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Original poster

I have an interview (admin NHS), but lack qualifications proof

140 replies

user1471867483 · 30/12/2025 19:47

I've been shortlisted for a band 4 NHS job, but I don't meet the essential GCSE Maths and English criteria since I'm from the O level and CSE days. I wrote on the application form that I have O level grade C in both subjects from 1987, but I can't prove it because I don’t have the certificates anymore (I'm 54), plus my secondary school closed down over 10 years ago. My only strong point is my 30 years of NHS experience, plus a bit in private healthcare. The interview is remote, and I have to show my qualifications (which I can't verify) into the camera and my photo ID, which I do have. What should I do?

OP posts:
gegs73 · 31/12/2025 09:45

clary · 30/12/2025 22:25

No one is saying that O levels are not acceptable. I’ve never had an issue (and if I did, that would be age discrimination).

So why is it age discrimination to ask for certificates? What are the barriers to producing paper evidence? And why do these barriers not apply to people in their 40s?

I have my certificates as does a PP. The ability to keep important documents is not age-dependent.

I don’t think it’s discrimination, but many many people in their 50s/60s are going to be hard pushed to find GCSE/O level certificates. Moved house many times, maybe they were in a parents loft who died. Back in the 90s there wasn’t such a problem if people didn’t have GCSE Maths or English qualifications, for many jobs it didn’t matter so it wasn’t such a big deal to keep to them safe. Not thinking that 35 years later it might be an issue.

RampantIvy · 31/12/2025 09:50

Interestingly, I still have my O level and A level certificates from 1975 and 1977. However, they haven't seen the light of day for many years.

clary · 31/12/2025 09:51

I still think it’s just as possible not to have them in your 30s tho. I have kept mine safe for more than 40 years. It’s just part of the house moving process now. If you are the kind of person who doesn’t file or keep important paperwork that’s going to be the case whatever your age. There are pps in here a lot younger than me who have no certificates.

Sorry to labour the point and I have lots of sympathy for the OP, but I resent the implication that just bc I am older I have lost the ability to keep hold of useful things.

One of my dc is only 22, did numbers for GCSEs and everything, very up to date, but I trust myself over him to have the key paperwork to hand.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General education Jobs
Liondoesntsleepatnight · 31/12/2025 09:54

Get copies. As your school has closed I would call another nearby secondary and ask which exam boards they used around that time. I got mine last year, your age has nothing to do with the screening process , I’m 50. I Imagine that I will need to provide the certs for any job moving forward.

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 31/12/2025 10:03

OCR was the most common exam board around that time.

CatusFlatus · 31/12/2025 10:15

clary · 30/12/2025 22:25

No one is saying that O levels are not acceptable. I’ve never had an issue (and if I did, that would be age discrimination).

So why is it age discrimination to ask for certificates? What are the barriers to producing paper evidence? And why do these barriers not apply to people in their 40s?

I have my certificates as does a PP. The ability to keep important documents is not age-dependent.

I don't have mine because I left my abusive husband taking only my car, handbag and the clothes I was wearing.

Can you appreciate that not everyone has the same life experiences?

Fortunately I've never needed them.

RampantIvy · 31/12/2025 10:17

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 31/12/2025 10:03

OCR was the most common exam board around that time.

In the 1970s in London it was London University or AEB.

clary · 31/12/2025 10:21

CatusFlatus · 31/12/2025 10:15

I don't have mine because I left my abusive husband taking only my car, handbag and the clothes I was wearing.

Can you appreciate that not everyone has the same life experiences?

Fortunately I've never needed them.

Show quote history

Yes of course others have different life experiences. I am sorry that you had to go through that. But different life experiences is kind of my point. Pps have said that it’s ridiculous to expect someone over a certain age (unspecified) to have any paperwork. Some won’t but actually plenty will.

I think and have said there should be flexibility and maybe an alternative test to sit for example.

Itsmetheflamingo · 31/12/2025 10:27

clary · 31/12/2025 10:21

Yes of course others have different life experiences. I am sorry that you had to go through that. But different life experiences is kind of my point. Pps have said that it’s ridiculous to expect someone over a certain age (unspecified) to have any paperwork. Some won’t but actually plenty will.

I think and have said there should be flexibility and maybe an alternative test to sit for example.

Show quote history

I had an employee who had been at the company for years and did an excellent job. The company merged and he had to reapply. The job now required a degree. He didn’t have a degree, no one thought this was a problem.
He was constantly stressed about this. One day I asked for a chat and said he didn’t seem himself. He broke down crying and said he had a difficult childhood, including his dad beating his mum and putting her in ICU during his a levels. He had spent the morning before his first a levels at the hospital. He said I drove to school, opened the paper and walked out.

these posts do sound dismissive. Don’t forget the people who received these certificates were 15,16 years old. children!
The idea that they should explain themselves 40 years later rather than just trot off to mums loft to find a neat file is quite unpleasant, and seems to perpetuate historical inequalities

eta- I know you said a test alternative should be offered, and I agree. But the weight of multiple posts about how simple it is does build into a view.

Original poster
user1471867483 · 31/12/2025 10:39

Itsmetheflamingo · 31/12/2025 10:27

I had an employee who had been at the company for years and did an excellent job. The company merged and he had to reapply. The job now required a degree. He didn’t have a degree, no one thought this was a problem.
He was constantly stressed about this. One day I asked for a chat and said he didn’t seem himself. He broke down crying and said he had a difficult childhood, including his dad beating his mum and putting her in ICU during his a levels. He had spent the morning before his first a levels at the hospital. He said I drove to school, opened the paper and walked out.

these posts do sound dismissive. Don’t forget the people who received these certificates were 15,16 years old. children!
The idea that they should explain themselves 40 years later rather than just trot off to mums loft to find a neat file is quite unpleasant, and seems to perpetuate historical inequalities

eta- I know you said a test alternative should be offered, and I agree. But the weight of multiple posts about how simple it is does build into a view.

Edited
Show quote history

Perfectly put! I was an only child to a widowed mother and still am! And a free school meals child! Growing up was terribly difficult. Anyway, this job I applied for is only for 12 months anyway, but seems so strict.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1471867483 · 31/12/2025 11:11

This is what I received back:

Thank you for your email.

In this instance, we can consider your experience with supported references, should you be successful.

If you are unable to locate the physical certificates, then please do not worry.

I look forward to meeting you at the interview next week.

OP posts:
KaleidoscopeSmile · 31/12/2025 11:13

DeftGoldHedgehog · 31/12/2025 01:01

No-one should need proof of qualifications of any kind to do admin work.

That's a strange take. I do "admin" but am a Snr Finance Analyst.

Admin isn't all filing and making the manager's tea

KaleidoscopeSmile · 31/12/2025 11:13

user1471867483 · 31/12/2025 11:11

This is what I received back:

Thank you for your email.

In this instance, we can consider your experience with supported references, should you be successful.

If you are unable to locate the physical certificates, then please do not worry.

I look forward to meeting you at the interview next week.

Well done OP. The very best of luck at your interview

Original poster
user1471867483 · 31/12/2025 11:15

KaleidoscopeSmile · 31/12/2025 11:13

Well done OP. The very best of luck at your interview

Show quote history

Thank you so much. I'm desperate for a job as I'm unemployed. Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
clary · 31/12/2025 11:17

I am not dismissive of the OP’s problems; apologies that my posts have read like that. I have repeatedly said I wish them well. Brilliant update @user1471867483 - hope you get the job!

My only concern has been to protest that I don’t see a request for qualification certificates as age discrimination. Someone old like me could still have theirs; someone young, for all kinds of reasons mentioned, might not. I have every sympathy with anyone who has lost vital paperwork of any kind or never had the chance to take exams.

x2boys · 31/12/2025 11:23

Years ago when I was nurse i was interviewing for Bank staff with my manager, candidates that didn't have the required grades in English and Maths were required to sit a numeracy and Literacy test
Ironically neither myself or my manager had passed maths grade C or above
But I had never been asked in interviews as I had the relevant nursing qualifications.

OccasionalHope · 31/12/2025 11:27

Sounds like good news, OP!

Tooty78 · 31/12/2025 11:28

Wishing lots of luck, let us know what happens.

Itsmetheflamingo · 31/12/2025 11:33

user1471867483 · 31/12/2025 11:11

This is what I received back:

Thank you for your email.

In this instance, we can consider your experience with supported references, should you be successful.

If you are unable to locate the physical certificates, then please do not worry.

I look forward to meeting you at the interview next week.

This is amazing!

RosesAndHellebores · 31/12/2025 11:37

@user1471867483 I am very pleased you got a sensible reply.

My team asks only for the highest qual when relevant to the job. Otherwise it's the qual standard or relevant experience. I refuse to make a degree mandatory for admin roles.

The in-tray test winnows out who can or can't do the letter. Five tasks covering prioritising, spag, arithmetic, using an excel spreadsheet and saving a doc in accordance with the instructions.

@user1471867483 you will get an EDI question at an NHS interview "I acknowledge and anticipate people's differences and try to make adjustments so everyone has equal access, for example, if a clinic had to move location due to a flood, I would try to make sure a blind patient was telephoned or a wheelchair user could access via a lift".

Also, google quesrions and answers about dealing with difficult people and have an answer preparwd and rehearsed. Ditto prioritising, something in your experience where you have improved a process - can be a personal thing - as simple as: I seoarate the glass/plastic/paper as I go along so it's quicker to put out the rubbish when it's wet.

Good luck!

AreThereSomewhereIslands · 31/12/2025 11:42

Best of luck with your interview next week, OP!

Just in case you ever do need the supporting paperwork - a certified statement of results - here are links to some helpful government webpages:

https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate

https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate/if-your-old-exam-board-no-longer-exists

(I'm nearly 63 and will be required to show my O Level maths and English certificates from 1979 in order to be accepted onto a distance learning course that I'd like to do just for fun next year...!)

Get a replacement exam certificate

Request a replacement exam certificate or a certified statement of results if you've lost your original - check the list of old exam boards if your board no longer exists

https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate

RedRiverShore6 · 31/12/2025 11:55

Good luck for next week, OP

Original poster
user1471867483 · 31/12/2025 19:05

Thank you all for your answers. I've been fascinated 😯

OP posts:
TipTopHat · 31/12/2025 19:46

RosesAndHellebores · 31/12/2025 11:37

@user1471867483 I am very pleased you got a sensible reply.

My team asks only for the highest qual when relevant to the job. Otherwise it's the qual standard or relevant experience. I refuse to make a degree mandatory for admin roles.

The in-tray test winnows out who can or can't do the letter. Five tasks covering prioritising, spag, arithmetic, using an excel spreadsheet and saving a doc in accordance with the instructions.

@user1471867483 you will get an EDI question at an NHS interview "I acknowledge and anticipate people's differences and try to make adjustments so everyone has equal access, for example, if a clinic had to move location due to a flood, I would try to make sure a blind patient was telephoned or a wheelchair user could access via a lift".

Also, google quesrions and answers about dealing with difficult people and have an answer preparwd and rehearsed. Ditto prioritising, something in your experience where you have improved a process - can be a personal thing - as simple as: I seoarate the glass/plastic/paper as I go along so it's quicker to put out the rubbish when it's wet.

Good luck!

Ive never included a DEI question in any of my interviews!

Original poster
user1471867483 · 31/12/2025 20:31

Tooty78 · 31/12/2025 11:28

Wishing lots of luck, let us know what happens.

Thank you. I will. I'm going to do as much preparation as I can for this interview.

OP posts:
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