Career as a software tester

A career in software testing rarely starts on a greenfield site. Between job advertisement myths and role clichés, the path leads from bug finder to quality coach. Visible value contributions, concrete examples from practice and clear risk thinking are crucial. Networks, recommendations and thorough preparation count instead of spray-and-pray applications. Interviews are successful when good questions lead the way, emotions are categorized and the language is appropriate from the development team to the CEO. Salary negotiations, accessibility and shared responsibility also come into focus. This creates a realistic picture of modern test work and the perspective of sharpening your own profile and anchoring quality not as a control, but as a joint product of the organization.

Podcast Episode: Career as a software tester

In this episode, I talk to Christine Pinto about career paths in testing and how we make our value visible. We dispel job advertisement myths and sharpen our self-image as quality coaches instead of bug finders. Christine shows you how to shoot interviews: with good questions, emotions, concrete examples and risk thinking, from technical to CEO interviews. We talk about networks and recommendations, salary negotiations and attitude. And we touch on topics such as accessibility and the responsibility of the whole team.

"I think we as software testers have a lot of power in interviews because we can work with emotions and when you talk to people like that, the whole basis for negotiation is completely different." - Christine Pinto

Christine Pinto is a Berlin-born software tester who started her journey almost 20 years ago, when breaking things was and still is her superpower. Today she is co-founder and CTPO of Epic Test Quest, where she develops tools that make testing faster, smarter and even fun.

Over the years, Christine has tested everything from fashion apps to government systems, leading teams across time zones and helping testers navigate the rise of artificial intelligence without losing their critical edge. She is particularly passionate about merging human intuition with automation and ensuring that testers are always in the driving seat as technology evolves.

Whether she's breaking things on purpose or helping testers break through their careers, Christine brings clarity, courage and a little bit of chaos to every stage she takes.

Highlights der Episode

• Testers are quality coaches, not just bug finders.
• Good questions, examples and risk thinking turn every interview around.
• Networks and recommendations beat spray-and-pray applications.
• Negotiate salary with a clear attitude and your value proposition.
• Accessibility and quality are the responsibility of the entire team.

Confident in your QA career: How software testers show their worth

Software quality and testing are more than just finding bugs. Christine Pinto demonstrated this impressively in her conversation with Richie in the podcast "Software Testing". She contributed her experience from many years in the quality environment and gave practical tips on how testers can gain more self-confidence, make their value visible and get the most out of job interviews.

How the role of software testers has changed

Many companies still see testers as the ones who "just find bugs". But Christine paints a different picture. She sees herself and her colleagues as quality coaches in the team. Testing is a craft, but it is also about strategy and communication. Testers can help to create high-quality products right from the start. With their work, they ensure that errors and risks are identified at an early stage and accompany teams on the way to better software.

After the boom - uncertainty on the job market

Many people in the quality and testing sector are looking to the future with uncertainty. Many jobs were created after the corona period, but now they are being cut again just as quickly. Then there's the AI boom: will every tester suddenly have to program or will everything soon be automated? Christine is encouraging: "There is no fixed path and not everyone has to become an automation specialist. Experience, strategic thinking and holding discussions at eye level are just as valuable.

Exposing myths about testers and companies

Christine sees misunderstandings on both sides as a major problem. Many companies don't have a clear picture of what they want from quality assurance. You often read job advertisements full of buzzwords and unrealistic requirements. Test managers are supposed to be able to do everything: Manual testing, automation, certifications, requirements and, ideally, project management. This leads to uncertainty on the part of applicants, but also in the companies.

The power of the application interview

As a tester, you can control a lot in the interview. For Christine, one thing is certain: show what you can do. Ask what is really important to the company. What keeps the CTO awake at night? What are the biggest concerns in the project? If you ask questions with empathy, you can quickly get to the heart of the matter - and show how quality can alleviate these concerns. In this way, you demonstrate added value instead of just selling yourself as a bug finder.

Christine gives plenty of practical tips for interviews: Prepare your own questions. Always give examples from your experience. Think out loud when you encounter tasks or problems so that your interviewer understands how you think. Never remain silent, but lead the conversation with your answers and examples.

Networks as the key to success

Many jobs in the testing sector today come from referrals. Christine emphasizes how important it is to connect with developers, other testers and the community. If you share your story, show projects or are active at conferences, you will be remembered. A tip from the network often helps more than the tenth application in response to an anonymous ad. Mass mailings rarely bring success. It's better to be targeted, well prepared and genuinely interested.

Negotiate: Know your own value

Many people are put off by talking about salary or role, especially in the technical field. Christine advises: Take time to think about what you are worth beforehand. Go into the interview with confidence. Don't let yourself be ranked too low - even if the company openly starts with small numbers, you can negotiate on performance and examples. Quality often takes place in silence, but is worth its weight in gold for companies.

Quality starts with you

Testing is an art and a craft. If you see yourself as a coach and top performer in the team, you build trust and move products forward. Interviews are not just mandatory tasks, but opportunities to show what you can do and who you are. You are more than just a bug finder. Take pride in making software better - and the world a bit more usable, safer and fairer.