Understanding QA's Role in Technology

If you come from a non-tech background, you might not be familiar with the various roles within the tech sector. Many people only see job titles like ‘developer’ or ‘software engineer’ highlighted on social media. While these positions may have more openings, they are not the only options available.

So, what exactly does QA do in the tech realm?

In essence, QA is tasked with ensuring the quality and functionality of software. As a QA professional, your daily responsibilities will involve testing new features that your team implements on websites or applications. For instance, if a company adds a feature that allows users to upload a profile picture on their Account page, you would manually check that users can select, save, and update their images. This example illustrates that QA verifies multiple aspects of the feature.

QA professionals create scenarios that need validation and use various testing methods to determine what to assess.

How to Secure Your First QA Position

To begin your journey, search for job titles such as:

• QA Analyst
• Manual Tester
• QA Manual Tester

These positions focus solely on manual testing and do not require coding knowledge. Although some QA roles do require coding skills, it’s advisable to start in a Manual Tester role before advancing to those positions. For further insights, check out my article on Finding Remote Jobs in QA, which offers valuable job search tips.

Next, familiarize yourself with the manual testing process. In my piece titled “What Should QA Test First?”, I outline the most common types of manual testing. I recommend that you review each testing type to understand their execution. For example, being able to discuss Functional Testing or UI Testing and providing test case examples will greatly benefit you during interviews.

Understanding the job responsibilities will equip you to talk confidently about the role and express your eagerness to learn and develop your skills during the interview process.

The most significant hurdle in landing your initial QA role is finding an employer willing to train someone without experience. These opportunities are available, but you must effectively demonstrate your learning ability during interviews. Networking can also significantly enhance your chances, especially if someone can vouch for your dedication and effort to learn.

To further assist you in your job search, consider watching the following videos: