Interview with Anna Naumova — How to Find a Job in America and Survive Being Fired from Apple in 30 Minutes
Anna Naumova spoke openly about the challenges of adaptation, how she had to go through more than 100 interviews to land her first job, and why being fired from a major company can happen in just 30 minutes. The conversation is honest, sometimes sharp, and full of practical advice for anyone planning a move or already building a career abroad.
How did your move to the U.S. begin — was it a strategy or pure improvisation?
Honestly — improvisation. I never dreamed of living in the U.S. Everything started when my then-husband won the green card lottery. We got married, went through countless checks and consulate refusals, finally got the visa, and flew back to Moscow to wrap things up.
I stalled for two years, gave birth in Russia — I was afraid of everything: doctors, language, loneliness. My husband waited. I kept thinking, “I won’t go,” and then he reminded me: “Eva has to enter the country before she turns two to get her green card.” So we went. In the end, the move happened because the moment came — not because there was a plan.
What was the biggest mistake you made during adaptation and the job search?
The biggest mistake was assuming the job market here works the same way as back home. I brought a HeadHunter-style résumé, with a photo, the familiar format — and couldn’t understand the silence.
The U.S. market plays by different rules: a structured résumé without a photo, readiness for case interviews and multiple rounds, and strong networking. I wasn’t prepared for that transition — and I paid for it with time, money, and stress.
Advice: tailor your résumé to U.S. standards and start building your interview skills early.
What financial reality did you face at the beginning?
We brought about $15,000 — not much at all. We lived modestly, in a rough neighborhood of New York, counted every dollar. I kept a small “emergency” fund for a ticket back home. The job search wasn’t optional — it was a survival requirement. I found a job in two months, my husband in eight. For the first months we lived on my income alone.
Advice: activate your social media and engage with the local community — it accelerates your first contacts.
What helped you manage the emotional strain of immigration?
Acknowledging the problem and changing my environment. I noticed I was drinking more often — first socially, then it started to worry me. I quit drinking, started running, joined communities, found projects. The key was not isolating myself and admitting that my lifestyle needed to change.
How did you survive 100 interviews — is that even real, and what did it give you?
In 2019 the market was active, and in three months I completed around 100 interviews — sometimes 5–6 in a day. It built my interview muscle, taught me to manage stress, and helped me evaluate offers. The process gave me a deep understanding of the market: common interview questions, product cases, and the structure of U.S. hiring loops.
The compounding effect was massive — that experience later became the foundation for my consulting and content.
You worked at Apple and then were fired in 30 minutes — what happened and what did you learn?
It was sudden: a morning call — “your contract is terminated.” My accounts and access were shut off instantly, and my laptop turned into a pumpkin. It was a reminder that “stability” in corporate jobs is often an illusion. Even in big brands, decisions can be instantaneous.
My takeaway: you can’t rely on your employer as your only pillar. You need a backup plan and long-term assets that accumulate value.
How can you prepare — mentally and practically — for the risk of being fired?
Practical steps:
- Build compounding assets: a YouTube channel, blog, community, product — something that grows over time.
- Maintain a financial cushion and keep fixed expenses low.
- Keep your network warm and stay in touch with recruiters.
- Develop additional income streams: consulting, recruiting, teaching.
Mentally, it’s about taking responsibility for your life: when the money stops, it’s a call to act — not to panic.
How did your channel and consulting evolve into a business — and support you during tough times?
In 2019, I wrote an article called “How to Find a Job in the U.S. If You’re Not a Programmer.” It went viral and generated demand for consultations. I began running webinars, helping people for free, then for pay.
The channel became my safety net: it attracted clients, gave access to founders and community. When I was fired, that accumulated asset allowed me not to rush into a new job immediately — I could focus on building my own work.
What does it mean to become an entrepreneur after corporate life?
Emotionally — more freedom and more responsibility. When something doesn’t work, it’s on you, and that pushes you forward.
Practically — you have to know how to sell your services, run your marketing, and build a product ecosystem: consulting, recruiting, partnerships. Switching from employment to freelance/consulting gives flexibility but often means lower income at the start. What mattered to me was that I began doing work I genuinely loved.
Four common mistakes people make when job-hunting in the U.S.:
- A résumé not adapted to U.S. standards. Remove the photo, use clear structure, show achievements with numbers.
- Skipping preparation for case and behavioral interviews.
- Assuming “everyone needs you.” Competition is high — you must prove your value.
- No backup plan: no freelancing option, no content presence, no passive income, no blog.
How did running and community help your personal transformation?
When I couldn’t afford a gym, I started running. It became therapy — a source of energy after quitting drinking.
The running community gave me new friends and structure. Marathons became a framework where you build discipline, planning, and accountability — the same qualities that drive success in business.
Where do you recommend people move in the U.S.? And what should they choose — employment or business?
There’s no universal answer. If you have a stable track record and want to minimize stress, start with a job — first adapt to the country, then experiment.
If you’re ready for risk and already have compounding projects, you can consider entrepreneurship.
As for states: in my experience, Boston isn’t ideal for a first immigration. Austin and California opened far more opportunities and community for me.
Your main advice for someone moving tomorrow
Start building your backup plan today.
It doesn’t have to be a big business — it just needs to be a compounding asset: a channel, a blog, a network, a small community.
When crisis comes, you’ll already have something that helps you survive the storm — and even turn it into opportunity.
Key takeaways:
- The U.S. job market works differently — adapt your résumé and prepare for multiple interviews.
- Don’t rely solely on employer “stability” — build compounding assets.
- Networking and community can save you faster than millions of job postings.
- Psychological resilience and personal responsibility matter more than technical skills.
- Whether you’re planning your move or already abroad — start now: update your résumé, create useful content, or plug into a local community. Small steps compound into your protection and your options.
