Quality Assurance Jobs
One of the top ten occupations revealed to be the most satisfying, the Quality Assurance job market is a competitive one, so for candidates looking for roles in this sector, the key is to stand out from the crowd. A space that is driven by individuals with keen attention to detail and process as well as analytical thinking, those qualities must be apparent from the outset, from the structure of your CV to the way you perform at interview.
At the preface to a career in Quality Assurance, you may find your start as a quality control technician before you work your way up to manager position; use this and your time spent in further education taking up any and all opportunities to gain experience in Quality Assurance. Continually looking for ways to improve quality and/or productivity of software, business operations and so on; the role of Quality Assurance manager requires candidates with an astute eye for weaknesses and how those might be improved upon. As a result, any experience in the field will be a certain advantage for employers.
Quality Assurance professionals are undoubtedly critical to business, not least as the face of both QA and internal audit evolve to incorporate tougher measures against which companies are monitored, in addition to a persistently strict regulatory climate. Companies are searching in particular for candidates with more knowledge and experience to combat tougher regulations. As a result it is worth reading up on your area of expertise and making yourself as well-versed in that area as possible to really impress at interview.
The areas of industry where quality assurance professionals are most in demand typically revolve around manufacturing, engineering, automotive, processing, textile and pharmaceutical companies, with banks, universities and government departments also chiefly in the market for quality assurance and control experts. Some of those companies, particularly the bigger organisations, will offer graduate training schemes, something which is important in pursuing a career in this space as employers value work experience. The Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) is a useful source of information when it comes to a career in Quality Assurance, with opportunities for networking and professional development open to its members.
Companies are looking for confident candidates to fill jobs in Quality Assurance, who possess the technical proficiency and ease with numbers and statistics as well as the softer skills of communication and teamwork to add value to the business. Considering a Quality Assurance manager’s responsibility for overseeing the daily operations of fellow employees, the need for strong interpersonal skills are very important criteria for employers to fill. Hiring managers will also be attracted to those individuals who can demonstrate effective leadership skills, planning and organisation as well as problem solving capabilities.
Project management experience, a strong testing background as well as a knack for internal audit and risk management are also key criteria. Undoubtedly those candidates with more experience will command higher salaries, particularly those with experience working with Linux, Software Test, Oracle and Test Automation, but typically Quality Assurance jobs come with an annual salary ranging between £23,000 to £55,000.