200 applications, zero job offers — then Microsoft: Indian techie says 'referrals changed everything'

Rishab Jolly,  a senior product manager at Microsoft in Washington, said referrals played a decisive role in getting interviews at large tech firms that receive thousands of applications each month. (Image credit: Rishab Jolly/LinkedIn)

An Indian engineer-turned-product manager has detailed how referrals, tailored résumés and strategic networking helped him break into Microsoft in the US after applying to nearly 200 jobs without success.

Rishab Jolly, now a senior product manager at Microsoft in Washington, described the precarious months following his MBA in the US, when repeated rejections and visa pressure nearly forced him to return to India, Business Insider reported.

From engineering in India to MBA in the US

Before moving to the US in 2015, Jolly studied engineering and computer science in India and worked as a software quality tester and engineer. He then quit his job to pursue an MBA at the University of Arizona, hoping to pair business acumen with his technical background.

"One of the most valuable parts of the MBA programme was its partnerships with Big Tech companies. As part of the curriculum, representatives from Microsoft, Amazon, and Google brought projects to campus," Jolly told the publication.

In 2016, Jolly led a team on a Microsoft-backed project, which he said performed well and helped him build a direct professional relationship with a Microsoft product manager.

200 applications, no safety net

After graduation, Jolly said he applied to around 200 roles using a generic résumé and without referrals. He received only three callbacks. Two offers were later withdrawn — one due to visa uncertainty, and another because of budget constraints.

"I needed to secure a job within 60-90 days after graduation, or I would be forced to return to India," Jolly told the publication. "I ran out of money, asked a friend if I could crash on their couch, and felt a constant sense of anxiety."

The breakthrough came when he reached out to his Microsoft contact for a referral after an opening emerged. This time, he rewrote his résumé specifically for the role. The application cleared screening, led to interviews, and resulted in an offer.

Jolly joined Microsoft in July 2017 as a product manager and was promoted to senior product manager in 2021.

What actually worked

Jolly said referrals played a decisive role in getting interviews at large tech firms that receive thousands of applications each month. "I had moments when I felt defeated, but staying focused and working smart eventually brought everything together," he said.