How Sai Went from Being Rejected 1300 Times to Landing His Dream Job in the US

“As a fresher in the US job market, I felt lost and overwhelmed with no prior interview experience. I invested in costly mentorship sessions abroad, but it wasn't until I discovered Preplaced that I found a mentor like Chetan, who helped me reach my goals” - Sai

Sai, a recent electrical engineering graduate, found himself struggling to land a job in the United States.

He felt lost and overwhelmed with no prior interview experience and no connections to rely on. 

Despite investing in costly mentorship sessions abroad, he struggled to find the guidance and support he truly needed.

That’s when he discovered Preplaced’s long-term mentorship. 

He connected with Data Science Mentor, Chetan Mahajan who provided complete support, expertise, and personalised guidance to him. 

He was able to land a job at one of the top insurance companies, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. 🎉

In this heartwarming success tale, we'll dig deep into Sai's journey as he battled the odds to establish himself in the cutthroat US job market.

Let's discover how dreams can come true, even across borders, with a little help from the right people! 🌟

What is your background?

I completed my Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering. 

After graduating, I moved to the US to pursue my Master's in Business Analytics and Project Management at the University of Connecticut, Stamford. 

I specialised in Business Data Science.

Why did you decide to pursue your Master's in Data Science?

My undergrad was completed during the Covid period.

Since my background was electrical I didn't have much knowledge of coding.

So I tried learning Python and SQL, the basics of machine learning and a core subject called fundamentals of soft computing which was related to neural networks.

I also learnt some basics of data cleaning and data analysis.

As I explored more, I found data analysis interesting, and since I've always been good at maths, I thought, "Why not give Data Science a shot?" 

I was originally thinking of doing my Master's in Electrical Engineering too, but Data Science seemed like a great option for me.

I wanted to study abroad, and while looking for colleges, I came across the University of Connecticut's Data Analytics program, which also had a blend of business knowledge.

What was the general placement mechanism there?

In the US, they don't have placement programs like we do back in India. 

Here, you're responsible for finding a job yourself. 

However, the college does offer some assistance, like helping you with your resume, LinkedIn profile, and a bit of networking. 

That's about it. 

What challenges or problems were you facing in your interviews?

At first, I had no idea how to approach job hunting since I had never gone through it before. 

As I was planning to pursue my Master’s, I didn't opt for campus placements, leaving me with no prior interview experience. 

I sought advice from my seniors who recommended creating an active LinkedIn profile and applying for jobs through the platform.

I started applying in January, but for a whole month, I didn't receive any calls. 

To improve my chances, I turned to YouTube videos and followed professionals on LinkedIn.

Through this process, I learned that tailoring my resume for each job description was crucial. 

It did help a bit, as I started getting a few interview calls, but cracking the interviews remained challenging due to my lack of experience. 

In the US, many job roles require a minimum experience of 2 years. This made it really tough for freshers like me to land a job.

I felt lost, not knowing what I was doing wrong.

Was it my resume, or was it my knowledge? I had no idea. 

That's when I realised I needed some mentorship to guide me through this challenging phase. 

How did you discover Preplaced and why did you decide to go ahead with the long-term mentorship program?

At first, I was searching for mentors in the US but the charges were just too high for me. 

Since I was desperate, I went ahead and invested in some sessions, spending hundreds of dollars. 

Sadly, the results didn't match my expectations. 

That's when I shifted my focus to finding mentors in India and started exploring mentorship platforms and companies. 

It was during this search that I stumbled upon Preplaced through LinkedIn.

What caught my attention was the freedom to choose a mentor according to my specific needs. 

I could look for mentors with the right experience, ones that fit my budget, and more.

I tried out 5 to 6 trial sessions. 

Ultimately, I decided to go ahead with Chetan who is an Advanced Analytics - Specialist at HP. 

What impressed me the most about Chetan was his genuine friendliness and honesty. 

He even mentioned that he had some contacts in the US, and he promised to do his best to help me by connecting with them and seeking opportunities.

I felt a sense of relief knowing that I had found a mentor who cared about my goals and was willing to go the extra mile to support me. ✨

What was the duration of your long-term mentorship program?

1 month.

What did your month-long mentorship look like?

My main reason for joining the mentorship program was to improve my networking skills, and connecting with Chetan turned out to be the best decision I made. 

He was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. 

From fine-tuning my resume to updating my LinkedIn profile, he guided me through every step. 

Chetan provided valuable advice on what kind of projects to showcase on my profile and even helped me modify them to make them more appealing. 

He also emphasised the importance of numbers.

Furthermore, Chetan taught me how to effectively network which really made a difference in how I presented my brand.

He showed me how to initiate conversations with professionals and how to send messages to recruiters on LinkedIn. 

Before, I just used a generic template and changed the names before sending it out, but Chetan suggested some changes that made it look more professional. 

I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to learn from him and the impact it has had on my professional growth. 🌟

How was your interview experience after taking the mentorship?

My interview experience after the mentorship was quite nerve-wracking at first. 

I had previously faced fake job offers, so I was always sceptical whenever I received an interview call. 

However, thanks to Chetan's advice, I learned to check the email domains to distinguish between genuine company emails and potential scams. 

Even with the current offer that I got, I was hesitant to attend the interviews at first. 

But I decided to take a chance, and I'm so glad I did because I cleared them successfully. ✨

Chetan played a significant role in this success.

He was incredible throughout the whole process. 

He was always a text away, and he went above and beyond to support me. 🌱

He even opened up slots in his schedule to accommodate my timings, which meant a lot.

The best part is that even after the mentorship, we're still in touch. 😄

Chetan assured me that I can reach out to him anytime I need help or guidance. It's heartening to have built such a strong bond with him. 😇

How did you feel once you got the offer?

I felt incredibly relieved when I got the job offer after six long months of searching. 

I must have sent out around 1300 applications! 

The whole process was intense with 10 screenings, three final interviews and finally an offer at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

It was pure happiness! 😌

What advice would you like to give to aspiring professionals who are also in a similar situation as yours?

📌 Networking is the key when it comes to landing a job in the US. 

I know how discouraging it can be when you're not hearing back from employers after applying, but please, don't let that crush your confidence. 

Keep going, keep applying, and keep believing in yourself. 🙌

Work on your resume and LinkedIn profile and keep them updated.

And finally, build genuine connections.

To sum it up

From overcoming daunting interviews to mastering the art of networking, Sai's journey mirrors the struggles of many aspiring professionals like you and me. 

Landing your dream job may not be a cakewalk, especially if you're starting from scratch with no experience and no connections. 

But when you find the right mentor like Sai did with Chetan, it can make all the difference. 💪

Dreams do come true - and with mentor-led preparation, they might just become a reality sooner than you think! 🌟

So, what are you waiting for?

Click here to Select a Mentor and Get a FREE 1:1 Trial Session 🚀

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Also Read: 

How Mentorship Helped Rolly Succeed in a Job Shift After 12 Years

From Clueless to Confident: How Aditya Landed His Dream Job at CME Group