Full Circle: How I Finally Landed My Dream Role at Atlan After Previous Rejection

Career
AI
Persistence
April 15, 2024

TLDR: After grinding through roles at KoinX, Tunable Labs, and EzAIx, I finally achieved what once seemed impossible—joining Atlan as an AI Engineer Intern after they had previously rejected me. Despite juggling college classes and a full-time gig at EzAIx, I battled through a brutal 5-round interview process to make this happen. This journey proves that rejections aren't final—they're just pit stops on the way to where you actually need to be.

The Opportunity That Came Back Around

While grinding at EzAIx (about three months in), I spotted an opening for an AI Engineer Intern at Atlan. This wasn't just any random job post—it was the same company that had rejected me earlier despite completing their assignment.

That previous rejection had hit different because:

  1. Atlan was literally my dream company
  2. Several people I looked up to worked there
  3. I'd been rejected for a tiny code mistake despite submitting a complete solution

Now, armed with real experience building AI agents at Tunable Labs and backend systems at KoinX, I had my second shot. I applied immediately, knowing this was the redemption arc I'd been working toward.

The Five-Round Gauntlet

My resume got shortlisted—first W secured. But what followed was the most intense interview process I'd ever faced: five grueling rounds while balancing college and a full-time job.

The process tested everything from technical chops to culture fit. The assignment round nearly broke me—ridiculously challenging with a tight deadline while juggling college and work. Let's just say I didn't sleep much that week.

After 32 months of interviewing with countless companies, facing endless rejections, and constantly leveling up, I got the email I'd been dreaming of—I was officially an Atlanian.

The Rise of AI Has Changed Everything About Tech Hiring

The tech landscape has completely transformed since I started this journey. When I first applied to Atlan, having specific tech stack knowledge was enough to stand out. Now? Not even close:

  • •
    AI agents are doing what junior devs used to do: Basic CRUD operations, boilerplate code, even simple features can now be generated by AI tools
  • •
    The value of an engineer has shifted dramatically: Companies aren't looking for people who can write code anymore—that's table stakes. They want people who can architect solutions, integrate AI effectively, and deliver end-to-end value
  • •
    Tech stack boundaries are dissolving: Being a “Python developer” or “React expert” isn't special anymore. AI tools can help anyone code in any language
  • •
    Visualization and communication skills are now critical: With AI handling more code generation, your ability to design systems, explain complex ideas, and present solutions visually has become exponentially more valuable

Key Strategies That Made The Difference

Several approaches helped me succeed where I had previously failed:

  1. Exceptional presentation quality:
    • •Created architecture diagrams to make complex systems easy to understand
    • •Shot demo videos that actually showed the product in action
    • •Built intuitive UIs that made technical achievements accessible
  2. Leveraging real battle scars:
    • •Referenced AI agent systems I'd actually built and deployed at Tunable Labs
    • •Applied hardcore backend knowledge from KoinX
  3. The art of strategic overkill:
    • •Added features they never asked for but would obviously want
    • •Continuously demonstrated “high agency” throughout the process

Lessons For Anyone Getting Rejected Right Now

  • •
    Rejections have expiration dates: Companies that reject you now may hire you later when you've leveled up
  • •
    Document your progress: Track your growth so you can show exactly how you've improved
  • •
    Visuals matter more than you think: Invest time making your work look polished and professional
  • •
    Every interview builds XP: Each one, even failures, gives you skills for future opportunities
  • •
    The world runs on second chances: Keep applying to dream companies even after rejection

The Path Forward in an AI-First World

Getting this role at Atlan isn't just a personal win—it's validation that the approach of becoming a tech generalist who can work with AI effectively is paying off. In today's landscape, the most valuable engineers aren't just people who can code—they're people who can:

  • •Effectively orchestrate AI tools to solve complex problems
  • •Deliver end-to-end solutions regardless of the tech stack
  • •Communicate technical concepts in accessible ways
  • •Demonstrate high agency and ownership

For anyone struggling with rejections, remember your story doesn't end after hearing “no.” In a world where AI is transforming everything about software development, your adaptability and persistence are more valuable than any specific technical skill.

The real victory isn't just landing the role—it's proving to yourself that continuous improvement and strategic adaptation will eventually overcome any barrier, whether it's your educational background, previous rejections, or the rapidly changing tech landscape.