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I moved to the United States exactly a decade ago. I’ve been saying this a lot lately – maybe my brain is still getting used to this milestone. I remember a friend once saying, “I plan to stay in this country for five years.”
At the time I thought, “Five years is a lot; I’ll definitely be here for a lot less money.”
Well, ten years have passed and I still live in the San Francisco Bay Area – the longest I’ve lived in a city as an adult.
Before I moved, I did a lot of research about job hunting. I felt prepared – I had a good resume and had worked for international companies, including Hewlett-Packard and Visa, at one of the largest global advertising agency networks. It sounded impressive on paper, but once I started interviewing, I faced real challenges.
It felt like I was saying one thing, but the interviewers were hearing something completely different. I was confused for a long time and repeated myself a lot just to make sure my message got across.
Eventually they would understand the full breadth of my experience. The more familiar I became with this new country, new culture and new language, the more I began to understand the nuances. It was subtle.
Tips for your tech job search
The aim of this article is to share my observations and how you can take them into account if you are open to new opportunities and want to work abroad. My perspective comes from working in tech in the Bay Area, and here is what I learned:
1. Learn the language.
When I say “learn a language,” I don’t just mean English; I’m talking about the language spoken in your industry.
Different roles have their own jargon. For example, in agile environments you may hear phrases like “Do you have blockers?” or “Are you joining the daily newspaper?” UX designers are now often referred to as product designers. Many Scrum Masters have transitioned into project management roles.
When people list the person as both product and project manager on a resume, it can be confusing: Why do they play these different roles?
Understanding and using industry-specific language can make a big difference in how your experience is perceived and understood.
2. Craft your resume well.
Your resume should be a concise representation of your skills and achievements.
Before moving to the US, I hadn’t updated my resume for years – I relied solely on LinkedIn and my network. In a new country and a new industry, I had to adapt.
In Silicon Valley, resumes typically avoid photos or design elements. Instead, focus on crafting strong bullet points that highlight your responsibilities and the impact you’ve made on your team and your product. Display these impact numbers and don’t just describe your role’s responsibilities.
3. Spend time with industry professionals.
This is hard to quantify, but it’s often about picking up on the little things: the mannerisms, the way people speak, the tools and apps they use, and the priorities of their industry or company. Connect with people, listen to their stories and learn what matters to them.
Read more:
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. People love to share their travels. It’s a great way to stay inspired and learn new things. Find out what they care about, be it design, user experience or innovation.
4. Read more.
I love books; They inspire me, help me learn new skills and provide insight from the best leaders, almost like an MBA in a book. I used to read mostly in Portuguese, but becoming fluent in English opened up a whole new world of content to me.
If English is not your first language, reading in English allows you to access resources you might otherwise miss. Reading accelerates your learning, deepens your understanding of how people in your field think, and teaches you how to communicate effectively in your chosen industry.
I LOVE this book, The culture mapand recommend it to anyone working in a culture other than your own. This book, Find your peopleis also great.
5. Understand the interview process.
When I started the interview, I had no idea what to expect.
In tech, the first interview is usually a phone call with a recruiter who discusses your experience and asks basic questions. The second interview is usually with the hiring manager and focuses more on your overall experience. The third phase could be a panel interview with several stakeholders or could extend over two days.
You may then have a follow-up interview with the hiring manager where they ask more in-depth questions before moving on to a test or receiving a job offer.
These five insights have significantly changed my career in technology over the last decade. Like the books that inspired me, these insights changed my journey.