Software testing - Manual

Learn to write test plans. Learn (if you can get your hands on it) any automated testing software. And branch out a bit into requirements gathering if you can, as testing is only a part of the SDLC and so it's a good idea to have more than one thing to bring to the table.

Thanks
Hi,
I am now working on Blood bank project. For Which I have worked from the beginning from requirement gathering till the end, the only part which I didn't work was coding, do you think this will help me. The project is not web based. I like to know what automated testing tools I must concentrate on. I have done a course on Winrunner, Loadrunner and Silktest. Should I stick to this domain or you advice me to change it but, I like this domain. I like to concentrate on a particular domain and grow with it. And can you suggest any book or site in which I can learn more about Winrunner coding.
Thanks a lot.

There's Winrunner, yes. I think there's also Toad (it's been a while since I did more than just UAT or SIT testing). You might also want to look at the Rational suite as that's for more of the SDLC.

Good that you've been involved in more than just testing. When money gets tight, I've found that testers, particularly ones whose skills are mainly confined to manual testing, are the ones who are laid off first. So it's better to branch out if you can.

As for books, sorry, I don't know. Will your employer pay for training?

Thanks
Hi,
My employer pays a part. Thanks for the advice. I will go through the tools which you have mentioned. If you have anything more to share about testing kindly let me know.
Thanks.