✅Career changing guide to land a job in Big Tech
Things helped me to land a business job in Big Tech in Silicon Valley
Hi, I am Ellen, I landed a full-time tech job in Silicon Valley without relevant education, engineering background, or visa. I followed the plan and wisely reached out to people. No magic, just strategy!
Follow 10 steps to land your next dream job! Majority of steps applicable to every career development move. Let's ROCK it!
1. Find your passion
There should be something that inspires you, and I may bet that in Silicon Valley, there is a bunch of companies doing very similar things. Explore it and go for your passion! Make a long list of industries and functions that you are passionate about and have at least some experience.
2. Decide where do you want to move and what to do there
Pick a country, state, or region. Is it the East coast, and you are dreaming about a finance job? Or is it the West coast: you want to get entrepreneurship spirit and enjoy sunny weather?
3. Understand your starting point
There are multiple things that may help you during your job search: a history of working in an international company, relevant experience, education in the country you'll like to move to, side projects, participation in professional communities/ conferences, even volunteering!
List everything you did that could be helpful and leverage that knowledge!
4. Grow network
Don't underestimate the power of weak connections. Do you remember that college friend that now works at your dream company? Find him on Linkedin, invite him for a virtual coffee, and ask for advice! Friend of a friend recently joined a new company in California? Connect and ask how he or she did it! Connect, connect, connect!
Find a relevant community and join it! There are multiple of them on Linkedin and even Facebook. One of my favorite powerful communities— Woman in Product on Facebook.
Surround yourself with inspirational people, find those who already achieved what you want to achieve, and follow them. Find a mentor or coach and learn.
5. Involve in a side project
There are multiple options to test drive your dream job, get additional experience, or fill in a gap in your professional profile! Ask your boss or colleagues from relevant to your goals teams if they need help.
6. Consider job upgrade
If you do feel that you'll prefer an inter-company transfer or to get relevant experience in your home country before joining SV company?
Prepare a list of criteria for a new job search considering a recognizable international logo, relevant field or an opprtunity to grow.
7. Screen desirable job listings
On top of usual ways, try: Linkedin job search with notifications, angel list for startups, elpha wor women in tech, grintern for remote internships, subscribe for workatstartup mailing list to find a job in YC startup!
Consider applying through referral: the success rate is much higher than for an average application. Just check on the number of applications on Linkedin for any job at Google 2 hours after posting. Hundreds! You do not want to be competing with all that people and test luck. Show to a company that you'll apply extra effort and empower yourself with a current company employee that already believes you are a great fit!
Be creative and find alternatives. Explore all the options!
8. Prep a stellar profile: Resume and Linkedin
Please, keep it simple (1 pager) and ask for feedback from 3–5 professionals. Please pay attention to what they DO NOT UNDERSTAND and rephrase it.
The resume template that works, Top resume mistakes, Good and bad resume examples, How to fix LinkedIn
Rule of thumb: use facts over process description. For example: "achieved 2.3x revenue growth in 3 months" sounds much better than "helped to achieve short team revenue grow."
Facts are everywhere. Add a crisp and clear description of extracurricular and relevant education, sports achievements, and everything you achieve that matters to you. Be open and honest!
9. Walk an extra mile in interview preparation
Do your home task. Here is some help, check it out: 7 steps to nail any job interview, Situational interview: how to prepare?, Pre-interview checklist
Try to find extra information: latest news and articles, growth perspective, company goals, and announced changes. Watch CEO's recent presentation!
Find a person inside the company to talk to BEFORE the interview! Ask him or her about the role, specifics, and company priorities — getting the inner look will help you to behave as you are already an employee and gives the company a signal that you are extremely motivated and able to do extra work.
Check the Linkedin profile of a person with whom you'll have an interview. Find similarities and try to understand perspective better! Personal connections never harm a conversation.
10. [For non US professionals] Apply for visa
I know at least 5 USA non-immigrant visa types: J1, F1, H1B, L1, O1. They all differ in application criteria, application cycle, and your significant other ability to work.
Find your visa type and consult with a lawyer. Talk to people who already did it! Ask for feedback. Analyze your case.
I made my O1 2 times and may say it is possible!
Last but not least: be positive, manage your expectations!
Out of more than 50 colleagues I helped recently to upgrade their careers, finally, ALL OF THEM managed to develop professionally and get a dream job! What made a difference is effort and motivation, not the level of education, work experience, or salary.
Pessimism never won any battle!
🗞If you like to fight together or need some advice, please comment!