Hiring Horror: Startup Founder Fires ‘Perfect-on-Paper’ Employee in Just 2½ Months

Arshia Kaur, founder of Tint Cosmetics in Mumbai, recently shared a startling hiring experience that went south. She brought on board an applicant for the Head of Marketing role who seemed ideal on paper, only to realise later that his entire resume—including salary slips—was fabricated. Within two and a half months, the startup had to let him go, prompting a wider conversation on vetting practices, especially in bootstrapped ventures across India.

The Hiring Illusion
Arshia spotted a candidate in late 2024 whose resume showed impressive marketing achievements. He walked her through dashboards and past campaigns, instilling confidence. The startup team believed they had struck gold—a perfectly qualified leader for their growth plans.

Red Flags Appear Early
Within a few weeks, cracks began to show. The new hire struggled to communicate with team members and failed to deliver results. Tasks were handed back to Arshia and other staff. Multiple discussions, warnings and time later, there was no improvement—leading to a difficult decision to part ways.

The Shocking Discovery
After termination, Arshia revisited his documents. That’s when she found the truth: salary slips were Excel-made, claiming impossible 31-day work months, lacking stamps, signatures or tax deductions. Bank statements didn’t match. She calls it a wake-up call—an expensive lesson on due diligence.

Why It Matters Beyond Mumbai
Startups in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—Nagpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad—often hire on trust and limited budgets. But Arshia’s story underscores the hidden costs of surface-level vetting. Especially for bootstrapped businesses, every rupee counts. This incident signals a need for implementing stricter background checks even at early stages.

Building Smarter Hiring Habits
Arshia now advocates rigorous verification: cross-checking credentials, validating documents, and insisting on reference calls. She reminded fellow founders that in a competitive job market, candidates may exaggerate. Knowing the true background saves time, money and reputation.

A Community Conversation Begins
Her Instagram post struck a chord. Many founders shared similar experiences—sat with fake CVs, exaggerated roles, and misleading claims. The issue is not isolated; it’s systemic. This story has sparked calls for standardised hiring protocols and peer-sharing of warning signs.

Conclusion
Arshia Kaur’s hiring horror story isn’t just cautionary—it’s instructive. It shows the perils of trusting resumes at face value and the importance of verification. For startups across India, this incident is a timely reminder: thorough hiring isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for survival.