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

[user1471867483]

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?

Surely this will only affect older job applicants? Years ago we were able to leave school without passing maths and english GCSE's and it wasn't a barrier to employment. There was no requirement to do re-takes to get an adequate pass grade. Kids get a couple of extra years to pass them now at 16-18.

Not everyone passes tho. Look at the stats. About 30% do not get a grade 4 in maths and same in English. Even with retakes. So a firm cannot assume someone has these grades.

In every teaching job I've had in the UK, the first day I had to present all my original exam certificates, "O"s, "A"s, degrees and teaching certificate to be seen and the box ticked and signed by admin as having done so.

Why on earth would someone be assumed not to be able to remember? Age discrimination? Give me a break.

I would imagine the use of fake certificates is pretty widespread. How would you feel if your doctor or a teacher got in with fake ones?

Oh, and my "vintage" is exams taken 71 -78.

I think you’ve missed my later comments. On production of a degree certificate, as an employer I’d take that as confirmation that lesser qualifications exist without needing to see a bit of paper to prove it. Especially if they are decades old.

@MissyB1 how did you re take them I know colleges do gxse level but how did you acces functional

Agree

Local college, they should all offer functional skills.

I hadn't missed it, just saying for teachers it is. Schools don't see it as "a piece of paper". Nor can lesser certificates be assumed.

I wonder if this is an aspect of the legal implications of the job, e.g. the unacceptability of a CV: jobs have to be by application form. All the ones I've ever seen having a declaration on the last page that the application is a truthful and full account. The latter is about employment history and qualifications.

some trusts are being advised to check now more thoroughly due to some high profile cases of people being dishonest and not qualified to a satisfactory level

Me too

I think you'll just have to explain you don't have them and see what they say.
I have worked in the nhs for many years and I have had to provide certificates.
I'm suprised so many people haven't, when the nhs has had serious cases of fraud. You would think they'd have made their processes more robust.

Good morning advisors 👋. Just to let you know I didn't get the job. He said I came second and I didn't expand enough on one question. He said I answered the other questions so well though. Never mind. I have two more NHS interviews next week so hoping I'll secure one of them soon. OK. Just to let you know.

I was once in an interview and they had asked for me to bring my certificates. I had spent sometime finding one the night before so I got my envelope out of my bag and the man interviewing me said That is fine ,you have proved you are organised by bringing them in an envelope. He then didn't want to see them and I even said I had spent time gathering them together and he said Thanks but I don't actually need them. I wanted to show I had them but all the place needed to know was that I had complied with their request. I was a bit put out actually.

@madaboutpurple - you've just solved an interaction that's mystified me for the past 35 years!

In 1991, I attended a job interview where I was very emphatically instructed to bring my A Level certificates with me. The interview went well - I had nine years' experience in the field and would have been able to hit the ground running. Midway through it, one of the interviewers asked me to confirm that I had A Levels. "Yes, I have - grade As in English and Religious Studies," I replied. "I have the certificates right here in my briefcase if you'd like to check?" but before I could open it, another interviewer replied, "No, that's fine, thank you."

It had honestly never occurred to me until this moment that it was purely to check whether I was well-organised and capable of following a simple instruction!

Thanks for the update.
Good luck for the next one 🤞🏻