Krishna is a tester in my team.
He is bright, diligent, and very passionate about his work, especially in testing.
His role is QA Engineer, and he has nearly two years of experience in testing.
He is good at testing concepts, test case development and is a good team player.
Off late, he seemed to have lost interest in work. He seems lost. I heard about this change in him from other team members as well.
He sits alone and always thinks about something.
I decided to understand what was going on with him, so I called him to have tea with me.
Over tea, I asked him what the reason was.
He said that he was worried about layoffs. He had seen the news about headcount reductions in many companies, and a couple of his friends were also laid off.
So, he was scared that he might also lose his job.
This is the typical behaviour we see nowadays among many people.
In my 20 years of experience, I have seen several external factors affecting the industry or job market.
Those factors can be economic downturns, wars, layoffs, and other uncertainties.
I suggest not worrying about these lay-offs or firings, pink slips, or whatever you call them.
Instead of thinking and wasting time on this ‘ firing news,’ I suggest you focus on yourself.
That is to focus on internal factors rather than worrying about external factors.
I will explain about internal and external factors later in this post.
.
First, let me tell you what the general expectations are from a QA Engineer.
Expectations from the QA Engineer Role
The truth is that expectations depend on the company.
But apart from the role-specific technical skills here are the generic expectations from the Junior QA Engineer role.
- Ask questions when in doubt.
- Never assume anything
- Get the testing fundamentals right
- Communicate well
- Have good relations with other team members
- Prepare good documentation for your testing
- Never run behind tools. It is good to have an understanding of tools.
Now, coming back.
What are these internal and external factors I mentioned earlier?
Internal factors are those that you can control, and external factors are those that you can’t.
Let me explain them.
External Factors
Factors or conditions beyond your control.
1. Industry Trends:
It primarily covers changes and trends in the software development, technology, and testing industry.
The current industry is moving towards AI.
The testing domain is also adopting AI. The bitter truth is that AI models, specifically LLMs (large language models), can perform most of the tasks that a current early-stage tester can.
A lot of testers are seeing it as a threat.
Also, you are seeing log low-code/no-code tools entering the market.
They are capable of carrying out automated script execution without you writing the code.
Do you have any control over them? I am sure not.
2. Economic Conditions:
It covers the overall economic climate, which can impact job availability and salary levels. It can be the economic condition of a state, country, or entire world.
I have seen multiple economic slowdowns.
The first one I saw was in the year 2000. It was a .com bubble burst. It was not only impacting the Information Technology industry, but the manufacturing industry too.
And it was a global slowdown.
The next was in 2008.
It was mainly hitting the IT industry.
During this global financial crisis, many IT organisations faced significant budget cuts. Projects were postponed or cancelled.
The result was layoffs and hiring freezes.
Testers were particularly affected as companies prioritized development and maintenance over extensive testing.
Now, I see this in 2023-2024.
The Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. Every industry was badly hit, except the IT industry.
People in IT could work remotely. Productivity was high. Job requirements were increased.
Many companies did hiring. Too much of hiring.
And when the world opened up, the demand decreased. The companies who had uncontrolled hiring had to reorganise.
Many global giants started layoffs. It will continue in 2024.
3. Company Culture:
It encompasses the values, policies, and opportunities for growth within an organization.
I have worked for multiple companies and on various projects.
The culture varies and greatly impacts the careers of employees.
Some companies are employee-centric.
They prioritize innovation, employee well-being, collaboration, and inclusivity, creating environments where you can thrive and advance your career.
Conversely, there are other companies.
They struggle to adapt to an employee-first culture, finding it challenging to meet new expectations and integrate into evolving workplace dynamics.
Growth-oriented companies aim not only for their own success but also for the growth of their employees.
I have seen companies that focus solely on billing hours and working hours.
I have also seen companies that truly value their employees, caring about their growth, work-life balance, and inclusive decision-making.
They create a sense of belonging.
Some companies implement employee-friendly policies that support continuous learning and professional development, including regular training sessions, hackathons, and innovation labs.
In such companies, testers like you have ample opportunities to upskill, participate in cutting-edge projects, and take on leadership roles in innovation initiatives.
And then there are other companies.
They focus solely on their billing—what they charge customers and what they pay employees—with little else in mind.
They do not provide ample opportunities for employees to learn and grow.
If you do not learn, you will not grow.
When skill-demanding projects arise, you may find yourself being asked to resign.
4. Market Demand for Skills:
There is a demand for specific testing skills in the job market.
Demand for specific testing skills significantly impacts your job opportunities, career growth, and job security.
Stay abreast of industry trends and continuously update your skill sets. These include high-demand skills such as AI/ML, automation, security, performance, API, and DevOps.
As a result, you are more likely to thrive.
A few years back, there was a high demand for Automation testers.
AI is trending now.
Currently, testers with knowledge of AI/ML algorithms, model validation, and bias detection are in demand.
New roles such as ‘AI Test Engineer’ or ‘ML Quality Analyst’ emerge, offering unique career paths for you.
Also, if you adapt to DevOps cultures, you may find enhanced career opportunities.
Learn other testing types.
Think beyond functional testing. Explore and implement Security testing & performance testing.
They are evergreen in-demand skills.
And if you do not follow the trending and in-demand skills, you will be the victim.
5. Technological Advancements
Rapid changes in technology and tools used in software development and testing. Now, it is an era of Artificial Intelligence, and it is being rapidly adopted.
Technology keeps evolving.
When I started my career, automation tools were just emerging.
The tool I began with was ‘WinRunner,’ a GUI automation testing tool from Mercury Interactive.
Then came QTP (QuickTest Professional), also from Mercury Interactive. It was a very powerful tool.
We could record actions, and the script was automatically generated!
With the growth of the internet and web technologies, Selenium entered the market.
It was free then and is free now.
Selenium is a library.
Paired with the programming language Java (which is also free), Selenium became the most sought-after tool for automation.
Many frameworks were developed to be used with Selenium.
Then came tools like Appium, Playwright, and Katalon.
There are also low code/no code tools that assist in automation projects.
With the advent of distributed services, API testing became a high demand.
Postman, a free tool, quickly became a favourite among the testing community.
Now, API testing automation using Postman, RestAssured, and Gatling are the tools in demand.
If you cannot keep up with evolving technology, newer tools, and languages, your job may be at risk.
Do you think you can control any of this?
I’m pretty sure the answer is no.
But still, these changes may impact you.
The impact can be one or a combination of any of the following:
– Reduction in headcount across teams
– Discontinuation of a product due to financial losses
– Re-organizing the reporting structure for faster decision-making
– Optimizing teams to cut costs
– Pay cuts or no salary hikes for multiple years
So, this can have a direct or indirect impact on you.
Your salary may be affected, you may get additional tasks due to headcount reduction, or you may even be asked to go home.
Now, let me explain the internal factors.
Internal Factors
The factors you can control.
1. Skill Development:
Actively improving and expanding your technical and soft skills is so important.
In my experience, testers who continually enhance their skills become more proficient and adaptable. That leads to increased career opportunities.
Based on my learnings and experience, here are the top skills that are mandatory for any tester like you to survive and grow.
- Functional and Automation Testing:
You should have strong fundamentals.
Be proficient in test design using different techniques. This is a core skill and is mandatory.
Without proper and effective tests, you cannot uncover defects in the product.
Think like a user; explore the product.
Exploratory testing is essential. Do not just blindly follow the process of test case development and execution.
Based on the tests you have designed, identify the repetitive, time-consuming, and boring ones.
These are the best candidates for automation.
Be strong in at least one programming language.
It can be Java, Python, JavaScript—anything. But learn to code. If any code is given to you, you should understand what is happening in it.
You should be able to read and comprehend the code.
Do not chase after tools. It is sufficient to master one tool.
If you have strong testing fundamentals, coding knowledge, and automation skills, you can not only survive but also grow in the field of testing.
You can bring great value to the product. Mastery of automation opens up opportunities for leadership positions and specialized roles, significantly enhancing your career trajectory.
- Security Testing:
Everything is online. Everything is digital. Everything is distributed. Everything is available to everyone.
It’s digital democracy. But, it comes with risks. This technological trend poses a security threat. The more we go online, the more will be the security risk.
You might be hearing about cyber attacks, ransomware, DDOS attacks, etc.
They are all the security breaches of a product or organization.
Why am I saying this?
You will have a great opportunity to enter into security testing.
There is a growing emphasis on cybersecurity.
If you have strong security testing skills, it makes you a valuable asset.
You can learn Application security testing, API security testing, Cloud security testing, Penetration testing, Forensics and Governance, and Risk and Compliance (GRC).
They are in demand and are evergreen security testing skills.
You can advance to positions such as Security Test Engineer, Security Analyst, or Penetration Tester.
You can get started with tools like Postman, OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, etc to perform security testing.
Companies often prioritize hiring and retaining testers with security expertise due to the critical nature of protecting sensitive data.
This specialization can lead to higher salary packages and more senior roles within the organization.
- Performance Testing:
Earlier, products were built on client-server-based architecture. But today, the world has changed. Everything is on the internet.
Health systems, government facilities, stock markets, railways, flight booking, food ordering, and cab booking are just a few examples of our online lives. Human needs are increasing, and we want an easy life.
To make our lives easier, products are built on complex technologies.
The complexity and scale of modern applications have increased
significantly.
Applications are now composed of multiple components, including microservices, APIs, and third-party integrations.
All of these must work together seamlessly.
Additionally, user expectations have skyrocketed.
With the widespread availability of high-speed internet and powerful
devices, users demand instant responsiveness and uninterrupted service.
In India, Jio completely changed internet usage, penetrating the interior and rural parts of the country with very cheap data services.
Any delay or downtime can lead to user frustration, negative reviews, and, ultimately, loss of customers.
Performance testing ensures that applications meet these high expectations by identifying and addressing potential performance issues before they impact users.
It also ensures that application components interact efficiently under various conditions, preventing bottlenecks and failures.
Testing performance is essential for modern products to meet user expectations, handle complex architectures, scale effectively, stay competitive, and comply with regulatory standards.
It is a vital practice that helps ensure the success and reliability of software in today’s demanding digital environment.
You can learn performance testing using tools like JMeter, LoadRunner, Gatling, Postman, and others.
- API Testing:
As I mentioned earlier, modern applications are no more developed on client-server architecture. Now products are built using microservices or API (Application Programming Interface) .
For example, when you book a cab, it uses multiple APIs to complete your booking and payment to the driver.
APIs serve as the backbone for applications, enabling them to interact with each other, share data, and perform complex functionalities.
API testing ensures that the integrations function correctly without data corruption or communication failures.
Also, APIs can be tested well before the application is developed. So, you do not wait for the UI to be available to get started with testing.
This helps in the early detection and fixing of bugs.
API testing is a critical component of modern software development, ensuring that applications can communicate effectively, perform reliably, and remain secure.
You can learn XML, JSON, HTTP/S protocols, and tools like Postman, RestAssured, Gatling, etc.
- Soft Skills:
Apart from technical skills, you need to have important soft skills. Testing can not be done in silos.
It is teamwork. You team up with fellow testing team members, developers, designers, managers, etc.
So, it is crucial to have good listening skills, communication skills, documentation skills, time management, and risk management skills.
Collaborate with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders. This ensures that issues are identified and resolved promptly, leading to higher-quality software releases.
Your understanding of requirements (specified and unspecified), bug reporting, and test reporting are all crucial for the success of the product.
More than anything else, your time management, risk management, and patience can make your team and your product a great success.
2. Proactive Learning:
A willingness to explore new technologies, methodologies, and processes without being asked to learn says a lot about you.
I have seen the testers taking initiative to learn beyond their responsibilities. And they are better equipped to handle any challenges and advancements in the industry.
You are the CEO of your life. So, do not expect your manager or company to teach you.
There are a lot of good resources available for you to learn.
Great courses are available on The Test Tribe. All the courses are from industry experts and testing practitioners.
Also there are various Youtube channels like The Test Tribe, Naveen Automation Labs, Automation Step By Step, SDET-QA etc.
You can follow the blogs of James Bach and Micahel Bolton.
Also, you can read books like ‘Lessons Learned In Software Testing’ by Cem Kaner and ‘Growth Driven Testing’ by Pradeep Sounderrajan.
3. Communication Skills:
Effective communication is crucial. Communication with your team members, developers, product manager and other stakeholders need to be on point.
Clear and concise communication promotes collaboration. It helps in understanding requirements and findings, asking questions, etc. Thus, you can contribute to overall project/product success.
4. Problem-Solving Abilities:
Problem-solving is the capacity to analyze issues, identify root causes, and propose effective solutions.
If you excel in problem-solving, contribute significantly to the efficiency of the development process. Then, you can earn recognition for your valuable insights.
You can use some frameworks to solve problems.
Example: 5 Whys, Fishbone diagram, 6 Thinking Hats, etc.
Also, you can develop problem-solving ability.
Here is how:
- Practise analytical thinking
- Read books. I prefer physical book reading
- Participate in peer review and pair testing sessions
- Use mind mapping to visually organize information
- Think from first principles
5. Adaptability
Your ability to adapt to changes in technology, methodologies, or project requirements is a helpful trait to have.
If you embrace change, you are more likely to thrive in dynamic environments. And you are better positioned in your career.
Be agile in the agile world!
To practise adaptability, you can use any of the following techniques or a combination of them. You will learn a lot, either directly or indirectly.
- Be a continuous learner. Have the student mindset, not the expert mindset !
- Try to work with different teams
- Opt for challenging tasks
- Go to the meetings with an open mind
- Attend meet-ups, workshops. TTT conducts these occasionally
- Set stretch goals for yourself
- Seek feedback. I would suggest 360 degree feedback. Work on that feedback
- Experiment and innovate. Do not stick to ‘best practices’ of some other company
- Fun part: Don’t argue with your wife !
6. Leadership Skills:
Develop leadership skills- even if you are not in a leadership role. Take initiative, mentor junior team members, own your actions.
These are displays of leadership qualities. With leadership skills, you progress into managerial roles, guiding teams, and influencing project outcomes.
Aim to become a leader, not a manager. A leader always aims for the team’s growth.
You can practice some techniques/hacks to get good at them:
- Always praise a team member in public. Give constructive feedback in private.
- Celebrate every small success of team members
- Be proactive in taking up additional responsibilities
- Develop decision making skills. Start with smaller decisions
- Always take other’s inputs in decision making. But you decide.
- Consistently meet deadlines, deliver quality work, and take responsibility for your actions.This builds trust, credibility.
- Share your knowledge and help junior team members.
I believe you can have control on these factors.
You can work towards them and make sure you are valuable to the company.
Now, you might have some idea on factors affecting the job market and what are expectations.
Do not worry about external factors. Focus on yourself, work on improvement areas and be valuable.
The ghost of what-may-come in the future should not affect your present performance or peace of mind.
