Discover What U.S. Companies Seek 🔎

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Taking Advantage: U.S. Companies Seek Latin American Talent

A mid-2021 study found that 60% of remote workers in Latin America work for foreign-based companies. Additionally, 43% of respondents worked remotely for over three years.

Foreign companies highly value Latin American talent due to their exceptional training. However, these companies often seek specific qualities that may not be apparent to candidates or that they don’t highlight in their resumes. 

We spoke with leading U.S. companies, Haystack News, COR, and Regrow, to uncover the qualities they seek in top LatAm talent. Keep reading for an insider's perspective. 

🗣️ Strong Soft Skills, Specifically Communication

Employers highly value soft skills and technical expertise in remote work environments. Nicolas Sarmiento, Customer Success Manager at Haystack News, emphasizes the importance of having a broad skill set and the ability to communicate effectively, receive advice, and be eager to continue growing professionally, particularly in a specific technology.

Employers actively seek professionals with exceptional communication skills to work with diverse teams on a global scale. It's worth noting that this also applies to written communication, not just verbal communication.

As a leading outsourcing company, we have observed a pattern where professionals prioritize speaking abilities over written communication. However, written communication is equally important and must be given due priority.

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💪 The Importance of a Strong Work Ethic and Passion for Work

Soft skills require a strong work ethic and passion for one's work, which fuel the eagerness to grow and succeed professionally. 

Nicolas Sarmiento of Haystack News states that companies overseas are searching for proactive candidates with a long-term commitment, intending to invest in their careers and continuously enhance their skill set to grow professionally.

Dependability, reliability, and time management are essential to a strong work ethic. In contrast, passion for work drives individuals to go the extra mile to succeed. These qualities enable professionals to excel, thrive, and contribute positively to their company culture.

👩‍💻👨‍💻 Expertise Trumps Educational Background in Today's Job Market

Employers now prioritize relevant expertise and skills rather than educational background alone. At Haystack News, candidates must demonstrate dynamism and proven experience, with showcasing abilities and expertise is more critical than just having an academic base.

Similarly, Jett Metcalf, Head of Talent at Regrow, values technical skills the most on resumes and emphasizes the importance of candidates' problem-solving abilities as much as their technical knowledge. Hiring managers often decide about a candidate within the first minutes of meeting them, highlighting the need to demonstrate practical expertise and technical knowledge.

So, how much do they look at education? 

👉 Jett Metcalf reveals that expertise is typically more critical than academic background, especially for developer roles.

📝 Now is the Perfect Time to Review Your CV

A well-crafted CV is crucial in today's highly competitive job market. As mentioned earlier, recruiters typically spend less than 90 seconds reviewing a candidate's CV, highlighting the significance of making a solid first impression. Here are the perspectives and advice from our three industry leaders on what makes an outstanding resume.

• Nicolas Sarmiento, Customer Success Manager at Haystack News, suggests that candidates should be clear about their working dates and avoid listing multiple jobs simultaneously. This can send the wrong message about flexibility with remote work. He advises candidates to view their CVs as a mobile app.

• Gabriel Marin, CTO at COR, emphasizes the importance of accurately listing the number of jobs and companies worked for and the duration of each position in a CV. Additionally, he stresses that the self-description provided in the CV reflects one's attitude and character, making it essential to convey oneself accurately.

• Jett Metcalf, Head of Talent at Regrow, recommends demonstrating proactiveness, highlighting technical skills, and providing details on problem-solving abilities in a resume. He also advises tailoring the CV to the culture of the company one is applying to and suggests searching for U.S.-based resume templates as a helpful tip.

🤨 Where are international recruiters hiding? 

U.S. international companies usually use 3 methods of candidate searching:

• General job sites such as LinkedIn and Indeed.

  • Jett Metcalf recommends a multifaceted and proactive approach to job hunting, which includes applying online, sending a LinkedIn message, and following up intentionally and hopefully.

• Post on remote IT job boards!

• Utilize social media and developer communities to showcase your talents and abilities. Recruiters are constantly searching these platforms for potential candidates.

• Take advantage of recruitment services that can connect you with leading tech companies.

👀 WHAT DOES REGROW LOOK FOR IN LATAM TALENT?

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✍️ QUOTE OF THE WEEK

🇺🇸 “We hire for hard skills. We fire for soft skills. The ability to interact and communicate with others or behave ethically and take responsibility for things tends to be where people tend to break down." - Rick Stephens, Senior Vice President of HR, The Boeing Corporation.

🇧🇷 “Contratamos por hard skills. Demitimos por soft skills. A capacidade de interagir e se comunicar com os outros, comportar-se com ética e assumir a responsabilidade pelas coisas tende a ser onde as pessoas tendem a quebrar.” 

🌎 “Contratamos por habilidades duras. Despedimos por habilidades blandas. La capacidad de interactuar y comunicarse con los demás, comportarse éticamente y asumir la responsabilidad de las cosas tiende a ser donde las personas tienden a colapsar.” 

Soft skills play a crucial role in today's workplace, as highlighted by this quote. While hard skills remain essential, high-performing employees distinguish themselves by effectively communicating, collaborating in teams, and demonstrating ethical behavior.

Success in the fast-paced and ever-evolving job market requires personal and professional growth and adaptation. This quote is a valuable reminder that investing in and honing our soft skills is essential to achieve career goals and thriving in any industry.

I hope you enjoyed this week's edition! Have questions or topic suggestions? Let's chat! Remember to check out our Discord channel, where you can join a thriving community of 1.210 LATAM professionals who discuss career tips and networking opportunities. We're here to help you soar to the top. 

Stephanie Cerf - Head of Community at TECLA.