Software Engineer Joins Google After 12 Rejections and Shares Job Tips

Strategic Shifts in the Tech Hiring Market

The job search journey shared by Soumyadeep Paul on July 19, 2026, highlights the grueling nature of securing roles at top-tier firms. Paul’s experience—which included 12 rejections before the 13th time was the charm at Google—serves as a case study for the current competitive landscape. Beyond Google, Paul reported facing 16 rejections from Microsoft and three from Amazon, while never receiving a callback from Apple or Oracle.

Paul characterizes the process of applying to these companies as literally a numbers game, yet advises against randomized applications. Instead, the engineer suggests a more targeted approach: verifying a legitimate fit between your resume and the job requirements before submitting. This sentiment aligns with broader concerns raised in the industry, where recruiters and candidates alike debate the efficacy of traditional portals versus networking.

Leveraging Networks and Professional Outreach

For those struggling to break through, Paul recommends bypassing automated systems when possible. If you have friends working there, then get emails of HRs and mail them directly with the job Id and your resume after applying, Paul noted on X, a strategy reported as a key factor in increasing professional visibility. The advice extends to LinkedIn, where reaching out to managers may open some doors if you’re lucky. While admitting, Though I haven’t done this ever, I’ve seen people succeed with this, Paul emphasizes that human connection remains a potent, if underutilized, tool.

The online reaction to this advice was polarized. Some users argued that the market is inherently biased toward elite credentials. One commenter noted, It’s not a number game it’s just they need big names in your resume. If a fresher need atleast icpc or a tier 1 college even with referral. If a experienced guy need some big mnc names like amazon, Microsoft or something like that. Others, however, offered a more nuanced view on seniority; one user suggested that for those with 2–7 years of experience, the market is still quite chill and easily accept people with no big tags, while another cautioned that 16 rejections at Microsoft suggests you should optimise your prep strategy.

Systemic Struggles and Competitive Realities

The frustration surrounding job searches is not limited to tech giants. Recent reports illustrate the emotional toll of persistent rejection. As detailed by other sources, other professionals have faced similar hurdles, with some submitting over 100 applications without success. This systemic misalignment—where candidates feel exhausted by the repetitive nature of tailoring resumes—has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness of current hiring processes.

In a separate, tragic instance highlighting the immense pressure on job seekers, a 23-year-old BTech gold medalist in Kanpur took his own life after reportedly failing to secure a government position after approximately 50 attempts. The student left a note apologizing to his father for his inability to succeed. These disparate experiences underscore a shared reality: the path to employment is often fraught with significant psychological and professional strain.

Persistence and Preparation as Differentiators

Success stories in highly competitive fields often emphasize a pivot in strategy rather than just sheer volume of effort. IAS officer Neha Byadwal, who secured an All India Rank of 569 in the 2021 UPSC Civil Services Examination after three previous attempts, overhauled her approach by eliminating digital distractions and focusing on disciplined practice. Byadwal maintains that success is determined by how effectively study hours are used, rather than the total time spent.

Whether in private sector tech or public civil services, the consensus across these accounts points toward the necessity of iterative improvement. For job seekers, the path forward appears to involve a combination of strategic networking, rigorous preparation, and the resilience to treat each rejection as a data point for refinement rather than a final verdict on their professional worth.

Sources: Sakshi, ndtv.com.