Guy ‘fakes it until he makes it' after getting unexpectedly fired; ends up getting a career-making job offer as a result of an elaborate bluff: ‘I just played along until it worked’

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jul 3, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

Every job search relies a lot on timing, prospective employee aura, and sheer luck. For those of us who aren't naturally charismatic or overly confident in our abilities, looking for a job can be a tedious process that seems to rely a lot on faking it. However, the impostor in all of us struggles to confidently proclaim abilities that are unproven in the workplace, but if you ever want to score an interview, you have to embrace a certain level of uncertainty as well as self-confidence. 

This prospective employee went so far as to fake his employment after getting fired, hoping that his continued employment—regardless of its validity—would help him secure his next career move. And since the entire job market is based on false LinkedIn posts, silly flexes online, and a dang-good cover letter, this tactic actually ended up securing this man's best job yet: With benefits, WFH hours, and a work/life balance nobody could pass up. 

All he had to do was fake it until he made it.

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  • Cheezburger Image 10523923200
    via Dean Drobot

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • I got laid off and pretended I was still employed for months ended up getting a better job because of it
    via VelvetViiibes
  • Back in August, I got laid off unexpectedly. No warning, no severance, just a "hey, we're restructuring" and a Zoom call that lasted 3 minutes. I panicked. Couldn't tell my family yet. Didn't want my friends or ex-coworkers to know. So I just... pretended I was still working.
    via VelvetViiibes
  • Every day I'd "log in," aka open my laptop and sit there like I was busy. Told people I had meetings. Walked around with AirPods in like I was on calls. Applied to jobs nonstop in the background. Even posted on Linkedln occasionally about "exciting projects at work" just to keep the illusion going.
    via VelvetViiibes
  • Then something wild happened. A recruiter saw one of those fake posts, reached out, and asked if I was open to opportunities. I said yes. Got an interview. Lied through my teeth about the "current job." Crushed the interviews. Got an offer higher salary, better title, remote, actual work-life balance.
    via VelvetViiibes
  • It's been five months now and I still haven't told most people I was ever unemployed. Honestly? Don't think I ever will.
    via VelvetViiibes
  • I used to feel guilty for faking it, but now I just feel... relieved. The system's built on BS anyway. I just played along until it worked.
    via VelvetViiibes
  • My_Uneducated_Guess ⚫ Definitely not something I would recommend if you're married. Sure, it worked out this time, but imagine if it hadn't how much worse it would be having lied all that time while savings disappeared trying to keep the house afloat
    via My_Uneducated_Guess
  • PsychoWarfare1. I did the same exact thing, even lied in the interview about currently working and I got the job! Congrats!
    via PsychoWarfare1
  • Tiger4ever89. slow clap.... this is how the system works anyway buddy. you did a good job
    via Tiger4ever89
  • Chtiglou ⚫ As long you do your actual work well I don't see the issue. Still not sure if it is a general advice to give to other people. Being said that, well done for you
    via Chtiglou
  • OniricOcelot . You did well. When you quit they always want notice, when they fire you they do it from one day to the next.
    via OniricOcelot
  • Rude-Hall-4847 · Faked it till you made it. Congrats. As long as everyone is happy.
    via Rude-Hall-4847
  • entity330. Not sure if you did anything wrong. Your job qualifications didn't include being currently employed, did they?
    via entity330

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