The Invisible Wall Between African Tech Talent and Global Roles
Is there really a way around it?
Ed Note
“The thing to understand about unconscious bias is that merely being aware of its existence is not enough to overcome its effects.” — Siri Chilazi.
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So Shall We?
A few months back, someone told me that the moment he got to Portugal and changed his LinkedIn location, recruiters started viewing his applications and even reached out to him. Meanwhile, when he was in Nigeria and he was trying to apply for international roles, they would not even glance at his application, talk less of inviting him for an interview.
As a Nigerian trying to break into the international market and actually make money, this is a challenge we face but hardly talk about. No matter how good we are or how valuable we can be to a company, it is still tough to land an international remote role that could change our lives.
It is one thing for recruiters to view your CV and decide not to move forward. It is another thing for them to not even bother looking at it the moment they see your location. This can be frustrating because you feel like you are doing everything right, yet something still feels off. Whether it is recruitment bias or the location, we really cannot say for sure.
But from the stories of people who have actually landed good-paying international roles, here’s what I’ve learned:
Build a strong online presence: Focus on building a strong online presence and let the recruiters see what you can do. Optimise your profile for visibility, consistently post your work and show your skills. This way, it is easier for recruiters from anywhere in the world to notice you.
Network on social media: A hill I will die on is how connecting with the right people can change everything. Now, here is the trick: instead of just connecting with everybody, search for founders, tech recruiters, and professionals in your field, then connect with them, especially on LinkedIn. Engage in their post by commenting or sharing your thoughts. You can even pitch yourself in their DMs.
Join a community: This is another hidden treasure that a lot of people do not know. Find a community of people in your field and join. They will always share tips and job opportunities that can help you get a job.
Upskill and be a badass at what you do: This will help you stand out so much that they can’t ignore you. Some recruiters will come looking for you when they see your work.
Be patient: They say the patient dog eats the biggest bone; you have to be very patient because landing an international role is not as easy as you think. Also, do not put all your eggs in the “International” basket. Apply for jobs locally and internationally. It is tough, but it is not impossible. You just have to give it time.
Dos & Don'ts for your Resume.
Here is an Interview Cheat Sheet to Land Your Dream Job.
In case you missed it
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7 African startups rethinking bookings, AI, credits, and commerce to watch.
Google launches programme to train Nigerian developers in generative AI.
Check out our latest article on the TSJ website as well.
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