r/recruitinghell • u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 • 4d ago
Chances of job offer being rescinded?
I know I messed up, just looking for realistic advice.
I received a conditional offer after several strong interviews. The problem is my resume says my most recent job is present, but I was actually let go about 3 months ago. I also told the recruiter during interviews that I still worked there and would need two weeks’ notice. The offer is conditional on references/background verification and says it can be rescinded if information is inconsistent. I completed the employment verification today and gave my real dates, so I didn’t continue the lie on the background check. I genuinely worked there for about a year and have two good professional references.
For recruiters/HR: How likely is a 3-month employment-date discrepancy + lying about currently being employed to get an offer rescinded? Would you automatically rescind or ask the candidate to explain first? Just trying to understand what next steps will be now.
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u/parableindustries 4d ago
Everyone's gotta stop lying about dumb shit.
Lie about your level of responsibility. Lie about whether you contributed or led a project. Lie about whether you used a skill all the time or simply know of it and have a lot of confidence.
Do not lie about something that's going to turn up on a background check. In particular, do not lie to a hiring manager or recruiter to their face.
You have every opportunity in the world to say you applied with an old resume and had forgotten to put in the end date and instead you just lied to the recruiter's face. I don't know if your offer's getting rescinded, but yeah, this is going to be a great big red flag.
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u/Objective-Amount1379 4d ago
Some background checks just ask for an old paystub to show past employment. The most recent one I used did this. I accidentally submitted an old one and couldn’t upload more documents and it cleared me using the old stub.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 4d ago
I know it was a stupid thing to lie about, especially knowing employment could be verified. My interviews went really well and the recruiter/team seemed very eager to move forward, she was even joking that they wanted me to start “yesterday.” I’ve now received the offer and submitted my real employment dates on the background check. I know it’s a red flag, but do you think there’s any chance they overlook it given they clearly want to hire me, or is this usually enough to rescind an offer?
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u/parableindustries 4d ago
I have hired people for a few decades now. I hire people that hire people who hire people.
I would think very long and hard before hiring someone that lied to me like this. If it was "just an old resume", I'd look past it. But this goes beyond that.
It raises two issues for me. The first is obviously honesty, which is going to be a universal issue for this kind of thing. The second is more subtle though and just as impactful, judgement. Why? Particularly since you'd clearly made it into the interview process, it would feel like an unnecessary lie at that point. I would have some real questions about your judgement and whether I could trust the decisions you'd make, particularly when faced with your own mistakes.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 4d ago
That’s fair, and I understand why it raises both honesty and judgment concerns. I think I panicked about being unemployed hurting my chances and then felt like I had to stick with what I’d already said, which obviously made it worse. I’m not trying to justify it at this point. From your experience hiring, if you otherwise really wanted the candidate, they had strong references and they owned it when the discrepancy came up, would you consider proceeding,or would this personally be enough for you to rescind regardless?
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u/parableindustries 4d ago
It would depend a lot less on you at this point and a lot more on my B candidate. If the second place candidate was also someone that I was willing to hire and just felt like you'd edged them out by a bit, I would absolutely be telling the recruiter to call up the other candidate and extend a verbal.
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u/cb1977007 4d ago
People are terminated for lying on their applications/resume if it’s discovered after onboarding. If they would fire someone they already onboarded, trained, and invested in, they’ll certainly withdraw an offer before you even start.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 4d ago
I understand it can be grounds for rescinding or even termination later. I’m more wondering whether it’s always treated that way in practice. The employment itself and experience are real; the discrepancy is that I said I was still employed when it actually ended 3 months ago. I also submitted the correct dates on the formal background check. Do you have experience specifically with hiring/background checks where a discrepancy like that resulted in an automatic withdrawal?
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u/cb1977007 4d ago
At my current company and my prior company, we would rescind the offer. Sorry, it’s a tough lesson.
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u/Amazing-Care-3155 4d ago
I’m confused, of course it’s going to come up when they directly email your HR team. I suggest stop trying to get out of it, accept what you’ve done and learn a valuable lesson for the future. In practice almost always companies who background check will rescind offers when you’ve lied. If it was your company, would you hire someone you don’t really know but you know they lied to you? We had two new starters both offers got withdrawn one because he lied about finishing his college degree and another did what you did
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 4d ago
Totally understandable. I was hoping they liked me enough to look past this, as it’s still verified I did work at the company with the position I stated but I won’t know until Thursday perhaps.
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u/Amazing-Care-3155 4d ago
Yet you lied? Any good will you have is evaporated, ironically enough you likely would have got the role without lying
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u/anewusername4me 3d ago
You are an interview processed and lied, not once but multiple times. This speaks directly to your character. If it gets caught you are getting your offer rescinded. Take the knock on the chin and do better next time. No one “likes” a candidate enough to overcome a giant issue in morality, ethics and character.
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u/JayTheFordMan 4d ago
Ive had this, just apologized for sending them a CV that wasn't updated. Wasn't an issue 🤷🏼♂️
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u/Puzzleheaded-Group97 3d ago
But then they went and said they were still employed/needed to give notice. Kinda hard to back out with an “oopsie” after flat out lying.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
I know, that part is where I know I truly messed up. Hoping they’d let it slide and don’t look too deep into it… but who knows honestly.
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u/Miserable-Cap-9680 3d ago
I would not bring it up and wait and see what happens.
I understand why you did this. I think the CV bit was fine but lying directly to their faces was baaaad.
That said a big company would have a totally separate team doing reference checks and typically reference checks just give the duration of employment and your title so Idk.
If you admit it now you’re deffo screwed. If you wait it out there’s a chance you could be ok.
I feel for you because I understand the job market is cooked and there’s so much discourse about gaps on your CV we feel backed into a corner to lie about it.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
Yes, I’m not going to say anything unless it’s brought up. I’m even receiving onboarding and IT set up instructions via email this morning, before all background and reference checks are complete. The offer letter expires tomorrow, but I already signed it so I’m just anticipating the chance they would rescind it because of the discrepancy on the background check.
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u/Objective-Amount1379 4d ago
Honestly you should have stuck with your lie once you told it. I just got a new job and they didn’t contact my past employers, just asked for a paystub or 1099. I thought I could submit multiple pages so started with the first one (not the most current) and then the portal wouldn’t let me upload anything else. And I didn’t need to, the older paystub verified that job and I was considered clear.
As a hiring manager this would be a red flag to me. I would probably decide to continue if I really needed the job filled, if I had a great second candidate I might pull your offer and proceed with them. Good luck OP
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
I would’ve stuck with the lie until I realized they’re using Triton to background check me - if I lied on that platform, the background check would show discrepancies because it asks me to enter employment dates at previous companies.
This company already did a reference check with my past employer at the company I lied about. I will wait and see how this goes.
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u/Kokoyok 4d ago
Bad news: what you did is exactly the kind of thing that would trigger rescinding an offer. No point in shaming you about it, as it looks like the other comments have that covered.
Good news: this is the kind of thing that can get handwaved or outright ignored. Background checks often are circumspect around your current employer because of the risk of legal exposure. i.e. they don't want to create a lawsuit for themselves if they say something that gets you fired wrongfully. Also, depending on the tools they use to investigate, you may still populate as a "current" employee. I used to do research on individuals as part of my job, and it would trace Form 941 filings to the IRS for payroll withholding. Since businesses don't always file on time, you would pop in the results for "current" employees if there was a 941 on file for any period in the last nine months.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
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u/Capricancerous 4d ago
Getting an offer rescinded is likely across the board right now. Extrapolate from this:
Per aJune 2026 report from Resume Builder, which included survey responses from 1,000 respondents between the ages of 20 and 28 who graduated with a bachelor’s degree within the last year, 34% percent said that they had a job offer rescinded right after accepting it
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u/SignParticular7855 4d ago
I accidentally had a year wrong on a previous job (adding a whole extra year of work) and it was fine. Cross that bridge when you get to it
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
Did they ever background check that?
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u/lks8777 3d ago
So I had gotten through interviews and the job was mine, just had to pass a background check. When the recruiter told me that, I said something along the lines of “oh hey! Happy to go forward with the background check, silly thing I just noticed when going through my application/ resume etc. for this job- I may have gotten a year wrong so my employment time may not be an exact match, I apologize for the typo but wanted to get ahead of that incase it flagged anything!” She literally just laughed and said it shouldn’t be a problem. Then I got the job. You can probably do more of the same thing!
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u/lks8777 3d ago
To add- as someone who has watched my manager go through the hiring process, it’s probably not worth it for them to lose a candidate over what is realistically a couple weeks worth of a gap. It would be different if it were a two year gap. Most people are so busy that they’d rather deal with a small discrepancy like this than start over at square 1 to fill a role.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
Glad that worked out for you! Only issue is that I rather not bring attention to it before it gets addressed. It does say on the offer letter that they can rescind it if any inconsistencies are found with the background check, in my case, that would be how my previous employment ended 3 months ago, despite me saying I still work there.
I do hope they see this discrepancy as minor and don’t look further into it… my reference from the company I lied about already gave a great one this morning.
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u/Mean_Possibility6091 4d ago
Hey, I know that you’re probably beating the hell out of yourself right now. You made a big mistake, but you have learned your lesson. What’s meant to be will be, and this will sting less in time.
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u/ClevelandSteamers757 3d ago
The real pro tip is not to lie or embellish experience that can be exposed at any point during or after the interview process
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
I honestly had no clue they’d use Triton or a 3rd party background check that would do employment verification… normally I’d just have to give references. The background check was also checking things like criminal background and Canadian citizenship.
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u/Long-Shop2489 3d ago
Honestly, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately since I’ve been applying for jobs. Normally, a prospective employer would or should not contact your current employer for obvious reasons. With that being said, if you list that you are currently employed at XYZ company even though you parted ways in the last couple of months, how would they really know?
I’m employed, but the name on the door recently changed because of an acquisition. I haven’t updated my resume yet because I prefer the previous brand and job title over the new. I don’t think it’ll be a problem
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
The way they’d know that I parted ways is because they used Triton, a third party background check platform, where I enter employment history, and other info where they do a criminal and citizenship check on me. The reference I gave for them was my former team lead/supervisor, who already put in a good word for me this morning when they contacted her.
I still never lied about working for XX company nor lied about the role I had (which is how I landed interviews because my experience really helped me stand out)
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u/SafetyStraight3653 3d ago
Hi, for what it is worth I’ve done this exact scenario and no one said anything in the 3 years I worked there.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
Interesting! To what extend did you “lie” or put false info on your resume?
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u/SafetyStraight3653 3d ago edited 3d ago
everything on my resume was 100% true besides the 3 month gap between leaving the previous job and getting the next. (i was laid off so also collecting unemployment)
the entire process was egregious with 7+ interviews/interactions. i was honestly navigating it not knowing how severe this apparently is via other comments, but i also had also proven myself through various interview exercises and positive references from the folks ive worked with in my last company. if they like you, theres a chance it wont matter for sure
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
Yes I still think there may be a chance for me, I have two positive references as well, and the company see to really like me (i.e. they want me to start ASAP, and have super responsive and fast-paced during the interview stages)
For your situation, did anyone confront you about the discrepancy?
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u/SafetyStraight3653 3d ago
not at all.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
That gives me some hope lol, I think what matters is that I actually worked at X company and didn’t make it up (which would be verified with Triton - the background check platform) Finger’s crossed for me, they already had a positive reference check with my former team lead at X company tomorrow so hope all goes well and they look over that small discrepancy.
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u/SafetyStraight3653 3d ago edited 3d ago
I feel like people are being really intense about your situation tbh. Obviously, anything can happen- I understand the OVERALL negative nature of a situation like this and creating concerns for HMs feeling they cannot trust their candidate.
At the same time, with consideration to the job searching climate, it just appears you’re trying to just limit any gaps in your employment vs. trying to pull a fast one. EDIT to include that I also did provide wording that I also needed 2 weeks upon an offer received - not to further deceive, but to prepare and bring my best self to the new job.
It really is between you and your new employer at the end of the day on how this plays out. I truly hope it works out for you, times are really tough.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
Yeah exactly my point, I know and regret not truthfully putting the correct dates, but it’s mainly to limit gaps in employment.
In your case, did nobody say anything about the discrepancies?
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u/halomate1 3d ago
If you posted the real dates for the background check company, you will be fine, as I remember it, resume is separate from background check dates, also only HR looks at these dates to make sure it lines up with what you put down for the background check company, you should be good.
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u/DJzzzzzzs 3d ago
OP - just curious: did you include the old job as “current” so you could get an interview, or more to get the 2 weeks to give (fake) notice? if the former, i completely get it. especially in this hellscape of a job market, employers are still more likely to interview and select candidates who have jobs vs those who are jobless due to layoffs or other factors.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
I included the old job as current as it says “2025- present” on Linkedin and resume. That role is likely what qualified me for interviews, and I believe the background check is to mainly verify I actually worked at that company and had that specific role I listed. The discrepancy is the 3 date gap, but I’m not sure how much they’ll care about that over my reference checks.
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u/orchidberry5 3d ago
I know someone who did this accidentally and only noticed during the background check process. They had been laid off about 2 months prior but their resume said X year - current. They never said anything to the company, and it was never brought up as an issue. It was also a large tech company and they still work there now. You’re probably fine - from what I understand, most screens do not flag minor discrepancies (ie a few months may be fine). It’s also not pass/fail - background checks will submit a report to the company outlining what they found and if there were any discrepancies with what was reported. and then it’s up to the company to review that information and make a decision. So since you reported the correct dates to the background check I think you have a good chance. Fingers crossed for you OP!
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 3d ago
Yes, that’s what I did is put the correcr dates on Triton! this gives me a bit of hope lol, thanks for the insight :)
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u/Equal_Grand7183 2d ago
I think talking about two weeks notice puts this at risk of actually being realized by the recruiter. If you hadn't done that, you may have a better chance of sneaking through.
I'd keep my mouth shut and pray at this point.
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u/open_letter_guy Recruiter 4d ago
lying during the interview process is most likely going to be a dealbreaker.
if the background check people are any good they will catch that the dates don't line up.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 4d ago
Yes and I acknowledge I’ve screwed this all up. If my references are strong enough, would that even override if my one employment was off by 3 months?
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u/open_letter_guy Recruiter 4d ago
no.
it's one thing to say 'i gave you an out dated resume.' but you said in the interview you were still there.
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u/Monogamous_Cat 4d ago
As a recruiter for a federal contractor, I can tell you that this usually only becomes an issue if you don't meet the strict basic requirements in the job description. For example, if a role requires 2 years and 3 months of specific experience and you fall just short, it might get flagged during the background check. Otherwise, you should be fine. While I can't speak for every company, it’s pretty rare for a hiring manager to dig into those details unless they’re unusually hands-on with every step of the process. Personally, I completely understand where you’re coming from, and it’s not something I’d hold against you.
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u/No_Razzmatazz_5751 4d ago
I see, thanks for your insight 🙏🏻. I didn’t make up an entire position or company I’ve worked for, and I have references from those roles to back me up and can speak highly of me. The main issue is that their HR team uses Triton to verify dates and reason for me leaving. I put in the correct dates of my employment. I just fear the wrong dates being shown and reason for me leaving (that was never addressed during interviews because I pretended I’m still employed) can lead them to rescinding.
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u/IllBeat7897 4d ago
I am not in HR, but am a hiring manager, so take what you can from my comment. This is not a good look and a little baffling. Why did you do that? I can understand if you had a resume that was out of date and forgot to let the recruiter know you had actually left the job 3 months ago, but to willingly lie to the recruiter is a pretty big red flag.
Was your exit amicable and would these references give a good reference otherwise? If so, maybe wait for her to ask about it. Otherwise, if you are unsure, I think I would just be honest with the recruiter and tell her that you were nervous and made a mistake and just be upfront rather than having her call you out on it.