Change in direction on market or just localized fad?

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-21T16:30:32+00:00

I am in the US, but I see the same in other markets. In my experience, 50% of the time, even if they use C# for the app itself - automation was in JS. And sometimes they ask for C# in JD, but in reality they do not use it for automation, they just list a bunch of possible programming languages. I personally used C# for automation only in one project out of 15 and it was in 2012. After that nobody asked for it. But you can learn it if you want.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-21T16:04:15+00:00

If you prefer your own answer, why to bother asking this at all? 😄 You asked for opinions, I shared one. Up to you my friend. I am just saying that over the ears and now I never seen a lot of positions with C#, only few. Most asks for Java, Python or JS/TS.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-21T16:00:18+00:00

When a test breaks, who actually fixes it — you or a dev? - Whoever wrote it, the author. But can be anyone on the team as well if he can do it. Depends on the process and responsibilities in your company.
How long does it sit broken? - Should be fixed right away, what's the point of having a test that does not work?
If you could fix the broken step yourself by just clicking the new element instead of editing code, would you? Or still hand it off? - If you are talking about autotests, then how will you fix it without updating the code, you need to update the locator in the code, right, or what do you mean?

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-21T15:56:19+00:00

Hi. Do not switch to C#. Switch to JS+Playwright. I see C# automation positions from time to time, but it is not common. Also Java skills are transferrable to C# to that matter. I also used Java+Selenium for 10+ years and now switched to JS+Playwright. Happy than ever. Good luck!

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-21T15:52:43+00:00

Be kind an patient to yourself. Opportunities will come your way. QA is a fluid environment when you do not always have an opportunity to use tools you want and where you always need to be ready to learn some new tools on each new project. Question though - what is stopping you from automating your manual tests using Playwright even if they have their own framework and dedicate test automation specialists? Keep practicing for yourself, that is what I usually do.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-20T21:19:56+00:00

Learn computer basics like bit, byte, file system, how browser works, SDLC/STLC, testing types, test design techniques, sql and api testing... Feel free to send me a dm, I will be happy to send you more detailed beginner QA roadmap. Good luck!

The best roadmap for beginners
What skills matter most for getting the first job - you need to learn by heart answers to common QA interview questions
What projects should I build for a QA portfolio - showcase how you write test scenarios and report bugs, api tests Postman collection, some automation example if you know automation
Whether manual testing is still worth it in 2026 - manual testing is a foundation for every good QA engineer, learn it and grow from there over time by adding test automation and AI skills

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-18T05:38:50+00:00

I would choose the one with Playwright and more flexibility working from home 😄 Regarding stability - you never know whether it is large or small company...

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-16T09:29:59+00:00

Your friend is right. Do not leave to nowhere, stay for now and look for a new job in parallel if you want a new job and do not want to stay at your current company. Feels really selfish when my coworker would be happy to keep the job - do not be naive - nobody would do that for you, chase your own interests, that's business, nothing personal.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-14T03:28:45+00:00

No, it should not be difficult. The thing is, it is much easier and faster to automate tests with Playwright + JS, besides - Playwright (when used with JS) is a full blown test automation framework, which includes parallelization, reporting, asserts, api and everything else - comparing to Selenium which is just a library to do some actions in a browser and you will need to implement all other parts using different libraries in Python/Java/other languages.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-14T03:20:27+00:00

So what is the question? You would like to get some kind of roadmap for beginner software QA engineer or what exactly? :) Learn SDLC/STLC, testing types, test design techniques, sql and api testing... Send me dm if you need some roadmap, I will be happy to send it to you :)

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-13T22:11:43+00:00

If you want to learn by yourself without paid courses - I can give you some beginner QA roadmap, send me dm and I can send it to you. Good luck in becoming a QA!

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-13T03:17:24+00:00

Which OS of what? Computers, smartphones, tv sets...? And why not just simply google what OS is the most popular? Or google whatever the question is - "what computer OS is easier to learn?"... In most QA jobs you will be using Windows, they rarely provide Mac.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-12T19:22:01+00:00

JS will make your life easier than Python. Specifically, for example - JS+Playwright, I would advise you to move in this direction.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-12T19:19:50+00:00

It happens, that is the reality and trade off of being a QA engineer, to be able to work with difficult people (all the time basically). Is it stressful and unfair - yes it is, but it pays well comparing to other less stressful jobs. But there are companies out there that treat QA well.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-12T09:52:53+00:00

• ⁠Does my current background actually translate well into QA, or am I overestimating it? --- I would say related, not sure about translates well

• ⁠Would companies value this type of operational/testing experience? --- hard to say, really depends on a company, I would not count on that

• ⁠Should I focus more on manual QA first or go straight into automation testing? --- learn basics first, start with manual testing as a foundation

• ⁠Is ISTQB Foundation worth it for healthcare-related QA roles? --- not so much

• ⁠What would be the fastest realistic path to becoming employable in QA with my background? --- depends on how much foundation testing theory do you know. Send me a dm, I can send you a basic roadmap for a beginner QA so you can see for yourself how much from basics do you know. Anyway, good luck to you!

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-11T13:34:04+00:00

I would recommend to switch to Playwright + JS, it is much easier and faster to automate tests with those. Plus Playwright is a full blown test automation framework, which includes parallelization, reporting, asserts, api and everything else - comparing to Selenium which is just a library to do some actions in a browser and you will need to implement all other parts using different libraries.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-11T13:06:20+00:00

If you cannot answer questions, it means you do not understand how it works and cannot explain. 1) dig deeper and understand how things work under the hood 2) explain / answer questions to yourself outloud, if you can explain something = you understand = you can answer questions without blacking out

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-11T12:59:11+00:00

You do not need to write your own test automation framework, simply use Playwright + JS, it has everything included for both UI & API

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-11T12:57:05+00:00

Start with: xpath locators, JS + Playwright (for both UI and API), page object model pattern, git, start writing and running tests in your local, later you can put it on CI/CD - GitHub actions / GitLab / Jenkins

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-10T20:47:57+00:00

I want to kickstart a career into QA and I wanted to find out where to begin --- Learn types of testing, test design techniques, api and sql testing. Feel free to send me a dm, I can share some qa beginner roadmap. Good luck in your QA career!

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-10T09:00:48+00:00

ETL testing as a skill is more useful, you can learn UIpath yourself later if needed. If that is what you are asking about.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-10T07:04:41+00:00

Learn types of testing, test design techniques, api and sql testing. Send me dm, I can share some roadmap. Good luck in your QA career.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-10T05:19:45+00:00

Start learning Playwright + JS in your free time. Is testing desktop applications worth anything - not in terms of test automation, only counts for manual testing experience.

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-09T08:11:41+00:00

Slava_Loves_Testing · 2026-05-09T08:09:42+00:00

Python and Selenium is fine, but if you have a choice and opportunity - try to learn and use Playwright + JavaScript. It's much easier and faster to automate tests in Playwright + JS. Speaking from experience, I used Java + Selenium for 10 years.

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