8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Beginners often make these mistakes when creating a QA automation portfolio.
- 8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mistake 1: Copying tutorials without understanding them
- Mistake 2: Adding too many unfinished projects
- Mistake 3: Ignoring manual testing
- Mistake 4: Not documenting test results
- Mistake 5: Uploading confidential company code
- Mistake 6: Waiting until you know everything
- 9. How to Share Your Portfolio with Recruiters
Mistake 1: Copying tutorials without understanding them
Following a tutorial can help you learn, but you should be able to explain your code.
After completing a tutorial, try building a similar workflow independently.
Mistake 2: Adding too many unfinished projects
Start with one complete project. Add more when you can explain and maintain them.
Mistake 3: Ignoring manual testing
Automation does not replace the need to understand test scenarios, expected results, and risks.
Demonstrate your manual testing knowledge alongside your automation scripts.
Mistake 4: Not documenting test results
Explain what you tested and what happened when you ran the tests.
Never claim that tests passed unless you actually executed them and verified the results.
Mistake 5: Uploading confidential company code
Never publish private workplace repositories, client data, credentials, or confidential screenshots without authorization.
Use public demo applications and your own sample data instead.
Mistake 6: Waiting until you know everything
You do not need to master every automation concept before starting.
Build a small project, learn from mistakes, and improve it gradually.
9. How to Share Your Portfolio with Recruiters
After completing your first project, make it easy for recruiters and potential clients to find it.
Add your portfolio to your resume
Include a dedicated section titled Projects.
Example:
Login Automation Using Playwright and TypeScript
- Created automated tests for login validation and error handling.
- Used Playwright assertions to verify expected behavior.
- Managed source code using GitHub.
- Documented test scenarios and execution instructions.
Only include skills and activities you have actually completed.
Add your GitHub link to LinkedIn
Add your GitHub profile to your LinkedIn contact information or Featured section.
You can also publish a post explaining what you built, what problem it solves, and what you learned.
Explain your project in interviews
Prepare to answer questions such as:
- Why did you select this application?
- How did you identify the test scenarios?
- Why did you choose these locators?
- How did you verify the expected results?
- What happens when a test fails?
- What would you improve next?
These questions help you demonstrate your understanding beyond simply showing code.
Share your learning journey
You can also share short posts about your projects, testing challenges, and lessons learned.
For example, explain how you automated a login page, how you validated an API response, or how you fixed a failing test.
Educational posts can help others discover your work, although reach and recruiter responses are not guaranteed.