The view from the bottom of the ladder is pretty daunting. You work long
hours, get paid poorly and are the first to go when a project ends This is
the life of a typical game tester and, anyone who has been a tester as long
as I have can tell you, it’s rough. I’ve been working various jobs in the
Game Industry for about 5 years, with 5 different companies and I’ve been
laid off 4 times. Yet, through all the heartache, anger, and self-doubt I’ve
been able to move up the ladder one step at a time. How did I manage this?
Well, part of me wants to say I’m lucky, but deep down I know that surviving
as a tester is about compromise, adaptation and patience. There’s
opportunity and hope on every step of the ladder, you just have to keep
focused on your goal and work through the hardship.

Here are my 5 tips for surviving as a tester:

1. Maintain your relationship with friends and family

When you work 60-90 hours a week, its difficult to find time for yourself,
not to mention your family or friends, but I can’t stress the importance of
maintaining your relationships in the face of hellish work hours. No matter
how many hours you face at work, there will come a time where your employers
have to give you a day off, or simply let you go. Budget your time off to
reconnect with the people you care about. Because when all the sudden the
project is gone and you find yourself in need of a helping hand, they’ll be
the only ones there for you.

2. Live within your means

This is a no-brainer and should really apply to everyone, but this is
especially important to a tester because chance are you will find yourself
unemployed. There is the temptation to reward yourself when OT money starts
rolling in, but realize that you might need some of that money later. Find
ways to cut spending and don’t let your pride or vanity get in the way.
You’re not making the big bucks, so don’t spend money like you do.

3. Apply for Unemployment when you get laid off

Let me say it again, apply for Unemployment the moment you get laid off. The
money from unemployment is not welfare, your employers pay into it and
expect you to apply for aid when you are let go. Chances are you have earned
enough money through OT to make unemployment checks substantial. You’ll have
to cut back, no doubt, but some money is better than none.

4. If you work as a contractor, make sure you abide by local business tax laws

This is something I learned the hard way when I was working as a contract
tester. I was fined by the city of Los Angeles for not filing a business tax
registration form. What¹s particularly cruel about the fine is I owed
nothing, I only needed to file the right form, but by not filing I then owed
money. My advice is to contact your local city’s finance
department and find out what you need to do as a contractor.

5. Make friends with your co-workers

You are going to spend most of your waking moments as a tester with these
people, so you might as well try to get along and be friendly. Plus making
friends with the people you work with will often result in new job
opportunities. I have been able to move up in this industry because I’ve
made friends with producers, leads and other testers. Don’t burn bridges and
you’ll always have better opportunities.