3 Career-Killing Mistakes QA Professionals Must Avoid in 2025
After spending 14 years in the software testing industry, I’ve seen many common patterns that stop QA professionals from growing. These aren’t small mistakes—they are career-killers. I’ve made these mistakes myself earlier in my journey, and I want to help you avoid them before they hold you back too.
Whether you’re into manual testing, or just starting to explore automation, this blog is for you. Read till the end—it could be the wake-up call you need to shape your QA career in 2025 and beyond.
Mistake #1: Staying in the Comfort Zone Too Long
Recently, I met someone at a QA workshop who has been doing manual testing in the same company for 14 years. Yes, 14 years—same job, same company. He told me two things that hit hard:
- His salary hadn’t increased much in years
- He was too scared to attend interviews
This is a classic example of being trapped in comfort. On the surface, everything feels fine—but deep down, you’re stuck. No new skills, no promotions, no growth.
Let me give you a personal example. In my 14-year career, I’ve switched 4 companies. One of my close friends, who has only switched once, is now earning half of what I make—just because he chose to stay comfortable and never took new challenges.
Action Step:
👉 Start giving interviews, even if you’re not actively looking for a job.
👉 If you’re still doing only manual testing, start learning automation.
👉 2025 is all about growth. If you’re not upgrading, AI might replace your job.
Mistake #2: Poor Communication & Not Building Relationships
This is something I see often in workshops and live sessions. People say things like:
- “Sir, I can’t explain my bugs properly.”
- “I feel nervous when reporting to my developer or team lead.”
- “My manager doesn’t see my contribution.”
The root cause? Poor communication.
Now, communication isn’t just about speaking English fluently. It’s about being able to express what you’re doing, what you’ve achieved, and what you need help with. If your thoughts aren’t reaching the other person clearly, you’re not communicating.
Also, relationship building is equally important. For example, if you create a new automation repo or write test cases for a new feature—show it to your team. Highlight your work to your lead or manager. That visibility is key to recognition.
Tools to Improve Communication:
- Practice English with tools like Duolingo
- Use platforms like Cambly to talk to native speakers (they offer monthly subscriptions too)
Action Step:
👉 Focus on clear communication, not fancy words
👉 Build visibility by regularly sharing your work
👉 Improve your relationships within the team—it helps with growth and job switches
Mistake #3: Ignoring Skill Development
This is the biggest mistake I’ve seen among QA professionals who’ve been in one role for many years.
Some people spend 7-10 years in one job doing just manual testing. No upskilling, no exposure to new tools, no learning. What happens? Their career becomes stagnant.
When I started, I didn’t stop at manual testing. I learned:
- Mobile testing
- Performance testing
- Security testing
- CI/CD tools like Jenkins
- Cloud platforms like AWS and Azure
That’s what helped me wear multiple hats and stay relevant in this fast-changing industry.
Action Step:
👉 If you’re into manual testing, start learning automation (Selenium, Java, etc.)
👉 If you’re already into automation, move to advanced topics like framework design, scaling test suites, or cloud testing
👉 If you’re a test architect, start learning how to lead teams and build enterprise-level test strategies
These are the 3 mistakes I’ve seen and made myself:
- Staying too long in the comfort zone
- Poor communication and lack of visibility
- Ignoring continuous learning and skill upgrades
If you feel stuck in your job, not getting the raise or promotion you want, these could be the reasons. Fix them before it’s too late.
Remember:
- Comfort zone kills growth
- Communication builds reputation
- Skill development opens new doors
Let me know in the comments—are you making any of these mistakes?
Would you like more such blogs where I share real career stories and lessons?
If yes, don’t forget to leave a like and share it with your QA friends.
Thanks for reading!
Pramod Dutta
SDET | Mentor | 14+ Years of Experience
