To think that the qualifications I achieved at school nearly twenty years ago are no longer relevant to my ability to do a job now?

[wannaBe]

Job application form in progress. They want to know all qualifications as far back as GCSE, including grades and actual results obtained. Seriously.

I can understand it if it's for someone who hasn't previously worked for instance, but surely there should be a limit? After twenty years (or even ten years for that matter) most people will have built up some work experience, and in all honesty what you did when you were sixteen (or even eighteen) no longer has any bearing on that?

YANBU... My GCSEs were taken over 30 years ago (feels suddenly old now) and my CV simply lists '9 O Levels & 4 A Levels' rather than listing them individually. I suppose it depends on who you're applying to how nit-picky they want to be.... you wouldn't want to end up rejected for interview just because you didn't fill the form out adequately.

Totally agree, plus after working for tge same place for 12 years and then a couple out how tge he'll should I be able to remember them all.

Honest opinion? It's covert age discrimination. In my industry if you're over 40 youre classed as 'old' but they can't discriminate on that. There's a big difference in 'A' level grades though so it's one way to differentiate. (and I have 10 'O' levels, 4 'A' levels, a 2.1 from a russell group uni and over 20 years experience but have been turned down for interview because A levels aren't all A/B grades)

YANBU

I think after several years in the work place then a CV is a much more important document than a standard application form, but some places still insist on them

Four years ago when I got the job I am in now, I was recruited on the basis of my CV and interview. However, after I had accepted the job offer the HR department got in touch and said I still needed to complete the application form for their records! This asked for all my O levels etc even though I took them back in 1978!

Totally agree, i took my GCSEs in 1989 and they reflect FA on my chosen career path and certainly dont reflect on the person i am now.

I feel embarrassed completing an application form as i was pretty about my education which is reflected in my results, but have worked hard in the last 20 years to get where i am

YANBU - especially that my A grade GCSEs now pale into insignificance amidst all the A**s out there!

I usually put 11 GCSEs grade A-C including Maths (B) and English Language (A). Because, lets face it, Eng and Ma are the one's they're interested in.

My A Levels aren't all A/B either and given that they are easier nowadays... Maybe Berries has a point.

And I do think they're easier. I did an A Level as a mature student before Uni. I got an A. I got 95% in the coursework element and then had to write 4 equally weighted essays in the exam. I really needed a wee during the exam and wrote one sentence for one of the essays just so I hadn't left the section blank. I got an A.

Job application form in progress. They want to know all qualifications as far back as GCSE, including grades and actual results obtained. Seriously.

YABU and sound like one of those I went to the University of Life' bores.

Because, despite what the Daily Mail would have you believe, a GCSE pass in English and Maths at C or above is indicative of the applicant being numerate and literate: the sort of transferable skills that are essential in most jobs. It will be an important criteria that employers will use to distinguish between candidates.

Presumably you took them your GCSEs at the age of 16? Please tell me you can remember when you turned 16? So if you turned 16 in 1992, put down 'August 1992' as the date obtained. If you can't work this out, God help you with the rest of the form.

I can understand it if it's for someone who hasn't previously worked for instance, but surely there should be a limit?

10 or 20 years experience as a bus driver, might be useful if you want another job as a bus driver, but is no use whatsoever if you want to be a Carpenter. As I have stated before, GCSEs, especially those in English and Maths, demonstrate the holder has basic, transferable skills.

As for the form itself, you have clearly asked for the wrong one, you need to ask them to send you out the special one for 'older people who are a bit defensive about their lack of academic attainment.'

I dont have any GCSE's. I am so old I have O levels. I bet your averagre personnel dept has no idea what they are!

Compos, the OP has a good degree. Why would GCSE's even be relevant? Clearly she has good academic qualifications.

I am a 'school of life bore' - excellent!!

Compos is evidently a Job Application Form bore.

I agree.One of my friends was told his phd is irrelevant now as he did it 20 years ago.

Compos is right, though. A degree in maths wouldn't mean someone was literate, conversely a degree in English Lit probably means someone can't add up single digit numbers. Unless you want employers to make obscene generalisations like that, they need your GCSE results too.

I think Lord Alan Sugar is one of those 'school of life' bores too....

ouch compo!

KalSkitra Where does it state the OP has a degree? If I've missed that, I apologise and will send my GCSE English certificate back to the examination board and hang my head in shame.

Martha I don't think exam results are the be all and end all, I found that out the hard way when trying to get my first job.

I certainly wasn't having a go at people who didn't pursue the academic route, but a small subset of overly defensive people who take a perverse pride in denigrating and belittling those who did. They normally follow it up with a dubious anecdote about a friend's child who despite being a Nobel prize wining physicist is now working in their local chippy or more perniciously decrying a female graduate for having a baby and 'wasting all of my tax money.'

Oh I love filling these out. All my secondary education was abroad. I put down the grades and subjects and no one has any idea what it means....

Ooh I did come across as a bit of a sod in my original post didn't I?

To adapt a much loved Mumsnet catchphrase 'I didn't mean to be so rude' so apologies.

at compos. Yes you did sound like a bit of a stroppy bugger, but your subsequent posts were very funny, so you're forgiven

I do wgree with you re some boring people denigrating qualifications, but tbh I don't think that is what the OP was on about.

YABU, as they will be using one form for all applicants and not all of them will be the same age. You have the chance to shine because of your experience; something younger candidates have less of.

YABU I agree with Edith, they are using the same for for all applicants and probably for all recruitments, not just this job.

You can fill in the form any way you like. Leave it out if that's what you want. If it's truly irrelevant, it won't make any difference to the manager reading your form.

YANBU. It's the problem with application forms, stupid things. I'd rather see a CV as it gives me a flavour of the person. My company uses forms - supposed to be easier for the recruiter to compare the same chunck of info but I find it irritating because the stuff I'm interested in isn't in the right order on the form.

I am caught by beign the last year to do O-levels so can never lie about my age - although intrigued by this idea of putting GCE?

This is one reason why DH won't leave his current job. He left school at 16 with reasonable O Levels, but he would be instantly discounted by any potential employer because he doesn't have A Levels or a degree. Years of work experience and professional qualifications are apparently irrelevant.

I was once asked how many GCSEs I had when applying for a postqualifying course.

"None" I said.

Then as the person looked aghast at me I said "But I have 10 GCEs."

"What are they?" he said.

(Nothing to do with OP just thought I'd share)