Chasing a Better Life: How I Landed a Tech Job Abroad

Practical Tips for Relocating Without a Perfect Plan

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Have you ever dreamed of relocating to another country—of starting fresh in a new place, with new opportunities and a better quality of life? For software engineers, the prospect of working abroad is both thrilling and intimidating. I know this firsthand.

As a software engineer born and raised in Brazil, I faced challenges that went beyond code. Despite a comfortable salary, daily life was overshadowed by safety concerns—simple acts like using my phone in public or walking home at night felt risky. When I started thinking about raising a family, those worries grew. Then the pandemic hit, amplifying my frustration and pushing me to seek a safer, more stable future abroad.

In this article, I’ll share my journey from planning and preparation to landing my first job offer overseas. From navigating visas to acing interviews, I hope my story inspires and equips you to take your own leap as a software engineer.

Planning and Research: Keeping It Simple

I’ll be honest: my planning phase wasn’t a masterclass in organization. I didn’t spend months comparing countries or building intricate spreadsheets. Instead, I took a straightforward—some might call it reckless—approach to kickstart my relocation journey.

My criteria were clear and simple:

• Companies in developed countries

• Visa sponsorship available

• Good work-life balance

With these filters, I zeroed in on Europe, drawn to its tech hubs like Berlin and Amsterdam, which offered both opportunity and a lifestyle that felt safer and more balanced than Brazil. I skipped deep dives into cost-of-living calculators or immigration policies at first. My focus was finding companies willing to sponsor my visa—a non-negotiable hurdle for relocating.

As I started applying and getting responses from employers, I naturally dug deeper. I researched salaries on platforms like Glassdoor, checked healthcare systems, and even browsed posts from expats to get a feel for life in cities like Munich or Lisbon. But in the beginning, I let my desire for a better life guide me, keeping my planning lean to avoid paralysis by analysis.

Looking back, a more detailed plan might have saved me some surprises—like underestimating rent in European cities. But taking action, even imperfectly, was the key to moving forward. If you’re considering a similar move, don’t let the quest for a perfect plan stop you. Start with a few clear priorities, and refine as you go. Try jotting down your own three must-haves today—what’s driving your relocation dream?

Preparation and Job Search: Getting Ready and Taking Action

With Europe as my target and visa sponsorship as a non-negotiable, I rolled up my sleeves to prepare my application materials and dive into the job search.

Updating My CV and Online Presence

I knew a polished CV and LinkedIn profile were my first steps to catching recruiters’ eyes. I revamped both to focus on impact, not just duties. For example, I highlighted the number of requests that the system I worked had to support. These metrics showed employers what I could deliver.

Targeting Companies That Sponsor Visas

Next, I zeroed in on European companies offering visa sponsorship. I used LinkedIn’s job filters to find roles explicitly mentioning sponsorship and browsed boards like Relocate.me for tech jobs in Europe. I also checked Glassdoor for company reviews to gauge culture and work hours, ensuring I’d land somewhere that aligned with my goal of a balanced life. This targeted approach saved me from wasting time on roles that wouldn’t work.

Starting Before Feeling Fully Prepared

I’ll admit, I didn’t feel 100% ready for interviews, but I started applying anyway. Waiting for the “perfect moment” risked missing real opportunities. Since English isn’t my first language, those early interviews were nerve-wracking but invaluable. Each one helped me get comfortable explaining my experience and skills, like practicing a new codebase in real time. This learn-by-doing approach boosted my confidence, even if it meant a few rejections along the way. I know this strategy won’t suit every company—some have grueling, multi-stage hiring processes—but for me, jumping in early was the key to progress.

What’s one step you could take today to kickstart your own job search?

Handling Applications and Interviews: Learning as I Went

Once I started applying, the relocation process felt real. Crafting applications demanded care, but interviews—especially in a second language—brought both challenges and growth.

The Application Process

For every job with a cover letter option, I seized the chance to stand out. I tailored each letter to the company’s mission or products, like when I connected my work on scalable APIs to a Berlin startup’s focus on seamless user experiences. This showed recruiters I’d done my homework and was eager to contribute. A personalized cover letter isn’t just a formality—it’s your chance to shine.

Interview Experiences

All my interviews were in English, which wasn’t my first language. I sometimes stumbled over technical terms or missed nuances in questions, but most interviewers were patient, giving me space to clarify. Those early calls were like live coding sessions for communication: imperfect but invaluable. I learned you don’t need flawless English to succeed—just clarity and confidence.

To prepare, I made daily study a habit, using LeetCode for algorithms and system design tutorials on YouTube. During interviews, I watched for cues like an interviewer’s nod or hesitation. If an answer fell flat, I noted it and adjusted my prep, focusing on weak spots like system design or explaining past projects concisely.

Learning from Rejections

Not every interview led to an offer. Rejections stung—especially one where I missed one simple JavaScript concept—but I treated them as feedback. I reviewed tough questions, like those on distributed systems, and practiced until I could answer confidently. Each rejection sharpened my skills and taught me to anticipate what employers valued, bringing me closer to my goal of a safer, balanced life in Europe.

What’s one interview question you’re nervous about? Try practicing it today!

Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash

Receiving an Offer and Reflections

After weeks of applications, interviews, and relentless studying, I received an offer from a fintech startup in Amsterdam. That moment was electric—a mix of excitement, relief, and pride. It wasn’t just a job; it was the key to a safer, more balanced life for my family.

The Offer and What It Meant

The email confirming the offer felt surreal. As someone who’d never worked abroad, knowing a European company valued my skills and would sponsor my visa was a game-changer. It meant I could finally plan my move, envisioning a future where my family could thrive without the daily safety concerns I faced in Brazil.

Looking Back on the Process

As I celebrated, I reflected on how far I’d come. Beyond mastering algorithms and system design, I’d grown as a person—pushing through language barriers, adapting to tough interview questions, and bouncing back from rejections. Each step, even the painful ones, built my confidence and prepared me for the challenges of relocating.

Key Takeaways

Here’s what I’d tell anyone chasing a job abroad:

• Start Before You’re Ready—Apply early, even if you’re nervous. My first shaky interview taught me to clarify questions upfront.

• Tailor Your Application—Craft cover letters that tie your skills to the company’s mission, like linking my API work to a startup’s goals.

• Use Interviews as Practice—Don’t let imperfect English stop you. Each call hones your communication, as I learned after stumbling through technical terms.

• Learn from Feedback—If an interviewer seems unimpressed, adjust. One rejection showed me I needed to brush up on distributed systems.

• Stay Persistent—Rejections hurt, but they’re progress. Each “no” refined my approach until I landed the offer.

This article is an overview of my experience getting a job abroad. If you’d like me to dive deeper into any specific part—such as how I studied, how I tracked my applications, how I organized my time while working full-time, or any other topic—please leave a comment! Your feedback will help me decide what to focus on in future articles.

Your dream job abroad is within reach—start today!