Navigating the US Job Market: André Machado's Journey

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the career journey of André Machado, a talented Outsystems developer who recently made a successful transition to the US market. André's journey highlights the challenges and opportunities that international professionals face when seeking employment in the United States.

Join us as we explore André's motivations for seeking a career change, the obstacles he overcame during his job search, the factors that ultimately led him to accept his current role at Quantori, and the role Gitmax played in his success.

G: Without further ado, let's get started. André, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background?

A: Yeah, of course! My name is André Machado. I've been working as a software developer for the past six and a half years. I'm originally from Brazil, and I've spent the last four years working in US companies.

G: Can you tell me about the factors that led you to consider a career change?

A: In my previous company, I felt that we were stretching the projects and there weren't any new projects coming soon. It wasn't due to a bad environment or personal dislike for the people, but more of a protective move. This prompted me to start looking for US companies.

G: Have you tried looking for a job by yourself?

A: Yes, I tried applying directly to US companies on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn. However, I consistently received the same message: I didn't have a visa or Social Security number, so they couldn't hire me directly.

G: What were your top priorities when looking for a new job?

A: You could say that my priorities were a combination of factors. Of course, salary was a big motivator, but company culture was also important to me. That's why I decided to move to the US market, for both the financial benefits and the better work-life balance.

In Brazil, the work culture is different. It's common to work long hours and often without extra pay. Even if you work a standard eight-hour day, you might be questioned about your motivation if you don't stay late.

I really value a healthy work-life balance, and I found that the US market offers a much more supportive environment in this regard.

G: Were there any particular challenges you faced during your job search? How did you overcome them?

A: I've been fortunate enough to find a job in the US market right away, but I know it's not always that easy. The process is much more complex here compared to Europe or Brazil. US companies tend to prioritize hiring local candidates, even if they have the skills and experience. This can be challenging for those of us from outside the US, even with the help of a consulting firm.

Unfortunately, there's a perception that we're willing to work for lower wages. I'm working to change that mindset. My goal is to challenge the idea that I'm less deserving of fair compensation simply because I'm not American.

I've worked alongside many US developers, and some have been better than me, while others have been worse. Ultimately, we're all doing the same job, but there's a significant pay gap. It's frustrating, but that's the reality.

Despite this, I've never experienced any mistreatment or prejudice within the companies I've worked for. Everyone has always been polite and eager to help, which is something I truly appreciate about American culture.

G: What factors influenced your final decision to accept this job?

A: Two factors influenced my decision. First, the opportunity to work directly for a major US-based client was extremely appealing. Also, Quantori's reputation for innovation and its commitment to employee growth were major selling points for me.

G: Are you satisfied with your new role (Outsystems Developer) and company (Quantori)?

A: Yes, I am very satisfied. I enjoy the technical challenges and opportunities for professional growth. While there were some minor onboarding issues, I'm overall pleased with the company.

G: What aspects of our recruitment process did you find most helpful or efficient?

A: Having gone through countless interviews, I can say that your process was one of the best. It wasn't overly fast, but it was efficient enough. Everyone involved was very responsive, which was reassuring. I didn't waste a lot of time on multiple rounds of interviews, as the process was straightforward.

One thing I really appreciated was the responsiveness of your team. Whenever I had questions or needed updates, they were always there to assist me, often within hours or even minutes. This helped me feel at ease throughout the process.

G: Would you recommend our services to other job seekers? What advice would you give to future candidates?

A: Yes, I would definitely recommend Gitmax. As for my advice, be prepared for demanding clients, especially if the company works with large corporations. While I had a positive experience with Quantori, I did encounter some minor challenges due to my location in Brazil. For example, it took a few weeks to receive my work laptop. However, this was not Quantori's fault and didn't significantly impact my overall experience.

G: Thank you so much, André, for sharing your insights and experiences. It’s been incredibly valuable to hear about your journey and your perspective on the job-seeking process and your new role at Quantori.

We’re really excited for you and wish you all the best in your career. Thank you again for taking the time to speak with us.

A: Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure sharing my story.