An ambitious Indian tech professional, who relocated to the US in 2021 for her master’s degree, has shared her insights into securing interviews with industry leaders such as Uber, Meta, and Amazon. While these initial interviews didn’t result in job offers, her persistent efforts led to a product manager position at Salesforce.
Karishma Mandal, 29, recognized the importance of being at the heart of the tech world, particularly for roles involving AI. This realization prompted her move to San Francisco in 2024. “As a tech person, I felt I needed to be in San Francisco,” she told Business Insider.
After relocating, Mandal initially focused on building her professional and social network in the city, acknowledging the challenge of starting anew. “When I came to San Francisco, I really had no one,” she admitted.
As she ventured into the competitive tech job market, Mandal adopted a strategic approach. She actively networked with hiring managers and recruiters, often reaching out to individuals who posted about her desired roles on LinkedIn. She also meticulously filtered job listings on various platforms, aiming to be among the first applicants to gain a competitive edge.
Mandal emphasized the importance of applying directly through a company’s official website, even when a referral is available through platforms like LinkedIn. Her key advice for aspiring professionals includes being proactive, applying early, utilizing company websites for direct applications, and securing referrals whenever possible.
Mandal’s educational background includes an IT diploma from Shah And Anchor Kutchhi Engineering College in Mumbai, followed by a Bachelor of Engineering from Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, also in Mumbai. She further enhanced her qualifications by completing her studies at Northwestern University.