We talk a lot about the skill set that all testers must have, such as being detail-oriented, having good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work in fast-paced environments. But, we know that most companies only take a cursory glance at your skills and then want to see what your personality is like. So, what personality traits make a great tester?

Enthusiastic – If you are not enthusiastic about testing most QA managers will not be interested in you. Enjoying sitting down and breaking software is almost as important as “detail-oriented”.

Thick Skinned – You have to be able to stand up for yourself and not lose a step when you get shot down. Plus, if someone challenges your work or your approach you must be able to take it as constructive criticism and not as an attack on your integrity.

Even Tempered – Losing your cool is never a good thing when you are on the job, but if you are someone who easily gets riled up, then testing is not the job for you. Daily stresses and constant pressure make it difficult to stay calm.

Organized – Being able to organize complex programs into smaller systems is not just a skill; I do believe it is also a personality trait. If you are not inherently able to organize your thoughts it can be learned but it is much harder to that way. (Author’s note: Organized does not necessarily mean clean… I know plenty of organized individuals with messy desks (including myself)!)

Good Sense of Humor – This one is almost more important than the first one, in my experience. Testing can be funny! And if you can make it fun then it is even better. I know testers who love the tedious parts of testing only because they incorporate some humor into it. Also, knowing how to take a joke is very important in team environments.

What other personality traits can you think of that you have found helpful in your testers?

-- Charity