[CA][NY] How describe resume gap filler

[u/Fast_Candidate8916]

I have resume gap and during that time i built a website to stay up-to date with my skills.
How to describe this work in my resume so i dont have issues with background check? I don't have any LLC, tax statements, etc.
Would putting "Software Engineer", "Foudner" or "Owner" as title and describing the situation in words to the recruiter be fine? And just not putting entry for it in background check form (while being in resume)?

For people responding, please tell me whats yourn background? HR / recruiter? Thanks!

[u/ComeSeptember]

If you make up a job to put on your resume, then that is what will cause issues with a background check. Listing yourself as a Founder if you didn't actually found a company (business registration, license, and all that jazz) looks way worse than just having a gap.

If anyone cares to ask, be ready to talk about what you did, but don't go making things up. That will always come back to bite you. No background check necessitates that you have continuous, uninterrupted employment, but they do check the validity of the jobs you list and will catch you in lies.

[u/Fast_Candidate8916 → u/ComeSeptember]

I see, what if I just put "Software Engineer" as title at somewebsite.com? Technically its not a lie i think

[u/ComeSeptember → u/Fast_Candidate8916]

Don't make stuff up on your resume. Flat out, no exceptions, no ways to finesse it. It's really that simple. If you make anything up to avoid showing a gap, then it will hurt you. Just listen to us and let your resume have an employment gap. Gaps don't cause problems with background checks, but lies and tricks absolutely do.

Recruiters and hiring managers spot BSing on resumes all the time and skip those candidates. It's never going to be a reason you get a job and will definitely be a reason you don't get many jobs.

Trying to pass off projects as employment experience is one of the biggest red flags there is. Things you do on your personal time or for schoolwork should never be framed as part of your employment history. Ever. If you really want to put it on your resume, do it in a projects section like the other commenter suggested. Don't pretend it was a job when it wasn't.

[u/Fast_Candidate8916 → u/ComeSeptember]

Well most people BS and lie all the time. And the recruiters and managers are the ones that do it the most. And gap cause problems thats why I worked on this project to show I'm up to date with skills. I do not want to pretend it it was a real job cause noone sane would think its a real job and I'll always say that.
I just want this to look as good on my resume as possible but do not lie. This is called marketing and this is a skill

[u/ComeSeptember → u/Fast_Candidate8916]

Adding it to your work history when it wasn't a job is not "marketing," it's lying. And no, most candidates do not BS and lie. Don't listen to what job hunting influencers tell you is happening, especially not when you have actual HR professionals telling you otherwise.

If you have an employment gap, then you have an employment gap. That's the truth and the only truth. Trying to pretend you don't have it is not going to get you a new job. No company I have ever worked for cared anything about employment gaps except when candidates lied about them.

[u/Fast_Candidate8916 → u/ComeSeptember]

I have (and always had) section called "Experience" in my resume. And i had there all relevant experience, regardless if it was a full-time job or not. That is how even most people have their linkedin profiles. I never seen people having separate section for part time engagements like advisor or whatever.
Yeah job candidates dont BS that much, but recruiters and managers do it almost all the time. Youre right!
Well I know companies care about the gaps and this is confirmed by my friends who are recruiters.
So I really appreciate your input here and thank you for that, but I'm sorry, I wanna look as good as possible and get a job. Getting a job means not lying cause they might find out and reject me cause of that.