CEO of a Popular Startup Rejected Me in the Final Round Because of My “STUPID RESUME”—Here’s How I Got Into ZOHO Instead

The year was 2021. I was in the final year of my Computer Science Engineering (B.E. CSE) degree, struggling to land a developer job. The truth is, I could code, but I couldn’t crack those tricky MCQ-based aptitude tests.

Because of this, I lost out on opportunities with companies like Amazon, TCS, Infosys, and Accenture right in the first round. My classmates were getting placed and even starting their probation periods while I was stuck in a loop of rejections.

By this point, I had been rejected by 17 companies. Then came a glimmer of hope: I made it to the final round of interviews for a popular tech startup in Coimbatore. To my surprise, the CEO himself was going to interview me.

People who attended before me told me it would be a classic “Tell me about yourself” round—no technical grilling. Naturally, I was thrilled and thought, Finally, I’ve got this.

But then came the twist.

“Is This Even a Resume?”

The CEO was waiting for me on a video call, holding my resume in his hand. He waved it at the camera and said, “Is this even a resume?”

He didn’t stop there.
He added, “You’ve studied engineering for four years. If this is the kind of resume you can produce, you’re either not putting in the effort or you don’t think my company is worth it. You’re talented and exactly the kind of person we’re looking for—but I’m rejecting you just because of your resume.”

And honestly, I couldn’t blame him.

A Wake-Up Call

Back then, I thought resumes didn’t matter much, especially for campus placements. My resume reflected that mindset—it was barebones:

• Personal information

• Education section

• A single project: “Android Application using Java.”

That was it. No details, no results, nothing to make me stand out.

This rejection knocked some much-needed sense into me. I realized how critical a well-crafted resume is, especially when trying to break into competitive industries.

Turning My Weakness Into a Strength

I got to work immediately. I knew I had valuable skills—I just hadn’t showcased them properly.

• I was managing multiple Instagram accounts with over 200K followers,

• Running a YouTube channel with millions of views,

• And I had a solid understanding of SEO.

I added these to my resume, transforming myself from a college student with a basic group project into an SEO specialist and social media manager with tangible results to back it up.

The change was immediate. My revamped resume landed me 8–9 interviews with major companies, and within two months, I secured a job as a marketer at Kaar Tech.

I didn’t stop there. I kept updating and refining my resume every month, learning and applying new techniques. Just ten months later, I landed a job at Zoho.

How I Created My Super Resume

Here’s the process I followed to create what I now call my Super Resume:

1. Clear the Clutter

Your resume is not a scrapbook. Most hiring managers don’t care about:

• Your photo

• Your home address

• Skill ratings with stars or bars

• Generic objectives like “To enhance my skills in a challenging environment.”

Keep it clean, concise, and easy to skim.

2. Keep It Short

A good resume is like a movie trailer—it highlights the best parts and leaves the audience wanting more.

• Follow this rule:
  If you have less than 10 years of experience, your resume should fit on one page.

• Stick to the most relevant and impactful information.

3. Focus on Action + Results

Don’t just say what you did—show how it made an impact.

• Bad: “Worked on SEO projects.”

• Good: “Implemented SEO strategies that increased organic traffic by 35% in 3 months.”

Numbers and results immediately make your work stand out.

4. Customize for Each Job

Think of your resume as a sales pitch, tailored for each role.

• Read the job description carefully and align your resume with the key skills and requirements.

• Consider yourself a product—just like how Audi rebranded its logo to sell EVs in China, your resume needs to “rebrand” itself for each role.

5. Beat the ATS (Applicant Tracking System)

Most companies use ATS software to screen resumes before they ever reach a human.

• Research and include the right keywords from the job description.

• Use free online tools to test your resume’s ATS compatibility.

Bonus Tip: Referrals are your secret weapon. A strong referral can often bypass ATS filters and take you straight to the decision-makers. If you’re unsure how to get referrals, I’ve written about it [here].

Final Thoughts

Getting rejected for my resume was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It forced me to take my personal branding seriously.

Your resume isn’t just a document—it’s your first impression. Make it count.

Now it’s your turn. How did you create your Super Resume? Drop your tips in the comments—I’d love to learn from you!