When Deepinder Goyal invited former team members to reapply, he likely expected interest. What followed, however, was far beyond anticipation. Within just a week, more than 8,000 emails landed in his inbox prompting the Eternal (formerly Zomato) founder to offer an unusual shortcut: “Find my number and WhatsApp me.”
In a detailed post on his official X account, Goyal shared the scale of the response. “Over the last week, we received over 8,000 emails. About 4,000 from people who have been part of the Eternal journey at some point. Rest from people who haven’t worked here but want to. Thank you so much for this. I didn’t expect this at all,” he wrote.
According to Goyal, the emails were not just job applications. Many were deeply personal, filled with emotion and honesty. Several messages revisited experiences from five, ten, or even fifteen years ago, reflecting the long history many individuals share with the company. He noted that these emails carried significant context that only someone closely involved from the early days could truly understand.
Goyal explained that the current Eternal team may not fully grasp the depth of these narratives. As a result, he felt compelled to personally go through the messages. However, he acknowledged the challenge of handling such a volume.
“The only person who can truly read these emails and know who to respond to is me. And it is not humanly possible for me to read through 8,000 emails, and pick and choose the right ones to respond to, quickly,” he said.
Despite the overwhelming response, he assured applicants that the process is still underway. “We are still going through every single one. It will take time,” he added.
For former colleagues who worked directly with him and are awaiting a response, Goyal offered a faster alternative. “But if you worked with me directly, and you wrote in, and you are waiting for a reply, here is what will work quickly: find my number and WhatsApp me. Looking forward to reconnect.”
The unexpected surge of emails not only highlights the company’s long-standing connections but also the emotional ties many continue to hold with Eternal’s journey.
