In recent years, there has been increasing attention on Quality Assurance (QA), with rapid developments in every sector making QA increasingly important. Moreover, new regulations at the European level are raising quality standards, prompting companies to seek professionals with expertise in quality management, engineering, and validation to ensure compliance.

 

But what are the key traits of a good quality manager? We have listed 5 essential skills for effective QA. Whether you are a quality manager seeking to enhance your abilities or a hiring manager searching for the ideal QA candidate, read on!

 

5 skills of the best QA/quality managers

 

Although we find candidates for the STEM sector, which is a typical beta sector, organisations have an increasing emphasis on communication and soft skills. Soft skills involve all the personal traits, social skills, habits, communication skills and language skills that colour your relationships with others in the workplace. This includes friendliness and optimism.

 

As a staffing consultant, we speak to many candidates every day. We screen these people not only for their work-related knowledge but also for soft skills. These soft skills are also very important for QA specialists and quality managers. That is why we have compiled a list of 5 characteristics from the soft skills category, 5 skills that make the difference!

 

1. You communicate clearly – both in writing and in person

The best quality managers communicate exceptionally well. They are always visible on the work floor and communicate with different people – from employees to directors. The QA professional is often the point of contact within an organisation as they issue advice at different levels. What the quality manager says has impact. Therefore, as a quality manager, you must communicate instructions, requirements and expectations.

 

Your role is often technical, and the industry has its own jargon. Yet, as a QA professional, you always know how to translate one profession to another. Communication skills are crucial in the role of a quality management professional.

 

2. You are critical and have an eye for detail

'No detail escapes your observant eye!' you sometimes read it in a job posting, but the cliché is true.

 

Meticulousness is an important trait for a QA professional. This is an innate trait, but you can improve it through practice. This way, you ensure you get better at your observation capabilities. This will help you immensely in your profession as a quality manager.

 

3. You are very organised

You carry out audits with great regularity. And you know that, to set up a process in a structured way, you need to be organised. Utilise your organisational skills to maintain a clear overview. You can also apply project management methods such as Lean Six Sigma.

 

4. You love to research and are well-versed in guidelines

This is inherent in any profession that involves research, but it is also important for QA. Make sure you are always aware of recent developments in Quality Assurance. If something has been done or researched before, you are the one to bring out these results.

 

In the age where Google dominates, knowing where you get your information is even more important. Looking up information, analysing it and applying it correctly is even more important than remembering it.

 

5. You are analytical and have an eye for the bigger picture

Minor deficiencies can sometimes have significant consequences! As a QA professional, you can calculate the impact of decisions. Thanks to your training and experience, you know precisely what effect certain changes will have. You should always maintain an analytical mindset to evaluate the impact of decisions properly.

 

How do you become the best QA specialist?

 

Becoming a specialist doesn't happen overnight. It takes time! Make sure you always ask for feedback at every interview or conversation. What do you do well, and what can you improve? Ask your colleagues for input on what you can do better.

 

Also, look around your environment: who is doing an excellent job in your area and which other professionals inspire you? This is the only way to take the next steps on your career path as a QA professional.

 

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Whether you are a professional looking for a job or an organisation looking for talent to strengthen your team, Progressive's specialists are ready to help.