For employers and BGV teams
Verifying a FirstShift engagement
If a candidate has presented a FirstShift experience letter or certificate, this page explains what verification is currently possible and what it means.
Important: FirstShift is a new program. The ability to verify an engagement depends on the partner firm that hosted the project and the stage of our verification infrastructure. In some cases, verification may not yet be possible. We are transparent about this.
What the certificate proves
- A specific candidate completed a specific project for a specific partner firm, within a specific date range, and received a certificate with a unique ID.
- The project was reviewed. Every engagement is reviewed against a published rubric by a working professional from the partner firm.
- The certificate is authentic. Each certificate has a unique ID and a public URL at firstshift.in/certificate/[id].
What the experience letter says
The experience letter is issued on the partner firm letterhead. It states the candidate name, project title, date range, and the nature of the engagement. It also states that the engagement was an internship assignment, not employment, and that the candidate was not paid a salary.
What you can verify (when available)
- The firm exists. The firm named on the experience letter is a registered Indian company. Where possible, we provide GSTIN details on the letter so you can check the GST portal.
- The engagement dates. The start and end dates on the letter reflect the engagement period.
- The certificate URL. Opening the certificate URL on our site will show the candidate name, project, firm, and date range.
- Firm confirmation. If the partner firm is still active, you can contact them to confirm the engagement. The firm will confirm the candidate completed a project assignment for them during the stated period.
What verification does not cover
- Not employment. FirstShift engagements are project-based internships, not jobs. The candidate was not an employee of the firm and did not receive a salary.
- Not a full background check. FirstShift does not verify identity documents, education credentials, or prior employment history. Our scope is limited to confirming the engagement itself.
- Firm continuity. Partner firms may change over time. If a firm is no longer active or no longer partners with us, we may not be able to confirm past engagements through that firm directly.
How to verify
- Open the certificate URL printed on the letter to confirm the candidate name, project, and date range match.
- Check the firm name and GSTIN on the letter against the GST portal (if GSTIN is provided).
- Email the firm at the address on the letterhead to confirm the engagement.
- If you need more help, email us at hello@firstshift.in with the candidate name and certificate ID.
Why this design. Certificate mills fall apart the moment an employer calls, because there is no real firm and no real work. FirstShift engagements are real projects with real partner firms, so the engagement itself can be confirmed. We also believe in being upfront about what our program is and is not -- it is a learning and portfolio-building opportunity, not an employment guarantee.
Common employer questions
Is the experience letter on company letterhead?
Yes. The letter is issued by the partner firm on their registered letterhead. It includes the firm name, address, GSTIN (where available), the candidate name, project title, and date range.
Can I call the firm to verify?
Yes. The firm contact details are on the letterhead. The firm will confirm that the candidate completed a project assignment during the stated period. They will also confirm the nature of the work.
Is this a real job or an internship?
It is a project-based internship, not employment. The candidate was not a salaried employee. The letter and certificate state this explicitly.
How long does verification take?
The public certificate URL confirms instantly. Calling the firm typically takes 1-2 business days depending on their response time. We recommend starting with the certificate URL.