On a resume for a manual tester, the education section positioning can greatly vary. If you are new to the industry, you should place your education section at the top. This helps to show your fresh knowledge in software testing and quality assurance principles. For those with some work experience, your practical skills come first. Think of what a hiring manager would look for: familiarity with test cases, defect tracking, or software development life cycles.

Educational details align with industry needs when you've done courses related to software testing, computer science, or other relevant fields. If your most recent education is a significant milestone, like a specialized course in software quality assurance or an advanced testing certification, position it prominently near the top. In that case, it acts as a strength. However, if you've been in the workforce and your job history shows strong relevance, let experience lead the way and place education further down.

As a hiring manager, it is clear that a manual tester's resume needs to be concise and focused. You should aim for one page if you have less than ten years of relevant experience, ensuring you include just the essential information. This means, highlight your recent testing experiences and key skills relevant to manual testing roles.

For those with a more extensive background, extending to two pages is acceptable to cover all of your pertinent skills and experiences without compromising readability. Always place your strongest and most relevant qualifications on the first page, as hiring managers typically scan the initial page briefly. Remember, your ability to prioritize critical content over lesser details underscores your effectiveness as a manual tester who pays attention to the right areas of a software product.