Do we need to know how to code?

So, before I became software tester, I thought that everyone in IT have to know how to code, even if they aren't programmers. In my opinion, even testers had to know at least one programming language, on which a project is developing. But then, when I started to read about software testing, I found out about Black Box testing! Wow, you don't need to know any programming language to become a tester! And in that time it was awesome for me, it was like revelation :)
Now, after all those years, from time to time I began to see those articles about discussions whether testers need to know how to program. Actually, it was a big bunch of almost the same articles :) but every article was about the same idea - testers, programming, why? :)
So, you might think that this article will be about the same? No! But it starts like that.
I just wanted to say, that out there, there are people in IT, or other industries, who likes everything about new technologies, about programming etc. And it shouldn't be so serious issue for us, for them to decide whether they need to know programming or not. I know that all IT guys - system admins, developers or software testers - are clever enough to learn something new, something useful! And I think, that in future more and more new projects will require testers with programming skills as it happened with sys admins - now some of them are devops. Same could happen with Software testers.
So, I can even say, that programming isn't so hard to learn, of course you don't have to be a guru in Java/C#, or to know all frameworks and related tools. In most cases you have to know just basics + main OOP principles and this is not so hard to learn. Trust me, I got through that :)

So, to sum up - in my honest opinion, I have to say that it's not so hard to learn programming, so give it a try! And later you will benefit from your knowledge.
Or, don't touch it, leave it, maybe it isn't your's?

No offense, this is just my personal opinion. So, nothing personal - just software testing :)

Good luck!

How to find your first job as a software tester

So, you already know Software testing fundamentals, basics of Jira and other related tools. Now it's time to start looking for a job, if you feel ready for it.
First you'll need is a good resume! In this short article I won't write how to make a selling resume, maybe next time. In this article I'll just say that you'll need one. Next step is send that resume to selected IT companies, and here you'll get your first job offer, if you are really lucky, or, like 99% of people who decided to become a software tester and don't have any experience yet - you'll get NOTHING :( even any reply from company's recruiter. Yes, that happens all the time, unfortunately.
So, what you should do in this case? First of all, no matter what - don't give up! Next, take a look at your resume, maybe it's not selling you? Maybe it shows that you don't have any knowledge? If it's not, and your resume is good enough to get a job, that means you need to get some connections!
And yes, connections and networking is all what you need for now! You even can don't know something about testing, yeah, maybe you skipped something to learn, doesn't matter, because with help of right people you can get your job even without that missing knowledge. Other question, how you'll pass job interview? :) But for now not about that. Now about networking.
You see, companies always tries to close a vacancy by their internal resources, than, by recommendation of their current employees, and only after - by posting job ad.
So, if you didn't get any reply from any recruiters, that means you have to find connections! You can ask your friends, maybe someone work in IT already, or maybe someone know a guy, who knows a guy :) In this way, you have to find as many people from IT as possible. You have to meet with them and tell about yourself, about your desire and dream to become a software tester, also you have to show that you're reliable and very responsible person, and show them your IT knowledge. So, when they will see that, they could be sure, that you are right guy for a job as software tester. And when they will hear that their company is hiring - they will recommend you! That is your main goal for now - to be recommended! After you'll just have to prepare yourself for a job interview, maybe learn what you missed and fill lack of knowledge! All what will follow is only up to you!
Good luck!

Next day update:
Also you should look for a local IT events and go there to meet new people and show yourself. That could be could opportunity to make some new professional connections.

P.S. Sorry for my English, I'm not following a goal to write perfect English, I'm following a goal to share useful information.

Where to find some web project to write Webdriver auto tests for?

Hi there
Recently I was looking for some simple web project to write auto tests for it, but unfortunately I didn't find anything worthless. Someone just don't interesting in auto tests and someone wants them in C# to be written (I'd like to use Java).
Anyways, I was looking at CodePlex, made the announcement in Twitter, but no one responded :(
So, I've decided to try it one more time here.
Actually, I can write tests for some, randomly chosen, sites, but this is not that way I want to work. Ideally, I'd like to join to existing project, where someone is already writing webdriver tests on Java, in that way I'll learn how to write them in real life projects and real working environment.
And later, I want to start writing articles related to automation testing here, in my blog.

So, if anyone knows some web projects which requires or want someone to write autotests - I'd like to propose my candidature!

Thanks