I help companies ressucitate dead leads and sell using AI ✍️🇲🇫🇺🇲🇬🇧 #copywriting #emailmarketing #coldemail #content #databasereactivation

Are you tired of watching leads slip through your fingers and feeling the pain of missed opportunities?

Like 319 leads that can turn into $49,000 in sales...

You’re not alone!

Businesses lose potential sales every day.

But what if I told you that 319 lost leads turned into $49,000 of sales?

Yes you read that right.

In today’s digital landscape it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Your ideal customers are quietly slipping away.

Every lost lead represents a unique story of potential pain unfulfilled needs and hidden desires.

Imagine investing time and resources into attracting leads only to watch them vanish.

The rejection is suffocating.

You question your strategy your messaging and your product.

Did you have the right message? The right offer? 

Did you follow up enough? 

But it doesn’t have to end there.

By revisiting those lost connections with empathy and strategic outreach our client warmed up...

qualified...

and closed leads that were done for!

Dead leads? 

Not quite...

The results speak for themselves.

A staggering $49,000 in sales from lost leads.

You want to do the same? 

Hit my DMs or book a call here: https://calendly.com/etabakhoff/dbr-coffee-date

What I use to grow my account on LinkedIn (affiliate links): 
PowerIn to autocomment using MY TONE: https://app.powerin.io/register?via=emeric
Kleo.so to find, analyze and refine posts.

Emeric Marc

I moved to the United States over a decade ago for a masters program and discovered that job searching as an international student was challenging. 

With each of the 273 job application rejections I learned and applied feedback to the next application. 

That effort paid off to cracking the code to landing a job and conducting a successful international job search.   

8 years in Corporate America, the tables have turned and now I can fast forward YOU.  

The experience working as a Senior Project Manager and a Hiring Manager for Fortune 500 Companies puts me in a unique position to support:

➤ International students wanting  to stand out in competitive job market in USA and Canada
➤Immigrants wanting to kick-start their career in North America [ 1st or 2nd generation citizens, Permanent Residents, H1B, L2 or H4 visa holders]


My goal is to inspire immigrants I cross paths with to be authentic and advocate for themselves.

Working with international job seekers to:

➤ Craft job search strategies on CPT, OPT, H1B and any other immigrant visa
➤ Expand your network organically
➤ Score referrals
➤ Build a killer resume that aligns with the role
➤ Build an all star LinkedIn profile that speaks for you
➤ Prepare to stand out during the hiring process
➤ Navigate the visa and salary  conversation with potential employer

Are you an international student or immigrant looking for a job?
Let's get you HIRED!

Message and connect with me to schedule a call.
----------

Personal Fun facts about me:  
🍀 Worked in 3 countries ( India, UK and USA) leading global teams 🌎 
🍀 English is not my first language, but that doesn’t stop me from using my voice.

Aneri Desai

I bought my dream home recently, and the feeling is still sinking in.

But in this post, I won’t talk about the journey or the struggles that brought me here.

I want to talk about something else, something that left an even deeper mark.

This home was designed and built by an immigrant woman from Rwanda 🇷🇼 

She had three competing offers.
Ours wasn’t the highest, and yet she chose us.

Because of my last name and my immigrant roots.
Because maybe she saw herself in me.

Two immigrants.
Different journeys.
Same grit.
Same quiet fire.
Same knowing of what it means to build a life in a land that wasn’t always home.

This wasn’t just a transaction.
It was a moment of profound respect.
Of one immigrant saying to another:
I see you. I know what it took. I honor it.

This home means the world to me.
But this moment?
This recognition?
It means even more.

Forever grateful.

Aneri Desai 🍋

Job Search Advisor for International Students & Immigrants living in the U.S. 🇺🇸 | 600+ Mentees | $65 Million in Job Offers | Featured in Forbes, Business Insider & more | Let’s Get You Hired ⤵️

15 years ago, I landed in the U.S. with a one-way ticket and a lot of dreams.

But dreams alone don’t pay tuition or they don’t guarantee jobs.

And they definitely don’t prepare you for the isolation and pressure of starting from zero in a new country.

Here’s how my journey started:

-- Academic probation throughout my master’s
-- No on-campus job, no internship, no network
-- Sat in the back row, and no one knew I existed
-- Drowning in debt with no safety net
-- Rejections piling up, not a single interview
-- Almost homeless after a personal crisis

I know this is not just my story. This is the reality many immigrants face.

The pressure to make it worth it for yourself and everyone who sacrificed for you is always there. 

Even though there is a lot that you go through, the reward for hard work and never giving up is unreal. 

If I talk about my journey, here’s how it eventually unfolded:

✅ Landed job offers from Fortune 500s and Big 4s: Gulfstream Aerospace, Unum, Dell, PwC, StateFarm, without any referral. 

✅ 5 promotions in 7 years

✅ Paid off $500K+ in debt with my spouse

✅ Got a job offer for every role I interviewed for

✅ Built our dream home + generational wealth not just for our child, but both sets of parents

✅ Created 50+ jobs for U.S. citizens and immigrants from 11 countries through our business. 

✅ Coached 600+ immigrants land over $65M in job offers

This journey wasn’t linear. And it was never easy.

Every time I hit a wall, I reminded myself why I came here.
Every time rejection disappointed me, I stopped asking “Why me?” and asked “What now?”

That mindset changed everything.

To every international student and immigrant:

Yes, you’ll work harder.
Yes, the system may feel stacked against you.
But don’t lose hope. 

Make informed choices.
Play the long game.
And remember you’re not alone in this

If you’re on F-1 OPT or STEM OPT, here’s something you may not want to hear:

You can be perfect for the role and still get rejected simply because the company has zero history of sponsoring.

So instead of guessing, use data.

Visa Sponsorship Tools (Role + Company + Salary)
These tools show you:

✅ Which companies sponsor
✅ What roles they sponsor for
✅ What salary ranges do they file
✅ Where they hire international talent

1) H1BData
Great for: salary + company + job title search
(h1bdata.info)

2) MyVisaJobs
Great for: sponsor history + approval trends
(myvisajobs.com)

3) H1BGrader
Great for: salary insights + employer trends
(h1bgrader.com)

4) USCIS Employer Data Hub (official)
Great for: verifying if the company sponsors at all
(search “USCIS employer data hub”)

5) DOL Wage Search (official)
Great for: understanding minimum wage requirements by role/location
(flag.dol.gov)

Important note 
Even if you see a company + role listed on these sites, it does NOT guarantee you will get sponsorship.

Because:
Every team’s budget is different
Every role has different eligibility requirements

and the company always reserves the right to decide whether to sponsor that specific position or not. 

So use these tools as a starting point, not a promise.

How to use this as an international student (simple strategy)
Before you apply to ANY job:

Search the company in MyVisaJobs / USCIS Hub
Search the role title in H1BData / H1BGrader

If there’s no history of sponsorship… don’t “hope.” Move on.

Because your time is your biggest asset in OPT season.

📌 Save this post
Share with one international student who needs sponsorship

I recently received a networking message, and it slightly turned me off.

Because it was plain a cookie-cutter, AI-written message, so much so that the person even forgot to remove the ChatGPT line:

“If you want it to sound softer or more confident, I can adjust the wording slightly.”

I am not against using AI. And it wasn’t the use of AI that bothered me.
It was the complete lack of personal effort or proof reading. 

We’ve become so used to outsourcing our voice that we’re forgetting how to communicate on our own.

What used to be a simple hello now feels like a templated transaction.

Messages, resumes, LinkedIn posts, and even comments.
They’re starting to blur into one another.

Everyone senses it.
The writer and the readers. 
We’ve just stopped acknowledging it.

And the result is disconnection. Hence, nowadays, most content makes us scroll past rather than leaving an impact. 

Ironically, that message stayed with me because it was yet another reminder of how far we’re drifting from authenticity.

So as I step into 2026, I’m making a few intentional choices:
→ Create more than I consume
→ Focus on depth over metrics
→ Engage only when I can genuinely contribute

Because if you’re trying to build meaningful relationships or stand out in someone’s inbox, you don’t have unlimited chances.

AI is a powerful tool. But it’s just that… a tool.

Your real voice still matters.
And in a world full of noise, it's often the only thing that will truly set you apart.

A lot of people are waking up to the difficult news about Amazon laying off 16,000 employees.

And if you were impacted, I want to say this first, before any advice:

This is not a reflection of your talent, work ethic, or potential.
This was about org design, costs, priorities, and timing.
It was not personal.

There will be a lot of noise right now.
Speculation, anger, think pieces, and blame.

I want to gently de-clutter that for you.

Those answers won’t change your outcome.
And chasing them won’t give you peace.

I’ve been there.
I was laid off at 7 months pregnant as part of a company-wide re-org.

The best thing I did was take a day to process what had happened.
That pause helped me separate fear from strategy.

As an immigrant, the fear was amplified.
It wasn’t just about losing a job.
It was visas, timelines, stability, and the panic of
“What does this mean for my family?”

Here’s what I want you to focus on first

1. Separate your identity from your employer
For years, your badge validated you.
Now that the badge is gone, your brain is panicking.

That doesn’t mean you lost value.
It means the structure around you changed.

2. Don’t sprint on Day 1.
You don’t need to apply to 50 jobs this week to prove you’re “serious.”

Taking a short pause helped me avoid panic-applying and come back calmer, more composed, and strategic instead of reactive.

3. Stop doom-scrolling job market content
Staying glued to social media and layoff announcements doesn’t make you prepared.

For immigrants on visas, this spiral can make everything feel urgent and unsafe.

Step away for a few days.
Protect your mental space.

4. Your job right now is not just “landing your next role ASAP.”

Your job is to:
• rebuild self-trust
• get clear on what you are bringing to the next employer.
• show up consistently and strategically without tying your self-worth to immediate outcomes

Offers come after that alignment, not before.

If you were impacted by the Amazon layoffs or any layoff, you are allowed to grieve and move forward. Both can coexist.

Big sister reminder
This is a pause.
Not the end.

If you're an aspiring Product Manager, learn straight from these official PM interview guides published by the companies that actually hire PMs.

1. Amazon: PM Interview Guide
https://lnkd.in/grJUwGab

2. Microsoft: PM Cohort & Pathway
https://lnkd.in/gwciTni8

3. Meta: PM Onsite Prep Guide
https://lnkd.in/gyjxRmMv

4. Atlassian: Product Interview Handbook
https://lnkd.in/g7FREaCK

5. Coursera: PM Interview Prep Guide
https://lnkd.in/gBPP8YdC

If you’re serious about breaking into PM, these are the resources that will give you the right guidance.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone preparing for PM roles.

And follow Aneri Desai 🍋 for more career-focused insights.

The job search strategies that worked in 2023 won’t get you very far in 2026.

Hiring is slower, more cautious, and far more competitive. 

With high applicant volume, early screening favors candidates who can deliver value quickly, not those expected to learn and grow into the role.

Proven relevance matters more than ever.

Here’s the hiring pattern I’m seeing in today's job market:

1. Skills-based hiring is now standard

Employers focus on what candidates have actually done, not where they studied or brand names on a resume. 

Portfolios, case studies, and real work examples are often more persuasive than resumes alone.

2. AI is a baseline expectation

Used well, it helps candidates research roles, prepare thoughtfully, and communicate clearly. 

Used poorly, it creates generic applications that recruiters can easily recognize and dismiss. 

AI works best as a support tool, not a replacement for judgment.

3. Job boards are no longer a reliable primary strategy

The real traction often comes from:

– Direct applications through company pages
– Discovery via recruiters and headhunters
– Referrals
– LinkedIn visibility before a job is even posted

4. Hiring scams are increasing

Watch for red flags such as a “recruiter” reaching out using personal email domains, offering a job without an interview, pressuring to accept a job offer quickly, or any request for payment. 

5. Visibility matters

People who share insights, mentor others, and demonstrate thought leadership are often more discoverable than highly capable candidates with no visible proof of their work or expertise.

Bottom line:

The 2026 job market rewards strategic positioning, not volume. 

Candidates who clarify their target roles, make their skills visible, provide credible proof of experience, and adapt to modern hiring realities are better positioned to move forward.

From maternity leave to 2 job offers at Amazon and Microsoft, all while pivoting into a brand-new field.

Some client wins are about the title or the salary.
But others are about reclaiming time, confidence, and control.

This is one of those stories.

When Naina (name changed) first reached out, she was on maternity leave.
And she was trying to pivot from Account Manager to Finance Manager.

To help her achieve her goal, first, we slowed down and got clear on the jobs we want to target. 

We analyzed 10 job descriptions for Finance Manager roles and reverse-engineered what hiring managers actually look for.

Skills, tools, patterns in language, and how they were being written, searched for, and filtered.

Then we rebuilt her brand from the ground up:

→ Her LinkedIn headline was rewritten to reflect where she was going, not where she’d been.
→ Her experience section highlighted strategic, finance-aligned impact.
→ Her skills were updated to align with how recruiters filtered candidates for finance roles.

As a result: 
She started showing up in recruiter searches.
She got inbound interest.
She landed interviews. 

In one case, she applied to a role online and got rejected.
But she’d also sent a direct message to the hiring manager.

He reviewed her profile, saw the alignment, and brought her in for an interview anyway.

That conversation turned a “no” into a “yes.”

Only after we got her positioning right did we finalize her resume.
Every bullet was crafted for relevance and impact.

By the time she interviewed, there was nothing left to explain.
Her profile already told the right story.

Three months later, she had two offers: from Amazon and Microsoft.

And she got there without burning out or bending herself into someone she’s not.

I share this because career pivots aren’t about doing more.
They’re about showing up differently with strategy, clarity, and a message that makes sense to the right people.

Sometimes the best move is to stop sprinting and start aligning.
That’s where the real momentum comes from.

“Applied once and didn’t hear back: ghosted.”
“Sent a resume and heard nothing back: ghosted.”
“Didn’t get the job: must’ve been ghosted.”

I see posts like this every day.

And I get it.

Not hearing back is disappointing. It can feel disrespectful too, especially when you are already tired from trying.

But every time you don’t get a response, it’s not ghosting.

It’s rejection. There is a difference between the two.

Ghosting is when someone in the process (a recruiter, hiring manager, or coordinator) tells you they will follow up.

You interview.

They say, “We’ll be in touch.”
You wait.
You follow up.
And then you get no response.

That’s ghosting.

That’s a breakdown of communication after a commitment was made.

Everything else falls into rejection, even when it hurts.

Rejection looks like:

• Applying online and never hearing back
• Receiving an automated rejection email
• Feeling confident after an interview and still getting a “no.”
• Making it to the final round and losing out to another candidate

None of those means you were ghosted.

They mean they chose someone else.

And this distinction matters, especially when you're already stretched thin.

Because when you treat every silence like ghosting, it starts to feel personal.

It drains your energy. It chips away at your confidence.

You start to believe you’re being disrespected when really, you’re just stuck in an overloaded hiring process.

Ghosting and rejection both hurt.

But they’re not the same.

And knowing the difference can help you stay grounded in a process that already feels unfair.

Don’t let the job market make you doubt yourself more than necessary.

Save your energy for the parts that actually deserve it.

Follow Aneri Desai 🍋 for strategic insights on job search, interview, and career navigation.

4 innocent things that feel productive but quietly hurt your job search: 

1. Commenting “Interested” on a job post: 

This doesn’t show intent or effort. 

It doesn’t tell the job poster who you are or why you are a good fit.  

It’s a passive move in a very active game.

2. Mass-applying while skipping the basics: 

If you don’t take the time to understand the role or answer screening questions thoroughly, your application is just another one in a pile. 

3. Collecting content but doing nothing with it:

How much Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube content have you saved this year? 

Now, how many have you actually used?

4. Directly reaching out to decision makers without applying first:

If you know the recruiter or hiring manager, please reach out by all means. 

But that does not eliminate the need to apply for the role. The application process is there for a reason. 

Only collecting information will not take you anywhere. 

Execution will. 

Just a gentle reminder: 

AI can assist you. 
Automation can support you. 

But neither can replace YOU so show up for yourself.

Follow Aneri Desai 🍋 for strategic insights on job search, interview, and career navigation.

Let’s take a breath for a second.
Job search is already hard.
Emotionally draining.
Full of uncertainty.

And yet, a lot of advice out there is making it feel more complicated than it needs to be.

So let’s simplify a few things.

1) Jobs are not as hidden as the internet makes them sound
Most mid to large organizations post roles publicly to stay compliant with labor laws and internal policies.

Yes, some startups hire through their network.
Yes, some contract roles are not posted and are filled through agencies.

But the majority of roles at established companies still go through formal postings and a structured application process.

Applying is not optional.
It is part of the process.

Reaching out to recruiters and hiring managers is helpful, but it does not replace the need to apply for the role if it is posted online.

2) Networking helps, but it does not replace qualification

Networking is a support strategy, not the entire strategy.
It can be helpful, but relying only on networking or insider access can actually limit your opportunities.

The idea that networking alone is where jobs come from creates unnecessary pressure.
It makes people feel like they are missing something or doing something wrong.

Networking can help your resume get reviewed sooner.
But it cannot override eligibility requirements, visa constraints, or role expectations.

I have seen referrals get rejected.
And I have seen online applications submitted through a company’s career page lead to offers.

Networking works best when it supports your search, not when it replaces the fundamentals.

3) There is no magic way to “beat the ATS”
An ATS is not out to get you.
It is a tool recruiters use to manage volume, and every company configures it differently.

What works consistently is alignment.
Not “I know I can do this job,”
but “Here is proof that I have done what you are hiring for.”

4) Cold outreach helps, but isn’t a silver bullet.

Cookie-cutter templates that you copy & paste have a low response rate.
It works best when it’s specific, thoughtful, and personal.

Even then, it’s a numbers game.

I have helped over 600 immigrant job seekers land $65M+ in job offers.
Here is what I see most often:

People get hired through different doors.
• Online applications, with or without referrals
• Recruiter outreach
• Proactive networking
• Internal transfers

There is no single right path.
There is no hack.

From five years of coaching and my own journey as an immigrant who landed multiple Fortune 500 roles with sponsorship, this is what I know:

The job search works best when you stop overcomplicating things and focus on showing clear fit for your target role.

Clear role targeting.
Relevant proof of experience.
Consistent, intentional action.

You are not behind.
You are not doing it wrong.

Let’s stop making it harder than it already is.

“I’m pregnant. I don’t think I can get a new job right now.”

I hear this from so many women.
And I also know that a lot of women self-reject before the interview even begins.

They assume hiring is off the table during pregnancy.
They step back from opportunities they’re fully qualified for because they’re worried about how they’ll be perceived.

I’m here to break that myth today.

In the past five years as a career coach, I’ve coached many immigrant women to land jobs at companies like Amazon, Salesforce, Uber, Microsoft, Fidelity, Guidewire Software, and Deloitte while pregnant or during maternity leave.

One of them just welcomed her baby a few weeks ago. 

She is in a senior role at a Fortune 500 company and landed this role in her third trimester. 

Her manager and team have been supportive. 

Yes, unconscious bias exists.
But too many women opt out based on assumptions, not reality.

The fact is, in the U.S., you're not legally required to disclose your pregnancy during interviews, and that’s why I recommend waiting to share until you have an offer or after you’ve joined, depending on timing. 

You don’t owe early-stage interviewers your medical history. 
So focus on showing your value, not defending your circumstances.

You can be both: A soon-to-be parent and a strong candidate 

Make career decisions based on facts, not fear, because you don’t have to put your ambition on pause.

Here are 5 free university-backed resume guides I recommend to every job seeker. 

These are practical, research-backed tools that teach you how to think about your resume, so you can write one that actually works.

1. Harvard University
Harvard College Resume & Cover Letter Guide

One of the best for:
→ Bullet writing (action + impact)
→ Turning coursework into experience
→ What recruiters actually scan for

📌 Search: Harvard resume and cover letter guide pdf
https://lnkd.in/eUYUnegT

2. MIT
MIT Career Advising Resume Guide

Excellent for:
→ Quantifying achievements
→ Technical + non-technical resumes
→ Internship and early-career formatting

📌 Search: MIT resume guide career advising
https://lnkd.in/eQXzEc-Z

3. Stanford University
Stanford Career Education Resume Guide

Great for:
→ Storytelling without fluff
→ Clean, experience-first formats
→ Professional layouts

📌 Search: Stanford resume guide career education
https://lnkd.in/eDSqvPZ5

4. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
Wharton Resume Guide

Perfect for:
→ Business, consulting, analytics roles
→ Framing leadership + results
→ High-impact bullet structure

📌 Search: Wharton resume guide pdf
https://lnkd.in/eZGc64P4

5. UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley Career Center Resume Guide

Especially helpful for:
→ Career changers
→ Translating academic work into real-world skills
→ Students with limited experience

📌 Search: UC Berkeley resume guide career center
https://lnkd.in/evxxprKZ

Pro tip: Download 2–3 of these and compare how they structure bullet points, experience, and formatting. 

You'll see patterns. Follow those.

You don’t need to guess what a “good” resume looks like.

These schools have done the heavy lifting.

Save this. 
Share it. Bookmark it.

Follow Aneri Desai 🍋 for strategic insights on job search, interview, and career navigation.

As we enter 2026, I’ve been reflecting with a heart that’s full of everything that my immigrant clients and I have achieved. 

This past year inside Aneri Desai Coaching, I’ve had the honor of walking alongside courageous immigrants rewriting what’s possible, often while managing visa stress, career gaps, caregiving responsibilities, and more.

These were more than just career wins.
They were acts of resilience and of choosing themselves, again and again.

In today’s newsletter, I’ve shared not just the outcomes, but the real journeys behind them, the tears, pivots, self-doubt, and quiet wins that don’t show up in spreadsheets.

Do give it a read if you’ve been feeling stuck, tired, or just need a reminder that your story still matters.

View newsletter: The Self-made Immigrant 

As we step into 2026, I’ve been reflecting with a heart that’s equal parts grateful and in awe. This past year, I’ve had the honor of witnessing some 

Open article: 289 interviews, 55 offers, $5.5M in salary Entering 2026 With a Full Heart by Aneri Desai 🍋 • 3 min read

289 interviews, 55 offers, $5.5M in salary Entering 2026 With a Full Heart

She landed offers at Amazon and Microsoft while on maternity leave and while switching careers.

Naina (name changed), an immigrant woman and a new mother, knew she didn’t want to return to her old job after maternity leave.
She wanted to step into an entirely new industry, finance.

She hadn’t worked in finance roles in the U.S. before.
What she did have was clarity, discipline, and a willingness to think differently.

We didn’t begin with quick fixes like resumes or cover letters.

We started by asking the right questions: 
→ What do hiring managers actually prioritize in this field?
→ How do you translate your past experience into the language of your future industry?

The result was momentum, clarity and eventually, multiple offers.

In today’s newsletter, I’ve shared the full behind-the-scenes of how we rebranded her career, rebuilt her confidence, and realigned her strategy all without burnout or busywork.

This one’s for anyone rethinking their next chapter, especially if it feels “too late” or “too risky.”

The story of how an immigrant woman reclaimed her ambition, rewrote her professional identity, and built a career pivot that worked without sacrificin

Open article: She Landed Offers at Amazon and Microsoft While on Maternity Leave and Switching Careers by Aneri Desai 🍋 • 3 min read

She Landed Offers at Amazon and Microsoft While on Maternity Leave and Switching Careers

She was an international student with no work experience, convinced no one would ever hire her.

Now, Reema (name changed) has real-world project management experience, a growing network, and people ready to refer her.

This transformation was not a result of any luck or fluke. 
It came from shifting the way she saw herself and how she showed up.

When we first connected, she asked me the most common question international students deal with: 

“Why would anyone give me a chance when I’ve never worked before?”

And the fear behind that question is very real.
Her resume looked like many others I’ve seen, which reflected that fear: 

Academic projects
Group assignments
No roles, no ownership, no industry traction

She was doing her master’s in project management, but had no proof of her capabilities outside the classroom.

And that’s where we started by building proof of value one step at a time. 

→ She started attending campus events.
→ Then, she raised her hand to lead them.
→ She showed up at nonprofit meetups and introduced herself to organizers.
→ She offered to help, not to “network,” but to contribute.
→ She began building a simple but visible presence on LinkedIn, sharing what she was learning and doing.

That effort led to two key volunteer roles:

1. Managing grant applications
2. Leading corporate events and social media for a nonprofit

And just like that, her experience was no longer theoretical.
Her resume had weight.
Her confidence had roots.
And her network had reasons to advocate for her.

That’s the shift that changes everything.
Especially for international students who feel like they’re starting from behind.

You don’t wait to be chosen.
You build credibility, visibly and intentionally, before the job offer.
Especially when you are starting from zero. 

Follow Aneri Desai 🍋 for strategic insights on job search, interview, and career navigation.

She went from “I have no experience” to leading projects and earning referrals before her first full-time job.

This international student was in a project management program, and she believed what many do:
That, without U.S. experience, she’d never be taken seriously.

She didn’t have internships or industry exposure. 
What she did have was curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to build value from the ground up.

We didn’t start with job boards or resume templates.

We started by asking better questions:
→ What does credibility look like when you don’t have titles yet?
→ How can you lead before someone gives you permission?

From campus events to nonprofit work to showing up online, she created momentum that made people notice.

Today’s newsletter is a look at how we shifted her story from invisible to credible and how other international students can do the same, without waiting to be “ready.”

Today I want to share the journey of Reema (name changed), an international student who came to me with the most common dilemma almost all internation

Open article: This International Student Went From No One Will Hire Me To Leading Real Projects and Earning Referrals by Aneri Desai 🍋 • 3 min read

This International Student Went From No One Will Hire Me To Leading Real Projects and Earning Referrals

It’s about time for the H1B lottery, and here’s everything you need to know: 

If you’re an international student or early-career professional, this season can feel overwhelming. 

But with the right info, you can stay ahead with your application: 

Here are the most common queries regarding the H1B lottery 2026: 

1. When is the H1B lottery happening?

Based on past timelines, registration will likely open around March 9 and close by March 23.
Results are expected by March 30, as April 1 marks the start of the filing period.

If selected, your employer can file your petition between April 1 and June 30.

2. How do I find my wage level for this year’s lottery?

Use the OFLC Wage Tool to check your wage level based on job title and location.
This is important for meeting the minimum salary requirement when filing your petition.

3. Can I travel during the lottery period?

Yes but be careful.

-- You can travel during the lottery registration and selection phase.
-- If you’re selected and applying for a change of status (e.g., F1 to H1B), do not travel after April 1.
Leaving the U.S. during this time may result in your application being automatically abandoned.

Bottom line:
Know your deadlines.
Protect your status.
And don’t make assumptions, make informed decisions.

Follow Aneri Desai for practical tips and strategies that help international students and immigrants navigate the U.S. workforce. 

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice. Please consult an immigration attorney for personal advice on this topic.

This one simple shift changed networking for me forever.

Most networking messages or questions during networking calls are unknowingly formed from an “I” lens.

They sound like:
“How do I land a job at your company?”
“How do I stand out in my applications?”
“How do I prepare for interviews?”

Even when the intention is good, these questions put pressure on the other person.

They ask for solutions before a relationship exists, which often leads to no response.

Not because people do not want to help,
but because they feel overwhelmed or unsure where to even begin.

It also opens the door to broad opinions instead of real, meaningful insight.

I made one small change.
I replaced I with YOU.

Instead of asking for advice, I asked:

“How did YOU land a job at your company?”
“How did YOU stand out in your applications?”
“How did YOU prepare for interviews?”

That shift changed everything.

Now the conversation was about their journey.
Their lived experience.
What actually worked for them.

The pressure disappeared.
Curiosity replaced obligation.
And people were far more willing to say yes to a short conversation.

Networking works best when it is not transactional.
It works when you lead with genuine interest in the person on the other side.

Sometimes, one word is all it takes to change the outcome.

Follow Aneri Desai 🍋 for strategic insights on job search, interview, and career navigation.

In the last few days, my clients landed roles at Salesforce, TIAA, and RaceTrac.

One was on a dependent spouse visa with a year-long break.
One navigated an H1B transfer and moved from contract to full-time.
One applied internally and redefined what growth looked like for her.

These offers didn’t happen overnight. They were built through months of quiet effort, honest reflection, and belief, especially when it felt like nothing was working.

In today’s newsletter, I’m sharing what these journeys actually looked like and why they matter.

If you're in the thick of your job search, I hope it meets you where you are.

There’s something deeply powerful about starting the year with momentum. As we step into 2026, I want to celebrate a few quiet wins that happened rece

Open article: Starting 2026, With 3 Job Offers From Salesforce, TIAA & RaceTrac, and a Reminder That Your “Yes” Is Still Possible by Aneri Desai 🍋 • 3 min read

Starting 2026, With 3 Job Offers From Salesforce, TIAA & RaceTrac, and a Reminder That Your “Yes” Is Still Possible

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