How to Start Your

Auto atio Te ti g Career

fro Scratc
- By A ol Ujagare
(Author | Coach | Founder of Scripting Logic)

A step-by-step guide for beginners to launch their automation testing

journey
Your Road ap to Auto atio Succe
Welcome to your automation testing journey! This guide will help you transition smoothly into this in-demand field, whether
you're a manual tester, fresher, or from a non-technical background.

Clear Pat Forward E e tial Tool Career Growt

Follow our structured learning Learn industry-standard automation Discover how automation skills can
approach to avoid common pitfalls and tools that employers are actively significantly boost your earning
make consistent progress looking for potential and job opportunities
W y Auto atio Te ti g Matter i 2025
Automation testing has become a foundational pillar of
modern software development for good reasons:

Agile and DevOps methodologies demand faster

delivery without compromising quality
Manual testing alone can't keep up with the scale and
speed required
Companies increasingly expect QA professionals to have
automation skills

It creates more interesting, higher-paying career

opportunities

Our goal is to help you not just learn tools, but to think like an automation tester4someone who solves problems, improves
quality, and delivers value.
Auto atio Te ti g
Explai ed
Automation testing uses software tools to execute pre-scripted tests on
applications before release, comparing results against expectations to
verify functionality.

W at It Doe
Instead of manually checking features like login or registration,
automation testers write scripts that perform these actions
automatically, saving time and reducing human error.

W e It S i e
Particularly valuable for regression testing, load/performance
testing, and repetitive tests across different environments or
devices.
Ma ual v . Auto atio Te ti g
Feature Manual Testing Automation Testing

Speed Slower Much Faster

Accuracy Prone to human error Highly accurate

Cost (long-term) Higher Lower

Repeatability Hard to repeat exactly Easy to repeat anytime

Ideal for Exploratory, Usability Regression, Load, CI/CD

Automation doesn't replace manual testing4it complements it. Some scenarios, like UX testing, still require human intuition
and judgment.

Automation is about empowering testers, not replacing them. It handles repetitive tasks so you can focus on
more complex, valuable work.
Do You Need a Codi g Backgrou d?
T e S ort A wer: No
You don't need to be an expert programmer to start
automation testing4but you do need to learn programming
basics.

Many beginners worry they must become expert coders,

but automation testing only requires foundational
programming knowledge:

Variables and Data Types

Conditional Statements (if/else)
Loops (for, while)
Functions/Methods
Classes & Objects (basic OOP)

Thousands of manual testers have successfully learned

automation by focusing just on the essential
programming concepts.
La guage Tool T at Reduce Codi g Effort
1 2

Java Pyt o
Widely used with Selenium and gives you a competitive Has simpler syntax and is more beginner-friendly.
edge in job interviews. Though it has a steeper learning Growing in popularity but still offers fewer job
curve, it's the industry standard. opportunities than Java in the testing space.

3 4

Cucu ber Te tNG/JU it

Lets you write test cases in English-like syntax Testing frameworks that simplify test management,
(Gherkin), making tests readable by non-technical team organization, and reporting without requiring advanced
members. coding skills.

Remember: Your goal is not to become a software developer4it's to be able to automate real test scenarios effectively.
E e tial Auto atio Tool You S ould K ow

Sele iu WebDriver Te tNG/JU it

The most popular open-source tool for web application Testing frameworks that help organize test cases, define
testing. Works with multiple languages and allows you to priorities, manage test execution, and generate reports.
simulate user actions on websites. TestNG is preferred with Selenium + Java.

Cucu ber Git GitHub

Allows writing test cases in plain English using Gherkin Essential for version control, code management, and
syntax, making tests readable for non-technical collaboration. Used in all real-world projects and expected
stakeholders and supporting BDD. by employers.

Start with Selenium + Java + TestNG ³ Add Maven + Git ³ Learn Cucumber ³ Then explore Jenkins & API Testing.
Master one layer at a time.
More Tool to Co plete
Your Toolkit
Mave Je ki
A build automation tool for Continuous Integration tool used
managing dependencies in your to schedule and run automated
project. Helps compile, run, and tests. Integrates with GitHub,
structure your codebase without Maven, and Selenium projects to
manual library management. automate test execution.

Po t a AI-A i ted Tool

Essential for testing REST APIs. ChatGPT and specialized AI tools
Allows you to send API requests, like Testim, Mabl, and Applitools
validate responses, and write can generate test data, debug
automated tests for backend code, and assist in script
services. creation.
Your 5-P a e Lear i g Pat
P a e1
1 Core Java + Manual Testing Foundation

P a e2
2
Selenium WebDriver + Browser Interaction

P a e3
3
Framework Building with TestNG + Maven

P a e4
4
Cucumber + GitHub + API Testing

P a e5
5
Project + Resume + Interview Prep

This structured roadmap is the difference between wandering and winning. Follow one phase at a time without rushing,
building confidence, logic, and your portfolio along the way.
P a e 1: Core Java + Ma ual Te ti g
Your first phase focuses on building a solid foundation:

Learn basic Java (variables, loops, functions, OOP)

Study SDLC, STLC, bug lifecycle
Practice writing test cases manually
Set up your development environment

Tools to use: Java, Eclipse/IntelliJ, Notepad++, Excel

This phase is crucial as it builds the fundamental knowledge

you'll need for all future automation work.

Having a manual testing background gives you an

advantage4you already understand testing
concepts and can focus on learning the technical
skills.
P a e 2: Sele iu WebDriver + Brow er
I teractio
Now it's time to start your automation journey with Selenium:

Ele e t Locatio
Brow er Co trol Master the different locator strategies (ID, XPath, CSS,
Learn to launch different browsers, navigate to URLs, etc.) to find elements on web pages
and handle browser windows using Selenium WebDriver

Si ple Script
Ele e t I teractio Write your first complete automation scripts that
Perform actions like click, type, scroll, select dropdown perform basic user journeys
options, and validate text/attributes

Tools to use: Selenium WebDriver, ChromeDriver, Eclipse/IntelliJ

P a e 3: Fra ework Buildi g wit Te tNG +
Mave
Time to organize your tests into a proper framework:

Learn TestNG annotations (@Test, @BeforeMethod,

etc.)
Implement assertions to validate test results
Create test groups and priorities
Generate test reports

Set up Maven for project structure and dependency

management
Start using Git for version control

This phase transforms your individual scripts into a

maintainable, scalable testing framework4a critical skill for
professional testers.
P a e 4: Cucu ber + GitHub + API Te ti g

Cucu ber BDD GitHub Workflow API Te ti g Ba ic

Write test scenarios in Gherkin Create repositories, commit Use Postman to perform GET,
syntax using Cucumber. Create changes, push code, and create POST, PUT, DELETE requests. Add
feature files and step definitions. pull requests. Learn branching parameters, headers, and
Implement behavior-driven strategies and collaborative assertions. Automate API tests
development practices. development. with RestAssured.

This phase expands your skills beyond UI testing and makes your tests more collaborative and business-friendly.

Tools to use: Cucumber, GitHub, Postman, RestAssured

P a e 5: Project + Re u e
+ I terview
Fi al Project Re u e I terview
Build a complete test automation
Prep
project that demonstrates your Update resume highlighting
skills: automation skills

Select a demo website (e.g., Create a portfolio showcasing

an e-commerce site) your project

Create a framework with Page Practice common interview

Object Model questions

Implement data-driven tests Prepare to explain your

framework
Add reporting and
screenshots Join mock interviews and
study groups
Push to GitHub with proper
documentation
Co o Mi take Begi er Make
1 2

Ju pi g i to fra ework too early Over-co u i g tutorial wit out practice

Without core understanding of Java or Selenium basics, Watching 100 videos won't help unless you actively
diving into TestNG or Cucumber leads to confusion. implement what you learn.

Solution: Master the basics first before advancing to Solution: Follow a Learn ³ Do ³ Repeat cycle. Practice
frameworks. after each concept.

3 4

Avoidi g ver io co trol Not a ki g for elp

Many beginners ignore Git/GitHub. Later in real projects, Many learners stay stuck for days on small bugs or
this becomes a major hurdle. issues.

Solution: Start using Git from day one, even for small Solution: Join forums, LinkedIn groups, or Telegram
scripts. channels. Don't hesitate to ask questions.
How to Practice Effectively
Re ource for Practice
Demo Sites:

demoqa.com
automationpractice.com
the-internet.herokuapp.com

Mini Projects:

Login/logout test automation

Form validation
Product search & checkout
Data-driven testing scenarios

"Practice 45 minutes daily for 90 days. That's your true

masterstroke to automation proficiency."

Maintain a learning journal to track your daily

progress. Even recording one new thing you
learned helps build momentum.
Real-World Job Role Salarie
E try-Level (0-2 year ) 1
Roles: QA Engineer, Junior Test Analyst, Test
Automation Intern

Salary (India): ¹3-6 LPA 2 Mid-Level (2-5 year )

Skills: Basic Selenium, Java, manual testing Roles: Automation Test Engineer, SDET, QA
concepts Consultant

Salary (India): ¹7-12 LPA

Se ior Level (5+ year ) 3 Skills: Advanced frameworks, CI/CD, API testing
Roles: Test Lead, Automation Architect, Quality
Head

Salary (India): ¹15-25+ LPA

Skills: Framework design, strategy, team

leadership

Global markets like the US, UK, and Canada typically offer 4-8x higher salaries. Automation skills also enable freelancing and
remote work opportunities.
W ere to Lear : Free Paid Re ource
Free Re ource Paid Cour e (Hig ly Practical)
Udemy's Selenium Bootcamps
YouTube C a el
QSpiders, Edureka (for structured programs)
Automation Step by Step, Naveen Automation
LinkedIn Learning courses
Labs, TestProject
TestAutomation University

Blog Tutorial
ToolsQA, Guru99, LambdaTest, BrowserStack

GitHub Project
Clone and study open-source automation
frameworks

Choose ONE mentor and stick with ONE learning path. Avoid information overload by trying to follow multiple
courses simultaneously.
Your Jour ey Begi Now
Every tester who switched to automation once sat where you are
right now4confused, overwhelmed, doubting themselves. But they
didn't give up.

Your journey is not about perfection. It's about progress. One test case
today, one script tomorrow4that's how mastery is built.

Start S all Be Co i te t
Begin with simple scripts and Daily practice, even for just
gradually increase complexity 30-45 minutes, compounds
quickly

C a e Clarity
Focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than rushing
through topics

You're not late. You're exactly on time. Now go automate your success.