Where to go from testing...
Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
So I'm 3 months into my new job and they have flown by in a flurry of me learning new software, some new skills and generally finding my feet and then bang, it feel monotonous and dull and boring again

I think I am just bored with IT and software testing in general

Where do I go from here though?

I've considered sales as I work better when there is pressure and targets, but have no experience and aren't sales jobs hellish?

I thought about Business Analysis again no real experience although I have done some of the role as a bi product of other roles

I am 31 and have no clue what to do, my lifestyle is such that I am unwilling/unable to take a huge hit in salary to retrain either

Any ideas? Don't worry if not just wanted to rant really

Du1point8

22,799 posts

220 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
recruitment of testers in your area?

To not take a hit in salary but wanting to move is going to be very difficult to do and not possible in IT, depending on what salary bracket and how senior you are?

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
I'm not really senior, I have been testing for about 5 years now

Yeah I thought this might be the case, I just think I need a job where I can at least get out of the office from time to time, get to see different places a bit of travelling wouldn't bother me

I might look into some sort of consulting or implementation maybe, or training I suppose

Du1point8

22,799 posts

220 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
Can you not get the current department to train you?

Or maybe talk about career paths with them to include something more than just testing?

Consultancy testing I presume would just end up being more of the same for you no?

Maybe talk to JonRB, I think he is a tester but doing consultancy/contracting.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
Du1point8 said:
Can you not get the current department to train you?

Or maybe talk about career paths with them to include something more than just testing?

Consultancy testing I presume would just end up being more of the same for you no?

Maybe talk to JonRB, I think he is a tester but doing consultancy/contracting.
I only joined in November smile not sure if it's a bit early to be saying 'This job you hired me for, I don't like it' I don't know how they would react

Ah cheers I may drop him a line

It may just be the post christmas blues in part

JonRB

79,916 posts

300 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
Du1point8 said:
Maybe talk to JonRB, I think he is a tester but doing consultancy/contracting.
Not me; I'm a developer.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
JonRB said:
Du1point8 said:
Maybe talk to JonRB, I think he is a tester but doing consultancy/contracting.
Not me; I'm a developer.
Please ignore my mail then smile

KenBlocksPants

7,517 posts

212 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This will be your immediate difficulty in your current job. No reason you couldnt look elsewhere though.

The only thing with moving into somthing like consultancy is you will go to the complete opposite end of the scale where you are constantly travelling, living in hotels and being away from home (in my experience)

Pre Sales might be suitable for you. Good balance between technical ability and sales technique without carrying the same pressures and targets (while normally working towards a 'team' target)

Well paid for a good one, but difficult to get into without experience. Most Pre Sales got into it at an existing company to learn their craft then make a move to a much better paid proper pre sales position.

Can you demo software well and tell a good story? Present infront of an audience? Convincing, compelling and an 'honest' broker? Analyse requriements and come up with a convincing solution?

Might be worth looking into.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
KenBlocksPants said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This will be your immediate difficulty in your current job. No reason you couldnt look elsewhere though.

The only thing with moving into somthing like consultancy is you will go to the complete opposite end of the scale where you are constantly travelling, living in hotels and being away from home (in my experience)

Pre Sales might be suitable for you. Good balance between technical ability and sales technique without carrying the same pressures and targets (while normally working towards a 'team' target)

Well paid for a good one, but difficult to get into without experience. Most Pre Sales got into it at an existing company to learn their craft then make a move to a much better paid proper pre sales position.

Can you demo software well and tell a good story? Present infront of an audience? Convincing, compelling and an 'honest' broker? Analyse requriements and come up with a convincing solution?

Might be worth looking into.
I like the sound of that actually, I wouldn't mind a bit of travelling but yeah I wouldn't want to be staying away all the time

I can do all those things you have said and well, I have no problems standind in front of people and talking

I will look into it

KenBlocksPants

7,517 posts

212 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This will be your immediate difficulty in your current job. No reason you couldnt look elsewhere though.

The only thing with moving into somthing like consultancy is you will go to the complete opposite end of the scale where you are constantly travelling, living in hotels and being away from home (in my experience)

Pre Sales might be suitable for you. Good balance between technical ability and sales technique without carrying the same pressures and targets (while normally working towards a 'team' target)

Well paid for a good one, but difficult to get into without experience. Most Pre Sales got into it at an existing company to learn their craft then make a move to a much better paid proper pre sales position.

Can you demo software well and tell a good story? Present infront of an audience? Convincing, compelling and an 'honest' broker? Analyse requriements and come up with a convincing solution?

Might be worth looking into.
I like the sound of that actually, I wouldn't mind a bit of travelling but yeah I wouldn't want to be staying away all the time

I can do all those things you have said and well, I have no problems standind in front of people and talking

I will look into it
Nice one.

Im in Pre Sales (If you hadnt guessed) drop me a PM if you have any questions

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
Cheers Ken, just had a quick look on Total Jobs, salaries seem to be nice and the way they describe the roles sounds ideal

I may PM you in the future especially if I update my CV and try to tailor it towards getting a Pre Sales job to get you to cast an eye smile


KenBlocksPants

7,517 posts

212 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No worries mate, happy to link on linked in and pass you onto some trusted recruiters too.

Pre Sales people tend to be a nice bunch (if I say so myself bowtie) as they have been through your exact situation but are not as cut throat and ballsy as true sales people need to be. Making the role ideal for you.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
KenBlocksPants said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No worries mate, happy to link on linked in and pass you onto some trusted recruiters too.

Pre Sales people tend to be a nice bunch (if I say so myself bowtie) as they have been through your exact situation but are not as cut throat and ballsy as true sales people need to be. Making the role ideal for you.
Excellent cheers, I have sent you a mail with my LinkedIn profile smile

Du1point8

22,799 posts

220 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No worries mate, happy to link on linked in and pass you onto some trusted recruiters too.

Pre Sales people tend to be a nice bunch (if I say so myself bowtie) as they have been through your exact situation but are not as cut throat and ballsy as true sales people need to be. Making the role ideal for you.
Excellent cheers, I have sent you a mail with my LinkedIn profile smile
If looking at IT sales, I can put you in touch with a friend who recuites for a few compnaies in London and surrounding area.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
Du1point8 said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No worries mate, happy to link on linked in and pass you onto some trusted recruiters too.

Pre Sales people tend to be a nice bunch (if I say so myself bowtie) as they have been through your exact situation but are not as cut throat and ballsy as true sales people need to be. Making the role ideal for you.
Excellent cheers, I have sent you a mail with my LinkedIn profile smile
If looking at IT sales, I can put you in touch with a friend who recuites for a few compnaies in London and surrounding area.
Do they do presales jobs?

I THINK thats what I want

Essentially what I would like to do is this

2 ish days in the office, catching up on emails, preparing documents, learning new features etc

3 days at client sites, training, demoing, supporting releases, updates, implementation, ideally being able to return home at the end of the day rather than having to stay away from the OH

Is that pre sales/account management?

Du1point8

22,799 posts

220 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No worries mate, happy to link on linked in and pass you onto some trusted recruiters too.

Pre Sales people tend to be a nice bunch (if I say so myself bowtie) as they have been through your exact situation but are not as cut throat and ballsy as true sales people need to be. Making the role ideal for you.
Excellent cheers, I have sent you a mail with my LinkedIn profile smile
If looking at IT sales, I can put you in touch with a friend who recuites for a few compnaies in London and surrounding area.
Do they do presales jobs?

I THINK thats what I want

Essentially what I would like to do is this

2 ish days in the office, catching up on emails, preparing documents, learning new features etc

3 days at client sites, training, demoing, supporting releases, updates, implementation, ideally being able to return home at the end of the day rather than having to stay away from the OH

Is that pre sales/account management?
Contact these guys:

http://www.strattonwalker.com

STRATTON WALKER
"Building winning teams.....one player at a time"
88 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6AA, UK
DD: +44 (020) 7936 5887 - Mob: +44 (0) 7779358229

Ask for Charles Melville (Director) and tell him Simon sent you to talk and see what its all about, he should give you time to go through what you want and then offer advice even if he cant help you.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
Du1point8 said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No worries mate, happy to link on linked in and pass you onto some trusted recruiters too.

Pre Sales people tend to be a nice bunch (if I say so myself bowtie) as they have been through your exact situation but are not as cut throat and ballsy as true sales people need to be. Making the role ideal for you.
Excellent cheers, I have sent you a mail with my LinkedIn profile smile
If looking at IT sales, I can put you in touch with a friend who recuites for a few compnaies in London and surrounding area.
Do they do presales jobs?

I THINK thats what I want

Essentially what I would like to do is this

2 ish days in the office, catching up on emails, preparing documents, learning new features etc

3 days at client sites, training, demoing, supporting releases, updates, implementation, ideally being able to return home at the end of the day rather than having to stay away from the OH

Is that pre sales/account management?
Contact these guys:

http://www.strattonwalker.com

STRATTON WALKER
"Building winning teams.....one player at a time"
88 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6AA, UK
DD: +44 (020) 7936 5887 - Mob: +44 (0) 7779358229

Ask for Charles Melville (Director) and tell him Simon sent you to talk and see what its all about, he should give you time to go through what you want and then offer advice even if he cant help you.
As in pop in and see them or give them a call?

Thats amazing thankyou

Du1point8

22,799 posts

220 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No worries mate, happy to link on linked in and pass you onto some trusted recruiters too.

Pre Sales people tend to be a nice bunch (if I say so myself bowtie) as they have been through your exact situation but are not as cut throat and ballsy as true sales people need to be. Making the role ideal for you.
Excellent cheers, I have sent you a mail with my LinkedIn profile smile
If looking at IT sales, I can put you in touch with a friend who recuites for a few compnaies in London and surrounding area.
Do they do presales jobs?

I THINK thats what I want

Essentially what I would like to do is this

2 ish days in the office, catching up on emails, preparing documents, learning new features etc

3 days at client sites, training, demoing, supporting releases, updates, implementation, ideally being able to return home at the end of the day rather than having to stay away from the OH

Is that pre sales/account management?
Contact these guys:

http://www.strattonwalker.com

STRATTON WALKER
"Building winning teams.....one player at a time"
88 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6AA, UK
DD: +44 (020) 7936 5887 - Mob: +44 (0) 7779358229

Ask for Charles Melville (Director) and tell him Simon sent you to talk and see what its all about, he should give you time to go through what you want and then offer advice even if he cant help you.
As in pop in and see them or give them a call?

Thats amazing thankyou
Just ring up whenever... Charles has been told to expect a call quoting that I sent you.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
I will give him a call later and thankyou again

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

82 months

Thursday 13th January 2011
quotequote all
Du1point8 and Ken, I just wanted to say thankyou, I've had a really good chat with Charles and while he can't help me directly, he has given me some very good tips

Ken cheers for the add on LinkedIn

I think you were both spot on from what you have said and talking to Charles this is exactly what I want to be doing and when Charles told me the salary for the last pre-sales role he filled yikes wow

So just thanks again, the hard work begins now smile