The right way to Succeed as an Immigrant in Tech: Ideas for Your Job Search

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I moved to the United States exactly ten years ago. I’ve said it a lot lately: maybe my brain is still adjusting to this milestone. I remember the day a friend told me, “I plan to stay in this country for 5 years.” »

At the time, I thought, “Five years is a long time; I will definitely be here for a lot less.

Well, ten years have passed and I still live in the San Francisco Bay Area – it’s the longest time I’ve lived in one city as an adult.

Before moving, I did a lot of job search search. I felt prepared: I had a good CV and had worked for international companies, including Hewlett-Packard and Visa, in one of the world’s largest advertising agency networks. It sounded impressive on paper, but when I started interviewing, I was faced with some real challenges.

I felt like I was saying one thing, but the interviewers heard something completely different. I spent a lot of time feeling confused, often repeating myself just to make sure I got my point across.

Eventually, they would understand the full extent of my experience. As I became more comfortable with this new country, culture, and language, I began to grasp its nuances. It was subtle.

Tips for your tech job search

The purpose of this article is to share the observations I encountered and how you can keep them in mind if you are open to new opportunities and I am looking to work abroad. My perspective comes from my work in tech in the Bay Area, and here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Learn the language.

When I say “learn the 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 will hear phrases like “Do you have any blockers?” » or “Are you joining the daily?” UX Designers are now often called Product Designers. Many Scrum Masters have moved into project management roles.

When people see a resume that lists the person as both product management and project management, it can be confusing. Why do they play these distinct roles?

Understanding and using industry-specific language can make a huge difference in how your experience is perceived and understood.

2. Write your CV well.

Your resume should be a concise showcase of your skills and accomplishments.

Before moving to the United States, I hadn’t updated my CV in 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 generally avoid photos or design elements. Instead, focus on crafting strong bullet points that highlight your responsibilities and the impact you’ve had on your team and your product. Show those impact numbers, don’t just describe the responsibilities of your role.

3. Spend time with industry professionals.

This one is hard to quantify, but it’s often about looking at the little things: mannerisms, the way people speak, the tools and apps they use, and the priorities of their industry or organization. business. Interact with people, listen to their stories and find out what matters to them.

Learn more:

Don’t be afraid to ask questions; people love sharing their travels. It’s a great way to stay inspired and learn new things. Find out what interests them, whether it’s design, user experience or innovation.

4. Learn more.

I like books; they inspire me, help me learn new skills and provide insights from top leaders, almost like an MBA in a book. I used to read primarily in Portuguese, but becoming fluent in English opened up a whole new world of content for me.

If English is not your first language, reading in English can give you access to resources you might otherwise miss. Reading helps accelerate 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 cultural mapand recommend it to anyone working in a culture different from yours. This book, Find your collaboratorsthat’s great too.

5. Understand the interview process.

When I started interviewI didn’t know what to expect.

In tech, the first interview is usually a phone call with a recruiter who reviews your experience and asks basic questions. The second interview is usually with the hiring manager and focuses more on your overall experience. The third step could be an interview with several stakeholders or spread over two days.

Then you might have a follow-up with the hiring manager where they ask you more in-depth questions before you take a test or receive a job offer.

These five ideas have dramatically transformed my career in technology over the past decade. Like the books that inspired me, these learnings transformed my journey.