A different kind of job search

Last year I was searching for a new job in Munich, and I didn´t use the standard way of sending my application to companies to do so. Instead, I wanted to get more information about companies that caught my attention due to their business models or vacancies. So I researched about events they hosted or attended to get in touch with them. After all I wanted to figure out first if the company and the job would actually arouse my interest.

Job interview or event?

At these events I mainly focused on learning about the working atmosphere, whether my potential colleagues are likeable and what my daily tasks would be. For choosing an employer and a job, these kind of ‘soft’ factors are the most important criteria for me. At job interviews it is hard to find out about these: The situation is formal, both applicant and interviewer want to make a good impression, and applicants only get to know one or two employees.

So, that was why I went to Testbirds’ ‘Gaming Night’ last year. Being a networking event as part of the Bits & Pretzels Startup Night, it was a perfect match for me. The Testbirds Startup Night event gave me the chance to get to know the company in an informal manner. I met a lot of Testbirds’ employees, among them some of my potential colleagues from the Project Management Team. Since the event was casual and easygoing, I got a pretty good impression of the people working at Testbirds and the QA & UX services they offer to their clients. Furthermore, socialising with team members gave me insight into the daily business at Testbirds and the specific tasks of a User Researcher.

I liked the event itself a lot as well as the company´s culture and my prospective colleagues. This is why I am now working at Testbirds myself. Two days after the event, I officially applied, knowing I am interested in the job at Testbirds. After providing proof that I am a good match for the job in a (formal) interview, I joined Testbirds as a User Researcher a few weeks later.

Bug Bounty @ Testbirds

On October 1st Testbirds invited me once again to an after-work event, ‘Bug Bounty @ Testbirds’, a part of the Bits & Pretzels Startup Night. This year I am participating as a Bird and am excited to meet and get to know our guests. Who knows, maybe I´ll get to know one of my future colleagues …

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Testbirds specialises in the testing of software such as apps, websites and Internet of Things applications by using innovative technologies and solutions. Under the slogan, “Testing Reality”, the company offers various testing methods to its clients looking to optimise the user-friendliness and functionality of their digital products. With over 250,000 registered testers located in 193 countries, Testbirds is one of the world’s leading crowdtesting providers. In addition, the IT service provider utilises cloud based technologies to support customers in the optimisation of their digital products. The combination of the two testing methods delivers a unique and extensive portfolio that takes the quality of software to the next level. Testbirds was founded in 2011 by Philipp Benkler, Georg Hansbauer and Markus Steinhauser. Today, the company has over 100 employees. Other than its headquarters in Munich, there are now offices in Amsterdam, London and Stockholm, franchises in Hungary and Russia and sales partners in Italy.