I’m from a country you’ve probably never heard of: How I got a remote job in the US 🙌🏻

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

Hello! My name is Nico. I’m a software engineer from Paraguay, and since 2021 I’ve been working fully remote for companies in LATAM, Europe, and the US.

Why am I writing this? If you are from a country like mine and want to start working globally, I want to share some quick advice on how to make it happen.

Disclaimer

⚠️ Disclaimer: This is based on my personal experience.
There is no magic formula; read this and draw your own conclusions.

Learn English

First things first: this is your number one priority. If you’re a developer and don’t know English, stop focusing on React or Rust for a moment. Learn English first. While AI can help you write emails or documentation, real‑time communication in meetings is what gets you (and keeps you) the job.

A bit of experience

I recommend having at least a few years of experience before applying to international companies. There is a massive market for junior developers, but companies often prefer local talent for entry‑level roles to simplify onboarding and legalities.

Prepare an AI‑friendly resume

Keep it simple. Avoid fancy colors or complex layouts. Most companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)—often powered by AI—to screen resumes. If an algorithm can’t parse your data, a human will never see it. Make it readable for both machines and tired recruiters who have already seen 100 resumes before yours.

Logic over “LeetCode”

Is learning algorithms still necessary? Yes, but with a twist. In the AI era, writing the code is the easy part. However, you need to understand complexity (O(n) notation) and logic to verify if the code the AI generated is efficient or even correct. Practice basic algorithms to sharpen your mental models, not just to memorize solutions.

Master the basics

AI frequently “hallucinates” or provides outdated patterns. To debug effectively, you must know the fundamentals. If you use React, master JavaScript (scopes, event loops, closures). If you use Laravel, master PHP.

Scientific evidence in software engineering suggests that strong foundational knowledge is the best predictor of a developer’s ability to adapt to new tools, including AI.

The numbers game

Applying for jobs is a marathon. You might send 100 resumes and get 99 rejections—that’s normal. You only need one “yes” to change your career. It can be frustrating, but the reward of a remote international career is worth the effort.

Closing thoughts

Thanks for reading! Working remotely changed my life, and I hope it does the same for you 💪🏻