Here's how you can regain control of your career trajectory after a Quality Assurance industry layoff.
Losing your job in Quality Assurance (QA) can be a disheartening experience, but it's important to remember that it's also an opportunity to reassess and redirect your career path. In the ever-evolving tech industry, layoffs can occur for various reasons that are often out of your control. However, what you can control is how you respond and the actions you take to bounce back stronger. This article will guide you through the steps to regain control of your career trajectory after a QA industry layoff.
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Syed Fadzil Syed Mohamed, PEPC, CEngFellow of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (FIEM)
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Danielle K.Vice President of Quality and Regulatory, Empyrean Medical; Curing Cancer for Good
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Bruno FigueiredoQA Engineer | 8+ Years of Expertise in Automation | Testing | API | Agile | Performance | ISTQB | Selenium | Postman |…
Begin by taking a step back to reflect on your QA career thus far. What were your strengths and what aspects did you truly enjoy? Consider the feedback you've received and the projects that made you feel most accomplished. Reflection is a powerful tool to understand your professional desires and to set a foundation for your next move. It's also a time to consider whether you want to continue in QA or pivot to a different role that might align better with your interests and skills.
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Your CV is a strong tool for demonstrating your knowledge and potential. Craft it carefully, emphasising your technical abilities, successes, and adaptability. Accept this transformation as an opportunity to reassess your goals and pursue new paths that correspond with your enthusiasm. Maintain your focus, pursue constant learning, and exploit your network. With determination and a positive attitude, you may overcome this setback and emerge stronger, preparing yourself for a rewarding engineering career.
The tech industry is dynamic, with new tools and methodologies emerging regularly. Use this time to update your skills or learn new ones that are in demand within the QA field. Whether it's getting familiar with the latest automation tools, understanding new software development methodologies like Agile and DevOps, or enhancing your knowledge of programming languages, staying current is key. Online courses, certifications, and tutorials can be valuable resources in this endeavor.
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Aproveite o tempo livre para aprimorar suas habilidades, tanto técnicas quanto de comunicação. Além de se concentrar em áreas específicas do seu campo de atuação, invista em melhorar a redação do seu currículo e otimizar o alcance do seu perfil no LinkedIn. É crucial não apenas ter as habilidades que o mercado demanda, mas também saber comunicar e destacar essas habilidades de forma eficaz.
Networking is crucial in the job search process, especially after a layoff. Reach out to former colleagues, join QA forums, attend industry meetups, and connect with professionals on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Sharing your situation with your network can open doors to new opportunities. Remember, it's not just about asking for a job; it's about building relationships and exchanging knowledge that can be mutually beneficial.
Your resume is often the first impression potential employers have of you. Make sure it reflects your most recent experiences, skills, and accomplishments in QA. Tailor it to highlight the expertise that's most relevant to the jobs you're applying for. Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible to demonstrate your impact. A well-crafted resume can significantly increase your chances of landing interviews.
Interviews can be daunting, but they are a skill you can improve with practice. Prepare answers to common QA interview questions, but also be ready to discuss your layoff in a positive light. Focus on what you've learned from the experience and how it has prepared you for future roles. Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to gain confidence and receive constructive feedback.
Maintaining a positive outlook is essential during your job search. Layoffs can be challenging, but staying optimistic will help you persevere. Keep a routine, set daily goals, and celebrate small victories along the way. Remember that every application sent and every connection made is a step forward. Your attitude can make a significant difference in how quickly you rebound in your QA career.
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Understand the algorithms used to sort resumes. With AI here, most resumes go through initial scans to hit the 85% ratio-résumé:job description. If a résumé clears the 85% it will be passed on to the next level. It is imperative to cut directly, phrases, sentences and descriptions, from the job posting itself, into your résumé. Following this general rule of thumb, will allow the AI to confirm the resume & job description to be a good match. Good matches move onto the initial round of the interviews. Understand self marketing on LinkedIn. Display an “open to work banner”, update profile daily. Lift up folks by commenting posts, posting, helpful information and reposts, heighten use presence in the algorithm.
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