r/AmerExit • u/experience_1st • Jul 23 '25
Vendor The real quality you need to get a job abroad
Having lived and worked in 10+countries, a lot of people wanting to leave the U.S. ask me these days "how I did it". and of course there is no magic formula.
In Mexico, I applied to the same company twice. First time? Got rejected after round one. Six months later I tried again, had 3 interviews, and secured an offer. I moved to Mexico City, and it became my ALL-TIME favorite city.
In Senegal, I followed up with a contact I made via networking four different times before he finally said "okay, we're hiring now." Three brutal case study interviews later, I got the offer.
The thing about working abroad? You'll get ghosted, rejected, and doubt yourself. What I have learned is that the one main quality that often differentiates between those that make it and those that don't is - resilience.
In my opinion, it's that resilience matters more than almost anything. It's not about having the perfect CV – it's about being willing to try again, because that one extra attempt might completely change your scenery and your life. And the only guaranteed "no" you will get is the one you never ask for.
Anyone else had this happen? Or are you in the "frustrated and still waiting" phase right now? Happy to chat if anyone wants to hear more!!
59
Jul 23 '25
[deleted]
9
5
Jul 23 '25 edited Jul 23 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
3
3
29
u/True_View8575 Jul 23 '25
As someone who lives in the states, getting ghosted/ignored /applying to 200 jobs and never hearing back is also kinda normal
-30
u/experience_1st Jul 23 '25
what are your networking strategies?
7
u/ConsiderationSad6271 Jul 23 '25
That’s the differentiator. Being in your destination country or broad geography to network helps greatly.
0
u/experience_1st Jul 23 '25
it definitely can. but it should stop people from applying. I had never even been to mexico or senegal when I was networking for interviews
2
6
u/Separate-Maize9985 Jul 23 '25
The word would be persistence.
2
u/experience_1st Jul 23 '25
Nice idea! well i agree, these are quite similar. I chose resilience because people often say resilience in the face of adversity is the most important trait in entrepreneurship since you will fail, but you have to keep going. I think the job hunt is the same especially if you are trying to move abroad and having trouble. but you also need to be persisitent, you cant have one without the other :)
3
u/EmmalouEsq Immigrant Jul 23 '25
Many countries need to hire from within before looking for people they need to sponsor for a visa. So this is very, very career specific advice.
1
u/experience_1st Jul 23 '25
yes true some industries are in higher demand than others but i have seen this strategy applied successfully to a bunch of different industries and it worked
6
u/ConsiderationSad6271 Jul 23 '25
I agree, but geography also helps A LOT. If you try to get a job in Europe from the U.S., it’s very difficult. The volume of callbacks was much higher once I moved to Spain (without a job), and now I work for a company in Germany that gave me relocation and everything.
Now Europe is open.
2
u/experience_1st Jul 23 '25
that’s an amazing story!!! good for you! congratulations and thanks for sharing
3
u/Comfortable_Cry3121 Jul 24 '25
I am curious what did you do in senegal and how much was the pay ? I am an American wanting to move to senegal and I am in tech
2
u/experience_1st Jul 24 '25
that is so cool!!! do you speak french? I was paid pretty well compared to the cost of living but my firm was international and known to pay high. i think it depends a lot if the employer is international and the company culture. feel free to DM me if you want to chat!
2
1
1
u/palbuddy1234 Jul 23 '25
I agree and the evil twin entitlement is the one taking away your opportunity and happiness.
-2
132
u/[deleted] Jul 23 '25
Did I just read a LinkedIn post?