Key Takeaways – Hiring Software Testers In 2022 So Far

As we move into the second half of 2022, it seemed like a good time to review how hiring for software testing roles has gone this year so far, and what it could mean if you plan to hire over the next six months!

The stats

Automation testing:

• – 76% of roles I have supported clients with in 2022 have required automation testing experience.
• – Of those roles, over half wanted a Test Engineer with skills in C#.

Remote working:

• – 35% of roles offered fully remote working.
• – 57% offered hybrid working which ranged from being in the office one day a week to once a month.
• – 8% required folk in the office – and this had a noticeable effect on hiring.

Interviews (not including tech test):

• – 20% of roles had a one-stage process.
• – 43% had a two-stage process.
• – 37% had a three-stage process.
• – None had more than three stages – unlike horror stories about five stage processes we’ve all heard!

Technical test:

• – 25% required some form of take-away technical test – which doesn’t factor in how long these took to complete.

The takeaway

To beat competition/similar companies when it comes to hiring, ideally you will offer some element of home working; a two-stage process max; no technical test; and the ability to be more flexible around the language that someone uses for automation testing (otherwise you are narrowing the field of suitable Testers).

With one company, our research showed that around two-thirds of applicants dropped out at technical test stage (across all technical roles) because they weren’t willing to spend the time when other opportunities were moving faster and didn’t require a technical test.

Hopefully the stats above provide some food for thought in a market where we all know there is a widening skills gap!