DD's girlfriend lying about her degree result

[WhitePolarBear]

DD (22) just graduated and is applying for jobs. Has been updating her LinkedIn profile etc. She worked so hard at uni and was delighted to get a First Class degree, which she has put on her education section.

DD's girlfriend 'Jen'* of 2 years (who we've met, had to stay etc and had become quite fond of...) has also set up her profile, but has listed her degree result as a 'First' when actually she got a (still very good) 2:1.
When DD casually mentioned it, Jen laughed it off and said 'everyone lies on their profiles and CVs' and claimed 'nobody will ever know'.

We're both sad and shocked I think. DD said to me it feels like a 'slap in the face' for those students who REALLY got a first class degree, and we feel sad that Jen thinks nothing of her lying and deception.

Nothing can/will be done, but just wondered what folk thought?

*not her real name!

I know someone who was booted out of big 4 grad scheme a few months in for putting 2.1 on the application but having a 2.2 degree.

I don't think that people thinking less of you is a factor here for anyone brazen enough to do it on their LinkedIn!

There's a difference between putting it on that and saying they went there. I mean, technically he did got to MIT but I get your point of course that it's disingenuous. However there's a lot of that type of not-telling-the-full-truth-about. I was reading recently (maybe on MN actually...) that a few famous actors say they for example went to RADA, when they did... for a summer course.

I would have thought it would be a slap in the face for the people who got 2:1 degrees as she's saying she doesn't see it as good isn't she

No idea why

I think Maya Angelou's "when people tell you who they are, believe them" applies here.

Yes she might get caught and it’s pointless anyway, most grad jobs just want a 2:1. Also nobody in real life actually cares what degree you got or from where 🤣

Most jobs she’ll have to provide evidence. Fifteen years after I graduated I had to get my parents to photocopy my degree certificates - complete in their glass frames - and I had to turn the attic upside down for the exact grade break down of each course of each year of my degree. So even if not for her first job someone along the way will catch her out and it will be likely instant dismissal.

I worked with one lawyer who was sacked for lying on her CV (about many things).

Long varied career here and no one has ever checked mine

I'm a graduate with post grad qualifications. Every job I've ever applied for which required a degree asked to see it. They took photocopies at interview always.

I think she's foolish. As a pp said - if it were that easy then everyone would be claiming a First. Employers nearly always require proof of qualifications.

Employers do check. My husband got his current job because the person they originally offered it to lied about their qualifications.

I disagree with all of the above (I don't think anyone has said this).

I have sooo many degrees, and I can't remember a job actually caring about the class. BSc, MSc, PhD. Just put that on your CV and you're set.

It's like all those BS extracurricular activities, school trophies, attendance, detentions, hobbies, clubs. No-one cares.

Most CVs are absolute trash. Even high-level PhDs don't know how to sell themselves and have horrible formatting, grammar, or are riddled with mistakes and inconsistencies. Nail this and you're 90% of the way there.

Not all jobs ask for the certificates but enough do that this is a real risk. She's being very silly.

I’ve never had to prove my GCSEs or anything like posters here but I’ve often been asked for degree certificate even though my degree isn’t relevant to the role, it’s just my highest qualification.

Nothing can/will be done

It would affect what I thought of my boy/girlfriend if they lied about something like this. I’d start to wonder what else they were lying about and if I could trust them at all. I would probably split up with them.

So. Something could be done-your daughter could do something-that’s up to her.

Does she think she's living in the 1980s or something? Does she realise the invention of the internet means that she's likely to be found out very soon and made to look very stupid and untrustworthy indeed? Prospective employers may well ask to see her certificate if the degree is important to them and anyone can look up anyone on Linkedin so it's only a matter of time before she is found out.

Ditto.

But that's because she did it 'officially' on LinkedIn.

In the example @Needmoresleep gave of her neighbour's wife exaggerating and saying her husband when to MIT when he only went for 2 weeks in the summer, well that would make me laugh. I certainly wouldn't be "not impressed" like the recruitment neighbour, because it's just a spouse bragging and saying something that's actually factually true if misleading, no real harm no fowl and who really cares unless you're a snob about such things yourself.

But people professionally lying in writing is fraud. And it's stupid. As I said above, someone could decide to anonymously dob her in.

Deceitfulness and abject stupidity are not two traits I'd want for partners of my DC, but it's up to the OP's DD to decide if it affects how she views her GF enough.

It depends what she’s doing. Grad schemes check if there are minimum academic requirements. Permanent jobs with enhanced kyc / security clearance might check if a specific degree is required. But most employers don’t because it often costs more to perform the check end to end than it does to fire the employee.

With regards to the degree, she may or may not get found out.

The only thing your DD now knows for sure is that she is in a relationship with a liar.

Her partner thinks it's ok to lie and justifies it by saying nobody will ever know.

Your DD is in a relationship with someone who will do what she likes, and lie about it, if she thinks she will not get caught.

@tractive - well, yes. I did say 'not all jobs'.

I didn't go into a grad scheme straight from uni and had several 'decent' jobs in small companies and larger corporations before anyone asked for evidence to be honest. I'd been working in professional roles for over 10 years before I needed to send a certificate. I had to get in touch with my Uni and pay for a copy as I couldn't find it.

I never would have lied about it and I think this girl is being silly for doing so.

Another SME owner here. I always check qualifications (not many graduates in my sector but I check whatever the latest/most important quals are).

I'd have no problem employing someone with a 2.1. I would absolutely turn away a candidate who I discovered had been lying that they got a 1st.

Not entirely related but....in my old PAYE life my old boss used to make loads of passing references to his time at uni 'in Oxford'...he'd always mention 'well when I was a young scallywag in Oxford' when we were selling to new prospects, we all just assumed he was an Oxbridge graduate and he was quite posh so it all fitted...very impressive...

Come the day when we're pitching and he pulls out the old 'well when I was in Oxford...' and the prospect goes 'Oh when were you there? I'm a [insert college name] man myself' and it turned out my boss had actually gone to Oxford Brookes...

So ridiculous. The lie and being caught out in it is WAY worse than the truth which is that he'd been to uni and got a degree, fair play to him. But he obviously felt insecure about it and wanted to make himself seem bigger than he really was...I never looked at him with the same respect after that. Not because he wasn't an oxbridge grad, but because he had so little self-pride that he was lying for no reason.

Almost every job I’ve had they’ve asked for my degree. I’d tell her that and advise she change it pronto. Lying is an awful look. Might be worth your DD explaining how she feels (hurt? Devalued) by it too

She'll probably change it once she loses out on a job due to being caught out lying.

Many employers do check. Some hire an outside company which checks everything and provides a report usually after about 4-8 weeks.
At my previous firm, if an irregularly was discovered. We (hr & mgr) would have a pre meeting to decide if person was doing well, or if we would take the chance to sack them for lying.
If person was a keeper, a serious meeting to discuss the issue. As them to sign document confirming correct info and a talk about accuracy, honesty etc.
If person maybe not best hiring decision, they get fired for lying on application.

Now, what’s on LinkedIn might not what they put on “official” documents that are signed. But still, getting questioned on this, when docs will be requested or checked with the Uni will be awkward.