FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam Landed First Job Via Roommate's Interview

FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam began his career at the shipping giant in 1991 after taking over an interview slot his roommate had declined. At the time, Subramaniam was completing his MBA at the University of Texas at Austin, having previously earned scientific degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Syracuse University. The early 1990s were marked by a recession in the United States, with unemployment exceeding 7% and a significant drop in hiring, making job opportunities scarce.

According to Subramaniam, his roommate was preparing to return to India and had just received a call from FedEx for an interview. Upon hearing this, Subramaniam, who was walking to their apartment, inquired about the situation. His roommate confirmed he could not attend the interview. Seizing the opportunity, Subramaniam immediately contacted the FedEx recruiter, explaining his roommate's unavailability and offering to submit his own resume.

This proactive step led to Subramaniam being offered the interview, which he successfully completed. The call initiated a career trajectory spanning over three decades within FedEx, progressing from entry-level positions to the chief executive officer role. Subramaniam shared this anecdote during Fortune's Titans and Disruptors of Industry podcast with Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell, highlighting how a chance encounter and a willingness to seize an unexpected opportunity played a pivotal role in launching his leadership journey at the $75 billion company.