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6.7Common Mistakes in New QA Roles
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Criticizing the existing setup immediately | Alienates the team who built it | Acknowledge the good before suggesting improvements |
| Trying to change everything at once | Overwhelms the team and dilutes your impact | Pick 1-2 focused improvements and execute them well |
| Working in isolation | Misses context and fails to build relationships | Pair with team members, attend all ceremonies, communicate frequently |
| Not asking for help | Wastes time and signals arrogance | Ask questions early. Saying "I don't know this yet" is a strength, not a weakness |
| Overpromising early | Sets expectations you cannot meet | Under-promise and over-deliver on your first 2-3 contributions |
| Ignoring the existing test suite | Misses the team's institutional knowledge embedded in tests | Read the existing tests before writing new ones |
| Focusing only on automation | Ignores process, communication, and strategy | Balance technical contributions with process observations |
| Not documenting what you learn | Loses the fresh perspective that is most valuable in your first weeks | Keep a running document of observations, questions, and ideas |