How to Handle International Remote Application Processes

If you're starting to search for international opportunities, you may have wondered what an international selection process looks like. And truth be told: no two selection processes are the same. They can differ, even in Brazil, depending on the industry and the company's size. 

But in general, tech selection processes involve several stages that assess the candidate's skills and fit for the job. This happens even if you’re doing the selection process in a talent network. Therefore, candidates need to be well-prepared for each step of the selection process. This way, you can showcase your skills and communicate effectively with the employer.

This article will explain what you can expect from selection processes to make you more confident.

What is the international selection process like for US remote jobs?

Remember that the selection process may vary between companies, but due to high demand, processes have been greatly simplified in technology.

In general, selective processes can contain five basic steps:

• Application

• Screening

• Validation of soft skills

• Validation of hard skills

• Offer

These steps are a good starting point to prepare yourself for the journey. And although they are very similar to the selection processes for Brazilian companies, we want you to understand each step well. So let's understand one by one:

Application

This step involves submitting your Resume and cover letter to the company and filling out any necessary forms or information requested. This can happen on career pages, social networks, or the website of the company you want to work for. It is similar to what happens in Brazil: you send your Resume to the vacancy and await a response.

Screening

Then comes the Screening stage, a process carried out by recruiters on the company's side. It boils down to sorting the resumes of candidates and seeking and selecting those with the best fit for the vacancy. It is a step that will determine which person has the profile closest to the ideal to occupy the open position.

This process can also have a stage made by telephone or video call. The recruiter gets in touch to understand the person's career moment. At this stage, all you have to do is make yourself available to possible contacts from recruiters.

Validation of soft skills

Then comes the soft skills validation step, usually done in a conversation, the "interviews." At this stage, you can show your communication skills and share experiences. This shows the recruiter your personality traits, how you dealt with your previous team, and how you solve everyday situations.

At this stage, the recruiter assesses cultural aspects to understand whether you will adapt well to your new colleagues' values, beliefs, and behaviors.

Remember that you are applying for an international vacancy, so all these communications will generally be in English.

Validation of hard skills

Finally, we progress to validating hard skills, a very common step in international selection processes. The objective is to assess the technical capacity of the candidate to the requirements specified in the job description. Technical interviews are often question-based as well as job-specific tasks. For example, if you are applying for a vacancy in Node, you will likely solve this technology's technical challenges.

Offer

After going through all these stages, the long-awaited time to receive an offer arrives. If you succeed in the previous steps, the company will offer you a job offer. They will detail the compensation and benefits package, start date, and other important information.

The moment of salary negotiation is usually smooth. After all, if you've reached this stage, it's to be expected that the pretensions have already been evaluated in advance. And in that case, just make sure the offer is fair for a US remote job. If your functions align well with the contract, you can accept the position and enjoy all the advantages of remote work abroad!

How to be prepared for a remote selection process?

Preparation never hurts if you plan on working remotely for international companies! If you want to do well in an international selection process, you must consider some points:

1. Optimize Your Resume for US Remote Jobs. You need to tailor your resume to match the job description. For remote jobs, this process takes a little extra fine-tuning. Here’s how to optimize your resume for international opportunities.

2. Ensure a stable internet connection for the video interview. Familiarize yourself with remote communication tools and platforms for virtual interviews. You need to know the video conferencing software and make sure your professional workspace is well-organized and tidy;

3. Research the company and the role you are applying for. This way, you’ll be prepared to discuss your experience and qualifications in detail and ask questions to the interviewer. You'll also show enthusiasm for the role and the opportunity to work remotely abroad.

4. Practice your interview and ensure you look good on camera. Dress appropriately, and be on time and responsive to the interviewer's requests. Practice active listening, intense eye contact, and effective body language in a virtual setting.

As you can see, landing your fully remote job requires preparation and a strong understanding of the selection process. Having a solid resume, making a great first impression, and communicating your qualifications effectively is essential.

At Olby, you can access the Profile Review to ensure your Resume will stand out. And you'll get Interview Practices, with training sessions to help you feel confident and ready for your following interview.

If you want to enhance your interview skills and increase your chances of landing the job, we'd love to help. Join us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your career goals!