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Original poster

Exam certificates

160 replies

imnotthatkindofmum · 04/07/2024 16:59

Long story short.

Getting a job in a field I am not experienced in but the job description fits my experience of over 15 years.

I do not have a degree. And I left school 30 years ago.

For the new job which they want me to start asap I have been asked for gcse and a level certificates. I do not have these and they have said I have to have them or I can't start. If they are anywhere they're in my parents loft. My parents are in their 80s and live a 2 hr drive away.....and they might not actually even be there. I was also divorced 20 years and a lot of stuff is just gone forever.

I can get certificates but it's going to cost £50 per qualification, take over 20 days and I don't even know what exam boards I did.

The HR contact is aghast that I've never had to show my certificates to anyone. Obviously if it related to the job I could understand it.

So my questions are should I still have my certificates? Does everyone else still have their certificates after 30 years? Have you been asked for (unrelated) certificates to do a job you have experience in?

AIBU that they are BU?

OP posts:
Hatty65 · 04/07/2024 17:26

imnotthatkindofmum · 04/07/2024 17:07

That's fair enough. Does that include gcse as I know someone who's a teacher and she just said her degree and postgrad certificates.

Show quote history

I'm a teacher and every interview has always needed all of them. You can't teach without GCSE (Or O level in my case as I'm old) Maths and English, so they want to see everything.

jmh740 · 04/07/2024 17:25

I'm almost 50 and have had to show my certificates 3 times for jobs in the last 10 years, they are in a box other important Info birth certificate marriage certificate etc

k1880 · 04/07/2024 17:22

Yes, I do, GCSE, A level, degree and postgrad. From mid 90s onwards. Each represents so much work I am amazed people don't keep them safe. Been asked for them rarely but sometimes over the years, usually only degree cert.

Arguably your school ones are more important when they are your highest qualification. I really hope you can track them down.

seagullsky · 04/07/2024 17:19

I haven’t got a clue where mine are and have never been asked to show them.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/07/2024 17:14

My ex 'couldn't find them' after I left him. Which meant they'd had close contact with a bottle of lighter fluid and a Clipper. Along with a framed photo of my grandparents.

I have never been asked for certificates in 30 years. For one interview in 1997, I had a letter from my old school confirming my results (I think that's still in the loft somewhere), but the place I'd got that for didn't even bother asking to see them.

frightenedmum1 · 04/07/2024 17:08

yes of course! i have kept them safe for 40+ years and i dont know anyone who hasnt

Original poster
imnotthatkindofmum · 04/07/2024 17:07

LottieMary · 04/07/2024 17:00

I have all mine from 1995+ but I am in teaching and need to show them at every interview

That's fair enough. Does that include gcse as I know someone who's a teacher and she just said her degree and postgrad certificates.

OP posts:
Original poster
imnotthatkindofmum · 04/07/2024 17:06

Br1ll1ant · 04/07/2024 17:01

Yes, I had to find mine for my last job and I’m nearly 50. Fortunately I found them. I hope you do too

But what was their reason? For me the reason is for identification and security but I've already submitted for a dbs.

OP posts:
Br1ll1ant · 04/07/2024 17:01

Yes, I had to find mine for my last job and I’m nearly 50. Fortunately I found them. I hope you do too

LottieMary · 04/07/2024 17:00

I have all mine from 1995+ but I am in teaching and need to show them at every interview