Portfolio for QA Engineers: How to Build a GitHub Automation Framework That Impresses Recruiters

In a technical interview in 2026, a recruiter or lead engineer will almost certainly ask for your GitHub profile before they even see your CV. If they see a messy repository with files like test1.java and MyFirstScript.java, or a repo that hasn't been updated in 6 months, they will move on to the next candidate. Your code is your resume. Here is exactly what a professional-grade QA portfolio looks like and how we help you build it at QAi Talks to ensure you stand out in a competitive market.

1. The README is Your "Sales Pitch" and First Impression

Your README is the first thing a recruiter sees. It must be professional, clear, and high-impact. It should include:

• A Clear, Technical Project Title: e.g., "Hybrid E2E Automation Framework for [Application Name] using Selenium & Java."
• The Technical Stack (The 'Ingredients'): Explicitly list Java 21, Selenium 4, TestNG, Maven, Allure Reports, and GitHub Actions. This helps with SEO and recruiter keyword matching.
• Architecture Diagram: A simple visual or text-based description of your layers (Page Objects, Utilities, Tests). This shows you understand *design*, not just *scripting*.
• One-Click Execution Guide: Provide a simple command (e.g., mvn clean test) so the recruiter knows your project actually works. If it's hard to run, they won't run it.
• Visual Reports: Include a link or a screenshot of a professional test report (like Allure). This proves you care about "Visibility" and "Feedback"—the hallmarks of an SDET.

2. Production-Grade Repository Structure: Following Standards

A professional engineer follows industry standards for repository structure. This shows you understand how real-world software teams work. Your project should follow the Maven standard project structure:

• src/main/java: Contains your Page Objects and core framework logic (the 'How' and 'What'). This should be clean and strictly separated from your tests.
• src/test/java: Contains your Test Scripts and assertions (the 'Should'). This is where your business logic lives.
• src/test/resources: Contains your Test Data (Excel/JSON/XML) and configuration files (property files for URLs and credentials). No "hard-coding" allowed!
• pom.xml: A clean, well-managed dependency file with no "zombie" dependencies. This shows you know how to manage a project's technical footprint.

3. The "CI" Badge of Honour: Proving DevOps Skills

One of the biggest differentiators in 2026 is a "GitHub Actions" or "Jenkins" status badge in your README. This proves that your tests are integrated into a pipeline and run automatically on every code commit. This single badge can put you in the top 5% of candidates for junior SDET roles because it proves you understand DevOps and Continuous Integration. It shows you aren't just a tester; you're a builder of quality systems.

4. Clean Code, SOLID Principles, and Git History

Recruiters will look at your actual Java code. They want to see:

• Descriptive Naming: No btn1, test_a, or x. Use loginSubmitButton or shouldDisplayErrorMessageOnInvalidLogin.
• Proper POM Implementation: Ensuring your locators are private and only accessible via public methods. This is "Encapsulation" in action.
• Clean Git History: A history of meaningful commit messages (e.g., "Add Page Objects for Dashboard," "Implement Data-Driven testing for Checkout"). Avoid messages like "fix bug," "update," or "asdf." This shows you know how to work in a professional team environment.

5. The "Practitioner Story": Why Did You Build This?

Every project should have a "Problem Statement." Why did you choose this application? What were the technical challenges (e.g., "Handling dynamic tables" or "Testing complex iframes")? Explain how you solved them. This gives you "talking points" for the technical interview. It turns your portfolio from a "homework assignment" into a "practitioner case study."

The QAi Capstone Outcome (Module 6)

In the final stage of our bootcamp, you build exactly this. You don't just "do a project"; you construct a production-grade repository from scratch that you own. We provide a rigorous review process (a "Code Review") to ensure it meets the highest standards of technical hiring managers in the UK and European tech scenes. This repository becomes your "Proof of Competence"—a verifiable asset that opens doors to technical interviews and gives you the confidence to say: "I am an Automation Engineer, and here is my work."

"Your GitHub is your technical voice. In a world of certificates, your code is the only thing that proves you can actually do the job. Make sure it's saying the right things about your standards."

Final Checklist for Your SDET Portfolio:

• [ ] Is your README professional, visual, and free of typos?
• [ ] Can anyone (even a recruiter) run your tests with a single Maven command?
• [ ] Are your Page Objects strictly separated from your Test Assertions?
• [ ] Do you have a professional-looking report (Allure/Extent) included?
• [ ] Do you have a CI/CD badge showing your tests run in the cloud?
• [ ] Is your Git history a clean, chronological story of your framework's growth?

If you can check all these boxes, you aren't just a candidate—you're a professional ready for a top-tier SDET career. At QAi Talks, we help you check every single one of them.