“Outside India, No One Cares About Your IIT Tag”: London Techie Sparks Debate on Job Referrals

Kunal Kushwaha urges job seekers to highlight skills and outcomes over elite college credentials, sparking a spirited discussion on merit vs. academic branding

May 19, 2025: London: A London-based tech professional has stirred debate online after stating that prestigious Indian college credentials like the IIT tag hold little weight in the global job market—especially for remote roles.

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Kunal Kushwaha, a well-known figure in the tech and open-source community, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a referral request he received that led with “I’m an IIT alumnus.” While acknowledging the courage it takes to reach out for opportunities, Kushwaha emphasized that short messages should prioritize impact—and not rest on educational laurels.

“Even top IITs have students who struggle with placements. What really stands out is your work, the projects you’ve built, the problems you’ve solved, your passion for the field,” he wrote.

Kushwaha, who has worked across various countries and now resides in London, said that global employers rarely place emphasis on academic pedigrees like the IIT tag.

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“It’s dangerous to think your college tag will make the difference… maybe it still carries weight in India, but not if you’re aiming for remote roles at global companies,” he said, adding, “Outside India, no one cares about your IIT tag.”

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Mixed Reactions Online
The post generated significant discussion, with many agreeing that portfolio and problem-solving ability outweigh institutional prestige in a global hiring context.

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One user remarked, “The global game runs on outcomes, not alma maters.”
Another added, “Having IIT in the headline tells you the person cracked a tough exam. That shows grit. But the rest depends on what they’ve actually done.”

Others pointed out that in India or Gulf countries, elite institutions still hold strong sway in hiring decisions.

Still, the broader consensus echoed Kushwaha’s view that real-world skills, contributions, and projects are far more important than educational branding, especially in international or remote tech roles.

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Tags:
IIT tag global relevance, Kunal Kushwaha job advice, remote tech jobs, IIT vs skills debate, tech hiring trends, job referrals, resume tips, Indian tech graduates, global job market, merit over brand