Making a Bold Statement: Jason Ait’s Innovative Job Search Strategy at GeekWire Gala

In a crowded job market where standing out is essential, Yerjasn (Jason) Ait took an unconventional approach that captured attention at the GeekWire Gala in Seattle. Walking into a room filled with over 750 tech industry professionals, Ait wore a white T-shirt with his resume printed on the front and “Internship Wanted. CV’s on the front” boldly displayed on the back. This creative strategy emerged from his desire to overcome several personal challenges – being an international student from Kazakhstan with English as his second language and facing a particularly difficult job market. “I was wondering how I can stand out in a crowd,” Ait explained to GeekWire, acknowledging the additional hurdles he faced compared to other job seekers. His innovative approach represented a perfect understanding of the opportunity before him – a room filled with potential employers and connections in Seattle’s tech community.

Ait’s journey to that moment began in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he grew up dreaming of studying abroad. That dream materialized when he moved to the United States a year and a half prior to pursue a Master’s in Communication at the University of Washington. “It was a big dream when I was a kid to study abroad, especially in the best university,” he shared. Now approaching graduation in June, Ait is actively seeking internship opportunities that would utilize his skills in people management, product development, and problem solving. His T-shirt resume was more than just a clever gimmick – it represented the culmination of courage required to leave behind the comfort and security of his home country to pursue greater opportunities. “I had everything in my home country. I had a nice job, nice house. It was a great comfort zone,” Ait reflected, “But I challenged myself to be here in a new country with a total new environment, new language, new people.”

The bold approach paid dividends at the Gala, where 25 to 30 attendees approached Ait throughout the evening, complimenting his creativity and exchanging business cards. This success was particularly meaningful considering it was only his second networking event of this kind, and he had to overcome significant psychological barriers to engage with established professionals. “I was so scared to speak with people who are very successful — they’re professionals, experts — and it was like imposter syndrome at the beginning,” he admitted. “Somehow I overcame this fear and just started talking with people. And that’s fun.” The evening wasn’t without its challenges – the T-shirt printing was completed just two hours before the event, a planned QR code linking to his digital resume didn’t make it onto the final design, and Seattle traffic threatened to make him late to the venue. Despite these obstacles, Ait persevered, demonstrating the same determination that brought him from Kazakhstan to the University of Washington.

Ait’s creative networking strategy comes at a particularly challenging time for job seekers in the tech industry. Recent reports from Indeed highlight that tech-related job postings in Seattle remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels. The industry faces macroeconomic headwinds and profound transformation in the artificial intelligence era, creating a climate of uncertainty for even the most qualified candidates. For international students like Ait, these challenges are compounded by visa requirements and cultural adjustments. His T-shirt resume represents a creative solution to cut through these barriers – making himself literally visible in a crowd where many job seekers might blend in. This approach speaks to a broader truth about modern job hunting: in a digital age where applications disappear into algorithmic black holes, sometimes the most effective strategies are surprisingly analog and personal.

The morning after the Gala, Ait reflected on his experience in a LinkedIn post, offering what he called a “small playbook for international students” also searching for employment opportunities. Among his key insights was the importance of continued networking: “Go to more events like this. It’s a muscle. You train it. Each time, I get better — more confident, more sharp, more clear.” This perspective reveals Ait’s understanding that job searching is not merely about distributing resumes but developing the interpersonal skills and confidence to connect with potential employers. His willingness to share these learnings demonstrates a collaborative mindset, recognizing that his experiences might benefit others facing similar challenges. Despite moments of insecurity and uncertainty in his journey, Ait remains optimistic: “Right now, I can see I’m on the right direction. Maybe someday I’ll find my dream job.”

Ait’s story resonates beyond just job seeking tactics – it’s a testament to the immigrant experience in America’s tech industry. He left behind comfort and certainty in Kazakhstan to pursue opportunities in a new country with different cultural norms and language. His resume T-shirt represents not just creativity but the necessity of adaptation and innovation that many international professionals must embrace. In a tech ecosystem that often discusses diversity and global talent, Ait’s approach demonstrates the lengths to which international candidates must go to overcome systemic barriers to entry. Yet his story also contains hope and determination – qualities that have long characterized successful immigrant journeys in America. As tech companies continue to navigate economic uncertainties and talent shortages in specialized fields, Ait’s resourcefulness serves as a reminder of the untapped potential that international students and professionals bring to the industry – if only given the opportunity to showcase their abilities, whether on resumes or T-shirts.