Should you fake your résumé and lie in an interview? This laid off employee's experience has the Internet talking


Hiring bias against resume gaps is driving a surge in "strategic deception." Job seekers now use "ghost companies" and stretched dates to bypass picky recruiters. While some bypass shallow background checks, the risk of "at-will" termination remains high. As AI-driven verification evolves, these shortcuts face a narrowing window. For many, lying is a desperate response to a broken, unforgiving job... market.

For millions of white-collar workers, the post-layoff job market has become less forgiving and far more selective. Since 2023, U.S. employers have cut hundreds of thousands of corporate roles across technology, media, consulting, finance, and professional services. According to data from Layoffs.fyi and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional and business services alone have seen repeated waves of reductions, while hiring standards quietly tightened.

At the same time, recruiters increasingly treat résumé gaps as red flags. Even short periods of unemployment can trigger automatic rejections. That reality has pushed some job seekers into uncomfortable territory. One recently laid-off employee says they falsified parts of their résumé, passed a background check without issue, landed a solid job, and now has no regrets.

The story, shared widely online, has ignited a fierce debate. Is résumé embellishment a survival tactic in a broken hiring system, or a dangerous gamble that could backfire later? The experience offers a rare look at how modern background checks actually work, what employers prioritize, and why job gaps have become such a career liability in 2026.

The employee described nearly two years of unstable work after multiple layoffs. Contract roles. Underemployment. Long stretches without steady income. Each gap made job searching harder, not easier. Recruiters asked fewer questions. Interview callbacks slowed. Rejections came faster.

Faced with dwindling options, the worker altered employment dates at a real company and listed a second company that sounded legitimate but did not formally exist. The listed projects and skills were real, drawn from previous roles. A basic website backed up the listing. The goal was simple. Close résumé gaps. Get past automated filters. Reach a human interviewer.

It worked.

A job offer followed. Then came the background check. The employee expected problems. None came.

Hiring data shows that résumé gaps now matter more than ever. Applicant tracking systems often flag unexplained gaps longer than six months. Recruiters, overwhelmed by high application volume, rely on shortcuts. Continuous employment has become a proxy for reliability, even in industries rocked by layoffs.

In practice, this creates a contradiction. Companies conduct mass layoffs. Then penalize workers for being laid off.

Economists note that unemployment stigma rises during uneven recoveries. While overall job numbers may stabilize, white-collar hiring remains cautious. Employers prefer candidates who appear "currently employed," assuming they are lower risk and already vetted by another company.

This bias has consequences. Qualified candidates get screened out before interviews. Long job searches become self-perpetuating. And some workers begin to believe that honesty costs them opportunities they cannot afford to lose.

The most surprising part of the story was the background check result. Despite the altered résumé, the check came back clean. No calls were made to verify employment dates or job titles. No one contacted the listed references. Even the fake company phone number never rang.

This aligns with how many background checks actually work.

For non-executive, white-collar roles, checks typically focus on criminal history and identity verification. Employers want to reduce legal and safety risk. They want to know if a candidate poses a threat to coworkers or the workplace. Employment verification, when done, is often limited to confirming that a company recognizes the individual as a former employee. Dates and titles may not be deeply scrutinized.

Credit checks are also less common than many believe. They are usually reserved for roles with direct access to company funds, sensitive financial systems, or fiduciary responsibility. Most office jobs do not meet that threshold.

Industry insiders say many background check firms rely heavily on automated databases and employer self-reporting. Manual verification costs time and money. In a high-volume hiring environment, depth is often sacrificed for speed.

That does not mean all checks are superficial. Some companies do conduct thorough verifications. Smaller firms and regulated industries may dig deeper. But the process is far less uniform than job seekers assume.

The story has divided opinion online. Supporters argue that companies misrepresent job stability, growth opportunities, and even role responsibilities. They see résumé manipulation as a defensive response to an unfair system.

Critics warn that falsification carries long-term risk. If discovered later, it can lead to termination for cause. It can damage professional reputation. It may create stress for employees trying to maintain a fabricated work history.

Employment lawyers note that consequences depend heavily on company policy and intent. Minor date adjustments are often treated differently than fabricating credentials or licenses. Still, the risk is real.

What the story ultimately highlights is not just individual behavior, but structural pressure. A hiring market that punishes unemployment, relies on automated screening, and values optics over context encourages distortion.

For many workers, the takeaway is uncomfortable. In today's white-collar job market, being honest is not always rewarded. Being continuously employed often matters more than being truthful about how hard the last few years have been.
 
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2   
  • That's what i did to get my job, been there for a year now and they dont want me to leave. Lie if you have to

  • So very sad -- but so very true.

  • Pray for Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding

  • Get a sick sheet from the attending Doctor,then plan to visit Kakande Ministries in Uganda for Prayers.
    Carry with you, your medical report to allow... you to be put on Prayer Line
    Witnessed many with same problem and after being Prayed for are now back to their duties whole and completely healed.
     more

    -1
15   
  • i would fly to the nearest island

  • I will fall on my knees and give God thanks. If I get the job it because of God and if I don’t get the job it because of God, he open and closes... doors! more

Undercard to Main Event: How Boxing Odds Tell the Full Fight Night Story


A boxing event is usually remembered for a few defining moments: a knockdown that silences the arena, a controversial decision, a champion raising their arms under the lights.

What often goes unnoticed is another story unfolding alongside the ringcraft, told quietly through numbers that shift, tighten, and sometimes swing wildly.

Boxing odds act like a parallel broadcast, forming weeks before... fight night and shifting across the card. For bettors, those movements reveal expectations, momentum, confidence, and doubt as anticipation grows.

From the opening bell to the final round, the odds provide a clear narrative for those paying attention.

The First Signals of Fight Night Take Shape Early

Long before the arena fills, the shape of fight night is already emerging. Opening odds appear shortly after bouts are announced, translating fighter résumés, styles, and recent performances into probabilities. However, these early numbers aren't predictions carved in stone.

They're starting points, reflecting how competitive each matchup is expected to be. Those numbers account for fighter history, recent form, and stylistic matchups based on information available at the time.

A narrow line suggests tension and uncertainty. A wide gap hints at a showcase or a perceived mismatch. Even at this stage, the entire card has a rhythm. Some fights are expected to test limits. Others are meant to build momentum.

The odds quietly establish that structure, giving bettors a first look at which bouts may matter more than the names suggest. They highlight competitive balance and risk before the action shifts to the ring.

Early Fights Begin Refining the Bigger Picture

Once attention turns to the undercard, the story starts gaining depth. Early fights are often dismissed as warm-ups, but the odds rarely see them that way. Tight lines on lesser-known fighters signal something important: skill levels are close, styles clash in interesting ways, and outcomes are far from certain.

These bouts often become the technical gems of the night. Two fighters without star power, but matched evenly, can produce the kind of fight that seasoned bettors circle. The odds point that out before the punches do.

They flag tension, uncertainty, and opportunity, suggesting that the undercard is not just background noise but an essential chapter in the larger story, shaping expectations before the spotlight shifts.

Market Movement Adds Subtext Between the Bouts

As fight week progresses, the numbers respond to more than records and tape, reacting to training camp updates, weigh-ins, viral moments, and shifting public sentiment.

Watching how lines adjust throughout the card, including shifts visible through resources like FanDuel boxing odds, shows how perception shapes fight night. Some movement is subtle, other shifts are sudden, but each adds subtext as confidence, doubt, and narrative momentum build before the first punch lands.

Several forces tend to drive this kind of movement in the days leading up to the event:

● Training camp reports, including injuries or noticeable improvements,

● Weigh-in visuals that hint at conditioning or energy issues,

● Media narratives shaped by interviews, press conferences, or social buzz,

● Differences between public enthusiasm and quieter professional interest.

For bettors, this stage is where the market feels alive. Numbers stop being static assessments and start acting like a conversation between information, opinion, and expectation.

The Undercard's Tone Carries Forward

Once the event begins, the results of early fights start shaping the night's emotional temperature. A shocking upset can change how bettors view everything that follows. Confidence grows when favorites dominate. Caution creeps in when chaos takes over.

Odds reflect this shift in tone. If several underdogs win early, the market may become more receptive to volatility later on. When a prominent camp delivers back-to-back strong performances, confidence around its main event fighter often solidifies.

These reactions aren't always logical on paper, but fight night is never purely logical. The odds absorb the atmosphere and carry it forward, tying separate bouts into a single evolving narrative.

Live Odds Track Control Faster Than Commentary

When the bell rings, the story accelerates. Live odds begin updating in real time, reacting to moments that commentary may still be processing. A knockdown sends numbers swinging instantly. A fighter fading in the middle rounds sees confidence drain from the market just as quickly.

These shifts act as a quiet scoreboard for control. A favorite losing early rounds might still lead on the cards, but the odds reveal growing uncertainty. A single clean combination can reshape expectations mid-round.

For bettors, live odds become a momentum meter, translating the flow of the fight into something measurable while the action is still unfolding, often updating faster than commentary or scorecards.

Method and Distance Markets Fill in the Missing Details

Beyond picking a winner, odds sketch how a fight is expected to unfold, with method-of-victory lines hinting at explosiveness and round totals suggesting pacing, durability, and risk.

These markets often add texture to the story that winner odds alone cannot fully capture:

● Method-of-victory prices reflect expectations around aggression and finishing ability,

● Total rounds lines hint at endurance, defense, and long-term strategy,

● Distance-related props suggest confidence in durability and composure.

A low total points toward volatility, while a higher number signals patience and control. Together, these figures shape expectations about how the fight may unfold, not just who's favored at the final bell.

Context Off the Canvas Completes the Narrative

Odds don't exist in isolation. They respond to reporting, analysis, and broader conversation around the sport. Following that context alongside market movement helps connect the dots between what happens in the ring and what shaped expectations beforehand.

Many bettors pair odds tracking with evaluation of the latest boxing news and trends, using expert insights to understand why certain lines move, and others hold firm, especially during fight week and event buildup.

This combination turns fight night into something richer than a series of bouts. It becomes a living story influenced by preparation, perception, and performance, unfolding from the opening fight to the final bell.

The Story of the Card

After the final bell, the story is complete. Looking back at how the odds moved from the opening undercard to the main event offers a kind of mathematical recap. Early expectations were tested. Narratives shifted. Momentum surged and stalled, often in ways the eye missed during the live broadcast.

The numbers tell the tale, capturing tension, surprises, and moments that followed the script. For boxing bettors, tracking odds across the card adds depth to fight night, turning separate bouts into a connected story where every fight leaves a measurable mark.
 
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Acclaimed Literary Agent Lee Sobel Celebrates 10 Years In Publishing


The Lee Sobel Agency is one of the industry's most respected boutique agencies

In an industry often defined by long résumés and traditional career ladders, literary agent Lee Sobel has built a remarkably successful career by doing something far more personal: following his instincts.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Lee Sobel Literary Agency, a milestone that reflects not only... longevity but a decade of dedication to pop-culture storytelling.

Lee Sobel launched his literary agency in 2016 with a single leap of faith -- and one unforgettable project. The first book he ever took out to publishers was the memoir of Sylvain Sylvain of the legendary New York Dolls, co-authored with music historian Dave Thompson. The book sold, and with that first deal, Sobel's new chapter officially began.

What makes Sobel's story especially compelling is that, despite growing up around publishing -- his father and stepmother are both literary agents -- he never formally worked in the business himself. Instead, he arrived armed with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a lifelong love of music, movies, and pop culture. "I was naive enough," Sobel has said with a laugh, "to think I could agent the kinds of books I personally enjoy reading." That naïveté, it turns out, became his greatest strength.

Over the past decade, Sobel has represented and sold roughly one hundred books, many centered on rock history, classic film, celebrity memoir, cultural commentary, and entertainment journalism. His client list has grown to include musicians, actors, filmmakers, historians, journalists, and pop-culture experts -- voices often underserved by traditional publishing pipelines. Where others might see a niche, Sobel sees passion. And where others hesitate, he leans in.

Colleagues and authors alike describe Sobel as hands-on, collaborative, and deeply respectful of the creative process. He is known for championing projects that blend heart with history -- books that preserve cultural memory while remaining accessible to general readers. In an era when publishing can feel increasingly corporate, Sobel's agency operates with a distinctly human touch.

Yet for all the deals and accomplishments, Sobel is quick to frame his success in terms of gratitude. He regularly credits the authors who trusted him early on and the publishers willing to take chances. "It's a huge pleasure," he often says, "to get an idea one day and make it happen the next."

That philosophy has become something of a personal mantra -- and advice he readily shares. Sobel believes strongly in learning by doing, in ignoring naysayers, and in refusing to talk oneself out of possibilities. Failure, he notes, is rarely the end of the story; persistence usually is.

Ten years in, Lee Sobel's journey stands as a reminder that careers are not always built by perfect preparation -- but by courage, curiosity, and the willingness to begin. In turning his love of pop culture into a thriving agency, Sobel hasn't just sold books. He's helped ensure that the stories behind the music, movies, and moments we cherish continue to be told -- one bold idea at a time.

Congtraulations Lee Sobel, and Happy 10th Anniversary!
 
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The Quiet Skill That Separates Good Developers from Great Ones


In the developer world, we talk a lot about frameworks, languages, performance tricks, and shiny new tools. But there's a quiet skill that rarely shows up on résumés or tech talks -- and yet, it often defines who thrives long-term.

That skill is thinking in systems, not just solutions.

Most developers can fix a bug. Many can implement a feature. Fewer stop and ask: "How does this change affect... everything else?"

Writing code that works is step one. Writing code that fits is the real challenge.

This is why senior developers often seem slower at first glance. They ask annoying questions. They hesitate. They draw diagrams. What they're really doing is mapping the system in their head before touching the keyboard.

The Cost of "Just Make It Work"

Early in our careers, speed feels like everything. And sometimes it is. But unchecked speed has hidden costs:

Most technical debt isn't caused by incompetence -- it's caused by short-term thinking under pressure.

How to Train System Thinking

You don't need a new job title to build this skill. Small habits help:

Over time, you start seeing patterns. And once you see them, you can't unsee them.

The Irony

Here's the funny part: developers who think in systems often end up moving faster -- just later. Their code survives change. Their features age better. Their teammates trust them.

In a field obsessed with velocity, the real advantage is direction.

So next time you're about to rush a solution, pause for a moment. The best code isn't just clever -- it's considerate.
 
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Pay transparency and hiring transparency


In the stupid western part of Washington State (based on urbanite voting patterns) there are bills (SB 6100, SB 6221 and HB 2377) that could curb enforcement of employer pay transparency. Currently, employers share a job's pay range. According to ProtectPayTransparency.com, these bills circumvent that, letting "big business hide pay and benefits."

Here's another idea: "Encourage" large employers,... particularly state government agencies, to post the redacted résumés of hired job candidates on their job boards. What follows are a few examples of why this may be a capital idea.

Some obscure H.R. rules (probably concocted to secure another position to oversee them) open positions to both internal and external applicants. Often the fix is in, and the external employee, unbeknownst to him, is wasting his time -- the hiring manager was intent on hiring the favored internal employee all along. She may have even been groomed in a job-sharing capacity. To reduce this spirit-sapping skepticism, be transparent: Reveal, in general terms, the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) of the hired candidate. This is easily accomplished without sharing any personally identifiable information. (Besides, job-hunters likely have their résumés in the public domain already, so they'll probably be proud.)

Female state employees are more likely to occupy cozy offices (they are heavily concentrated in administrative and H.R. roles), whereas the essential male employees are more likely to perform critical functions (road work, transportation, utilities, law enforcement, etc.) in harsh environments. Once burrowed in (and therefore mollycoddled by their union), the office workers become very protective of their cozy female fiefdoms.

One way for an admin assistant, for example, to get promoted to a heretofore unadvertised position is to have a baby. Though it puts a strain on other employees to chip in, when the new mother returns to her protected A.A., job she will likely engender sympathy from her manager. To curry loyalty, the manager will find a way to promote her after cooing incessantly over the "cute" pictures of the new baby that are all over the place. Often, all it takes is for the admin to perform one task associated with the new position (management analyst is a typical career path for them) to become quasi-"qualified." H.R. is often compliant with the manager's recommendation. Essentially, a new, virtually unadvertised position has been created, and the Peter Principle prevails.

Ultimately, since we want more Americans to have more American babies, that surreptitious hiring process may be propitious. Nevertheless, we should also recognize that it may undermine morale when a partially qualified incumbent gets all uppity, knowing that her mutually dependent manager will coddle her. To help make government more effective and efficient (heaven knows it needs it), the concocted position should be advertised and the hired person's credentials acknowledged on the job board. Transparency will reduce the selection shenanigans. The business imperatives of the new position should be identified first, then pursue placement proceedings, rather than determine to promote a favored employee, then search for a justification.

Posting the non-personally identifiable information about hired employees might lessen unwarranted favoritism and underpin a regime of meritocracy. Many government job sites allow registered users to track the status of their applications; for example: received, reviewed, interview scheduled, etc. It would be easy to add another tab: "Position Filled," which would include the KSA of the hired employee. This wouldn't threaten privacy; employers, names, and whatnot aren't necessary.

Don't just protect pay transparency; protect hiring transparency. Don't just post the job's pay range; post the winning candidate's KSA. Now, that's a capital idea, especially for the bloated bureaucracies in the Capitol.
 
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Dear Alma, I've doscovered my principal is a fraud - Slippedisc


I am starting to suspect my section leader is a fraud. He talks about studying at Juilliard but a search of alumni in the relevant years does not show his name.

OK, maybe he went to junior classes on Saturdays.

More seriously, he claims to have graduated from an Ivy League college. His former girlfriend asked to see his diploma, and he refused.

I dislike and disrespect him as do most of the... section. I caught him once on tour in the ladies washroom - 'by mistake,' he said.

He is a distant cousin of one of our orchestra's senile patrons.

Why does orchestra life have to be so complicated? How do we ditch him?

But if I am correct, you don't need any kind of diploma to get into an orchestra. It's merit-based. Although, of course, references and a résumé affect the decision. But once he has passed his trial period, he's in.

It's possible that he misrepresented himself, even lying on his résumé. But my hunch is that there's no getting rid of him without causing a big hoo-ha and making your life a living hell. If you do complain, and it doesn't go your way, you are going to be stuck with this gross dude, and it's going to be even more insufferable.

It's very difficult to not get emotionally involved at work. I've never been able to do it, although I try. I really do. Actually, let's be real. It's impossible. Cyclical thoughts. Imagining you can make a change. Plotting your revenge. Gathering your evidence and witnesses. Even if it's all in your mind.

In the end, it always ends up being a huge waste of time and energy, and it certainly won't make you look any better, trying to snitch someone out.

So, do your best to keep a cool head, live your life outside of work fully, leave your work baggage in your locker in the dressing room. You could, even, get a small box, and when you get frustrated, write down what happened, and fold that paper and lock it in that box. Just like you need to do with your stinky colleague. He's winning by getting to you. Just let it go.

Fraud victim, you will only be a victim if you allow yourself to be sucked into his vortex of yuck. Be stronger, calmer, wiser, and create your own, safe bubble to inhabit at work.
 
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How Software Freshers Can Use AI to Prepare for Interviews


Preparing for software job interviews as a fresher can be confusing and stressful.

You may have the required skills, projects, and degree, but still face repeated rejections.

Sometimes the resume does not get shortlisted.

Sometimes the interview answers do not come out clearly.

Over time, confidence drops.

Most freshers are not rejected because they are weak.

They are rejected because they... do not know how to present themselves properly.

In this article, I'll explain how simple AI tools can help software freshers prepare faster, structure their answers better, and reduce confusion during interview preparation.

Using AI to Tailor Your Resume for Software Jobs

One of the most common mistakes software freshers make is using the same resume for every job.

Each job description asks for slightly different skills.

If your resume does not match those keywords, it may get rejected even before a human sees it.

AI can help solve this problem in a simple way.

Here is a basic method:

First, copy the full job description from the job posting.

Then, copy your current resume text.

Now, use an AI tool and ask it to rewrite your resume so that it matches the job description while keeping everything honest and true.

This does not mean lying or adding fake experience.

It simply means presenting the same skills and projects in a clearer and more relevant way.

Using this approach, freshers can customize their resumes in 10-15 minutes instead of sending the same resume everywhere.

While preparing for interviews, I realized that many freshers struggle with the same problems again and again.

So I created a simple, step-by-step AI preparation system specifically for software freshers who want a clear structure instead of random advice.

AI tools are not shortcuts, but they can save time and reduce confusion when used correctly.

If you are a software fresher preparing for interviews, the key is to stay consistent, prepare smartly, and focus on clear presentation.

Even small improvements in how you present your skills can make a big difference.

If you want a complete, ready-to-use AI interview preparation system for software freshers, you can find it here:
 
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Hello mi neighbour | Face difficulties with a positive attitude


Wishing you peace, joy and happiness all your days! Already enjoying these? Been a while since you experienced such luxuries? If so, it's my sincere wish that that will change sooner than later. Maybe your melancholy mood prevents you from accepting these wishes at the moment. Empty words spoken ever so often? Are you thinking that if neighbours were genuine with these sentiments they would have... helped to pull you out of those circumstances that are causing you anxiety, despair and sadness? Can't make head or tail of life and just want someone to assist you? Life can certainly be difficult and confusing at times, but if we constantly fix our gaze on those difficulties, life will never improve for us. Many times the difficulties we face are designed to make us strong and sharpen our coping skills. Face them with a positive attitude and you will be glad they came. I wish you well.

It's important to note that not everyone who "wishes you well, means you well". Many times, kind wishes are expressed because they are expected or because it is the appropriate/polite thing to say under some circumstances. Do you think that everyone who wishes you a "happy birthday", a "happy anniversary" or success on your job interview really means it? Hmmmmm. It's common knowledge that expressions of goodwill don't always reflect genuine intentions, suggesting some people offer superficial support or may even secretly harbour ill will towards you. It's important therefore to be able to discern true friends from those with hidden motives by observing their actions and consistency, not just their words however profound they may sound. That so-called "good friend" who heard about your loss and turns up at your house to commiserate with you, may just show up to use your vulnerability to their advantage down the road. Not everything that glitters is gold. Not saying that you should go suspecting everybody now, and putting yourself at a disadvantage in a time of need. Just be subtly alert. Sometimes people are so jumpy that they "jump the gun" and have to bite the bullet. Don't be "trigger happy".

These scenarios can further put you on your guard. People may say "I wish you well" or "all the best" out of politeness, habit, or to appear supportive, even if they don't truly care about your happiness or success.

Some persons may offer suspicious-sounding well-wishes because they are jealous, competitive, or secretly hope for your downfall. Careful! Others might cloak ill-will in compliments, making it hard to tell if they genuinely want good for you. Sometimes it may be difficult to tell the difference between the genuine and the non-genuine, but by keeping your eyes and mind open, you will detect consistency/inconsistencies.

True well-wishers show up in actions, not just words, offering support during tough times, not just celebrating successes.

Pay close attention to how people make you feel; if someone's "wishes" feel disingenuous or leave you feeling worse than before, they may not have your best interests at heart. Would be a plus to to have a trusted friend/family member as a right hand who will assist you in being cautious, not blindly trusting everyone's kind words, and evaluating the sincerity of their intentions? And hey, even with this right-hand person, still "don't leave yourself careless" as we say in Jamaica- not everyone wants the best for you. Don't let others influence your mind and dictate how you should live your true passion. This is the age of deception.

Be not deceived. As you wish others well, bear the following in mind. "I wish you well" means you hope good things will happen to someone. It's a way to express goodwill and friendly feelings toward another person. Well wishes are kind words, either spoken or written, that share a desire for a person to have good health or good things etc. Not all friends are well-wishers. As you walk with others, don't just witness their journey, support it. Be careful. Careful loyalty is rare, and presence doesn't always mean love - and don't some people know that! Life improves when you learn to wish people well despite everything. Keep on wishing them well. And don't leave out those who may even hate or despise you. Here, I remember my mother and a good friend who kept on pouring out love on people who hated them. Loving your enemies always produces win-win outcomes. Guess you'll never know unless you try it eeh? Go for it...

The grace and love we extend to others is subconsciously the same that we give to ourselves. Love no matter what. Just because you wish someone well does not mean they have to return the favour. And don't feel obligated to to return a favour to someone who has done you a kind favour. Those who show kindness to others without expecting anything in return usually receive divine favour. Wouldn't you like to be blessed and highly favoured? Love your enemies as yourself.

Wishing you peace, joy and happiness all your days!

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING;

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business
 
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The Truth About Recruit Holdings Co Ltd: Is This Quiet Japanese Giant Your Next Power Play?


Everyone's busy chasing flashy AI stocks while Recruit Holdings quietly powers the apps and job sites you actually use. Here's why this sleeper stock is suddenly on watchlists.

The internet is sleeping on Recruit Holdings Co Ltd right now - but if you've ever searched for a job, booked a restaurant, or swiped on a dating app, you've probably touched their world without even knowing it. So the... real talk question is: is this under-the-radar Japanese giant actually worth your money, or just another background player you can ignore?

Recruit is not a loud brand in the US, but its products are. Think job platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor, plus a big footprint in HR tech and matching services in Japan. It is not the kind of company that goes viral for a new gadget - it goes viral when people talk about job hunting, salary transparency, or how tech is changing work.

On TikTok and YouTube, you are more likely to see creators ranting or celebrating their job-search experience than dropping deep dives into Recruit's corporate structure. But here is the sneaky part: a lot of those experiences are powered by Recruit's platforms in the background. The clout is there - it is just indirect.

Want to see the receipts? Check the latest reviews here:

Right now, the social buzz is more about the platforms (Indeed, Glassdoor, and the whole job-hunt grind) than the parent company. But that is exactly why some investors are watching it: real-world impact, low social drama, steady monetization.

Before you even think about throwing cash at a stock, you need the basics: what does this company actually do, and is it worth the hype?

Here are the three biggest things you need to know about Recruit Holdings Co Ltd:

1. It is the shadow boss of your job search.

Recruit is a global HR and staffing powerhouse. Through businesses like Indeed and Glassdoor, it connects companies and workers at scale. It makes money from job ads, employer tools, and staffing solutions. In plain English: when companies are hiring, Recruit gets paid. When workers are searching and applying, Recruit's platforms are in the mix.

That means it is closely tied to the health of the job market. Strong hiring cycles? Revenue tailwind. Slowdowns and hiring freezes? More pressure. If you want a stock that tracks how the future of work is evolving, this sits right in the middle.

2. It is leaning hard into data and matching, not just old-school staffing.

Recruit is not just running job boards for clicks; it is trying to optimize the match between people and roles. The company invests in tech that improves search, recommendations, and employer tools. This is where the potential game-changer angle comes in: as hiring gets more digital and more automated, the platforms that own the data and the matching logic gain power.

Is it a must-have for your portfolio? That depends on how bullish you are on HR tech and online platforms outlasting traditional recruiters. The thesis: more people finding work online, more companies paying to stand out, more recurring revenue for Recruit.

3. It is diversified beyond just one brand.

Unlike a single-app company, Recruit spreads its bets. It operates across HR tech, staffing, and matching services in multiple regions, with a strong base in Japan and a huge online presence worldwide. That can smooth out market shocks a bit. But it also means you are not just betting on one platform; you are buying into a whole ecosystem.

Is it worth the hype right now? It is not a meme stock and it is not a sudden viral breakout. It is more of a slow-burn operator: less fireworks, more fundamentals.

If you want to know whether a stock is a game-changer or a total flop, you have to stack it against rivals. In Recruit's world, one of the biggest names it bumps into is LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft.

Reach and brand clout: LinkedIn is the public-facing flex. It is where people post promotions, humble-brag, and network. Recruit's brands like Indeed have massive reach in job listings and applications but less personal branding energy. For sheer social clout, LinkedIn wins.

Monetization style: LinkedIn leans on subscriptions and ads, especially from recruiters and sales professionals. Recruit's platforms focus more on job ads, employer listings, and staffing services. Both models scale with hiring trends, but LinkedIn gets an extra bump from people paying to boost their own profiles and networking power.

Who wins the clout war? In pure hype, LinkedIn and Microsoft easily dominate. In the actual trenches of job listings and applications, Recruit's platforms still carry serious weight, especially in markets where people go straight to job boards instead of social networking for work.

If you want the blue-chip, mega-cap, all-eyes-on-it play tied to hiring and careers, you go Microsoft via LinkedIn. If you want a more targeted bet on HR platforms and staffing that is listed in Japan and still under the mainstream US radar, you look at Recruit.

Time for the real talk.

Is Recruit a viral, must-have stock right now? No. It is not trending in the same way AI chips, EVs, or big social platforms are. You are not going to see it all over finfluencer feeds in the same way.

Is it quietly interesting if you care about the future of work and job platforms? Yes. Absolutely.

Here is how it breaks down:

Clout level: Low-key but legit. It powers real-life moments: job changes, career pivots, hiring booms. That is serious impact, even if the brand name is not plastered all over your feed.

Game-changer or background player? More background infrastructure than front-stage icon, but that does not mean weak. Its strength is in execution, data, and scale, not flashy announcements.

Price-performance: no-brainer or meh? That depends entirely on how the current stock price lines up with its earnings, growth outlook, and the job market cycle. You should check the latest market data and trends before making a move. What you are buying here is exposure to hiring activity, staffing demand, and the shift toward digital recruiting.

If you are hunting for a hyper-volatile, meme-ready rocket, this is probably a drop. If you want a more grounded play tied to how people actually get jobs, it might be a cautious cop after you do deeper research into valuation and risk.

Let us zoom out and talk markets, because this is where things get real for investors.

Stock identity check: Recruit Holdings Co Ltd is listed in Japan and tracked globally under the ISIN JP3970300004. That ISIN is your key ID if you are digging through international brokerage platforms or databases.

Live market status and price disclaimer: To know exactly what the stock is doing right now - price moves, volume, and short-term performance - you need to check a live financial source. If markets are closed when you look, you will only see the last close price, not real-time trading. Never rely on stale numbers when you are actually planning to buy or sell.

Use up-to-date platforms like major financial news sites or your broker's app to confirm the latest quote, recent trend, and how it is reacting to earnings, guidance, or macro news. Treat this article as a roadmap for what the company is and where it sits in the ecosystem, not as a live ticker.

Macro angle: Recruit's business is tied to hiring trends, corporate spending on recruitment, and how comfortable companies feel about future growth. When the economy is strong and businesses are hiring, its platforms and staffing arms can benefit. When companies freeze headcount, that adds pressure.

Risk check: You are exposed to:

- Shifts in the job market and economic cycles

- Competition from other platforms and big tech ecosystems

- Regulatory and regional differences, since it operates globally

Opportunity check: You gain exposure to:

- The ongoing shift from offline recruiting to digital, data-driven hiring

- Scalable online platforms that can reach both workers and employers

- A diversified tech-plus-staffing model based out of Japan but touching multiple regions

Bottom line: Recruit is not the loudest name in your feed, but it might be closer to your actual life than half the tickers trending on social. If you are building a portfolio around how people live, work, and switch jobs, this is one you at least research properly before you decide: cop or drop.
 
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Job candidate lies about having a partner in an interview for a family-oriented company, she gets the job, then panics about keeping up the lie: 'They keep asking about my partner'


People lie in resumes and job interviews all the time, but what are they supposed to do after they get the job?

When you are on your job search journey, it's difficult not to be tempted to... improve your resume with credentials and skills you do not necessarily possess. If it helps to get your foot in the door, why not spruce up your experience?

Well, the main reason you shouldn't lie on your... resume or during a job interview is that if you end up getting that job, you can never let go of that lie. From the minute you start your new job until the moment you leave for good, you will have to stay true to whatever you wrote on your resume or said in the interview. Getting caught in that lie will not only break the trust between you and your employer, but it might also affect your career forever.

The funny thing about the lie the job candidate in the story below told is that it had nothing to do with her qualifications or experience. After getting rejected for so long, this candidate decided she would say whatever she thought would help her get the job, even if it wasn't true. This led her to lie during an interview with a family-oriented company, saying she was in a committed relationship to make her look more relatable.

For some reason, that worked, and the candidate got the job. However, she now has to pretend she has a partner and keep the lie going with anyone in the company. They keep asking her about her partner, their weekend plans, and so on, and there is no way for her to just admit that the partner is not actually real.

Whether or not it was even appropriate for the company to ask about the candidate's personal life during a job interview is another question some are asking, but it's still too late for that. Now the new hire has to figure out how she can keep working at this company without revealing she lied through her teeth during the interview.

What do you think she should do? Keep scrolling to read the full story and share your thoughts in the comments below.
 
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  • If you had your P & C license you could get good benefits. I wish I had 10 years, I only have 2! Do you not get good commission? Do they provide... leads? more

  • Procurement. Energy and energy efficiency

4   
  • Get connected with someone you know there to help you

  • I used to live in Mumbai. You need to have your shots. Diptheria, Tetnas, Malaria pills (best if you can get a shot) and hepatitis. It's a terrible... place, but very safe. I;m sure your boss will take care and get you good living arrangements and a driver. It;s definetly a culture shot, but it's a great humbling experience. Remember, they are like 100 years behind in some villages, but you'll be in the city. Don't eat the street food or drink the water. Makr sure to take your comfort foods because you'll get sick of eating their spicy foods for breakfast. I normally take tuna, crackers, chips, cookies, candy, pkg grits and oatmeal, beef jerkys and things like that. Take a couple of face towels and diaper wipes to keep on you. You will survive! I just came back in August.  more

Epstein Files Reveal Job Application From Albanian Woman


Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal the name of an Albanian woman among millions of pages made public in recent disclosures.

According to the files, the woman, identified by the initials E.T., applied in March 2017 for a position as a personal assistant. The materials show that she initially sent her résumé to an intermediary, whose name has been redacted in the... documents, expressing interest in the job.

Based on the résumé submitted, the applicant was living in Tirana at the time. In an email cited in the files, she wrote that she was interested in the position but noted she was not based in the United States, asking whether that would be an issue.

During subsequent correspondence, the intermediary requested that she submit three high-quality photographs along with her résumé. The applicant later sent the requested documents, as well as several personal photos.

After receiving the materials, the intermediary forwarded the email to Jeffrey Epstein, describing the applicant as a 21- to 22-year-old woman. Although the résumé stated that she lived in Tirana, the intermediary told Epstein that she was based in Paris and asked whether an interview should be arranged.

The list of attachments included the résumé, photographs and a video reportedly sent by the applicant as part of her application. The documents do not indicate that the Albanian woman had any direct communication with Epstein.

The disclosure is part of a broader release of records that continue to shed light on Epstein's network and recruitment practices.
 
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  • Sous chef is no joke - pressure cooker of a job. You get to feed young bodies and minds - and find it joyful. Life is short enough - no need to reduce... happy years doing what you love. more

  • Often times that's what comes in the end of everything. Sacrifice. You made less, but you are happier. You may make more but you are less happy. The... price of that extra happiness is that amount of money that you have to give up. So happiness does have a price when you look at it like that. more

If You're a Real Person Looking for a Job, the Flood of Fake AI Job Applications Will Make Your Blood Boil


"Within 12 hours of posting the role, we received more than 400 applications."

Still think getting a job in 2026 is as easy as walking in with a résumé and a firm handshake? You might want to read on.

In the United States, at least, the employment outlook is rough. After a horrendous year for employment, US jobs growth stalled out in December as layoffs and hiring freezes in areas like... construction and manufacturing take their toll on job growth numbers.

And beneath the official jobs data is a growing accessibility crisis. More and more job seekers are finding themselves shut out of the labor market -- not because there are no jobs to be had, but because torrents of AI slop are crowding them out of consideration.

Case in point: a few months back, tech publication The Markup posted an opening for an engineer role. As product director and editor Andrew Losowsky writes, the experience was an instructive look at just how much the job market has broken down.

"Within 12 hours of posting the role, we received more than 400 applications," Losowsky explained. "At first, most of these candidates seemed to be genuine. However, as the person who had to read them all, I quickly saw some red flags, which were all clear indicators of inauthenticity."

Those "red flags" included repeating contact information, broken or nonworking links to LinkedIn profiles, repetitive resume formatting, and non-residential mailing addresses.

In a response to prompts on the company's application form, most followed a "near-identical four-sentence pattern with minor variations." A number of applications included "ChatGPT says" in their answers, or included information that "almost perfectly matched our job description," Losowsky writes.

"In the most extreme case, one person claimed they had built our website and Blacklight [web privacy] tool (they hadn't)," the editor continues.

After just a day of that nonsense, the Markup removed its ad from job platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed. Instead, they opted for internal outreach and word-of-mouth. Though that undoubtedly limited their reach, it slowed the flood of fake applicants "to a trickle."

The publication has since found their engineer, but not without significant headaches. If you extrapolate this out to the rest of the job market, it's no wonder job seekers are calling 2025 the year of the "Great Frustration." Barring any major changes, 2026 could be even worse.
 
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TestGorilla's Founder Wouter Durville joins the EU-Startups Summit 2026 on May 7-8 in Malta!


Founded in Amsterdam, TestGorilla is reshaping how companies hire by replacing traditional CV screening with science-backed, skills-based assessments. The platform helps organisations identify the right candidates faster, more objectively, and without bias, allowing hiring teams to focus on real abilities rather than subjective or inflated résumés. Today, TestGorilla supports companies worldwide... across a wide range of roles, helping them make fairer and more data-driven hiring decisions.

At the Summit, Wouter Durville will deliver a keynote titled "Hiring for the AI Era: Why the CV is Dead and 'AI-Fluency' is King." Drawing on data showing that 71% of leaders now prioritise AI skills over years of experience, he will explore why many startups remain stuck in outdated hiring practices and what founders can do to break out of this so-called legacy loop. His session will offer a practical blueprint for identifying AI fluency and building high-performance teams faster and more effectively in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of Europe's leading voices in skills-based hiring, and make sure to secure your ticket for the EU-Startups Summit 2026!

Malta Enterprise is Malta's economic development agency, facilitating economic growth, investment, and innovation by offering a range of support services for local and foreign enterprises setting up a productive presence in Malta. As a key player in Malta's economic landscape, it contributes to the nation's prosperity by attracting investments, supporting businesses, and driving innovation, thereby reinforcing Malta's position as an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Malta Enterprise actively cultivates a vibrant startup ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in fostering a conducive environment for startups and offering tailored support and incentives to empower emerging businesses.

M. Demajo Group is a leading business player in Malta, with a successful history spanning 115 years. The Group's growth and diversification have resulted in a wide coverage of business sectors through a commitment to long-term results. M. Demajo Group's workforce is 500 strong and their various activities have been developed through organic growth, acquisitions, partnerships, and startups. Its strong financial situation and ethical standards, its business reputation, and its renowned track record as a business partner are all key factors in its continued expansion.

The IONOS Cloud Start-up Program provides young companies with up to €100,000 in cloud credits for up to five years after their founding. Start-ups benefit from a sovereign IT infrastructure "Made in Germany," offering 100% GDPR compliance and full legal certainty. IONOS Cloud guarantees technological freedom without vendor lock-in. Long-term support is also ensured: exclusive discounts after the first year enable a seamless transition into the IONOS Cloud ISV Partner Program. In this way, digital sovereignty becomes a strategic competitive advantage from founding to scaling.
 
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The US job market is in limbo -- and it's quietly prolonging people's job searches


You may be desperate to quickly get a job, but hiring managers aren't feeling the same pressure.

It's easier to apply to jobs, but employers are taking longer to fill openings. From sales positions to tech jobs, the lengthier hiring process is across the board. The reward from job switching has also been waning; wage growth has slowed as employers aren't as worried about finding talent.

Cory... Stahle, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, said the job market is in limbo as unemployment inches up, job postings are around pre-pandemic levels, and year-over-year growth in advertised wages on the job-search platform has cooled to over a five-year low.

More people are job searching than there are openings. People waiting for a dream role may have to settle or shift their perspective.

"Longer hiring times, paired with muted overall hiring activity, suggest that finding a job may prove difficult for many job seekers in 2026," Stahle said.

Stahle said macroeconomic conditions affect how long it takes to hire. Uncertainty, less urgency than in the pandemic recovery and Great Resignation years, and a qualifications mismatch could be why it's taking longer.

Stahle said many people voluntarily quit their roles in 2021 and 2022, likely leading employers to create job postings to backfill those gigs. The quits rate dropped from 3% in March 2022 to 2% this past November, suggesting workers are less confident about finding something new.

When employers aren't desperate to fill a spot, hiring decisions could take longer. Stahle said employers can "wait for the 'perfect' candidate" when they're looking to expand their head count, rather than just backfill.

The average time it takes for a posting to become a hire climbed to 49 days in August, the highest since early 2019. Stahle said the rise in the spring and summer could've been due to continued uncertainty, such as with trade policies.

"Some of that uncertainty has waned since, but hiring timelines remain longer than they were at the start of 2025," he added.

While employers can wait for their dream employee, job seekers might not have time to find their ideal role.

"Any offer is much harder to come by in this environment versus a couple of years ago, when there was a lot more power in the hands of the worker," Nicole Bachaud, an economist at ZipRecruiter, said.

Indeed's data showed the average time for a posting to turn into a hire varies by job group, but it's taking longer than it did a few years ago across the board.

For tech occupations, the three-month moving average has increased from 42 days in March 2021 to about 57 days this past November. For food and beverage jobs, the average number of days surged in 2025, from about a month to about 51 days in September and October.

Healthcare has been prominent in job market data because of its job growth. Indeed's data showed healthcare postings are taking longer to become a hire than a few years ago. These gigs can require specific skills and education, which Stahle said could make it harder for employers to find what they're looking for and employees to get hired.

Meanwhile, Stahle said there could be more applicants than jobs actually being filled for occupations with weak hiring.

"In that case, it's reasonable to assume that time-to-hire may increase further as employers take more time to weed through a larger pool of candidates and may feel like they can take their time in the process," he said.

Stahle doesn't see the cooling job market stopping soon, given economic uncertainty.

Unemployed job seekers may need to take a role that doesn't cater to all their ambitions.

"A job with lower pay is better than no job with no pay," Bachaud said. "We're seeing a lot of drive from necessity."

That doesn't mean you have to take a job you hate. Bachaud said to find a job where you think you would be comfortable with the day-to-day routine and who you work with.

"There still are opportunities to find places that offer meaningful work and offer consistent and good work-life balance and benefits, and those things that workers are really driven toward," Bachaud said.

Talking to your network or developing one can be helpful when many people are trying to get hired. Lisa Simon, the chief economist at Revelio Labs, said to lean on connections like a referral since so many people will tailor their application materials to the job posting, with or without the help of AI.

"The thing that is going to get you to the front of the line when jobs are scarce is interpersonal relationships with people who are willing to go above and beyond and expend political capital to help you," communication coach Dorie Clark previously told Business Insider.
 
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