Some cities energise you by movement. Paris energises you by observation.

What’s the most underrated skill in international careers?

I attended Web Summit in Lisbon last month. One of the closing speakers was Joseph Gordon-Levitt - actor, director and founder of HitRecord. A few thoughts he shared stayed with me:

My favourite business podcast this year has definitely been Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett.
The guests come from every possible field - founders, artists, scientists - and the conversations go way beyond success stories.

If you want a thought-provoking book on freedom, self-worth and breaking away from other people’s expectations, I’d recommend The Courage to Be Disliked.
Written as a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man, it’s simple on the surface but surprisingly expansive.

If you haven’t felt that joy of being fully absorbed in something for a while, Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is worth picking up.
It’s about why we feel happiest when the challenge level matches our skill level and when you’re so engaged that time bends a little.

Amazing!
Ontario (Canada) has passed a new law: companies will be required to give candidates an answer within 45 days after an interview.

It doesn’t cover applications - only those who actually got interviewed.
The law comes into force on January 1, 2026.
A small win against ghosting 👊

Living abroad keeps teaching me two things: curiosity and open-mindedness. Cultures, perspectives, points of view differ. Values can be surprisingly similar.

Just finished The Venture Mindset by Stanford professor Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang and it really impressed me.
Rigorous yet accessible, and surprisingly practical.
The core idea: applying venture-style approach to everyday decisions.
Great for anyone willing to think more strategically.

I have two random abilities: I constantly bump into people I know in the most unexpected places, and I have a sharp memory - I remember names, faces, details for years.

Just finished my talk at the career webinar for 800+ attendees sharing my experience as the hiring manager!
First time speaking for such a big audience on this topic and I’m so pumped with energy!

If I were starting my career again, I’d repeat a few choices:

1. Big corporation early - they’re trendy to criticise now but the foundation is real.
2. Strong managers - still one of my top criteria.
👇🏻

The idea of a “portfolio life” changed how I think about careers.
You’re not one job - you’re a mix of roles, skills and projects.

Mine includes tech leadership, mentoring, working with startups, interviewing for MBA program… and one day, hopefully, my own company.

What’s in your portfolio?

Want to be remembered in an interview?
Show a little of who you are - naturally, not theatrically.

Tailored answers, a small mention of a hobby or an interest - details like these help people connect and get a sense of fit.

I notice them as a hiring manager too.
Do you share any of yours?

Not everyone thrives in a startup environment.
If you need clear processes, predictable pace and well-defined scope, it might feel more draining than exciting. Startups also mean shifting priorities, blurred roles and context-switching.

It’s not good or bad - more about fit.
What would you add?

My reading system:

– fiction → paper only, I can’t immerse myself in fiction in audio.
– non-fiction → mostly audio, paper for the “higher-expectation” books. Usually listen on the go.

I don’t use e-readers - I enjoy the physical side of reading: choosing a book, turning the pages.

What’s yours?

Sahil Bloom wrote in “The 5 Types of Wealth”: “Creation is downstream of consumption.”

What’s shaping your thinking these days?

If you live or work across cultures, The Culture Map is one of those books that quietly changes how you see communication.

It helped me understand why clear & direct in one country can feel almost rude in another (literally my case) and why the same message lands differently depending on context.

Hi BlueSky! First time posting here. I’m Yulia - global director in a tech scale-up, ex-TikTok, INSEAD MBA.

I write about international careers, startups, books and art, and building a life abroad (in my case in Paris).

Say hi if you’re into tech, careers and expat life.