A few months ago, I decided that as long as I was doing all this networking to get a job in QA Management, I should use my social media skills to specifically network with industry experts via a new QA blog. There was even an article written in the Fort Collins paper about my blogging strategy. Even though these global experts might not know about specific job opportunities, I'd at least be gaining new knowledge that was bound to help me in interviews.
I started reading more and more about Software Quality Assurance. I joined a lot of groups and networks and began to recognize the leaders. It took awhile for me to build the confidence to start engaging with the big names... It was kind of intimidating! Would I be viewed as ignorant if I asked a dumb question? Would those gurus have time for an "unknown" like me? Would my lack of employment label me as a "loser" or a "pest" only looking for a job?
What I soon discovered is that regardless of how much of an expert someone is, they still appreciate recognition and like to help others gain the knowledge that they have. Certainly we want to do some sort of homework before asking questions of experts, but they are people, just like the rest of us! They write books and blogs and articles so that those of us that want to learn, can do so. And when we engage with them, whether to ask for clarification, respectfully debate a point, or tell them that we admire their work, we start to form a relationship.
Much to my delight, not only did I learn a TON, I began forming relationships with some of these Software QA leaders. We connected via LinkedIn, and in some cases became FaceBook friends. We followed each other on Twitter and I soon started feeling like one of the group! I joined a "writing about testing" network where many of these big names gathered, and put in a "position statement" to be accepted at a conference that is taking place in Durango in May. Only 15 people would be accepted. Again, it was intimidating to submit my name amongst these industry greats. Most of them have written books (much more academic than The Laptop Dancer Diaries!) But I did it...and I was accepted!
Then one day, one of those industry leaders, Matt Heusser, sent me an email. He'd read on my blog that I was interested in telecommuting. He wrote:
I know a web-based media outlet looking for someone with a testing background to do writing, editing, possibly management of the assistant editor for the website.
The job was work-from-home, working for TechTarget's SearchSoftwareQuality.com and would include covering conferences, networking with experts, and researching trends and tools. Was I interested? On a scale from 1-10, with 10 being the most interested, I was a 100! This was a job that would allow me to write, continue to explore Social Media, and stay up-to-date with latest, greatest news in the industry. I was already past the point of being timid about networking with the experts... I loved it. And it would actually be part of this job! How cool is that?
Matt took the trouble to learn more about my background and put in a glowing recommendation. Though I didn't have the journalism or editorial experience they had listed in their job description, I've had a 27-year career in Software Dev and QA, so if they were looking for a software quality techie, I was qualified.
But the HR interview went something like this:
HR: How much editorial experience do you have?
Yvette: None
HR: How much Web publishing experience do you have?
Yvette: None
HR: How much do you know about Content Management Systems?
Yvette: Not much
Yvette: What do you usually look for in a candidate?
HR (chuckling): Someone with a background in editing and Web publishing. So you don't fit the typical candidate...but (nicely) we may try something different.
It actually was not quite as bad as that, but I certainly did not think I was going to get the job.
But a few interviews and editor tests later, I had the hiring manager, the publisher, and myself convinced that I could definitely do this job. Not only could I do it, I could do it WELL. Not just well... ROCK STAR WELL! The hiring manager (who I love for her confidence in me) assured me that I could pick up the journalism skills that were needed. I agree. I feel more confident and excited about this job then any other I've ever been offered.
I start on Monday with a trip to Boston. This is going to be fun!
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That's a great story. Kudos on the new position. I'm constantly pushing myself to speak at conferences and trying to get others to recognize that the skills and stories they have are valuable and worth presenting. The barrier in many cases between the "experts" or "industry leaders" is no more real than the idea that someday you cross some magical line into being a grownup and all of a sudden you know what you're doing. :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the new position and well deserved.
Cheers,
Charley
Congrats :) Doing the right things to get what you want helps. Sometimes, the right things would surface once we try out most of the wrong things.
ReplyDeleteBut we would definitely succeed as long as we
"DO NOT GIVE UP."
Regards,
Ajay Balamurugadas
http://enjoytesting.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, Charley and Ajay! You are two that I learn from!
ReplyDeleteYour post is really so much inspiring for me! I have a sw dev background of 7 years and I sky-jumped into the QA world almost 4 years ago with not a single clue of what I would have achieved .
ReplyDeleteAfter a period of real pain I tried to put my good brain at work aside from the very tedious details of defect editing with an overly cumbersome internal defect management system, and now I can be proud of having sorted out a new organization in my team with an innovative solution which enabled us to really improve the QA efforts.
Now, I'd love to read more about your networking strategies and to share this experience all around :)
Regards,
Luca.
Luca,
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear! Let me know how I can contact you. Maybe I can write about your innovative solution with defect management on searchsoftwarequality.com.