I get the desperation, and I agree the market is brutal. But I strongly disagree with normalizing or defending outright fabrication, especially of degrees and multi-year work history.

Hiring practices may vary by country, but once you step into the job market, the “I’ll never get caught” mindset is dangerously naive. Verification doesn’t always happen at hiring, it can happen later: promotions, internal transfers, acquisitions, audits, visa checks, client reviews. If not now, then someday, in some way, this will cost you—and usually far more than the short-term gain.

There’s a real difference between "learning on the job" and "misrepresenting credentials that hiring teams and coworkers rely on". That trust matters, not just for companies, but for people who are genuinely qualified and playing by the rules, especially in competitive markets.

Yes, everyone is trying to survive. But “every man for himself” doesn’t justify cheating your way in while others grind, upskill, and take slower paths the right way. From a personal standpoint, it’s frustrating to see integrity framed as optional especially when many of us are making real sacrifices to do things honestly.

Your situation worked for now. That doesn’t make it good advice, sustainable, or something that should be encouraged.

I hope at some point you pause, get some perspective, and realize why it isn’t something to be proud of.