the narrative. Instead of merely stating your duties, like “Led a testing team,” try to add some meat to the bones. For instance, say “Guided a team of 10 testers to successfully reduce system bugs by 40% in the first quarter through implementing a new automated testing protocol.” This way, you’re not just listing what you did, but also showcasing the positive impact it had. It tells your potential employer not just about your responsibilities, but also your capabilities and accomplishments. So, highlight the outcomes of your responsibilities, and let them know you didn’t just do your job, but you did it exceptionally well.

Detail Your Education History

Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.

Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.

Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.

CV Structure

Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.

We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.

A fairly typical structure would go:

1. Name and contact info
2. Professional Summary
3. Current (or most recent employment)
4. Education & Professional Qualifications
5. Employment History

WHAT NOT TO DO

Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.

• Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
• Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
• Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
• Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
• Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
• Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.

Test Manager CV Tips – Recap

1. Highlight Your Achievements 🏆

When detailing your work experience, don’t just list your duties. Instead, spotlight the positive impact of your actions. For instance, instead of saying “Managed testing team,” try “Led a team that reduced software bugs by 30% through strategic implementation of automated testing protocols.”

2. Use Relevant Keywords 🔍

Ensure your CV is ATS-friendly by incorporating keywords related to testing and management. Look at job descriptions for Test Managers and use terms that frequently appear, such as “automation testing,” “team leadership,” or “quality assurance.”

3. Showcase Technical Proficiency 💻

Clearly mention the tools, technologies, and methodologies you’re familiar with, such as Selenium, Jira, Agile, or Scrum. Be sure to include specific instances where your expertise in these areas positively impacted a project or team.

4. Detail Your Leadership Skills 🚀

As a Test Manager, leading teams is a key part of the role. Highlight instances where your leadership led to project success, team development, or the implementation of new testing strategies.

5. Tailor Your CV to the Job 🎯

Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your CV speaks directly to the role you’re applying for by emphasizing the experiences and skills that are most relevant to the job description.

6. Include Certifications and Continuous Learning 📜

Mention any certifications, courses, or workshops you’ve completed that enhance your Test Management skills. This shows a commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends.

7. Quantify Achievements and Responsibilities 📊

Wherever possible, use numbers to illustrate your achievements and responsibilities. For example, mention the size of the teams you’ve managed, the budget you were responsible for, or the percentage improvement in processes under your leadership.

8. Keep It Concise and Well-Formatted ✂️

Ensure your CV is easy to read and scan. Use clear headings, bullet points, and avoid long paragraphs. Aim to communicate the maximum value in the simplest way possible.

9. Proofread Thoroughly 🧐

Errors on a CV can be a red flag for employers. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes and that all information is accurate and up-to-date.

10. Add a Compelling Summary 📝

Start your CV with a strong summary that encapsulates your experience, skills, and what you bring to the table as a Test Manager. Make it engaging and tailored to the role you’re applying for.

Test Manager CV Sample

Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.

Click here to see page 2…