Dhruv Loya, an Indian-origin engineer, has won a position at Tesla after a lengthy and arduous employment search. Loya, who published his experience on LinkedIn, described applying for over 300 jobs, sending over 500 cold emails, and going through months of financial hardship while navigating the difficulties of visa regulations in the United States.
Despite having a good academic background and having completed three internships, Loya was surprised by the difficulty of finding work. He sent over 500 unsolicited emails and took part in 10 interviews, but he faced continued uncertainty as an international student worried about visa requirements that could force him to leave the United States if he stayed unemployed.
Loya handled his funds by keeping expenses to a minimum and living with friends, often sleeping on air mattresses. The loss of his apartment and health insurance exacerbated his difficulties, but he stayed committed to his professional aspirations.
In his LinkedIn post, he wrote, “Despite having three work experience, a good GPA, and active extracurricular pursuits, I never imagined I’d be unemployed for five months.” I lost my lease, health insurance, and was always aware of the ticking clock of my visa status, aware I could be compelled to leave the United States at any time.”
Loya took a deliberate approach to his job search, treating applications as a full-time commitment. He used networks like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Handshake to find possibilities, and Hunter.io to interact with employers. In addition, he used ChatGPT to improve his resumes and cover letters, with the goal of standing out in a competitive employment market.
Loya also recommended fellow job seekers take pauses and relax in the evenings to avoid burnout, underlining the significance of being positive during difficult times. Loya’s determination was eventually rewarded with a position as a Technical Support Specialist at Tesla. His path highlights the challenges that many overseas students face in the labor market and displays the perseverance required to succeed.
For Loya, the Tesla post is a monument to his dedication, demonstrating that persistence can lead to opportunities even in difficult circumstances. He urged people to “keep manifesting, stay positive for cocaine, and believe that things will fall into place.”