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!

Not everyone does it but a lot do. It’s a gamble, a lot of employers will ask… but some don’t. At one of my jobs they asked for my degree and other documents. I couldn’t find my degree so gave them my other documents and said I was ordering a new one. I started there and to be honest totally forgot about it until about 6 months in, when I found my degree. I had been fully enrolled and passed probation ect, I think they just forgot or it got missed because it was during a very busy period.
I will say though, there’s a difference between doing the standard bullshitting on your CV to make yourself look a little better and outright lying about your grade. I can see why your DD is upset but I fear she may have to suck it up because it’s quiet common.

One company I worked for and a few acquaintances worked for did proper checks when they wanted to make staff redundant. So they contacted universities and previous employers even though some were abroad.

As if anyone had lied they could simply sack them for gross misconduct.

Thanks to the people they made in that company interview us, no-one was sacked for that reason, but one to two people in acquaintances employers were.

Can only talk for my place of work.

But all qualifications listed on the CV are requested proof of.

And seeing the most recent / highest level qualification is an absolute must.

35 years after graduation, with advanced degrees, I am still asked for degree certificates when going into new jobs. Its stupid to lie like this. And does not speak well to character.

Also - degrees it's easy to check as you can just phone the university.

Yes, of course they do.

Many employers check, and honestly the difference between a first and a 2.1 isn't worth lying about for any advantage it gives anyway.

Having said that I have friends who lied freely on job applications when they were younger. They got the jobs, did well and now they don't have to lie - I suspect it is very common.

DS quite put out that he has never been asked for proof of his 1st class degree for any of the grad scheme or jobs he's had.
It's a risky thing to lie though.

Silly and risks getting caught out. Lots of employers recruiting check LinkedIn in (I do and recruit graduates)

I got a first from LSE. I don’t really care if others want to lie and say they achieved the same. I was asked to show my degree certificate for my grad scheme. Only had internal moves in the same company since. I’m too much a pessimisti to take the risk but it’s tough out there. A little white lie could be the difference between making or breaking it.

I had to produce my O Level certificates from the mid 80s when I got my current job!

My DD had to show her BA (she got a first) and MA certificates for her job.

I think your DDs girlfriend is taking a chance, a 2:1 is still a good degree to be proud of.

Never been asked for my degree certificates and I'm 45. Probably depends on the employer - I expect public sector and larger orgs will want to see.

Everyone lies in the sense that they say 'I am a confident so-and-so' whilst not being very confident, but nobody lies about facts!!!! It will come back to bite her on the arse!

It's just daft when a 2:1 will tick the degree box anyway for anyone applying for a graduate job.

Those who care the difference between a first and a 2:1 will check 100%. Therefore the only thing she is doing is looking marginally more impressive on a web platform where no-one cares what degree you got, and potentially making herself instantly unemployable for being dishonest.

It sounds like she is deeply insecure. Maybe she just needs some guidance in how silly she is being.

Dishonest in little things = dishonest in big things.
(Luke 16 v 10)

Its not fair but whether it will ever come to light really depends on the sector she wants to work in.

For example I work in the arts / charity sector and not only do they NEVER ask for degree certificates, there's now a pressure for charities to have no expectations of candidates regarding degrees / other qualifications. So from a professional point of view my degree actually turned out to be a complete waste of time and money.

Depending on the sector, she may be subject to screening by third party verification companies.

I had a job that was temp to perm so the first year, I was employed by an agency. I didn’t mention this on my CV specifically but had to explain why the employer had provided a different employment start date to my CV. Easily verified once I gave the additional reference details, but any hint of dishonesty would have booted me out of the recruitment process.

I've never been asked either.

Wish I hadn't wasted the money on the degree.

But I don't know what jobs would care about whether it was a first vs a 1.2. Except where it night really matter like very specific to that line of work.

So it seems quite a narcissistic lie tbh.
Does she have form for treating your daughter like the competition? Or belittling her achievements? THAT would be a red flag.

If she is applying for a job in any sort of regulated industry she needs to be really careful. Dishonesty is frowned upon and she could be struck off. I am not exaggerating.

It's unlikely an inflated GCSE result would be found out (except for Maths or English) unless you were going for a job where they check everything (but then it's likely to be a regulated industry/profession) but a degree result is more likely to be checked I think.

She'd be better off putting no degree classification on at all.

I do have a 1st but not sure I’ve ever had to prove it!

I wouldn't clutch my pearls about if, but if she thinks a first is the difference between getting a job or not, she needs to think again!

I disagree with that. Because you nick a pen from work doesn't mean you'll turn into a burglar. But lying in job hunts is not a good idea.

I am 47, the last 2 jobs I have been offered, both required to see my degree certificate - I graduated more than 25 years ago!
She needs to wise up and change her profile.
BTW I work in retail