'13th time was the charm': Techie shares advice after landing Google job following 12 rejections
A 27-year-old techie revealed that he was rejected by Google 12 times before finally securing a job with the company on his 13th attempt.
A software engineer's candid post about repeatedly facing rejection before landing a role at Google has struck a chord with social media users.

Taking to X, Soumyadeep Paul, a 27-year-old software engineer at Amazon, caught the internet's attention after revealing that he was rejected by Google 12 times before finally securing a job with the company on his 13th attempt. "I got into Google after getting rejected 12 times. 13th time was the charm," Paul wrote.
He shared that his experience wasn't limited to Google. Paul said he received an offer from Amazon only after 3 rejections and landed a role at Microsoft after being turned down 16 times. He added that he never even received a callback from Apple or Oracle.
"Not just Google, Amazon - got the offer after 3 rejections. Microsoft - got the offer after 16 rejections. Apple - never got a call back. Oracle - never got a call back," he wrote.
Sharing what he learned from the process, Paul described job applications at major technology companies as "literally a numbers game". "You have to keep applying with referrals and work hard enough to keep luck in your corner," he said.
He also advised job seekers against applying to roles at random, urging them instead to carefully match their resumes with job descriptions. "Don't apply to jobs just randomly. See if there is a legitimate fit between your resume and the job requirements," he wrote.
Paul further suggested reaching out to people within target companies. "If you have friends working there, then get emails of HRs and mail them directly with the job Id and your resume after applying," he said.
He also recommended messaging hiring managers on LinkedIn, saying it could sometimes open doors, although he clarified that he had not personally used that strategy.
"Also message managers of your target companies on LinkedIn. That may also open some doors if you're lucky. Though I haven't done this ever but I've seen people succeed with this," he added.
(Also Read: ‘Job poori zindagi nahi hai’: Man shares 7 corporate rules for a healthier work life)
Social media reactions
The post quickly gained traction on X, with many users congratulating him for his new role at Google.
The post also sparked a discussion, with one user arguing that success at top technology firms is influenced not just by persistence but also by a candidate's background. "t's not a number game it's just they need big names in your resume. A fresher needs atleast icpc or a tier 1 college even with referral. An experienced guy needs some big mnc names like amazon, Microsoft or something like that. Its just my opinion I may be wrong about this totally, correct me if I am," the user wrote.
ABOUT THE AUTHORBhavya SukhejaBhavya Sukheja is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 6 years of experience in digital journalism. She specialises in covering stories that reflect everyday human experiences, with a focus on viral videos, social media trends, and human-interest features that inform readers while sparking meaningful conversations. She loves chasing page views and finding stories that tug at readers’ heartstrings. Known for her strong news sense, Bhavya has a keen ability to spot emerging trends and craft angles that transform viral moments into impactful narratives. Her coverage spans pop culture, entertainment, global affairs, and the internet’s most talked-about topics, helping readers better understand the context behind what is trending online. Before joining Hindustan Times, Bhavya worked with Republic World and NDTV, where she developed her skills in real-time reporting and digital storytelling. Working in fast-paced newsrooms helped her build an editorial approach that prioritises accuracy, clarity, and audience engagement. Bhavya is driven by a curiosity about how people communicate and connect in the digital age. She is particularly interested in stories that highlight cultural shifts, shared emotions, and the evolving nature of online conversations. When she is not tracking trends or producing stories, Bhavya enjoys unplugging and spending time with her cat.Read More

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