What should Quality Assurance professionals consider when choosing a new job?

1 Your career path

One of the first things to consider is your career path as a QA professional. Do you want to specialize in a specific type of testing, such as automation, performance, security, or usability? Do you want to learn new tools, frameworks, or languages? Do you want to move into a leadership role, such as a QA lead, manager, or consultant? Or do you want to explore other roles related to QA, such as business analyst, product owner, or developer? Depending on your answers, you should look for a job that matches your aspirations and offers opportunities for learning and growth.

2 The company's QA culture

Another important factor to consider is the company's QA culture. How does the company value and support QA activities? How are QA processes and standards defined and implemented? How are QA teams organized and integrated with other teams? How are QA metrics and feedback collected and communicated? How are QA issues and risks managed and resolved? You should look for a company that has a mature and positive QA culture, where QA professionals are respected, empowered, and involved in the software development lifecycle.

3 The project's QA challenges

A third factor to consider is the project's QA challenges. What are the main features, functions, and requirements of the software product or service that you will be testing? What are the technical, business, and user aspects that you will need to understand and verify? What are the quality goals, criteria, and standards that you will need to meet and measure? What are the potential problems, bugs, or defects that you will need to prevent, detect, and fix? You should look for a project that offers interesting and relevant QA challenges, where you can apply your skills, knowledge, and creativity.

4 The work environment and benefits

A fourth factor to consider is the work environment and benefits. How is the work schedule, location, and flexibility? How is the work culture, communication, and collaboration? How is the work-life balance, wellness, and satisfaction? How are the compensation, recognition, and rewards? You should look for a work environment and benefits that suit your preferences and needs, where you can enjoy your work and achieve your goals.

5 The learning and development opportunities

A fifth factor to consider is the learning and development opportunities. How is the training, mentoring, and coaching provided and supported? How is the feedback, evaluation, and improvement implemented and encouraged? How is the innovation, experimentation, and exploration facilitated and rewarded? You should look for learning and development opportunities that enhance your skills, knowledge, and performance, where you can grow professionally and personally.

6 The alignment with your values and vision

A sixth and final factor to consider is the alignment with your values and vision. How is the company's mission, vision, and values aligned with your own? How is the company's social and environmental impact and responsibility? How is the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion? You should look for an alignment with your values and vision, where you can share a common purpose and passion.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?