Advice regarding mistake on application form

[mumof1littlebun]

I have recently applied for a role that I have been invited to interview for. They have asked for certificates of GCSE’s etc and upon digging these out I have realised I have put the wrong years down that I obtained the qualifications 😫 will I lllik like a complete idiot at the interview?! Is it best to decline and not waste their time? I have spoken to a couple of people about it. One person timings I’ll look stupid, another thinks it’s a simple mistake and I do actually have the qualifications. Not sure what to do!

Go still. Good luck with the interview.

Something that can be explained at interview if needs be. I honestly don’t think it matters too much unless you put the wrong grade. So I’d probably not mention it unless it’s really bugging you. Definitely wouldn’t make your application invalid

I have put the wrong grade for one of my a levels. As in I’ve mixed up two subjects so I did get that grade. My fault for rushing and trying to remember info from over 20 years ago!!

If you cancel the interview you definitely won’t get the job. If you go along and let them know you will look a bit careless but it seems unlikely they will actually care about what year you got your GCSEs. Unless it’s out by a decade.

If you are 21 and this is the crux of your CV, it's a problem.

If you've been working for 20 years and you therefore frankly can barely remember what subjects you took for GCSE, I think it's not an issue at all. Especially if your mistake are minor (vs if you said you got all 9s when you actually barely scraped through with a few 4s). When you submit the proof, just flag that you had the dates slightly wrong and inverted two results.

For me interviewing candidates it wouldn’t be a deal breaker if you were by far the best candidate. However, if I was trying to decide between two that were closely matched I would probably say other person has better attention to detail and give them an offer as my sector requires that.

I think owning up to the mistake would show that you're honest - most employers would rather know you're prepared to learn from your mistakes rather than try to cover them up.

Was it a written application form or an electronic one? If the latter, I'd just say that there was an error with the computer when inputting it.

It's best to go to the interview, you've nothing to lose. It depends on what the nature of the role is as to whether it will matter or not. For example, if you are going to work in hospitality, the interviewer may be more focussed on your personality, how amenable and attentive you are and your confidence in speaking. If you're applying for a role as a pharmaceutical administrator, then they will want to know you have great attention to detail, which the mistake suggests that not to be the case.

Attend the interview, be pro-active, explain beforehand that the date of your GCSEs is incorrect and give them the actual date. Some employers may respect the honesty, integrity and active approach at problem solving. If you get the job, great, if not, at-least you can say you tried. As I said, you've nothing to lose.

Thank you for the kind replies, I feel so daft! Will it be best to point it out do you think?!

I don't think they will care unless there is a very specific relevance - for example you're applying for a job as a data entry clerk or something.

I'm quite amazed you forgot, though! I did mine nearly 35 years ago and can't imagine forgetting the dates which are pretty much etched on my memory.

I wouldn't advise lying (saying it was a computer error). It doesn't make any sense anyway and you have not been dishonest as it stands, just muddled.

Fwiw I wouldn't bother correcting at the interview, if you get offered the job tell them then.

Go to the interview and mention it then, as you'll have the certificates with you. There won't be an issue, you're not claiming grades you have not got.

Hi. I’ve interviewed someone and a similar situation happened. The head of hr said the lady should have just emailed after she was offered the interview to confirm the true position. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker but it’s better to be up front about it. Good luck!

Oops sorry I missed that you have to take them with you! Then I would drop an email in advance, apologise for the confusion and give the correct dates/grades

I have emailed them to let them know. Better than worrying what might happen at the interview and equally if they don’t want me to attend the interview then I haven’t wasted their time either

Well done, always better to be honest. Let us know how you get on... good luck!