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NHS job application - leave qualifications blank or include irrelevant ones?

26 replies

POPholditdown · 10/10/2018 05:57

My highest level of qualifications is A level, completed 8 years ago, in Psychology, Sociology and English Language.

I’m applying for an admin job in a GP surgery.

If I just leave the entire section blank, will that look worse than having old, irrelevant qualifications on there?

TIA

OP posts:

Report

daisychain01 · 10/10/2018 06:01

Why don't you want to include your qualifications?

If you've passed exams, thy are worth including, it shows you have attained a level of competence in those subjects - that's a good indicator of skill even if the topics don't seem "relevant"

NicoAndTheNiners · 10/10/2018 06:21

Put the A level in for sure. It’s not irrelevant. It demonstrates you’re someone with the intelligence to pass an A level. Demonstrates a certain level of reading/writing/comprehension level which not everyone has!

NicoAndTheNiners · 10/10/2018 06:21

And put your GCSEs in, even if you just say x number of GCSEs at grade a-c inc maths and English.

Saturdaycartoon · 10/10/2018 06:22

OP they aren't irrelevant at all. It's important to demonstrate your level of educational attainment to a prospective employer. In your case, the A levels do that.

Good luck with your application!

POPholditdown · 10/10/2018 06:25

TBH, I have no idea where my certificates are, and I didn’t think it’d be relevant after so many years (should I put GCSEs too?? I definitely won’t have those certs!)

On the application it says any qualifications will be subject satisfactory checks - I’m not sure if they just check qualifications which are essential to the job (none in this case) or any I list.

OP posts:

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 10/10/2018 06:26

Definitely put them in. A' levels show commitment to independent study, the fact that at 16 you were capable of making astute choices for yourself etc etc.

POPholditdown · 10/10/2018 06:26

Gosh, didn’t realise they would be relevant! I don’t want to look like a liar if they ask me for proof

OP posts:

FruitCider · 10/10/2018 06:30

You need to list all qualifications for nhs jobs, whether you passed them or not, regardless of how long ago they were.

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 10/10/2018 06:30

Cross that bridge when/if you get to it. They may want to see them- if they're about to offer you the job, then it might be worth getting copies, but wait it out for now.

littleblackno · 10/10/2018 06:31

I have just read applications for an admin job in my team (nhs) your qualifications are all relevant so put them in. Don’t leave any employment gaps or make sure you explain them - raising children is fine to write and better than a gap with no explanation.
Go through the job spec and answer how you meat the criteria- if it says Microsoft experience say you have it!
Sorry if I’m stating the obvious to you but the standard of some of the applications I read was really shocking.

MaverickSnoopy · 10/10/2018 06:32

Of course they're relevant. Other applicants will list their qualifications. I used to work in HR and had applications from people in their 50s and 60s who included their O levels.

If you get asked for certificates (which so far I never have been when applying for a job) then say you don't know where they are, most people don't. Fwiw I did my A levels 16 years ago and still include details on my CV and applications.

NicoAndTheNiners · 10/10/2018 06:34

If you do need certificates down the line you can apply to some sort of central exam board admin team (if you can’t remember which exam board was used) for copies. Might be worth doing this anyway if you’re applying for jobs. But you won’t need them at an interview.

POPholditdown · 10/10/2018 06:35

The closing date for the job is next week (has only just been advertised), so I thought the recruiting might move pretty quickly.

Do you think it’s worth giving them a call and ask? If they’ll want to see them, I might order them anyway. I guess they could come in handy for other jobs, if I don’t get this one.

I’ve never been asked by any other employer tbh.

OP posts:

NicoAndTheNiners · 10/10/2018 06:36

If you left it blank they will assume you passed nothing, make assumptions about your general level of intelligence and probably not interview you. Unless you have years of experience and then they might, but they’d think it was odd you had no qualifications.

Redken24 · 10/10/2018 06:37

Usually they just photocopy the qualification's you bring for interview.

NicoAndTheNiners · 10/10/2018 06:37

I wouldn’t ring them beforehand. If they ask for them down the line say you’re getting copies. But yes I would apply for copies now.

www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate

POPholditdown · 10/10/2018 06:38

I have been in consistent employment my A levels, so I stopped putting them in a couple of years ago.

Thanks everyone, you may have just increased my chances!

OP posts:

POPholditdown · 10/10/2018 06:39

I’ll be putting these babies back on my CV now, too

Thanks for the link nico going to get on that today

OP posts:

gamerwidow · 10/10/2018 06:41

Agree with the PPs definitely put them. I shortlist applications in the NHS all the time and it will count against you if you don’t. Also get replacement certificates they will want to see them.

MigGril · 10/10/2018 06:41

Yes fill in everything, qualifications and employment history. They ask for this for NHS/Civil servant any council jobs, it's a pain as my work history now covers about 3 pages but I think it's one of those things that if you don't fill it in they will just reject your application.

I haven't had that many jobs I'm just getting old and having had a career break, I also add in volunteer work to.

MeanTangerine · 10/10/2018 06:53

I would get hold of copies of your certificates ASAP. Also - do not expect recruitment in the NHS to move 'pretty quickly'. From closing date for applications to start date for new post holder can easily be 4 months.

There's some really good advice on the NHS jobs website about how to fill in the application. They have a very regimented process for shortlisting for interviews

make sure your personal statement clearly addresses how your experience fulfils every point in the person spec and job description.

MeanTangerine · 10/10/2018 06:55

Ah bollocks just re read your OP... Ignore what I said about time moving slowly, the other advice is not unreasonable though.

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SnuggyBuggy · 10/10/2018 06:55

If it's the NHS jobs website it will store all your GCSEs for next time so you won't have to do so again.

topcat2014 · 10/10/2018 06:58

I can't imagine not wanting to put my GCSE, A Levels, on an application form?

Maybe leave out "trained fire marshall" (in my case :) ) but never the formal exams.

SnuggyBuggy · 10/10/2018 07:00

To be fair I think my current CV just says 9 a*-c GCSEs including English and Maths

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