i almost moved to the US 🎣
So back to the usual program 🤣 basically I’m in a new company now and quite happy with my working conditions! I like working with my team, we keep each other in check and actually like talking outside of work, educating one another.
On a work trip, my friend working in a US startup founded by our mentor calls me and tells me “eh bro I think got job for you sia” I was pretty happy ngl cos I really want to go back to california. It’s just being able to live a different life on my own terms that makes me fulfilled, roadtrips on the weekend that satisfy my wanderlust in my 20s hahaha
That aside, I struggled a lot with deciding to proceed with the interview cos I’m grateful I even have a job that I like working as and my boss has been amazing in recognising effort without me asking for it and always offering advice on problems with any deals. In the end, I figured that I can’t let this opportunity slip by me again and I’d always wonder what if so I spoke with the CTO and staff engineer.
This team is so cracked. Their CTO is the ex CTO of chinese big tech and they’re building at lightning pace compared to sg firms. This was another decision point: to throw myself back into an environment where I’m constantly being technically challenged in my implementation and evaluating tradeoffs, only to learn from the best and take it forward from there, I felt so inspired just from speaking with them. They didn’t just ask about my technical skills but also who I was outside of work, making me believe that they really do invest in who they hire.
In the end, they did give a verbal offer as u see above and lots of back and forth just to fasttrack the contract. Only to get ghosted after a month.
I felt played cos I was genuinely evaluating if I wanted to implode my current life and uproot everything to move over to this crazy country where I have to worry about getting deported by ICE every week 💀💀 I even got happy and excited about starting a new life again and all I can achieve there.
My friend from said startup just came back and told me he can’t recommend anyone to join the company now. Our mentor had a fight with the CEO over hiring practices and decided to leave by this month (so hiring freeze). The work culture is also q dog, they’re imposing full WFO policy from 6am - 6pm and doesn’t seem like it’ll be changing anytime soon. While the conditions sound horrible, I still feel like ass getting ghosted. At least just tell me plans changed etc.. I gave up any thought of the possibilities and decided to live my life as planned in sg for the forseeable future.
I learnt some lessons in corporate “espionage” here:
1. Never announce anything until its signed in black and white - always keep the worst case in the back of your mind, less you get deported with no job & visa in 4 months 🤣
2. Sometimes situations are completely out of your control - spheres of influence 🙏
3. People might have shitty work ethic but you’re in control of how you respond - focus on being the best person for yourself, the world handles the rest
My new favourite word is 缘分 - something meant for you won’t ever pass you by so easily
Deciding to move abroad for work is a huge step, filled with emotional and practical challenges. From my experience of nearly accepting a US startup role, I've realized how important it is to maintain a balance between ambition and caution. The excitement of potentially living in California again brought a burst of energy, fueled by dreams of weekend road trips and independence. But the reality of visa uncertainties and the risk of uprooting one's life can't be ignored. One key takeaway is the importance of firm commitments. Even with a verbal offer and enthusiastic talks, I learned never to fully commit until the contract is signed and official. Delays and ghosting from the company, despite lively initial communication, reminded me that hiring processes can sometimes be unpredictable and fraught with setbacks beyond your control. It also emphasized how critical it is to keep backup plans and not abandon your current stable job prematurely. The work culture I encountered at the startup was another eye-opener. Learning that the company imposed strict in-office hours (6am-6pm), especially amidst global discussions around flexible work, helped me reconsider if that environment aligned with my values and work-life balance needs. Hearing about internal conflicts and hiring freezes added to my concerns, making me appreciate my current supportive team more. This whole experience reinforced the idea that career moves are more than technical skill matches – it's about finding organizations that respect and invest in their people holistically. The CTO and staff engineer genuinely cared about who I was outside work, which I found inspiring. It's essential to find teams that challenge you professionally but also support your growth mentally and emotionally. In retrospect, this journey was not just about a job opportunity but about understanding my priorities and limits better. It's crucial to listen to your instincts while being open to new challenges. And sometimes, if something doesn't work out now, it might just be because something meant for you hasn’t arrived yet — as reflected in the beautiful Chinese word 缘分. For anyone considering international job moves, my advice is to thoroughly research company culture, ensure clear communication, and prepare for possible disappointments. Stay grounded in your current role until everything is officially finalized, and never lose sight of your long-term goals and well-being.
