With Singapore rapidly becoming one of the major tech hubs in Asia, people around the world with a passion for technology are moving to the country to take part in its growth. As one of the fastest-growing global tech companies, ByteDance has been at the forefront of this trend, with our office in Singapore welcoming some of the most talented and creative people from all over the globe!
To learn more about what it's like to move from another country to live and work in Singapore, we spoke with two international employees in our Singapore office, Kathleen Kho (Trust & Safety) and Alexey Rumyantsev (Research & Development), who come from the Philippines and Russia respectively. They discussed their experiences adjusting to life abroad, working in an Asia tech hub, and connecting with their teammates at ByteDance!
Tell us more about your background and what first drew you to work at ByteDance.
Kathleen: "I'm originally from the Philippines, where I attended university and worked for several years in the government at the Department of Education. During that time, I gained experience in implementing large-scale national programs, policy formulation, and managing a team; however, I still felt like I could strengthen my foundation in policymaking, so I came to Singapore to do a Master's in Public Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy - NUS. As I was looking for my next role, I was drawn to ByteDance because I saw the opportunity to develop new skills at a fast-paced global company and do meaningful work in an evolving area (online safety). So far, it's turned out to be everything I pictured and more!"
Alexey: "I grew up in Russia and earned my degree in Math & Computer Science from St. Petersburg State University. Working in Russia, I dealt with overseas clients as well, and grew accustomed to working in an international team, which is what drew me to relocate to Singapore and experience something new. I then worked at two different banks in Singapore before joining ByteDance, where I work as a programmer focusing on our data platform."
Did you have any concerns about moving from your home country? How was the transition?
Kathleen: "There were definitely some adjustments! In terms of my work, Singapore is our APAC hub for Trust & Safety, so my team is truly global and includes people with various cultural backgrounds and ways of working. Although this is different from my previous jobs, I've found that the wide range of perpectives at ByteDance often leads to a higher quality of work.
As for life outside of work, it was definitely difficult finding housing in a new country. As a professional and not a student, you have to find your own way around, but I eventually found great public housing. Coming from Manila, I actually find Singapore more convenient, since public transit is smooth and there's no traffic (something I don't miss about Manila!). Singapore is also a more efficient, friendly, and safe environment, which has been a great change of pace."
Alexey: "The most challenging adjustment for me was switching from my native language (Russian) to English. Although I adapted on my own, Singapore has many language learning groups and expat groups that meet up frequently and help with this kind of adjustment. My friends and colleagues in Singapore come from many different countries, but they've all been able to find their own communities. This support system can also help with your search for housing, and I would suggest you start searching for apartments a bit in advance. On the whole, though, Singapore is a welcoming place that's not too difficult to navigate!"
Describe the work culture at ByteDance Singapore. How does it compare with your expectations?
Kathleen: "Our Trust & Safety team in Singapore is incredibly diverse and my colleagues come from around the world, including almost every country in Asia! I expected this at a global company, but it's been incredible to learn from teammates who bring different backgrounds and perspectives to work each day. Although ByteDance has a startup culture and we're constantly taking on new challenges at a fast pace (especially in an evolving space like Trust & Safety), the fact that our team is so diverse means that everyone respects each other and stays focused on a shared goal. If you're someone who likes to roll up your sleeves and focus on solving difficult problems, working here will be really exciting."
Alexey: "The work culture here is all about being open and honest, which in part comes from the company's flat structure. From day one, I could feel the respect among my colleagues and the candor that everyone brought to their work. We're all given a voice to express our opinions, so if there's anything people want to discuss, it can be raised and addressed instead of being swept under the rug. This helps us stay efficient as we continue growing rapidly. Singapore in general is quite fast-paced, so I would say we fit into the work culture here, but we're always trying to strike a balance!"
Do you have advice for someone who might be thinking of moving to work in Singapore, or at ByteDance in general?
Kathleen: "Anyone looking to move to Singapore can be reassured that it's an easy place to transition to. As a global tech hub, it's a great place to build your career, and it comes with many conveniences! As for ByteDance in general, there are certain opportunities that only come with working at one of the fastest-growing companies in the world. When I first started, the Trust & Safety team in Singapore had a handful of people; now there are more than 100! Throughout these changes, I've been exposed to many different types of projects and I've learned a lot in two key roles (Product Policy and Program Management). If you're eager to own projects that are challenging and make a real impact on the business, take a chance and apply!"
Alexey: "As Kathleen said, Singapore is quite welcoming, no matter where you come from. Moving to another city or country always comes with some uncertainty, but it's ultimately a good thing as long as you have the mindset that you're not afraid to make mistakes. This is similar to our approach at ByteDance -- taking a chance on new ideas and trying our best to realize them, even when there are obstacles and a real risk of failure. We're always trying to learn and improve. Whether at ByteDance or elsewhere, taking on new challenges is the best way to grow."
Interested in joining Kathleen and Alexey at ByteDance in Singapore? Regardless of where you're based or hope to work, we're looking for creative and bold people to become part of our global team. If you're excited to grow with us, visit our jobs page to browse open positions in Singapore or globally. Also make sure to follow ByteDance on LinkedIn for the latest updates!
