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A young engineer recently opened up on a Reddit community called BTechtards about how his long-awaited dream was shattered within moments. During his campus placement drive, he received an interview call from a prestigious hedge fund company—the kind of opportunity every aspiring coder dreams about. Out of a staggering 506 applicants, only 13 were shortlisted, and he was among the lucky few. His slot came up tenth, and after the first round, only three people—one boy, one girl, and himself—managed to impress the recruiters. He felt as if his entire journey had finally found its purpose.

The Interview That Felt Like a Victory

When he appeared for the second technical round, it turned into a two-hour grilling session filled with complex questions and detailed discussions. Yet, the panel seemed genuinely impressed by his performance. Their warm demeanor and encouraging words made him believe he had secured the role. They even discussed the company’s team structure and future projects and hinted at welcoming him to the organization soon. For him, it was surreal—everything he had worked for was finally within reach.

The Offer That Sparked Hope

The compensation package of ₹64 lakh per annum made the victory even sweeter. He couldn’t stop smiling, thinking about all the sleepless nights and sacrifices his parents had made for him. At that moment, he felt vindicated for choosing computer science in a mid-tier college over a mechanical engineering seat at an IIT. The decision that once seemed questionable now felt justified.

The HR Chat That Changed Everything

Soon after, he and his close friend—the girl who also got shortlisted—were called in by the HR for what seemed like a casual onboarding conversation. They were asked about system preferences, joining dates, and other formalities. It appeared that both of them had secured the offer, and the excitement in the air was undeniable. Everything seemed set for their bright futures.

The Sudden Twist of Fate

But just when it all felt certain, the HR received a call, stepped out, and returned moments later with devastating news. The company, he explained apologetically, could hire only one candidate. In a single sentence, the dream crumbled. They were thanked and escorted out, leaving him numb and heartbroken. The happiness of a lifetime had dissolved in seconds.

Picking Up the Pieces

Now, instead of joining the hedge fund, he continues to work at a startup where he had interned earlier — a job paying just Rs 8 lakh annually, with long hours and constant pressure. The disappointment still lingers, but words of support from Reddit users poured in. Many reminded him that making it to the top 0.59% of candidates proved his exceptional caliber. Others encouraged him not to lose faith, believing that this setback was merely the beginning of something greater.

A Community That Offered Hope

Fellow users flooded the comments with empathy, telling him not to lose heart and that his capabilities would soon be recognized. One even remarked that sometimes failure is just destiny’s way of redirecting us toward bigger opportunities. Despite the heartbreak, his story resonated with thousands — a reminder that even when dreams collapse, resilience and hope are what keep us moving forward.