For Full Stack Engineer Mauro, finding the right North American opportunity took more than applying to job posts. It meant showing employers who he was, demonstrating his technical experience, and stepping outside his comfort zone.
In this VanHack interview, Mauro shares how he found a job opportunity through the platform, prepared for the hiring process, and moved to Vancouver. He also offers practical advice for other tech professionals who want to stand out to international employers.
From a global career to a new chapter in Vancouver
Mauro is an Italian Full Stack Engineer who was born and raised in Switzerland. Before arriving in Canada, he spent around a decade living in Asia and built extensive experience as a remote contractor.
His technical background spans full-stack development, cloud technologies, and artificial intelligence. By the time of the interview, he had been living in Vancouver for about five months and was already describing the move as part of a rewarding professional journey.
The goal that brought him to VanHack was clear: he wanted access to opportunities in North America and roles with North American companies.
Why a specialized talent platform felt different
Mauro had already used freelance marketplaces and large job platforms during his remote career. His experience taught him how difficult it can be for even an experienced engineer to stand out when every application enters a crowded queue.
What felt different to him was the emphasis on the people involved in the hiring process. He saw a stronger focus on creating a good outcome for both the professional and the employer, with support that continued beyond submitting an application.
“They made me feel like a human being and attended to throughout the onboarding process.”
For Mauro, that human connection mattered. Immigration and the chance to work in North America were important goals, but so was feeling supported while navigating the steps required to reach them.
Preparing for interviews without facing them alone
Mauro describes himself as naturally shy. Interviews did not automatically feel comfortable, even after years in the industry. He also saw the assessment process evolve during his time with VanHack, including different technical challenges and more recent AI-focused evaluations.
What made the experience manageable was the way people welcomed him and helped him feel at ease. He recalls multiple touchpoints with the team, including preparation sessions before employer interviews and support during onboarding.
That preparation helped turn the hiring process into a guided journey. Instead of receiving an introduction and then facing every next step alone, Mauro felt accompanied as he moved from evaluation to interview, selection, and onboarding.
The profile change that helped Mauro get noticed
One of the most important moments in Mauro’s story came when he recorded an introduction video for his profile. For someone who identifies as shy, appearing on camera required a deliberate step outside his usual comfort zone.
The video gave employers something a traditional resume could not fully show. It helped communicate how Mauro presents himself, what kind of person he is, and what it might feel like to work with him. He believes this made the hiring process easier and contributed to being shortlisted.
“You have to put yourself out there.”
When the job offer arrived, Mauro described the feeling as wonderful and gratifying. The work he had put into presenting his experience had helped the right employer see more than a list of technologies.
Mauro’s advice for tech professionals seeking international jobs
Mauro’s advice is practical: candidates should meet the opportunity halfway. Support from a talent platform can create access and improve preparation, but a strong profile still depends on the effort a professional puts into it.
He recommends taking the available technical and AI assessments, documenting professional experience thoroughly, and including personal projects that demonstrate real expertise. A resume should not only list responsibilities. It should explain the impact the candidate’s work had on the product or business.
His strongest recommendation is to add an introduction video. Communication matters in international hiring, and a short, authentic introduction can help employers understand the person behind the profile before the first live conversation.
A successful search starts with being visible
Mauro’s story is a reminder that experience alone does not guarantee visibility. International job searches ask candidates to translate years of work into a profile that employers can understand quickly and trust.
By completing assessments, clarifying his impact, recording an intro video, and working through the interview process with support, Mauro made it easier for an employer to recognize the value he could bring. That effort helped lead him from a global remote career to a new opportunity and life in Vancouver.
Ready to strengthen your profile and connect with international employers? Explore tech opportunities with VanHack.
