To lie about grades?

[Raven11]

I graduated last year with a third after suffering with depersonalisation for 6 months. I studied something that I somewhat enjoyed at A-level but using the word hated at uni is an understatement. But that's not the point, but I've applied for the perfect grad scheme (which is nothing to do with my degree) and left out my degree classification as they've asked for a min of a 2:1 (like the majority of jobs these days).

This is my issue, the HR(?) team have left a message saying they need some more information for my application. I'm pretty sure they want my degree classification.

My mum (the Christian lady who believes using someone else's left over parking ticket is deceitful) has told me to say I've got a 2:1. I'm tired of having so many doors closed before I've started but surely this cannot be pulled off?

I don't think i'll lie, as I'm a fairly anxious person at the best of times, and I wouldn't want the guilt/anxiety of being caught out. Maybe just some nice words that one day someone will look past my grades.

If your third is that much of a blocker do another qualification/course quickly in something you love and can excel at, as evidence that you are smart and can work hard.

It will come out one way or another. With my first grad job they didn't ask for copies of our transcripts till around 6months in to a 2-year training scheme. A couple of people were let go as a result of this.

You'd also not want the anxiety of wondering if this is day they'd find you out. Not worth the agro in my opinion.

As an employer we'd want to see your original degree certificate and take a copy of it for our staff file. As the candidate who couldn't provide it as it was on his mum's living room wall discovered, we don't give you the job without evidence of the qualifications you've told us you have.

Will you get a graduate traineeship with a thrid class degree? No, but do go back to Careers at your university and see what they can suggest for you.

I applied for a new job recently and has to show my degree certificate to prove I'd got a 2.1 and I graduated 25 years ago and have got post grad qualifications since.

They will need to see the certificate otherwise anyone could just jog up and pretend they'd been to university when they hadn't!

A Masters? With a Third?
What planet are some of you on?

Rose - it depends upon the University - a red brick wouldn't accept a third but a regional college with University credentials might.

No don’t do it. It’s illegal (obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception).

If they decided to prosecute you’d have bigger issues to deal with in getting a job than having a third class degree!

It takes no time at all for them to check at your university, they are probably following up as their checks show a 3rd and it doesn't tally with your application. Do not lie, it isn't a just a moral issue, the stress of waiting to be caught out would be awful.

Find something you are qualified for and would be interested in, even if it doesn't require a degree. It's horrible to feel you've wasted three years, but you're more likely for it to be a benefit against non graduates than graduates where you are already behind. Good luck, there are still plenty of jobs you can do, graduate schemes like this are just not one of them.

I'm afraid you can't - they'll ask for proof, and may even want a breakdown of your individual module grades from the university.

I'm sorry you've had such a difficult time. I do think people will look past your grades once you've got a bit more work experience under your belt.

When I did a grad scheme, and when I did teacher training I had to show my exam certificates.
My grad scheme was with a big 4 accountancy form. One person was still allowed to start with a 3rd as he managed to argue his case so well.
May be worth a shot explaining what happened but don’t know how likely they are to take anything into consideration.

Thank you ladies for your advice. I knew deep down that I would never lie as it would be silly idea. As a general rule I don't apply for grad jobs but this one came up and was just perfect/just what I've been looking for. It's working internationally looking after clientele in three cities that I've interned in/speak the languages.

I don't want people judging my mum, she just belongs to the previous generation where people became CEOs from working in the mail room and just by having a degree meant a solid managerial role.

Tehum, never mind. Plenty more jobs out there.

I would contact them, see what it is they are after and if it relates to the degree tell them the truth. Tell them that you only have a third but that you have interned in the three cities etc and wonder whether they will still consider you despite not meeting that criteria as your practical experience in those places will be of benefit to them etc.

Don't give up. Go for it.

You're unlikely to get onto a masters with a third but what about a post-grad diploma?

Not necessarily - due to the nature of my degree course I can't do the Honours year and will leave with an ordinary BA pass degree. I have an offer to start a masters in September.

Some universities will make you an offer for a PG Diploma and if you perform well and pass all classes, they allow you to proceed to dissertation for the full masters.

Good luck with your job search. I know a few people who initially found it tough to get jobs with 2.2 and 3rds, but worked in sectors that didn't require qualifications.

The experience there was invaluable and now all of them have graduate jobs. It's harder but possible.

Of course you can do a Masters with a third RoseWhite.
The OP won't be admitted to do one if she defrauds the university about her qualifications though!

You will get caught out and then lose the job, it's not worth it. Sorry.
You did well to get a degree after what you went through.

Don't lie. Admit freely you don't have the required degree, but take the opportunity whilst speaking to them to explain how your experiences makes you a suitable candidate because of interning, languages, etc.

They might not take you, but it's worth a try if it's a great job for you.

It is worth talking to the HR department. If they have too many applications from people with the asked for qualifications they are unlikely to be able to take your application further for that role, but they may have something else which would suit you, there is no harm in asking. If you think you could have got a higher result, make sure you say what you think you could have got and explain why, with examples - eg if you got high grades in some areas or in A levels etc.

If you don't get the job you want, it might be worth accepting an ok job and then doing a second degree part time and making sure you get the grades you are capable of. You have decades of work ahead of you so a few years "lost" now are not going to be significant in the long run. I think having a second degree in a good class would be of far more benefit than doing a masters at a less well rated uni. You could ask the HR person you speak to for advice on that too - how they would have seen your application in either case.

@Raven don't be too disheartened - there are lots of opportunities out there and once you start proving yourself in a job, no-one will give a toss about your degree grade! I got a First, but to be honest I don't think that that hasn't made much difference in my career progression for a very long time...! After you start working, you degree grade takes a back seat to your actual experience (and the contacts you make/people you work with).

If I were you, I would not look at any grad schemes unless they specifically state they have no grade threshold. I would look at other (potentially "lesser") roles in the area in which you want to work and simply try to get a "foot in the door". Once you are in, try hard and get fantastic experience. While it is less usual than in your mum's day for the person in the mailroom to end up as CEO, you'd be surprised how many currently successful people got "poor" degrees (or no degree) - just keep going, you'll be ok

HR will want a copy of your certificate at the very least so there is no point in lying.

This may be a bit of the wall OP. But have you actually graduated??

Is your were suffering from a disability under the Equality Act, you could ask that you were allowed to resit as a first attempt...to get a 2:2...this would make all the difference.

I came across this with someone who managed to do this the year after graduating... Think it was formulated as the university did not do enough /anything when the student was seriously ill... As in he shouldn't have been sitting this whilst poorly. And not reflective of his ability.

I think it's better just to be honest about your experience.

Just in case you're not aware, lying or withholding information on your job application is considered to be fraud. If found, you could be prosecuted and the offence carries a maximum sentence of ten years. Some students have been jailed for six months for fraudulent applications.

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10941476/Students-threatened-with-jail-for-telling-white-lies-on-CVs.html

If you have a 3rd it’s best to try and apply for a professional or trainee job rather than a grad one.