Derek Bender @derekbender

Digital product designer. Previously @Dott, @Instacart, @Pinterest, @Uber, @Lumosity. Let's go somewhere. derekbender.com Amsterdam, The Netherlands Joined February 2008

Tweets

5K
Followers

648
Following

114
Likes

141

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

@DevonMoodley I got a guy in de Pijp 😉 but I have been looking at this. horl.com/nl/en

1 0 1 74 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

If you asked: "That was 2021, but what about now?" Well, I went through interview rounds again in Sep 2022 & Feb 2023. I'll post about those soon.

0 0 0 207 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

For those who are curious, here's the spreadsheet that helped me track everything from salaries to company size while I interviewed:

1 0 0 631 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

In spring of 2021, I interviewed for Senior-level product designer positions in the EU (Amsterdam & Berlin). 36 in total. Of those, 5 turned into offers. And I took a ~50% pay cut coming from SF.

2 0 2 802 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

Unfortunately, no US-based company would continue the conversation once they knew I was in the EU. Huge missed opportunity for those companies that were touting "remote friendly" positions.

0 0 0 111 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

I temporarily set my location on LinkedIn back to SF during my latest job search. I averaged 1-2 recruiter inquiries per day.

1 0 1 126 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

I never once applied to a job while in SF. Recruiters have always reached out preemptively. If you're EU-based, you have to apply for jobs—recruiters almost never reach out directly.

1 0 0 189 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

I'm also getting ready to launch my revamped portfolio. Building in @framer is oh so nice!

0 0 1 169 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

After a 3 month search, I've found my next position! Will share details soon. Until then I'll share some anecdotes of my experience.

0 0 4 201 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

@JuanArreguin And things (furniture, home goods, plants) are cheaper here (at least, in my experience, coming from SF).

0 0 1 32 0

View Details

Derek Bender @derekbender

3 years ago

@JuanArreguin Start from scratch. It's very expensive to move big items overseas (and your plants would die coming over in a boat anyway) but if a company is moving you, get them to pay for it.

1 0 0 51 0

View Details

I’m on the hunt for a new product design role! Prev. @flexport, @instacart & @uber. Designing complex systems, internal tools and 0-1 experiences. Looking for full-time in the EU (I’m Amsterdam-based) or contract gigs (🌎 anywhere). If you’re hiring, DM me!