As a software tester, you'll play an important role in developing new websites and apps. Once a project reaches a certain stage of development, it’s your job to ensure it works exactly as it should.

This role will give you the opportunity to work within a particular industry that interests you, as computer programs are an integral part of many businesses, including automotive, gaming and consumer electronics.

When testing a new piece of software, it'll be up to you to try as best you can to ‘break’ it! This helps the design process and ensures a faultless program at every stage of development. By working closely with software designers and programme managers, you’ll be able to understand what the product is meant to do, its key features and its users.

Once you understand what the program is meant to be, you’ll then carry out tasks such as functional testing, customer scenario testing, stress testing, performance testing, scalability testing and international testing.

Because it's a technical role, it's useful to have a strong understanding of one or more querying languages, such as SQL, as well as programming languages like PHP, .NET or Java.

Whilst working as a software tester, it’s important for you to provide tactful, insightful feedback to maintain a good working relationship with other members of the design team. Additionally, employers will be looking for the following qualities:

• A good understanding of the software development process
• A understanding of business
• Good writing skills (for documenting the process)
• Good communications and consultancy skills
• Good presentation skills
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines