Indian-origin engineer Dhruv Loya recently landed a job at Tesla after a determined and challenging job search, during which he made over 300 applications and sent over 500 emails. Loya shared his experience on LinkedIn, explaining how months of uncertainty and financial stress marked his journey before finally landing the role.

As an international student in the US, Loya faced additional pressures, including strict visa rules. Despite a strong academic record and completing three internships, he struggled to find a job. In his post, Loya explained how the stress of unemployment along with the fear of losing his visa status made the situation even more difficult. He shared how after losing his lease and health insurance, he had to sleep on air mattresses with friends.

“Despite three internships, a good GPA, and active extracurricular activities, I never thought I would be in a situation where I would be unemployed for five months. I lost my lease, my health insurance, and the clock was constantly ticking— Kept feeling ticked about my visa situation, knowing I could be forced to leave the US at any time,” he said on LinkedIn.

Despite these challenges, Loya remained determined. He pursued his job search as a full-time endeavor, using platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Handshake to find opportunities. In hopes of standing out in the competitive market, they also took advantage of tools like Hunter.io to connect with companies and ChatGPT to polish their resumes and cover letters. His persistence eventually paid off when Tesla offered him a position.

“For months, I bounced between friends’ apartments, sleeping on air mattresses, and saving every dollar I could. I’m happy to report that it was all worth it – I’ve secured a full-time position Technical Support Specialist at Tesla,” he reported on LinkedIn.

In his message to other job seekers, Loya highlighted the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive mindset. He advised taking breaks and focusing on mental well-being, reminding others that success often comes after repeated efforts. “Despite a solid academic background and internships, I never thought I would be unemployed for five months,” he said.