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Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

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Re: Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

#11

Post by sweezyjeezy »

bwb wrote: post #3

I find this a bit far fetched, with as many problems as the USA has it still has a solid reputation as a place you can come and make a new life with low corruption, a justice system, free speech, affordability, and on the local/state level a government/bureaucracy that still works. Same goes for Germany and countries that provide a high quality of life for their people. I understand the idea, but there is a reason pe…

Don't think the article is arguing that 'broken' countries are poised to benefit here? They specifically say "political and monetary stability". The US does not have a monopoly on that worldwide. In terms of affordability - the US is one of the least affordable places - do you have any idea what an entry-level SE salary can get you in other countries?

Re: Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

#12

Post by bwb »

Oddskar wrote: post #10
bwb wrote: post #3

I find this a bit far fetched, with as many problems as the USA has it still has a solid reputation as a place you can come and make a new life with low corruption, a justice system, free speech, affordability, and on the local/state level a government/bureaucracy that still works. Same goes for Germany and countries that provide a high quality of life for their people. I understand the idea, but there is a reason pe…

I think you overestimate the reputation of the US and underestimate how much it has rapidly declined the last decades. I also think you underestimate how much effort it takes to really start over and become properly integrated in a new country. It is a very enticing prospect for many to side-step this issue entirely and still get an almost unfathomable salary for some countries.

I've personally been remote since 1999 and run teams from around the world since then. The largest was a company I grew to ~130+ people over 18 countries. I know you are underestimating the rep of the USA outside of politics and the dysfunction :)

Remote is a great opportunity and one I've used at every company I've built. But, the thing that draws global talent is money, and American companies have all the money. If anything this is going to hurt local companies who can't compete for top talent hiring out of the USA :)

I will note, i think Canada is doing a great job of being pro-immigrant in a way the USA can't and American companies are opening lots of offices and hiring there.

Re: Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

#13

Post by 1cvmask »

Other than the classic issues like time zones etc. there are some weird rules and regulations regarding worker insurance. A buddy of mine used to get into flak for being outside the US for too long even though he was in sales and always exceeded his quotas. This was the case all before Covid and apparently the rules have still not changed for them.

Re: Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

#14

Post by JohnWhigham »

In the short term, I think it's going to be a lot harder than this article lets on, but long term, it is abundantly clear: cushy developer jobs in the US are on borrowed time. Salaries may continue to go up for a little while longer, but they will fall to reflect the rest of the world catching up with the US. And that's a scary prospect for those under 35 now. And I don't think there's a way out of it. We embrace remote, but at the cost of demise.

Re: Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

#16

Post by itsArtur »

drstewart wrote: post #8
bamboozled wrote: post #2

Except a lot of places are “going back to work” and let’s be honest, timezones aren’t and probably will never be an easy problem to solve.

Not to mention navigation employment laws and regulations. One country is hard enough, let alone doing it worldwide

I think it's getting better - a number of countries worldwide (such as Portugal or UAE) are making it easier and easier for people to work remotely as "contractors". While not perfect, it's definitely a good solution for highly skilled workers who have a strong negotiating position and can ask for all the benefits their country's labour law would otherwise assure.

Re: Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

#18

Post by bwb »

sweezyjeezy wrote: post #11
bwb wrote: post #3

I find this a bit far fetched, with as many problems as the USA has it still has a solid reputation as a place you can come and make a new life with low corruption, a justice system, free speech, affordability, and on the local/state level a government/bureaucracy that still works. Same goes for Germany and countries that provide a high quality of life for their people. I understand the idea, but there is a reason pe…

Don't think the article is arguing that 'broken' countries are poised to benefit here? They specifically say "political and monetary stability". The US does not have a monopoly on that worldwide. In terms of affordability - the US is one of the least affordable places - do you have any idea what an entry-level SE salary can get you in other countries?

Agreed, but if you read down the list the author notes in that list Panama, Croatia, which while beautiful and stable in some ways... are also knows for corruption and other issues.

The USA is very affordable if you look outside of SF/NY and compare it to Western Europe (esp with tech pay). What are you comparing it too?

Re: Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

#19

Post by polycaster »

From my personal experience I think that the most challenging factor with outsourcing is in fact the time zone.

Being situated in Germany I see many webdev jobs being outsourced about 1 hour to the east and about all the way down to South Africa and Mauritius („Cyber Island”).

This are the projects that work like normal. Then of course the vast majority is outsourced to contractors in India or China – but frankly communication in these projects has always been a bummer.

But then again, it's just my own bubble and probably depends heavily on the type of work and the frequency of communication involved.

Re: Remote work will break the US monopoly on global talent

#20

Post by GekkePrutser »

0xy wrote: post #7

I don't buy it, US tech salaries continue to skyrocket and we're nearly two years into pandemic conditions. Just over the last 6-9 months, salaries have markedly jumped. There's still a huge thirst for talent that isn't being quenched, and global pools don't help either. Facebook, Google and others have satellite offices all over to soak up talent elsewhere, but they're still ultra competitive in the US. They can pay…

Still, I find the quality of life in Spain preferable. We have a government health system paid through taxes, no guns on the streets, not much pollution, amazing public transport, 4 weeks holidays and good weather. I prefer having those things as a safety net instead of having to pay for them myself. I really love not needing a car here at all, I haven't driven in years.

I was recently offered a job in silicon valley but despite the fact that I would make several times my current wage and the language would be better for me (I'm not a native here), I wouldn't consider it. Money isn't everything (and silicon valley is crazy expensive, it wouldn't amount to that much). It's about quality of life for me.

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