The interview process left a very poor impression. Much of the conversation focused on the negative aspects of the role, particularly the expectation to support the mental health of overworked, underpaid testers who are constantly under crunch. This painted a bleak picture of the studio's work culture.
There was an unexpected emphasis on programming and building automation frameworks, with questions asking how one would balance writing scripts alongside leading internal and external QA teams, writing test suites, and ensuring compliance testing runs smoothly. It felt like they were looking for someone to take on the responsibilities of a QA Manager, Producer, and Tools Programmer all in one.
The offered salary was insultingly low considering the scope of the role. The cost of living in Milton Keynes is high, and with no option for remote or hybrid work, the salary would be difficult to live on. If the industry is serious about attracting and retaining skilled QA professionals, roles like this are a clear example of why that continues to be a challenge.
On a positive note, the interview helped me realise that with the number of redundancies in QA over the past few years, salary expectations and working conditions for testers are only getting worse. I’ve come to see that I’m overqualified by most companies' standards for QA, and I’ll be looking for better opportunities elsewhere, even if it means I won’t be able to pass on my decades of knowledge and experience.
