It's not just luck, it's about filling the right buckets In a specific order.

- **knowledge

• skills
• network
• resources
• reputation**

This systematic approach can unlock your potential and set you on the path to success and fulfillment.

So the idea here is that when it comes to our professional success, we all have five buckets.

Bucket 1 : What you know

• Objective: Identify your field within QA, industry focus, and the specific knowledge you possess and want to deepen.
• Tasks:
  1. Define Your QA Field and Industry: Write down the specific field of QA you’re focused on (e.g., Automation, API Testing, Security Testing, etc.) and the industry you want to work in (e.g., Fintech, Web3, Healthcare).
  2. Assess Knowledge Gained Through Experience: List key concepts, technologies, and practices you've learned through past jobs or self-study. Identify which areas you feel confident in and where there might be gaps.
  3. Identify Knowledge Gaps and Learning Goals: Based on your field, create a list of topics you need to learn or update (e.g., new testing frameworks, industry regulations, or advanced scripting languages).
  4. Weekly Learning Commitment: Set aside at least 3 hours a week to focus on filling these knowledge gaps. Choose resources such as online courses, industry articles, or even webinars that align with your focus areas.

Bucket 2 : What you can do

• Objective: Take stock of your technical skills and ensure alignment with job requirements.
• Tasks:
  1. List Your Core Skills and Tech Stack: Write down all technical skills related to QA and testing (e.g., Selenium, Cypress, Synpress, or API testing). Organize them by categories such as programming languages, frameworks, and tools.
  2. Evaluate Your CI/CD and Automation Skills: Specifically list tools and practices you’re familiar with for CI/CD (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI) and for automating tests (e.g., scripting in JavaScript, using Docker for test environments).
  3. Identify Skills to Develop: Compare your skills list to common job descriptions. Highlight any skills that frequently appear but aren’t part of your toolkit yet. Plan to develop these through hands-on projects or short courses.
  4. Create a Skills Portfolio: Start a project or documentation that showcases your expertise in each skill area. This could be a GitHub repo with automated tests, a collection of scripts, or even a demo of a testing environment setup.

Bucket 3 : Who you know

Objective: Cultivate and leverage relationships to increase job search opportunities and industry insights.

• Tasks:
  1. Create a Network Map: List people you know who could help in your job search. This can include former colleagues, recruiters, mentors, or industry acquaintances. Organize them by relevance to your target field or current position.
  2. Reach Out for Informational Interviews: Choose 3–5 people from your list and schedule a time to chat. Use these conversations to get insights on current industry trends, company cultures, or even unadvertised job openings.
  3. Stay Engaged in Professional Communities: Join or become active in relevant online communities (like LinkedIn groups, Discord servers, or QA forums). Aim to contribute at least once a week to build visibility.
  4. Follow Up Regularly: Set reminders to check in with your network periodically. Even a simple message asking about their recent work can keep you on their radar when new roles open up.

Bucket 4 : What you have

• Objective: Optimize your job search tools and resources to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Tasks:
  1. Evaluate Job Hunting Tools: Make a list of the platforms and resources you’re currently using (e.g., LinkedIn, job boards, resume builders). Assess their effectiveness in connecting you with relevant job listings and consider upgrading or replacing any underperforming tools.
  2. Organize Your Resource Budget: If possible, allocate a small budget for job search resources. This could include LinkedIn Premium for direct messaging recruiters, resume reviews, or subscriptions to industry publications.
  3. Access Professional Development Funds: If you're currently employed, see if your company offers funding for certifications or courses. Some employers support professional growth even if you're considering moving on.
  4. Create a Personal Job Search Toolkit: Assemble a portfolio, updated resume, and cover letter templates that can be customized quickly. Include work samples or a GitHub repo link if they are relevant to your field.

Bucket 5 : What the world thinks of you / Reputation

• Objective: Build a professional brand that showcases your expertise, reliability, and dedication to growth.