Rejected by 17 companies, denied a job at Google: How Ankur Warikoo turned setbacks into success

Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo has opened up about the rejections he faced early in his career, revealing that he was turned down by 17 companies, including Google, before eventually launching his first startup.

In a post on X, Warikoo shared that his last job rejection came when he was 29 years old after applying for a Product role at Google India.

"I have been rejected from 17 companies. The last rejection was from Google at 29," he wrote.


According to Warikoo, Google informed him that although his background was worth considering, he did not possess an engineering degree, which was a prerequisite for the position. Reflecting on the response, he added, "I think they were being polite."

Rather than discouraging him, the rejection became a turning point in his career.

"That rejection led me to start my first company. I still have the email. It reminds me that some doors are apparently always closed because of the choices you have made in life. I read it every time I am about to give up on something," he said.

Social media reacts

The post resonated with many users, who shared their own experiences with job rejections and career setbacks.

One user noted how the job market has evolved over the years, writing, "17 companies is kind of too few in today's age. Even in 2024, 50-100+ applications were normal. With AI, people must be applying everywhere now."

Another user said the experience highlighted the continued importance of formal education in traditional career paths.

"Apparently, the education doesn't matter narrative doesn't work for traditional careers. Fortunately, a lot of modern career paths reward skills over formal education," the user commented.

A third user shared how preserving reminders of difficult periods can serve as motivation during challenging times.

"Even I keep visual memories of bad moments—texts, emails and videos. Whenever I feel low, I look at them and remind myself that if I survived those days, I can get through this as well," the comment read.

A lesson in perseverance

Warikoo's post struck a chord with professionals navigating a competitive job market, highlighting how career setbacks and rejections can sometimes pave the way for unexpected opportunities. His story serves as a reminder that failures often become defining moments that shape future success.