At a Glance
- Tasks: Support testing of business systems and digital platforms while developing core testing skills.
- Company: Join Howdens, a leading company in enterprise and digital business solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, excellent pension, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Work onsite 4 days a week with flexible remote options and great career growth.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in testing with real-world exposure and structured training.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and strong analytical skills; eagerness to learn is key.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
Howdens has an exciting new opportunity for a Graduate Tester to join us. This role is an entry level position designed for recent graduates from Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or related disciplines, who are interested in building a career in testing enterprise and digital business platforms. The primary purpose of the role is to support the development of core testing skills across enterprise and digital business systems, as well as the wider ecosystem of integrated systems. This includes building capability in functional, automation, and performance testing. Through structured training, mentoring, and real‑world exposure, the successful candidate will develop skills in functional, automation, and performance testing. They will build confidence working with other test team members and wider IS teams. The role plays an important part in helping to ensure that developments released into Production are stable, aligned to business and trading requirements, and free from defects.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Supporting the testing of business systems and digital platforms
- Creating and executing test scenarios to validate new functionality
- Running regression tests to ensure changes don’t impact existing systems
- Logging and tracking defects, and re‑testing fixes
- Helping to maintain test scripts, tools, and documentation
- Working closely with developers, testers, and wider IT teams
- Gaining exposure to functional, automation, and performance testing
Am I eligible for this Graduate Tester?
- Hold a degree (or expected) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, Mathematics, or a related discipline.
- A genuine interest in how systems support business operations
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Clear communication and teamwork skills
- Eagerness to learn and develop in a fast‑paced environment
- Ideally some exposure to testing through university, placements, or projects – this is not essential
- Basic understanding of software testing or data systems – this is not essential
- Preferably exposure to using Excel or analytical tools
- You must have the right to work in the UK.
- The role is based onsite 4 days per week with 1 working from home.
- Based from our office in Raunds, Northamptonshire or our site in Howden, East Ridings of Yorkshire, you must live within 60 minutes of us.
What We Can Offer You
- Competitive salary and annual company bonus
- Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays with the option to buy additional days
- Staff Discount
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Exceptional Reward and Recognition events
Graduate Tester in Howden employer: Howdens
Howdens is an exceptional employer for recent graduates seeking to launch their careers in testing, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development through structured training and mentoring. With a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and a range of employee benefits including 25 days of holiday and staff discounts, Howdens fosters a collaborative environment where you can thrive alongside experienced professionals in the heart of Northamptonshire or East Yorkshire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Tester in Howden
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to alumni from your university or connect with professionals in the industry on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights into the role of a Graduate Tester.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Brush up on your testing skills by working on personal projects or contributing to open-source. This hands-on experience will not only boost your confidence but also make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research common testing scenarios and be ready to discuss how you would approach them. Show us your analytical skills and problem-solving mindset – we love that!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Howdens.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Tester in Howden
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Graduate Tester role. Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or experiences that showcase your analytical skills and attention to detail. We want to see how your background fits with what we do!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your genuine interest in testing and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any exposure you've had to testing or related tools, even if it's just from university.
Show Off Your Team Spirit:Since teamwork is key in this role, don’t forget to mention any group projects or collaborative experiences in your application. We love candidates who can communicate well and work alongside others, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howdens
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the basics of software testing and the specific types mentioned in the job description, like functional, automation, and performance testing. Familiarise yourself with common testing tools and methodologies, as this will show your genuine interest and readiness to dive into the role.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss examples from your studies or projects where you've tackled complex problems. Think about how you approached these challenges and what the outcomes were. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to think critically, which are key for a Graduate Tester.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working closely with developers and other team members, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable explaining technical concepts in simple terms. Good communication can set you apart!
✨Ask Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team, the testing processes, or the company culture. This shows that you're not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to the team and grow within the company.
