PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 1, 2023 | REMOTE CAREER
Remote work, just seeking something fresh!
Back then, there was no pandemic, and my regular job wasn't too demanding. I had a routine of repetitive tasks and didn't work late. So, in the evenings, I translated my resume into English and applied.
The job opportunity came from a U.S. company, and I didn't have high hopes. I was merely curious about the hiring standards of foreigners. Surprisingly, I received an offer.
Faced with this unexpected offer, I hesitated. I already had a full-time job that occupied most of my time and energy. Did I really want to invest my remaining time and energy into another job?
Upon reflection, the moment of determination came when I saw the salary in U.S. dollars on the offer. I didn't have grand dreams; I just wanted to provide my future self with more options.
Once I joined the team, I realized I was one of only two Chinese members. My colleagues came from all over the world, each with their unique English accents. While I had enough English proficiency to pass the interview, the unfamiliarity of an all-English work environment made me feel like I was back in my first year in the workforce.
Fortunately, another Chinese colleague in the team arrived earlier and had better English skills. They often helped translate and explain verbal tasks given by our manager, allowing me to adapt to this overseas job smoothly.
Apart from my colleagues' help, switching my thinking to English mode was key to rapidly mastering this second language job.
Firstly, I "created a language environment." After receiving the offer, I changed all system languages to English right away. For programmers who spend long hours on phones and computers, muscle memory doesn't hinder you when you switch to a second language. Instead, it invisibly accumulates your vocabulary.
Secondly, I "thought and learned in English." Honestly, I never liked rigid memorization of vocabulary and learning grammar; it was time-consuming and dull. To quickly adapt to work without spending extra time learning a new language (time was limited), I replaced my routine professional knowledge sources and information search websites with English ones. When encountering unfamiliar English words, I looked up their English definitions rather than translating them into Chinese for understanding. Initially, an article had an unknown word rate as high as 80% or even 90%, but eventually, it reduced to 30-40%. It didn't take much time because most of the content was about my professional field.
Lastly, I "learned to mimic and express." In the first week, I rarely spoke during meetings. I was afraid of making mistakes and didn't know what to say. Not speaking left me with only observation. I quietly noted everyone's vocabulary and expressions. After gaining a positive response when I spoke for the first time, I began to mimic the words and tones of my colleagues in casual conversations. Since my colleagues came from various parts of the world and spoke with different accents, speaking confidently could break the ice.
In summary, language was just a tool for work communication. Even now, I sometimes lose focus during meetings due to unfamiliar English words, but it doesn't prevent me from delivering projects on time.
Time was tight, but I regained the sense of relaxation from reading.
When I first entered the tech industry at a big company, I barely maintained my expenses in a first-tier city with my monthly salary. Every day, I repeated the same tasks as the previous day or month. Each morning, I rushed to catch a 45-minute subway ride. There were endless meetings and workplace rules to contend with.
Seemingly comfortable, it brought no benefits other than a paycheck. Conversely, this remote part-time job gave me a chance to catch my breath.
Although it was part-time, the project posed some challenges, and I felt motivated to learn in fields I hadn't explored before. The company and colleagues came from around the world.
The flexible clock-in system gave me the freedom to choose. I could delve into projects undisturbed in the late hours of the night or choose to put work aside on weary nights to find inner peace.
Efficient use of time, rapid skill improvement, improved language proficiency, and less than 35 hours of extra remote work per week—tough but mentally satisfying.
The last work-related choice before turning 30.
Family, friends, and even colleagues who previously applied for part-time jobs with me may not fully understand why I chose to give up a stable office job.
The form of work is not the determining factor of stability. Focus on the task at hand and continuously improve your abilities. As long as you have the skills, no matter how challenging the environment, you can find a job that suits you. The remote work model offers efficient communication and a self-driven management style, allowing me to allocate more focus and creativity to learning and projects. This provides more room for personal growth.
Life no longer serves work. Unlike most remote workers, I didn't become a digital nomad or leverage geographical arbitrage. I chose to stay in a first-tier city, not for work but out of pure affection and love for the city. Through years of accumulation, the salary and benefits from the full-time remote job became my confidence. I no longer need to choose my residence based on the company's location, nor do I need to forgo delicious food due to tight office hours. I have more freedom to choose how to live my life.
I think everyone has their own understanding of stability. For me, stability means having the ability to choose independently at any time, and that's what I truly seek.
