How to Become a Software QA Expert

Contributed by Craig Kohler

Quality Assurance (or QA) jobs (even in the a single industry like IT) can be more varied in scope and focus than many people realize. The task of a QA expert is not necessarily just to ensure that a product or service being provided is of a high quality, but also to assure the customers of that fact (so it can also be considered part public-relations job).

Further, in particular fields like software engineering, QA professionals may be called upon to engage in any or all levels of the process - from testing basic code to final products, and from rearranging to dismissing members of a software development team.

Virtually any QA job will require at least an associates (if not a bachelor's) degree in at least one related field. However, depending upon what specific kind of QA expert you wish to become, the requirements and skills needed can vary greatly.

If you are going to be involved more on the customer/client side of a company, good communication and marketing skills are a must and a degree in one of these could be the key. If you are instead on the software or product development side of the equation, you may be required to have special knowledge of the particular program languages being used, thus necessitating a degree in computer science.

Regardless of the specific nature of the QA job you are pursuing, however, you will need to have good people skills and the ability to multi-task - as a QA professional is usually more a generalist (as opposed to a specialist). Often QA personnel have to mediate between people in multiple disciplines as at various levels of the corporate hierarchy. So, no matter the specific QA job in question it is essential that you become at least somewhat versed in the various roles, responsibilities, skills and abilities of those you interact with. This will allow you to translate information across a spectrum of departments and disciplines within the company you are working for.

For more information on Software Testing, visit http://www.qa-software-testing.com

How To Get Video Game Testing Jobs

Contributed by Kismet

What are video game testing jobs, I hear you ask? Well, it is not for everybody. Most people would think that game tester jobs would be a very glamorous job playing all the latest games and having a lot of fun. The reality is that it can be much more involved than you first expect. For example, you have to test and re-test the same level of one game over and over again until you finally tease out and report any bugs that might be in there. If you have an eye for detail and you have a lot of patience, and, of course, a love for playing these games, then perhaps video game testing jobs might be for you.

After all, they get to play all the newest games available often months or years before the general public even gets to see them. You also get to see what is happening in the industry and get to know about all the new and latest releases that are coming up. So the area is very competitive. Many people who start video game testing jobs go on to become software developers, or other related positions. For example, Tommy Torrino, one of the composers of the sound track for the incredibly popular game "Halo", started in the industry as a video games tester! Being able to advance in this type of industry means that you need to know the right people and starting game testing jobs will definitely put you in front of all the right people!

You can get video game testing jobs for any level of experience; however, the senior positions that command a higher salary require a few years experience in the industry and/or a major in a degree with a gaming related theme. Salary for this industry can vary widely, too. If you have just got started you could perhaps expect to earn $10-$20 per hour and this can go right up to $100 per hour and more if you have all the right qualifications and experience.

Probably one of the best ways to get started to see if you would like the industry is from home. You may not get paid as highly for these jobs, but you apply for video beta game testing jobs and this will give you the opportunity to play brand new but unreleased games from the comfort of your own home. The manufacturers are looking to iron out any bugs or challenges with the game before it goes on sale to the general public.

Getting into the game testing jobs isn't easy. You will need guidance from experienced gamers who have done it before and now offer their help. For an unbiased review of the top 3 games job guides, go here.

For more information on Software Testing visit http://www.qa-software-testing.com