We’re back with another juicy tip for landing jobs in the US — especially if you’re an international grad diving into the data science job hunt.
Let’s start with Sunjana Ramana, a master’s degree graduate in Electrical Engineering, who was on the lookout for a data engineering role. Her approach? Get hands-on experience in anything remotely related. Smart move.
Then there’s Priyanka Devi — a Computer Science grad who pulled a fast one on the status quo. She targeted industries most CS grads ignore. Bold move. It paid off.
And you can’t miss Mohammed Wasim. After earning his MSc in Data Science from Illinois Institute of Technology, he went full throttle and applied to 1,000 jobs. He compiled many recommendations, skip[ed anything that’s not H-1 B friendly, and networked like his life depends on it.
Prasad graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Kumaraguru College of Technology. Source: Hari Prasad Renganathan
But Hari Prasad Renganathan? He broke all the “how to network” rules.
“I don’t believe in networking,” he says bluntly. “It’s a controversial take, but I don’t think messaging hiring managers or recruiters is the way to go. They’re super busy. I was in their position once when I was hiring for my start-up, and I had over 150 DMs. I know there was no way I would be able to reply to all of them.”
Funny thing is, Renganathan did land his job through DMs…just not the kind you’d expect.
Instead of sliding into recruiters’ inboxes, he shot his shot with senior directors at companies.
“Unironically, they get fewer messages, and they also have the power to decide to pass your resume to the recruiter,” says Renganathan.
So, ditching the traditional networking playbook doesn’t mean ditching connection altogether. Hari just aimed higher — and it worked.
Prasad is a data scientist at Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Source: Hari Prasad Renganathan
Meet Hari Prasad Renganathan: Data scientist, TEDx speaker, 2X Founder, Ivy League grad
Born in Madurai, India — known as the “Athens of the East” — Renganathan’s early career path was fairly standard.
“I did my BE in Mechanical Engineering at Kumaraguru College of Technology,” he recalls. “It’s a common route, but I felt… outdated. I didn’t know anything about emerging tech.”
Enter COVID-19 — and with it, a complete 180-degree pivot. Renganathan started teaching himself everything he could about tech. That curiosity soon led him to the field of data science.
“I started learning, experimenting, even writing articles to contribute to the field,” he says. From there, he launched his first startup, Daddyoda, a blogging platform for aspiring writers and content creators.
It was then that he decided to take the next step by pursuing a master’s degree in the US. So, he applied, and fortunately, he received an offer from Columbia University, an Ivy League institution, to pursue an MSc in Data Science.
While at Columbia, he co-founded job tracking tool JotterWolf with Sunjana Ramana. He also interned, networked, and gave talks — including one at TEDx and another at BrowserStack.
But when it came time for hunting for jobs in the US, even his Ivy League credentials weren’t enough.
“I couldn’t land a single interview,” he admits. “Month after month went by — nothing. It was one of the most depressing points in my life. I really thought the Ivy League name would open doors. It didn’t.”
So he paused. Recallibrated. Rebuilt.
Prasad has participated as a guest speaker at the NYC Women in Machine Learning & Data Science and the College of Westchester. Source: Hari Prasad Renganathan
“Everyone’s playing the same game — so play a different one”
Renganathan returned to LinkedIn, but with a new approach.
“There were so many grads hunting for jobs in the US, and we were all doing the same thing,” he says. “I didn’t have the experience others did. So I had to do something different.”
He messaged over 100 startup founders in New York directly. Most ghosted him. No surprise.
Then, 10 interviews landed in his inbox.
“I was shocked,” he laughs. “Three of those turned into offers, one of them was a high-paying internship.”
Surprise #2? He turned them all down. He kept pushing — and eventually landed an interview with Take-Two Interactive Software, the powerhouse behind Rockstar Games, 2K, Borderlands, and other notable titles.
He nailed the interview. Got the internship. And crushed it so well, they offered him a full-time role as a data scientist.
Renganathan’s three-step DM strategy when hunting for jobs in the US
If you’re hunting for jobs in the US, Renganathan’s got a DM system that’s tested and recruiter-proof. Forget coffee chats and long-winded intros — this one’s all about cutting through the noise.
Step 1: Look the part
Before you send a single message, your LinkedIn needs to say — clearly — “I’m ready.”
- Use a headline that includes the role you want, your top skills, and your values.
- Make sure your three strongest skills are front and centre.
- If you lack experience, consider showcasing a project or writing a post that demonstrates your capabilities.
Give people a reason to keep reading.
Step 2: Aim higher
Skip recruiters. Message the real decision-makers: the VPs, directors, presidents.
Search titles like “Director of Data Science” or “VP of Engineering.” Even C-level execs are fair game.
“There’s power in reaching out to senior people,” says Renganathan. “When they send your resume to a hiring manager, it doesn’t get ignored. One interviewer even asked me how I got referred by their founder.”
Step 3: Be direct
No fluff. No “Can I pick your brain?” vibes.
“I know that the directors, VPs, and executives don’t have the time for a coffee, so I’ll just keep the message very short and super straightforward,” he explains.
Copy-paste DM template for your next job hunt
Yes, Renganathan even gave us his go-to message:
Hi [Name],
I’m applying for the [Role] at [Company] (Job ID: #123456).
I have [X years] of experience in [skills/field], and I believe I’d be a strong fit for this role.
If possible, could you kindly pass my resume along to the hiring manager?
I’d be happy to share any additional details if needed.
This small help could change my life!
Best,
[Your Name]
“Most people think being polite means writing an essay,” Renganathan says. “In reality, politeness equals clarity and brevity.”
So if you’re hunting for jobs in the US and your inbox is collecting rejections (or worse, silence), try going bold. Slide into the DMs — just aim a little higher.
It might just change your life.
