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A 24-year-old computer science graduate ditched generic job applications and sent a bold email to an AI startup’s founders, pointing out they had never hired a woman.
Her unconventional approach helped her land the job. (representational image)
Finding a first job after college has become increasingly difficult, with many graduates sending out dozens of applications before hearing back from employers. In such a competitive market, standing out has become just as important as having the right qualifications.
A 24-year-old computer science graduate managed to do exactly that after sending an unusual email to the founders of an AI startup. Instead of using a standard cover letter, she wrote a message that highlighted something she had noticed about the company, and it eventually helped her land the job.
A different kind of job application
Luciana Diaz Albadan joined AI startup Tenex as a strategist in February after going through several rounds of interviews. Before that, she had applied through the company’s careers page like any other candidate.
Speaking to CNBC Make It, Diaz Albadan said she graduated with a computer science degree in 2024 and began her job search by sending what she described as “generic” cover letters and “sterile” LinkedIn messages. But after researching Tenex, she noticed something unusual.
The startup had around a dozen employees, and all of them were men. She admitted she hesitated before writing directly to the founders.
“This feels like a ballsy thing to do,” she recalled thinking. At the same time, she said she didn’t want to be hired simply because she was a woman.
After finding the email addresses of Tenex’s co-founders, she sent them a message with the subject line: “Tenex has swiped right on 0 women.” Her email began with an equally bold introduction.
“My name is Luciana and I plan to be the first woman you hire at Tenex (according to your very public team breakdown on LinkedIn).” She later explained that she intentionally chose a “clickbait-y” subject line because she wanted the email to stand out in an inbox full of applications.
The Email Got Their Attention
The approach worked almost immediately. Alex Lieberman, one of Tenex’s co-founders, said the email was impossible to ignore. “It was the definition of something that makes you stop in your tracks,” he said.
According to Lieberman, hiring more women had already been something the founders had been thinking about, so the email felt like “a gut punch in the best way.” He also praised the way Diaz Albadan introduced herself.
Rather than simply listing qualifications, her message reflected her personality and confidence. She was invited for an interview and went through a screening call, a take-home assignment and a panel interview before receiving the offer. “The initiative she demonstrated in her email speaks way more than any kind of formal application process itself,” Lieberman said.
Why She Avoided Using AI
Ironically, despite applying to an artificial intelligence company, Diaz Albadan chose not to use AI to write the email. She described the decision as “ironic” and said she wanted to avoid sending what she called obvious “AI slop.”
Instead, she wanted the message to sound like her. Career coach Kyle Elliott said that was one of the biggest reasons it succeeded. “A lot of people are turning AI into their ghostwriter, and then you sound like every other person,” Elliott said. “This worked because it was so tailored.”
He explained that the email stood out because it was personal, well researched and clearly written in the candidate’s own voice. Elliott also advised job seekers not to rely only on online applications.
Instead, he recommended reaching out to recruiters or employees at companies they are interested in, personalising every email, including a clear explanation of why they are applying, attaching a resume and LinkedIn profile, and following up if they don’t receive a reply.
Others Tried To Copy It
After sharing her story on LinkedIn, Diaz Albadan said many job seekers reached out to her. Some even copied her email format, simply replacing the word “women” with another demographic that applied to them. She believes they missed the real reason the email worked.
“None of them broke the template,” she said. Looking back, Diaz Albadan said the biggest lesson was to stop trying to sound like everyone else during the job search. “I was trying to really show myself for who I was,” she said. “And I think that took me very far.”
About the Author
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
August 01, 2026, 18:00 IST
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