In an increasingly competitive job market, one young tech enthusiast turned heads after sharing how he secured a high-paying remote position—earning nearly ₹36 lakh annually—despite having no formal full-time experience. Devaansh Bhandari used social media platform X to narrate his journey, offering a practical roadmap for others aiming to bypass traditional campus recruitment systems and tap into global opportunities.
His story reflects a broader shift in hiring trends, especially among startups that prioritize skills, initiative, and adaptability over conventional credentials.
Redefining What It Means to Be a Fresher
According to Bhandari, the definition of a fresher has evolved significantly in recent years. In 2026, entry-level candidates are no longer expected to be passive learners or theoretical coders. Instead, they are seen as “product builders”—individuals capable of understanding the full lifecycle of a digital product.
This means going beyond writing code. A capable candidate should grasp how users interact with applications, how backend systems store and process data, and how APIs facilitate communication between different components. Startups, especially those operating in fast-paced environments, are not looking for students who need constant supervision. They want professionals who can independently design, develop, and deploy features.
Busting Common Myths About Remote Hiring
Bhandari highlighted several misconceptions that often discourage candidates from applying to global roles.
Prestigious Degrees Are Not Mandatory
Contrary to popular belief, the reputation of one’s college plays a minimal role in remote hiring. Bhandari shared that during multiple interviews, recruiters showed little interest in his academic institution. Instead, they focused on practical skills and problem-solving ability.
Academic Scores Don’t Define Career Success
Low grades or academic setbacks do not necessarily limit professional growth. Bhandari himself experienced academic challenges but still managed to secure a lucrative international role. His journey emphasizes that employers value demonstrable skills more than past academic performance.
“I once had 8 backlogs and a very low CPI (6.3 out of 10). I still landed a global role because I focused on my strengths. Your past grades do not define your future income…” he wrote.
Freshers Are Not Overlooked
Another widespread assumption is that only experienced professionals are hired for remote roles. However, startups often prefer hiring talented beginners from countries like India because it is more cost-effective than recruiting in regions like the United States. This creates a unique opportunity for skilled individuals to enter global teams early in their careers.
Perfection Is Not a Prerequisite
Many candidates hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement listed in a job description. Bhandari strongly discouraged this mindset, noting that startups value adaptability and a willingness to learn over complete expertise.
Building a Resume That Stands Out
To compete in the global job market, candidates need to showcase real-world competence. Bhandari emphasized that a strong profile should include at least a couple of standout achievements.
Meaningful Projects
Developing practical applications that solve real problems is crucial. For instance, Bhandari and his peers worked on tools like an SEO platform and an education-based application, both designed with actual users in mind. Such projects demonstrate not just technical ability but also product thinking.
Open-Source Contributions
Participation in programs like Google Summer of Code and Linux Foundation initiatives can significantly boost credibility. Contributing to widely used software proves that a developer can collaborate effectively and write production-quality code.
Hackathon Experience
Competitions provide an opportunity to build innovative solutions under time constraints. Achievements in recognized hackathons signal creativity, teamwork, and technical proficiency.
Essential Soft Skills for Global Roles
Technical expertise alone is not sufficient for remote work. Bhandari stressed the importance of communication skills, particularly fluency in English. In distributed teams, clear and concise communication is essential for collaboration.
Another critical aspect is the ability to work asynchronously. Since remote teams often operate across different time zones, individuals must be comfortable working independently, managing tasks efficiently, and documenting their progress using tools like Jira.
Technical Skills That Actually Matter
Rather than trying to learn every programming language, candidates should focus on mastering one core technology—such as Python or Node.js. Deep expertise in a single stack is often more valuable than superficial knowledge of many.
Interestingly, Bhandari revealed that he was selected for roles requiring Go and Rust, despite having no prior experience in them. This highlights that strong fundamentals and problem-solving skills can outweigh specific language expertise.
System design emerged as a crucial area during interviews. Instead of traditional algorithm-focused questions, startups often evaluate candidates through practical tasks like building features in real time. Additionally, familiarity with AI-assisted coding tools such as Cursor and Claude is becoming increasingly important, as speed and efficiency are now key differentiators.
Alternative Paths to Landing Remote Jobs
Beyond traditional job applications, Bhandari suggested several proactive strategies.
Engage With Remote-First Companies
Candidates should actively follow organizations that operate remotely and reach out directly to founders or hiring managers.
Contribute Before Applying
If a company maintains open-source projects, contributing to them can significantly increase visibility and improve the chances of getting noticed.
Leverage Professional Networks
Building connections with individuals already working in remote roles can open doors to referrals and insider opportunities.
Crafting Effective Cold Emails
Reaching out to employers requires a thoughtful approach. Generic job requests rarely succeed. Instead, candidates should demonstrate how their skills align with the company’s needs.
Highlighting relevant experience is essential. Applicants should clearly explain how their past work relates to the organization’s product or challenges. Identifying existing issues—such as bugs or inefficiencies—and առաջարկing solutions can make a strong impression. This proactive approach signals genuine interest and problem-solving ability.
The Power of Personal Branding
Bhandari also emphasized the importance of maintaining an active online presence. Platforms like LinkedIn and X can serve as powerful tools for showcasing skills and attracting opportunities.
By consistently sharing projects, insights, and learning experiences, individuals can build credibility and visibility within the tech community. Many recruiters actively scout talent through these platforms, making personal branding a valuable asset.
Educational Background and Final Insight
As per his professional profile, Bhandari graduated from IIT BHU. However, his journey reinforces the idea that success in today’s job market depends less on academic pedigree and more on initiative, skill, and adaptability.
His experience underscores a key takeaway: the traditional path is no longer the only route to success. With the right approach, even those without formal work experience can access global opportunities and build high-paying careers in the tech industry.
Source – https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/techie-reveals-how-how-he-landed-rs-36-lpa-job-with-no-work-experience-8-backlogs-low-college-grades-you-dont-just-write-code-/articleshow/130542374.cms?from=mdr