Experiences for Country Relocation in the Tech Industry
Around the World is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1999 as a single from their album Californication. The song’s infectious guitar riff and energetic bassline perfectly complement its lyrics, which vividly recount the band’s globetrotting experiences. Just like the band, which is one of my favorites, the goal of this article is to share my experiences on how to possibly go around the world while building a tech career along the way.
Void
It’s easy to advise people who have plenty of resources to start with. But what about those who have nothing? I won’t lie; there is no such thing as a shortcut to achieving great things. Starting a tech career might be a simple step, but there will be numerous challenges throughout the journey. While I can say that my career began with a scholarship in Germany, I need to take a step back in time to explain how I got there.
Idiom
I guess the story of how I ended up living abroad dates back to the ’00s. As an ordinary kid, I couldn’t fully grasp the countless opportunities my parents were opening up for me when I started taking English classes.
Learning a second or third language is undoubtedly crucial for those who are willing to relocate to another country. Although I was fortunate that my parents could afford private classes for me, nowadays people with fewer resources can begin studying other languages by utilizing free applications such as Duolingo or Babbel.
Education
After becoming proficient in English by the end of 2006, it took me some time to realize that I needed to learn another language. In 2009, I started graduating in Computer Engineering. I learned a lot from it, but looking back seems to me that the credits I made could have been much more streamlined.
Google does seem to understand what I mean, and it feels like somehow they agree with my humble opinion. This perception is supported by their launch of the Grow with Google program, which offers free certification in various technology-related areas. Google’s training is one of the best initiatives I have ever seen, as it accelerates people’s entry into fields like Information Technology, making a formal Computer Science or equivalent degree no longer a requirement in this process.
Exchange
It was only in 2010 that I decided to take German classes, as Germany is renowned for offering excellent education in the field of Engineering. After two years of dedicated study, an opportunity presented itself when the Brazilian Government began sending students abroad. During my time at Friedrich-Alexander University, I became acquainted with the German Academic Exchange Service, which led me to contemplate how others could access similar opportunities through hard work, without necessarily relying on government support.
Don’t misunderstand me, I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity my country provided me. However, the truth is that through these academic programs, many developed nations invest in talented individuals from other countries, subsequently benefiting their own economies. In exchange for the skills of these foreigners, they offer a high-quality standard of living.
Resume
It doesn’t require much self-criticism to glance at my earlier resumes and contemplate how tedious it would be to read them in their entirety. This sentiment is undoubtedly magnified when considering it from a hiring perspective, as there could potentially be thousands of other applications similar to mine.
Being pragmatic with resume descriptions is not only essential for relocation purposes but also a necessary approach when applying for any position. In particular, I have found it even more effective to incorporate visual content. Alongside having valuable experience, a well-crafted resume can significantly enhance the chances of becoming a standout applicant.
Agencies
Being in the industry, I often hear about the shortage of qualified professionals in the tech career field to fill open positions. The notion of “qualified” can be subjective, but the reality is that there are indeed numerous tech positions overseas waiting for someone to seize them.
Some of these positions can be found through hiring agencies. One notable agency operating in Europe is Hays. However, there are also several other agencies such as Brunel, Adecco, and more. All of them share the common objective of connecting individuals with available job positions.
Job Boards
Instead of taking a passive approach and relying on others to identify potential job offers, another great option is to actively search for open positions on job boards. LinkedIn, a widely known career-oriented social network, currently hosts one of the best job boards out there. Xing is another very similar option to build up a career network. Monster and Indeed might also help in this search.
Take myself as an example once again: In 2016, while living in Brazil, I applied many times via Stepstone until I managed to get approved for a position that would require immediate relocation to Germany.
Remote
Despite all the hardships brought by COVID-19, it is undeniable how the pandemic has shifted people’s priorities in the pursuit of a job that can provide a better quality of life. Particularly in the tech industry, numerous positions have become available for remote work, and this trend continues to this day.
It took me approximately three months and numerous rejections until I finally secured an immediate relocation opportunity to live in Germany. Relocating can be an expensive and challenging process, particularly without sponsorship. Taking a step back and applying for remote positions can be beneficial in establishing trust firsthand before asking for a possible relocation.
When contemplating the experiences of my former colleagues and reflecting on my own, I can’t think of a simpler way to achieve relocation to another country than by starting with remote work.
Honestly, when I had the desire to live abroad, I wasn’t exactly sure how to make my dream a reality. If I were to pitch this idea to someone, I would summarize it in five simple steps:
- Learn a second or third language
- Obtain a tech education, whether through formal or informal means
- Develop a distinguished and impressive resume
- Apply for positions abroad through hiring agencies or job boards
- Consider starting remotely to establish a strong reputation and trustworthiness before requesting a relocation
Do you have a relocation story? Feel free to share it in the comments section. Thank you for showing your appreciation by clapping and sharing if you enjoyed this article. Also, don’t forget to follow me to stay updated on upcoming ones! =}
