How did you start your journey in testing?
When I entered the testing world at my former company, I was immediately placed in a management role. My first role was as a project manager. I worked on large, complex projects that required a lot of testing. Through my work as a project manager and later on as a head of the department, I became more and more involved in test automation. This included more than just automation work: hiring people, motivating team members, supporting project managers, innovating test automation and reinventing the way we work. A few years later, I started doing consulting in this area.
What inspires you in testing?
I think my answer is typical for every Tester or Test Consultant. When the Software Developers create something, testing is more of a “destruction factor”, which I really like. However, I don't mean "destruction" in a negative sense (just pointing out what is bad). It is always the idea to help improve the software quality by finding a solution together.
At Sixsentix I currently have several roles. In addition to the project work that every consultant does, I also do sales and account management. These three roles give me the opportunity to help our customers and make them understand their pain points in terms of software quality. Sometimes the solution is testing, sometimes it is consulting and sometimes it is assessment.
What skills are the most crucial for succeeding in testing/consulting?
In consulting, it is very important to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills in addition to professional skills. You need to be able to talk to customers and know how to do this in the most efficient and smooth way. In the service industry, it is always about getting to know the customer's expectations and making them happy.
Why did you choose Sixsentix?
My decision had a lot to do with the team and the issues we discussed during my interview. I saw a lot of overlap between what I had worked on before and what I would be doing in the future. I was very happy with that because I didn't want to start from scratch in a completely new area. Compared to other companies, Sixsentix offers very clear and transparent working conditions. And of course, I have to mention my impressions after the interview with Matthias, the Managing Director. Right from the start, I realized that we had the same views on many issues.
What can you tell about the people you are working with?
I really like the team at Sixsentix because we are all good team players, but at the same time we are all individuals from different cultures. We have 13 different nationalities in the office, which is a lot of fun. We enjoy learning about each other's personalities and backgrounds. We also have a very active internal company life, which includes events such as Frankfurt Fridays, culture sessions and so on.
How do Sixsentix values align with your own values?
They are completely aligned at a very deep level: I even have the company values on the wall in my home office. The most important value for me is #continuous_improvement. Sometimes a day's work becomes routine, and the “improvement factor” makes it more interesting.
By the way: Everyone in our team takes #ownership as one of the guiding principles of Sixsentix. You can assign projects to our teams and be confident that they will be completed on time and to a high standard. We rely on each other, trust each other and take ownership.
Quality Assurance,
Sixsentix Germany
I would recommend Sixsentix because it is a flexible work environment where you always feel valued and included. Yes, you are working on your projects, but there is also dedicated time for you to develop your personal and business skills as well. This is a very healthy approach.
How does Sixsentix support your professional development?
For the first time in my career, I am working for a company that values your personal growth and development. In my previous business life, this wasn't always the case. Companies usually decide how much they will benefit from their employees' self-development and really prefer people to work on their self-development in their free time.
At Sixsentix Germany it's completely different. Every other month I have a 1-on-1 with our managing director. One of the topics we discuss is self-development: what I want to achieve and how the company can help me achieve it. These meetings are not just procedural, they are very helpful in many ways. I have the opportunity to grow and develop on my own terms and at my own pace.
What do you appreciate the most when it comes to working at Sixsentix?
The best thing is the work-life balance. I have a family and two children, so it is important for me to be able to focus on my family as well as my work. Sixsentix gives me the flexibility to focus on my personal life when I need to, and to provide the best service to my clients, giving them extra attention and dedicated time when they need it. With Sixsentix I can do all this and the option to work from home makes it even easier.
What sets Sixsentix apart from other companies?
Firstly, there is the potential for self-development. Secondly, at Sixsentix we work with clients from different sectors, which leads to a lot of new experiences: different people, different cultures, different industries and different pain points to solve. I appreciate that.
Can you describe Sixsentix in a few words?
Continuous improvement, ownership, breaking limits.
Why would you recommend Sixsentix?
It has a flexible working environment where you always feel valued and involved. Yes, you work on your projects, but there is also time to develop your personal and business skills. It is a very "healthy" approach.
By the way, one of our initiatives at Sixsentix Germany is that we anonymously track the mood and situation of each person in the team on a weekly basis. We analyse any problems that might arise, both for individuals and for the team as a whole. We measure it and find a way to change it. And once we have found solutions, we take action and implement them. "Attention and focus on people" - that is Sixsentix.
What advice would you give to people considering applying to Sixsentix?
Be natural and don't be afraid to get to know the team, even during the interview process. Bring your fun side when you meet the team!