u/Gekkoubunt24

For context, I’m currently an intern earning around 1.4 L/month at a product‑based company in Bangalore, and I’m expecting a PPO soon.

I’m originally from Kolkata and don’t want to relocate long‑term to a tier‑1 city. I’m someone who prefers spending time with family over socialising, so staying in Bangalore full‑time feels lonely and a bit depressing.

Over the next 1–2 years, I want to double down on backend + AI, mainly with Go, Python, and Rust. My goal is to eventually work fully remote for a US‑based startup (contract or full‑time, both are fine).

I’d love to hear from people who’ve actually done something similar:

1. How did you get your remote role with a foreign/US startup? Was it via recruiters reaching out, cold applications, referrals, open‑source, LinkedIn, X, etc.?
2. What did your profile/look like when you got in? (Years of experience, tech stack, projects, OSS, blog, LeetCode/CP, etc.)
3. How should someone in my position prepare over the next 1–2 years to become a strong candidate for remote roles with US startups?
4. What kind of salary range is realistic compared to good Indian offers (even for contractual roles)? I understand contracts are less “stable”, and I’m okay with that risk if the compensation and learning are good.

Also, one request:
Please avoid the generic “remote hinders growth” argument. In my current role most of the day already goes in Zoom calls with very little true in‑person collaboration. For me, the two main priorities are skill acquisition and salary growth.

If you’ve worked remotely for foreign startups:

• Has it impacted your promotions or increments (positively or negatively)?
• Would you still choose that path if you were in my situation (early in your career, PPO in hand, but wanting to stay close to family)?

Detailed experiences, numbers (even rough ranges), and “what I’d do differently” type of advice would really help.

Edit : Would appreciate not asking about my company and college name

For context, I’m currently an intern earning around 1.4 L/month at a product-based company in Bangalore and I’m expecting a PPO soon.

However, I don’t want to relocate permanently from my hometown to a tier‑1 city like Bangalore. For someone like me who prefers spending time with family over socialising with friends, life there feels lonely and a bit depressing.

I know I need to invest in developing my skills (especially Go, Python and Rust, with a focus on backend development and AI). What I want to understand is:

1. How many of you working remotely for US‑based startups got your role through a recruiter reaching out to you?
2. How should I prepare myself to apply for foreign (especially US‑based) startups as a remote developer?
3. Is it realistic to expect a significant salary increase compared to Indian offers, even if the role is contractual?

I’m aware that the security of a contractual role is lower, and I’m okay with that trade‑off.

I’d also request you not to comment that “growth is hindered in remote roles.” In my current experience, most of my day is spent in Zoom calls and there is minimal in‑person interaction anyway. I’m primarily concerned with two things: skill acquisition and salary growth.

Please share your experiences:

• Has working remotely (especially for foreign startups) affected your salary increments or promotions in any noticeable way?

For context, I’m currently an intern earning 1.4 L/month at a product-based company in Bangalore and I’m expecting a PPO soon.

However, I don’t want to relocate permanently from my hometown to a tier‑1 city like Bangalore. For someone like me who prefers spending time with family over socialising with friends, life there feels lonely and a bit depressing.

I know I need to invest in developing my skills (especially Go, Python and Rust, with a focus on backend development and AI). What I want to understand is:

1. How many of you working remotely for US‑based startups got your role through a recruiter reaching out to you?
2. How should I prepare myself to apply for foreign (especially US‑based) startups as a remote developer?
3. Is it realistic to expect a significant salary increase compared to Indian offers, even if the role is contractual?

I’m aware that the security of a contractual role is lower, and I’m okay with that trade‑off.

I’d also request you not to comment that “growth is hindered in remote roles.” In my current experience, most of my day is spent in Zoom calls and there is minimal in‑person interaction anyway. I’m primarily concerned with two things: skill acquisition and salary growth.

Please share your experiences:

• Has working remotely (especially for foreign startups) affected your salary increments or promotions in any noticeable way?