How Rejections Nearly Crushed My Dreams—But Led Me to Success at HCL Technologies
Breaking into the tech industry felt like trying to climb a mountain with no clear path. Coming from a Tier 2 college without a degree in CS or IT, the odds were stacked against me. Like many fresh graduates, I faced a string of rejections from various MNCs that visited our campus. Each rejection wasn’t just a “no”—it felt like a punch in the gut, a reminder of how far I still had to go.
I remember sitting in my dorm room after the latest rejection, staring at my resume, wondering what I was doing wrong. It wasn’t ATS-friendly, and every rejection only deepened my doubts. Why wasn’t I good enough? What was I missing?
The companies that visited our campus seemed laser-focused on CS and IT students, leaving me—and many others—feeling invisible. Despite being shortlisted by several companies, the story was the same: I’d struggle through the aptitude rounds, get tripped up in the technical interviews, and by the time I reached the HR round, my confidence was already shattered.
Rejections from big names like TCS, Infosys, Capgemini, L&T, and even firms that were the dream on Day 0 and Day 1, like Quantiphi, became a routine. It wasn’t just about lacking technical knowledge—I began to realize I wasn’t learning from my mistakes. I was stuck in a cycle of failure because I wasn’t adapting, wasn’t improving.
But something clicked after that last rejection. I decided enough was enough. I wasn’t going to let another opportunity slip through my fingers without giving it everything I had.
I started by tackling my biggest weakness: aptitude tests. I drilled down on every topic, pushing myself to solve questions under timed conditions, knowing that some companies have strict time limits per question. This intense practice finally paid off in subsequent interviews.
Next, I focused on my technical skills. I chose one programming language and dove deep, from basic syntax to advanced concepts. I didn’t just learn Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA)—I lived them, solving problem after problem until I could do it in my sleep. The more I practiced, the more confident I became.
With renewed determination, I decided to try my luck with off-campus hiring. I knew it was a long shot, but I wasn’t going to let fear stop me. When HCL Technologies announced their recruitment drive, I jumped at the opportunity. The selection process was tough, with three rounds that tested every skill I had:
𝗔𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁: All that practice paid off—I sailed through this round.
𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This was my chance to prove myself. The interviewer grilled me on programming concepts, asked why I chose Python, and tested my understanding of databases, Git and GitHub, and DSA. When I talked about my projects and how they solved real-world problems, I could see the interviewer’s interest peak. For the first time, I felt like I belonged.
𝗛𝗥 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: By the time I reached the HR round, I was ready to fight for this job. The HR manager asked the usual questions—my background, my five-year plan, why HCL—but this time, I had answers that were genuine and confident. I explained why I wanted to break into IT despite my non-IT background, and I could tell I left a positive impression.
Finally, after all the struggle, the doubts, and the late-night study sessions, I got the offer letter. The feeling was surreal—I had done it. But more than the job, what I gained was the knowledge that I could overcome any obstacle if I just kept pushing.
𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀:
𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲: An ATS-friendly resume is crucial. Use relevant keywords, highlight your impactful projects, and tweak it for every role you apply to.
𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: Use online resources to sharpen your speed and accuracy. This is often the first barrier to clear in the hiring process.
𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Master a programming language and keep practicing DSA. Understanding core concepts deeply can set you apart.