Techie wants to fake his experience in job interview; netizens say 'own it' to his post

A young tech professional recently shared an unusual approach to addressing employment gaps in his career history. With only two years of actual job experience and a single job switch, he expressed concerns about how a break in his work timeline might be perceived by recruiters. To create a more seamless and continuous-looking resume, he considered listing a friend’s B2B SaaS startup as his first employer, even though he never formally worked there. His reasoning was to make the overall professional timeline appear more structured and credible, especially when applying to mid-level firms across India.

His post sparked a significant discussion on the "Indian Workforce" subreddit, where he sought genuine opinions before proceeding with what he acknowledged could be a questionable decision. He was particularly curious whether Tier 2 Indian companies typically verify all past employment details or if their background checks usually focus only on the most recent job.

Online Community Weighs In

The responses from fellow Reddit users reflected a variety of opinions and insights. One user, familiar with hiring practices of WITCHA companies (a term often used to refer to large Indian IT firms), warned that thorough background verification is standard for such organizations. For smaller or mid-tier companies, however, the process can vary. While some may verify each listed employer, others—especially when dealing with startups of fewer than 30 employees—might not conduct an in-depth investigation.


Another user offered a more nuanced workaround: rather than falsely claiming experience at a friend's startup, he could portray that time as an entrepreneurial attempt—framing it as his own startup venture that ultimately didn’t succeed. With references lined up from friends involved in the project, this narrative could lend some credibility without being entirely dishonest.

"Own it up! I have had gaps too but no one gave a damn about it tbh. In Abroad, no one dares to ask about gaps. If they call you for interview - they are going to make it about the job and nothing else.
OWN it up! and perform your best during interviews," read a comment.

Other commenters focused on the broader issue of employment gaps, sharing personal experiences to reassure the original poster. Many emphasized that, especially in international contexts, recruiters tend to care more about skills and interview performance than minor gaps in employment. The general consensus suggested that being transparent and confident is often better than fabricating experience. Gaps are no longer the red flags they once were—what matters more is how a candidate presents themselves and the value they bring to the table.

In the end, the discussion highlighted how the perception of resume gaps is evolving, and that while strategies to fill those spaces exist, honesty and self-assurance still remain key ingredients in any job search journey.