English translation · Reader alias: XingzhouRead the Chinese original ↗
Echo correspondenceNO. 07
Third exchange / For Airing
From Xingzhou
Time is running short. How do I accept an imperfect choice?
Reader alias · Xingzhou
NO. 07Letter
Xingzhou to Airing
Airing,
I hope this finds you well. How has work at [company and location removed] been treating you? I am writing to discuss a possible new offer and the one I already have.
A quick update: I have interviewed with [company names removed], but none of those processes reached the end. Just as I was about to give up, [specific recruitment contact and referral route removed].
Perhaps because I interviewed there during autumn recruitment, it seems I only need a few informal conversations this time, so I feel fairly hopeful.
But this is a software development in test role. From our conversations, it may involve more development than testing, and differ somewhat from QA. I wanted to ask how you would choose between these two options:
1. Backend development at [cloud services company and business removed], [compensation and city removed].
2. Software development in test at [mobility company and department removed], [estimated compensation and city removed].
The main reasons I am hesitant are:
1. Concern about the future prospects of test development.
2. Concern that the shared quality platform is peripheral to the business.
If I chose [mobility company], the advantages might be:
1. A stronger name on my résumé, making future job changes easier.
2. More money.
3. More opportunities in [new work city] than in [current work city].
NO. 07Reply
Airing to Xingzhou
Xingzhou,
Thank you for your trust and the update. I do not think either option is particularly ideal, but time is also becoming a real constraint.
Your analysis of [mobility company] is fairly thorough, and I also think it may be better than [cloud services company]. When you interned there in test development, were there more opportunities to do development work? You could also ask someone inside. And ask whether anyone has successfully transferred internally from test development to a development role.
If both of those points check out, I do not think the problem is too great. But plan your career path after joining. There are probably two routes:
1. Progress quickly within the testing role.
2. Build experience quickly, then transfer internally or change companies to move into development.
Plan the timing of those steps.