Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Missed Interview Led to FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam's Career
Raj Subramaniam is the CEO of FedEx.
A long time ago, in 1991, he was studying for his MBA in the United States.
His roommate was supposed to have a job interview with FedEx, but he decided not to go.
Raj saw this as a chance and asked if he could take the interview instead.
FedEx said yes, and Raj got the job.
He started as a regular employee but worked hard and took on bigger jobs.
He moved to different countries and became a leader in the company.
Over time, he became the President and then the CEO of FedEx.
Raj believes in taking new challenges and grabbing opportunities when they come.
He didn't plan to be CEO, but he worked hard and got there anyway.
Raj Subramaniam became FedEx CEO after taking his roommate's missed interview in 1991.
He started as an entry-level associate in Memphis, Tennessee, and rose through various leadership roles.
Subramaniam led marketing operations in Asia-Pacific and became President of FedEx Canada.
He was appointed President and COO of FedEx in 2019, overseeing operations during the pandemic.
Subramaniam credits his career success to embracing new challenges and seizing opportunities.
- Who
- Raj Subramaniam, CEO of FedEx
- What
- Subramaniam's career journey began by taking his roommate's missed FedEx interview
- When
- 1991, during a U.S. recession
- Where
- Memphis, Tennessee, and various international locations
- Why
- Subramaniam seized the opportunity to interview with FedEx after his roommate declined
Opportunity Seeker
Career Planner
Career Progression
Opportunity Seeker
Subramaniam's career progressed through seizing unexpected opportunities, such as taking his roommate's missed interview.
Career Planner
Subramaniam initially did not plan to become CEO, but his career evolved through strategic leadership roles.
- Name
- Raj Subramaniam
- Current Position
- CEO of FedEx
- Education
- Engineering and Science degrees from IIT Bombay and Syracuse University, MBA from University of Texas at Austin
- First Job at FedEx
- Entry-level associate in Memphis, Tennessee
- Key Roles
- Led marketing in Asia-Pacific, President of FedEx Canada, President and COO of FedEx
- Career Philosophy
- Embrace new challenges and accept opportunities
- Notable Achievement
- Oversaw operations during pandemic-driven e-commerce surge