The 5 Most Popular Micro-Credentials for Your Testing Career

Nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. employers agree: Earning an industry micro-credential strengthens a candidate's job application. And U.S. employers are 76% more likely to hire a candidate who has earned a micro-credential.

AT*SQA offers more than a dozen software testing micro-credentials, so which should you choose? We looked at micro-credential exam trends so far this year and identified the top 5 micro-credentials for software QA teams:

1. API Testing Micro-Credential: Surveys also suggest that if you aren't working with APIs yet, you soon will be. The continued growth in API usage is making AT*SQA's API Testing Micro-Credential another top choice among testing teams.
2. Test Automation Micro-Credential: Survey after survey shows that automation knowledge is in high demand right now, so it's no surprise that AT*SQA's Test Automation Micro-Credential is consistently #1 or #2 in popularity. 
3. Agile Software Testing Methodologies: This is an easy introduction to Agile testing for testers as well as Agile team members including product owners. As a bonus, this is part of the Agile Testing SkillStack™ that automatically gives you the full AT*SQA Agile Testing certification when you get the four stacked micro-credentials.
4. Testing Techniques Micro-Credential: Testing techniques are fundamental to QA testing, and companies want everyone throughout the organization to have this core knowledge, making AT*SQA's Testing Techniques Micro-Credential broadly popular. Everyone involved in software development and QA should have this.
5. Cybersecurity Testing: Not everyone needs to be a security expert, but everyone in your software organization needs to understand the basics of cybersecurity. This is the perfect introduction that can be used across your team, making it more popular than ever.

Do you have questions about the best QA micro-credential for you? Let the AT*SQA support team know how we can help.

Looking for a Software Testing Job?

Do you know a tester who has been laid off, is between jobs, or does freelance work? If you do, forward this email to them.

AT*SQA's new AT*Work™ Software Tester Directory makes it easier for employers and available testers to find each other.

• AT*Work features testers who are independent/freelance or currently between jobs due to layoffs or career changes.
• Employers can search for testers by skill and see testers who have proven their knowledge through one or more certifications or credentials earned through AT*SQA or ASTQB. These include our ISTQB and AT*SQA certifications plus our AT*Micro micro-credentials. 

AT*Work™ is in beta testing for those who would like to be included, and will soon be available for employers to search. If you would like to appear in the AT*Work™ Software Tester Directory, simply do the following:

1. See the AT*Work™ overview
2. Log into your AT*Work profile
3. Update your AT*Work preferences, answer two questions, and add your skills and experience levels

We will announce when the beta for the search functionality has started. In the meantime, opt-in to appear in AT*Work™.

Are You on the List? What is Your Level?

As a professional on the Official U.S. List of Certified & Credentialed Software Testers™, you have shown your commitment to working efficiently with U.S. companies and their software development teams by:

• Demonstrating your American English ability through the exam registration process
• Passing AT*SQA's official American English version of your certification exam
• Building your level in the Testing Tiers® software tester rankings