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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is it unreasonable to lie..

70 replies

aristomache · 11/01/2011 19:14

..on a job application?

I haven't told any massive whoppers - I've said I don't smoke, which I do and I elevated the position I held in a long gone company. Only to a position which I am qualified for and could do backwards though.

GCSE results may have received a slight embellishment as well.

So have you? would you? could you?

OP posts:

SandStorm · 11/01/2011 23:28

Thing is, are you sure they won't ask to see your GCSE certificates?

cerealqueen · 11/01/2011 23:30

I wouldn't lie about exam results as they can be checked;
Smoking - well they may want you to have a occupational health check and the fact that you do smoke can be determined by a very simple test;

Jobs - its a long shot but you never know who meets who and how and when and it might all come out.

Having said that, I've just seen a former colleague on Linked-In say in his job history that he did a job which I know he didn't do (we both worked at the same organisation). He has subsequently risen to a level which I am very impressed by, go figure!

ll31 · 11/01/2011 23:32

I still don't get it - one minute you're saying you're perfectly currently qualified and now they'll give you an interview based on your gcse results - 23 yrs on!

Claiming to have results/qualifications you dont have is just wrong imo and not the smartest thing to do

Original poster

aristomache · 11/01/2011 23:32

That's as may be magic but as previously stated, I live in an isolated, rural area where jobs are sparse and competiton for vacancies is tough!

Not everybody would be as easy going regarding who they employ as you are.

I have a (very) current certificate in adult literacy level 2 and adult numeracy level 2 amongst others, if needs be these will be the certificates I will produce.

Who can really say that little white lies, that may secure me an interview above other applicants, is doing anybody any harm?

As much as you may not like to believe it, I do deserve a chance, and on paper - I may not be given it, surely that isn't fair?

OP posts:

Original poster

aristomache · 11/01/2011 23:35

I'll do whatever I can to improve my lot, I know other people will have done the same, but are too afraid of saying so.

So, I'm BU, but if it gets me the job I think I can live with that!

OP posts:

ll31 · 11/01/2011 23:37

and then you're found out and sacked for lying and everyone in your isolated rural area knows... so you've damaged your future prospects seriously.

Re doing harm - well you're certainly doing harm to the other applicants aren't you if you "secure .. an interview above other applicants"

Do you not have the required gcses for the job - is that the problem?

magicmummy1 · 11/01/2011 23:39

"Not everybody would be as easy going regarding who they employ as you are."

I am not remotely easy going regarding who I employ!

I am pretty tough when recruiting, actually. I make candidates do all sorts of written tests and role plays in addition to their interviews, even for jobs on relatively low grades. In my view, it's crucial to get the right people.

I just don't think that minor differences in GCSE grades help me to distinguish effectively between candidates, which is why I don't look at them. I am much more interested in other aspects of the application.

I don't doubt that you deserve a chance, and you're probably very good at whatever you do. But I still wouldn't lie if I were you, and hope that you don't get caught out. :(

Original poster

aristomache · 11/01/2011 23:42

No, as far as I know there aren't any GCSE requirements for the job, just didn't see any harm in giving myself an edge.

I'm not going to get found out and sacked for lying, I haven't made any outrageous claims!!

Honestly though, why should I worry about the other applicants over myself and my children

OP posts:

magicmummy1 · 11/01/2011 23:42

Just to add, I didn't have one of the required post-grad qualifications for my current job when I applied. I'm pretty sure I could have lied and got away with it, but instead, I acknowledged in my application that I didn't have it, and explained why I thought my other qualifications, knowledge and experience more than made up for that.

ll31 · 11/01/2011 23:47

I didn't say you should worry about others but you asked "is it doingany harm" clearly it is to them. Morally its wrong imo. Fact that you aren't making outrageous claims just upping results a bit makes no difference if you're found out - you're probably gone. Its nothing at all about how much you upped results its fact that you're showing yourself as untrustworthy - if you lie about this what else do you lie about - not saying this applies to you but saying thats what employers may think.

"i'm not going to get found out" - - - game we play on occasion, coming up with famous last words....

Original poster

aristomache · 11/01/2011 23:54

I'm really not, I'd offer my first born in a bet on that ( and wouldn't mind too much if I lost if anything gets me sacked it will be over-use of the exclamation mark!!!!

It might be doing harm to other applicants, but I'm really not concerned about that in all honesty, may sound harsh but I'm afraid life is harsh! What I meant was, it wont be doing any harm to anybody in my professional capacity should I secure the post.

As I've already said - I get the message that I'm BU, but if it helps me and the kids have a better life I think I can live with it.

Going to bed now, so not ignoring any subsequent replies!

Peace

OP posts:

pascoe28 · 12/01/2011 12:37

YABU - don't be ashamed of your career profile/education - be proud of it!

tyler80 · 12/01/2011 12:48

I think you're being unreasonable because I'd be surprised that upping 23 year old gcse grades by one grade gives you any sort of advantage over just telling the truth. So it's a risk for no reward.

BreconBeBuggered · 12/01/2011 13:06

Why are you mentioning the grades at all? Why not just say '10' or whatever good GCSEs? It was 23 years ago. It can't be of that much interest to know whether you did History or Geography. Then if they ask to see certificates, you haven't said anything to get you caught out.

NorwegianMoon · 12/01/2011 13:08

most people lie, i wouldnt worry about it.

Ive been asked for my gcse certs but I dont have them, i dont have any of my certs as they have all been lost over the years.

im only 24

crystalglasses · 12/01/2011 14:57

My GCE certificates don't even have the grades on them. They obviously didn't count for much in 1969. I had a bit of paper with the grades on but threw it away as I thought it was surplus paper - not realising the implications. Years ago I used to state the grades (imprinted on my memory at the time) but now I've forgotted what they were. I know it was the Cambridge board and the grades were numbered 1-6 rather than alphabetically.

BettyCash · 12/01/2011 15:05

aristomache, YAB not only U but short-sighted. If the GCSE grades don't matter, use your numeracy certificates. It's going to be even harder getting a job if you have to explain you got fired from the last for lying about a little GCSE grade change.

HelenBa · 12/01/2011 15:16

i'm not sure why you asked the question as you seem so sure it is ok

for what it's worth, I wouldn't lie on an application, I'd want the job on my merits

FunnysInTheGarden · 12/01/2011 17:10

Norwegian Really? Do most people lie? I am quite at this.

Mebeez I am just a tad old fashioned what with being 40 and all

cat64 · 12/01/2011 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

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