Got the job but my cv says I have GCSEs that I don't have I'm in a state and need advice

[Donkdonkgoo]

I've just landed my dream job and due to start in a few weeks, I've got the job based on my skills and experience not my few school based qualifications from the 80s. I did the really stupid thing of lying on my cv that I have 3 GCSC's, when i don't. I have had my starter pack saying on my first day of work I need to take my P45, signed contract and copies of any relevant qualifications. What should I do? I tried to obtain a copy of my gcsc grades a few years ago and the exam board said they didn't have reacords for my school that far back. I don't even know what I got grade wise but I know they were rubbish as I had traumatic few teenage years. What should I do? Come clean to my new boss? Or just say I don't have the certificate? I'm having sleepless nights and really cross with myself and would never do anything like this again. What would you do???

I've decided if everything goes to plan and I start the new job I'm going to sit my GCSEs again or at least the English and Maths.

Imchlibob
I said I have 3 GCSEs grade (a-c) I think the highest grade I got was a D but can't recall the subject. So it's a blatant lie. I will contact my local adult education and start the ball rolling in getting enrolled to obtain either gcse or equivalent, thanks for the heads up

That's a good idea Donk, although if you're planning on keeping this issue quiet... maybe go for the adult versions mentioned above.

unicorn everyone doesn't! I've never added 'extras' to my CV. Never needed to, and it hasn't stopped me from getting most jobs I've applied for.

If you are 45 you definitely took GCSE’s. If you were born Sept ‘71 to August ‘72 you’d have taken them in summer 1988, the 1st guinea pig year.

I really can’t imagine they’d want certificates from then. I think it’s safe to assume it’s a lesson learnt and not to lie again. But putting it in perspective do you have the skills these exams would require? If so put on your self confident face and go for it.

(OMG!!! Was it really 30 years ago?! I suddenly feel my age)

I would also delete this thread.

As an aside, I'd look into doing your english and maths at a local adults college - its a bit more specific and relevant than gcse's but a pas is equivalent to a grade C so for footie jobs you could use that

Donk, I too am a very honest person and understand you being very worried. However, you are forgetting the bigger picture and focusing on the one tiny negative probably because of the tough time you mentioned.
From one honest person to another, please put this behind you. Nobody will find you out etc. You said yourself you can’t remember the results. I think it’s an excellent idea to get yourself the GCSE if you have time. Stop thinking about it now, focus on the positive. Good luck and take care.

Thanks everyone I'm deleting the thread now, you've been great as always when I need anonymity

Im just hearing more and more about his employers check up on applicants now especially exam results

I wouldn't worry too much, just say the certificates were mislaid years ago and you can't get copies, despite trying.
Definitely don't come clean! There's no need and you won't be doing yourself any favours.
I've had employers request documents which I couldn't find, I've gone into manic panic mode, turned my house upside down and torn my hair out looking for them, only to find the employer really wasn't fussed when I turned up without them.
Anyway, at the risk of patronising you, it sounds as if you've learned a valuable lesson. Congratulations on landing your dream job!

Great advice from 3dogs!

After such a long time these are not relevant qualifications and please be completely blasé about it if you get asked. These things can get lost.

Of course you’ve now had an abundance of comments that it was not a good idea to fib about your grades in the first place, but please don’t let this impact your confidence - your ‘good’ grades were most certainly not the reason why you got the job! Congratulations and good luck!

Thanks everyone

Before you delete...I took O and A levels pre GCSEs. I still have my certificates but they don't mention grades. I have a degree and I have never even been asked to produce proof of that for a job! I would just say, 'Sorry, I'm afraid I haven't kept certificates from that far back but am, of course, happy to do any further training the job entails' . Do you have any evident of work based training you could offer instead just so they have something to file.

Your standard of written English looks fine to me so I don't think you need to worry but it shows in life it is always best to be truthful. You would have probably got more credit at the interview if you had stressed how you had worked yourself up the ladder after attending a failing school.

I've never ever been asked to prove I HAVE qualifications even though I am educated to a level .

GCSEs don't really mean anything. They are just proof you're up to the minimum standard and a gauge of going up to a levels.

If you actually have the GCSE’s and lied about just the grades I would leave it.

If you feel that you would be breaking a trust arrange for a meeting with your new boss and explain that you can’t get hold of the transcripts and can’t actually remember your grades from that far back. If I were your boss I would appreciate your honesty especially as it is unlikely it would have come out otherwise.

Most recent job I had to provide loads of identification and all my qualification certificates before I started my job.

I can’t remember what gcse grades I got so I put what I thought I got on my cv. I have since got a degree after doing an access course and that is the only certificate asked for. Only one job asked for proof of gcse and I just told them it was 1990 and I was told they couldn’t obtain the certificate. This explanation was accepted!

If it were a degree it would be very serious. Not sure on gcses sorry x

Hi I would stay at home block all of his calls and just forget him bc if u don't have the gcses he was looking for he is not gonna take u on.
You could come clean to your boss but that might be a bit awkward and tell him the truth he might understand and take u on.

                                          Best of luck connor😁

ZOMBIE

THREAD IS FROM 2018

GCSEs don’t count as qualifications.

They are just used to push people into HE so they can start the cycle of debt.

ZOMBIE 🧟‍♀️

Exam boards have merged and changed since then. I wouldn’t remember what exam boards ran the GCSES I took. I’ve no idea how I’d get certificates now and I shouldn’t think anyone that far back would.

If you are asked - which you probably won’t be - just say you’ve mislaid them and you’ve contacted them but records don’t go back that far. It’ll be obvious from your work experience you have the basic literary and numeracy that 3 GCSEs including maths and English would indicate.

ZOOOOOMBIE (but would love an update from OP)