[Advice] Product Designer (LATAM) with strong comprehension but B1 speaking – How to land a USD-paying role?
Hi everyone,
I’m a Product Designer based in Brazil (native Spanish speaker, fluent in Portuguese) looking to transition into the international market to earn in USD.
I have a specific challenge regarding my English level and I’d love some recruiter insight:
- Comprehension: Near-perfect. I consume all my media (movies, shows, technical documentation) in English without subtitles.
- Writing/Reading: Strong enough for documentation and Slack communication.
- Speaking: This is my bottleneck. I’m currently at a B1 level. I often have the sentences ready in my head, but my pronunciation isn't where I want it to be, and I occasionally "blank out" during high-pressure conversations.
My Goal: I’m looking for roles or types of companies where design execution and visual communication are prioritized over constant high-stakes verbal pitching. I want a environment where I can contribute immediately while improving my fluency over time.
My Questions:
- Are there specific types of companies (e.g., startups vs. agencies) that are more "B1-friendly" if the portfolio is top-tier?
- In your experience, is a strong portfolio enough to overlook "choppy" speaking skills for a Mid-level Product Design role?
- How should I frame this during an interview so I don't get filtered out immediately, but stay honest about my current level?
- Since I am trilingual (SPA/POR/ENG), are there specific niches where this is a competitive advantage for US/European companies?
Looking forward to your advice. Thanks!