When building a tech team, many companies focus on finding candidates with the right technical skills. However, in today’s evolving landscape, it’s essential to shift that focus from skill fit to culture fit—bringing in talent that not only meets technical requirements but also enhances and aligns with your team’s culture, adding fresh perspectives in the process.
For U.S.-based companies expanding their tech teams, the question isn’t just about hiring locally or remotely. It’s about bringing in talent that complements your current culture while adding new dimensions. That’s where the value of nearshoring, particularly in Latin America (LATAM), comes into play.
What is culture fit?
Culture fit means hiring individuals who align with your core values, communication styles, and overall company ethos, while also bringing unique insights that complement your team’s strengths. Instead of focusing solely on technical skills, culture fit encourages you to bring on talent that will both enhance your team’s capabilities and contribute to a collaborative, innovative work environment.
This shift is vital. Teams succeed when they include individuals who offer fresh viewpoints, challenge conventional approaches, and help foster a culture of creativity and growth.
Research from Harvard Business Review has found that hiring for culture fit, while maintaining diversity, leads to better team performance and lower employee turnover rates.
Why LATAM talent is the perfect culture fit for U.S. tech teams
Hiring talent from Latin America offers more than just technical skills. It brings in different cultural insights that help teams adapt, innovate, and grow in ways that go beyond “business as usual.”
Here’s why:
1. Time zone alignment with cultural fluency
While technical skills and time zone alignment make nearshoring in LATAM attractive, cultural compatibility is equally important. Countries in Latin America share more than just proximity with the U.S.—They also bring a deep understanding of business values, communication styles, and work ethics. Nearshoring allows for real-time collaboration while incorporating diverse cultural perspectives that align with your company’s ethos.
2. Shared business mindset
One of the benefits of hiring from Latin America is that the region shares many similar workplace values and approaches as the U.S., Particularly in tech sectors. This ensures smoother communication and project management while still introducing valuable new perspectives to your team.
3. The power of language & communication
While many LATAM professionals are bilingual or fluent in English, they also bring the added benefit of speaking Spanish or Portuguese, enabling teams to communicate with a broader audience across Latin American markets. This becomes invaluable when companies are expanding internationally or catering to spanish-speaking regions.
With U.S. Businesses projected to expand into LATAM markets in the next decade, having team members who understand local languages and cultures is a strategic advantage.
Diverse teams drive innovation
Diversity in backgrounds and perspectives leads to innovation. According to a study by Boston Consulting Group, diverse teams produce 19% more revenue due to higher innovation rates. Why? Because different perspectives lead to unique solutions. When everyone thinks the same way, it’s easy to fall into patterns of doing things “the way they’ve always been done.” But when you introduce new viewpoints, you spark creativity and adaptability—two things every tech team needs to stay ahead.
Hiring for culture fit: key considerations
How do you ensure your hiring process focuses on culture fit rather than just skill fit?
Look beyond the CV: Skills and qualifications are important, but also consider how candidates’ values and experiences align with your company culture. Seek out individuals who not only meet technical requirements but also bring diverse insights that enhance your team’s collaborative dynamics.
Latin America: A sustainable growth strategy
In addition to culture fit, nearshoring in LATAM provides U.S. Companies with a sustainable, long-term solution to tech talent shortages. As the demand for developers, engineers, and tech specialists continues to grow, tapping into the booming tech scene in Latin America ensures that you’re not just filling positions for today, but investing in talent that will grow with your company.
Countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia have become hubs for tech innovation, and businesses that build strong partnerships in these regions are well-positioned to scale quickly and adapt to future trends.
The bottom line: culture fit = competitive advantage
By prioritizing culture fit over skill fit, your team benefits from a strong alignment of values and perspectives that drive creativity and innovation. Nearshoring in Latin America delivers the best of both worlds: highly skilled professionals who share your company’s core values while adding fresh insights that fuel long-term success.
Connect with one of our talent strategists today to discover how Latin American talent can enhance your team and bring real value to your business.