How I Would Prepare for an Automation Engineer Job in 2025 (If I Were Starting Today)

Let’s be honest—breaking into automation testing today isn’t as straightforward as it was a few years ago. The competition is tough, tools are evolving fast, and job descriptions expect you to be a "QA Engineer + DevOps + SDET + Mind Reader."

I’ve seen a lot of people feel stuck. So, if you're aiming to land your first (or next) automation engineer role in 2025, here’s what I’d focus on—based on what’s working right now.

1. Start With One Programming Language

Don’t try to master everything at once.

Pick one language—Java, Python, or JavaScript—and get comfortable with writing functions, using loops, and handling conditions. That’s more than enough to get started.

You don’t need to be a software dev. But you do need to write clean, working scripts confidently.

💡 Tip: Automate small tasks like filling out a form or sending an API request. It builds confidence.

2. Pick a Tool (Not All of Them)

One mistake I made early on? Trying to learn Selenium, Cypress, and Playwright—all at once.

Pick ONE tool and dive deep.

• For web: Playwright is gaining a lot of traction.
• For mobile: Still hard to beat Appium .
• For APIs: Start with Postman, then explore Rest Assured or Karate.

💡 Real-world edge: Learn how to plug your scripts into CI/CD tools like GitHub Actions or Jenkins. Most companies now expect it.

3. Learn the “Why” Behind the Test

Writing scripts is the easy part. The hard part is thinking like a QA.

Understand:

• What to test (and what NOT to)
• How to break a flow logically
• Test planning, regression strategy, bug lifecycle

💡 You’ll stand out if you can explain why you wrote a particular test and what risk it’s addressing.

4. Git, GitHub, and Your Portfolio Matter

In 2025, your GitHub is more important than your resume.

Push your code. Write clean READMEs. Document your framework. Even a basic project shows effort and learning mindset.

💡 Bonus: Record a short Loom video explaining your framework. Recruiters love seeing how you think.

5. Build a Mini Framework

Even if you're a beginner, try building a small automation framework.

Things to include:

• Page Object Model (POM)
• TestNG or PyTest
• Logging (log4j, etc.)
• Reporting (Allure or Extent Reports)

Not to impress anyone. But to understand how real projects are structured.

6. Prepare for Interviews Smartly

Most interviews now are a mix of:

• Real-world scenarios ("How would you test a login page?")
• Basic DSA (Arrays, Strings, Loops)
• Scripting logic
• CI/CD and framework design

Practice talking through your thought process. That’s often more important than just giving the right answer.

7. Apply With Intention

Don’t just click “Easy Apply” on every LinkedIn job.

Instead:

• Tailor your resume to each job.
• Add project links.
• Write a short cold email or DM explaining why you’re interested in that company.

💡 I’ve seen people land interviews just because they shared a GitHub link with their message.

Final Words

Getting into automation testing isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely doable.

Stay consistent. Learn publicly. Share your progress. Connect with people in the testing community. Don’t wait to be “perfect” before applying.

If you are struggling with API Testing or AUtomation then download the documents from this link https://topmate.io/guneet_singh_07/1388571

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