Description

Quality assurance professionals work in a wide range of areas, such as manufacturing (in which the job involves physical labor) and companies that offer services, like consultation (where QA specialists develop strategies and methods to ensure that every client receives the same excellent service and quality). Whatever the field that they are working in, QA specialists have a sharp eye for details and have a thorough knowledge of their company's manufacturing or service procedures.

QA specialists collaborate closely with other departments of the business and occasionally be a part of the executive board or the board of directors. When communicating with them they QA specialists create reports that document any issues or concerns regarding the quality of products, and develop an action plan for the best way to tackle the issues.

The qualifications to become a QA specialist differs by business however, they do require basic qualifications and training. For instance, the majority of companies require a bachelor's degree in a related field to business like finance or management. Additionally, companies might require that the applicant has previous experience in the area prior to selection, to ensure that the candidate is acquainted with the production methods of the field, for instance.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a Quality Assurance QA Specialist with 0-3 years of experience in the United Kingdom, your main responsibilities include:

  • Conducting thorough testing of software applications to identify bugs, defects, and usability issues. This involves executing test cases, documenting results, and providing feedback to the development team.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure adherence to quality standards and requirements. You will work closely with developers, designers, and project managers to resolve quality-related issues.
  • Assisting in the development and maintenance of test plans, test scripts, and test documentation. This involves creating and updating test materials to ensure comprehensive test coverage.
  • Participating in the continuous improvement of QA processes and methodologies.

Qualifications & Work Experience

For a Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist job role, the following qualifications are required:

  • In-depth knowledge of quality assurance principles and methodologies to assess and improve software development processes, ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products.
  • Strong attention to detail and critical thinking skills to effectively identify and document software defects and issues, enabling their timely resolution.
  • Proficiency in using testing tools and frameworks to perform comprehensive tests, including functional, regression, and performance testing, to ensure the software meets quality standards.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers and project managers, to facilitate effective communication and feedback loops for continuous improvement of the software development process.

Essential Skills For Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist

1

Test Automation

2

System Testing

3

Selenium

4

Quality Management

5

Data Analysis

Skills That Affect Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Auditing

2%

Quality Management

2%

Quality Control

7%

Document & Reporting Compliance

4%

Career Prospects

The Quality Assurance QA Specialist role is crucial in ensuring product quality and adherence to standards. For individuals with 0-3 years of experience in the United Kingdom, there are several alternative roles to consider. Here are following options worth exploring:

  • Test Analyst: A role focused on planning and executing test cases to identify software defects and ensure system reliability.
  • Compliance Officer: A position responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance within an organization and implementing quality management systems.
  • Data Analyst: A role involving data collection, analysis, and interpretation to identify trends and patterns, supporting decision-making and process improvements.
  • Validation Engineer: A position focused on validating and verifying systems, processes, or equipment to ensure they meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.

How to Learn

The role of Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist in the United Kingdom is expected to witness significant growth in the market. According to a 10-year analysis, the job role has seen a steady rise in demand. With increasing emphasis on product quality and customer satisfaction, organizations are increasingly prioritizing QA processes. As a result, there is expected to be a substantial increase in employment opportunities for QA Specialists in the future. The projected growth is backed by data from industry reports, indicating a positive trend in the market for this role.