The Engineer Who Juggled Too Many Jobs

In the fast-paced world of tech startups, one engineer managed to pull off a feat that left many founders baffled. Soham Parekh, a software engineer, admitted to working for multiple Silicon Valley startups simultaneously. This revelation came after a viral post on social media exposed his actions. Founders shared their experiences, painting a picture of an engineer who excelled in interviews but struggled to deliver on the job. Parekh would secure high-paying offers, only to disappear or provide poor-quality work. His excuses ranged from natural disasters to personal emergencies, but the truth was far more complex. The saga began when Suhail Doshi, a prominent startup founder, issued a warning about Parekh on social media. Doshi's post sparked a flood of responses from other founders who had similar encounters with Parekh. Some even claimed to still have him on their payroll. Parekh's resume was impressive, listing multiple companies and a master's degree from a prestigious institution. However, the university in question could not find any record of his enrollment. When confronted, Parekh admitted to working multiple jobs, citing financial hardship as his motivation. In interviews, Parekh came across as charming and highly skilled. Arkadiy Telegin, co-founder of an AI startup, was impressed by Parekh's performance during the interview process. He offered Parekh a lucrative package, including a high base salary and equity. However, things took a turn for the worse once Parekh started working. Telegin noticed Parekh's slow progress and frequent excuses. Despite paying Parekh, he never received an invoice or any formal commitment. This raised suspicions about Parekh's intentions and work ethic. The situation became even more surreal when Telegin discovered that Parekh had interviewed or worked with several other companies within the same startup cohort. This revelation led to a series of awkward conversations at industry events, where founders realized they were all "dating the same guy. " Marcus Lowe, another founder, had a similar experience. He hired Parekh as an independent contractor but only saw him in the office for one day. Despite signing a contract, Parekh failed to deliver on his promises. Lowe eventually terminated Parekh due to poor performance. The story of Soham Parekh serves as a cautionary tale for startup founders. In a competitive job market, it's crucial to verify candidates' credentials and ensure they are committed to the role. Parekh's actions highlight the importance of due diligence in the hiring process.