Looking for Advice on QA → Dev Transition

Hi everyone, I’ve been working in QA for ~6 years, but over time I’ve felt that I’m not reaching my full potential and the growth (especially salary-wise) hasn’t been very encouraging. I’ve always had a strong interest in development, and I’m seriously considering making the switch to a developer role.

I’ve already resigned from my current organisation and am serving my notice period. My dilemma is: should I directly start applying for dev roles now, or take a short gap after my notice period to fully reskill (Java, DSA, frameworks, etc.) and then apply?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has successfully transitioned from QA to Dev

What path worked for you?

How did you bridge skill gaps in a tabular short time?

Did a gap for reskilling affect your chances?

Any must-do certifications, projects, or portfolio tips?

Any insights, suggestions, or real experiences would be greatly appreciated.