Returned from Canada, applied to 600 jobs, got 4 interviews: An NRI’s post spotlights India’s tough hiring math

Representative image

A non-resident Indian who moved back to India from Canada and claimed he had applied to more than 600 roles but landed only four interviews has struck a nerve online, as many professionals describe similar “application-to-interview” drop-offs in the current market. The account surfaced in a widely shared post and was amplified by news coverage, drawing hundreds of responses ranging from sympathy to blunt advice on reworking expectations and strategy.

What the post is really saying

On the surface, it sounds like a personal frustration. Underneath, it reflects a structural reality of modern hiring: most applications never reach a human. Large employers and recruiters rely heavily on screening filters, keyword matching, and quick rejection rules when roles attract massive volumes. A candidate can be highly capable, yet still invisible if the resume is not tuned to the role’s exact language, seniority band, location preferences, or compensation range.

Why returning NRIs can get fewer calls than expected

Returnees often assume international experience will be a fast-track. But employers may hesitate for reasons that have little to do with skill: salary anchoring to overseas pay, doubts about long-term commitment (“will they leave again?”), and mismatched titles (a “manager” abroad may map to a different level in India). Business media has reported these frictions repeatedly in 2025 as more global workers reassess where they want to live and work.

A market that is hiring, but unevenly

India’s hiring indicators have improved in parts of 2025, but the rebound has been patchy across functions and sectors, with many firms staying selective even when job indices look healthier in aggregate. That can create a confusing split-screen: optimistic headline numbers alongside very slow callbacks for specific profiles.

Why the story went viral

This particular experience has caught the attention of many as it compresses a familiar experience into one line of brutal arithmetic: hundreds of applications, single-digit conversations. Whether or not every detail is verifiable beyond the original post, the ratio itself matches what many job seekers are reporting across online forums, especially in tech, operations, and mid-seniority roles where applicant volume is high.