5 tips for landing your first international software engineer job

The technology market is booming. According to a Dice survey, job offers in the tech world have increased by 45% in 2022 in the North American market. This data confirms the growth trend and proves that there is plenty of room for the evolution of your career as a software engineer.

It is the ideal time to think about your next steps. Working for an international company is an excellent opportunity to take you to the next level; however, the big question arises: how do you even get your first remote job abroad?

We are about to answer this question. As a talent network, we help many professionals find the right opportunities for their growth. We know you can set a clear path toward your first international job offer with just a few simple tips. The reality is that the process is more accessible than it may seem.

An international career as a software engineer is interesting for your personal and professional life

How to get your first international software engineering job

You probably already know the theory of finding a remote job that allows you to work from home for an international company. Searching for a job position, interviewing, doing some tech challenges, and receiving the offer are the most general steps, and we will cover them here.

Level up your skills

Technical knowledge is essential in landing your first international job as a software engineer. On the other hand, your soft skills are also a necessary part of this game.

Companies pay much attention to your behavior and how you react to situations. It will also be essential to understand how adapted you are to working remotely and your cultural fit with the company.

So pay attention to these skills:

• Emotional intelligence;

• Time management;

• Resilience;

• Leadership;

• Communication.

During your interviews, soft skills will make all the difference in helping you to stand out among the crowd.

Polish your profile

Take great care of your online presence. The content on your social media profiles, GitHub, LinkedIn, or any other online profile is your representation as a professional for companies, so you also need to show your skills as a software engineer. Most of the time, this will be the first point of contact potential employers and recruiters will have with you. So your profile on social networks like LinkedIn must be well-built and well-presented.

You need to know how to show your skills as a software engineer in the best light

Detail your professional experience, what you've done, and the achievements you've had. Always use numbers to make the data tangible. You should also use LinkedIn as a bridge to connect with other software engineers and recruiters. Finally, remember that your professional profile is built on several elements added to your resume. That's why your online presence is so fundamental.

Search for remote job opportunities

When you're satisfied with the online presence you've built, it's time to start looking for opportunities.

There are several places to find vacancies: job boards, LinkedIn, or specific companies' websites. The truth is, finding your first international software engineer job takes time. Searching for jobs is also a job in and of itself.

Thus, it is essential to organize a strategy for this step. The first tip is to create a list of companies you would like to work for. This list will help guide your search so that the opportunities on your radar are aligned with your goals.

Understanding what you want from your career and what you're looking for in a job is essential.

Reflect on these:

• What do you look for in a company's culture?

• What do you expect in terms of salary and compensation?

• What makes you happy at work?

• What achievements do you want to reach?

This clarity is necessary because, as we pointed out at the beginning, the number of opportunities is immense. So, to sum up, it's best to understand which way you want to go.

Apply for the jobs on your list

After all this research, apply when you find an exciting job.

Applying for jobs will require time and attention. You will need to pass several stages until the offer to work as a software engineer in an international company arrives.

First, the resume must present your skills well, then move on to the cover letter, which must tell your professional background. Finally, you will get to the interview phase after all of this. But your profile needs to stand out from the rest to go through all these steps.

Your profile is the first thing the recruiter sees, which is why it needs to be well-crafted

That's why the application phase is so crucial. First, [olish your resume and highlight the main achievements you've had in each previous job. Don't send the same resume to multiple companies, as this will hurt your chances of making it through the process.

The recruiter needs to be sure that you are the perfect candidate to fill that position, and submitting a powerful application is your first chance to achieve this.

Prepare for interviews

The international tech interview is the moment that can cause the most nervousness - mainly because they will be in English. Therefore, getting prepared will be crucial to perform well.

To increase your chances, you ought to:

1. Research and get to know the company culture well. This will help you build your answers and understand what the recruiter expects;

2. Have your experiences and achievements at the tip of your tongue. You need to point out data and numbers so the recruiter can make tangible the level of the problems you have previously solved.

3. Think carefully about your answers. Don't just openly speak your mind or ramble on. You must be intentional in everything you say.

4. Train as many times as necessary. You also need to rehearse for an interview. Being well-prepared will help you better manage anxiety.

Olby helps your international job-searching journey!

The road is not always short, but your first international software engineering job could be just around the corner. If you want to learn more about the possibilities of working remotely abroad, sign up at Olby. We shorten the path between you and your first international remote job so that you can save time in several selection processes. Apply to our network and get matched with your dream opportunity.