A professional who lost his job after nearly a decade with the same company has shared how artificial intelligence (AI) helped him secure a new role with an annual compensation package of $155,000 (around ₹1.5 crore) after months of unsuccessful job hunting.

The experience, shared on Reddit by a user identified as "kml3141", has attracted widespread attention, with many users seeking advice on using AI tools for interview preparation and career transitions.

Layoff After a Decade

According to the Reddit post, the individual had worked for the same organisation for 10 years, earning three promotions during his tenure before being laid off unexpectedly at the end of February.

The sudden job loss marked the beginning of a challenging job search that stretched over five months.

During this period, he attended multiple interviews but continued to face setbacks. In some cases, companies cancelled hiring plans, while others placed vacancies on hold or eventually selected internal candidates.

Turning to AI for Preparation

Instead of giving up after repeated rejections, the professional decided to change his interview strategy by incorporating AI into his preparation process.

He explained that he would upload job descriptions into AI tools and provide information about the hiring managers or interviewers. The AI would then generate likely interview questions and help him understand the skills and experiences that recruiters were likely to focus on.

The approach enabled him to prepare more targeted responses instead of relying on generic interview answers.

Using the STAR Method

The Reddit user said AI also helped him organise responses using the STAR framework—Situation, Task, Action and Result—which is commonly recommended for behavioural interviews.

More importantly, he learned to make his answers concise, structured and relevant.

According to his account, AI encouraged him to avoid lengthy explanations and focus on clear, outcome-oriented responses backed by measurable achievements.

A Higher-Paying Offer

After months of preparation and interviews, he received an offer from a new company with an annual salary of $155,000, equivalent to approximately ₹1.5 crore, along with a 15 per cent annual performance bonus and health insurance benefits from the first day of employment.

The role also follows a hybrid work model, providing flexibility between office and remote work.

The professional noted that the compensation package was significantly higher than his previous salary and said he accepted the offer without negotiating further.

Story Resonates Online

The Reddit post has generated significant engagement, with users congratulating the individual and requesting details about the AI prompts and techniques he used during interview preparation.

Many commenters described the story as an example of how AI can serve as a practical career development tool when used for structured preparation rather than replacing human skills.

Career experts have increasingly highlighted that AI tools can assist job seekers by helping tailor résumés, prepare interview responses, identify skill gaps and simulate mock interviews. However, they also caution that candidates should rely on genuine experience and authentic communication during interviews rather than memorising AI-generated responses.

The viral story reflects a growing trend of professionals using AI as a preparation aid to navigate an increasingly competitive job market after layoffs and career transitions.