Job Problem

[CharlieBarl]

I am freelancing right now, I do not want a full time job, due to my special needs child. On my second freelance job, they did a very thorough background check. They checked my financial credit, they checked to see if I have a criminal record and they checked all of my jobs and all of my degrees and diplomas. Everything was fine except I went to university 27 years ago and am 2 credits short of a full degree. I was young and ridiculous, and I should not have put it on my resume, but I did. This schooling has nothing to do with what I do now, but obviously this makes me a liar. So, this all came up after I started my freelance gig. They asked me while at work yesterday to produce proof of my education. Should I just walk away? Or should I get proof that I went and am short 2 credits and was dishonest? Obviously I am very ashamed of this situation. The job isn't super important to me, but I feel like I really disrespected them

[daisychain01]

If OP has been background checked to that extent, I imagine the company have already spoken to the uni OP claimed to have a degree from, and they'll have confirmed that she doesn't have a degree from there.

My understanding from a similar post about background checks is that a University would not be willing to impart such information to a third party. It would have to be the former student who would get that confirmation from their uni.

[YuckYuckEwwww]

you won't be able to complete it now, you can only add credits together within a certain amount of years, usually 6.

If I were you I'ld tell HR "I don't have a copy of my qualification, I'll write to the uni for a copy". Then write to the uni for a copy of whatever you have, and you will have something even if it's just a cert or a dip. But by the time they reply you'll probably be moved on from this job anyway..

.. so long as it's being addressed HR will usually be happy, just keep replying that you've ordered copies and you'll let them know (so long as that's true).

And if it turns out that you don't have a non hons degree and just a dip, deal with that then.

[CharlieBarl]

Yes, I'll order the records for sure. It could be too late but maybe I could complete it

[YuckYuckEwwww]

do you mean 2 units which is 40 credits? was it your dissertation you didn't hand in? if so you might have a non honours degree, or at least a dip, contact the uni, if you nearly finished you will have some sort of qualification from them

[SwedishEdith]

Where did you study? I was told by my old poly that all the records were destroyed when it became a university

[CharlieBarl]

No, it's not. I do have a relevant diploma and a relaxant certificate towards what I do, which they checked. I've been there 5 days, they just contacted me to tell me they couksnt find proof of the degree. They said give it was over 25 years ago, I could manually fill out a form at the university (I may not be on computer records) my immediate boss said he could care less but HR is hr.

[purplefox]

How long have you been freelancing there? Is it an industry where a degree is required?

[CharlieBarl]

So, if I admit, show them proof I attended university during those years but didn't achieve a degree at that school, apologize, quietly walk away from the freelance job you think they'll damage my reputation by making the information public somehow? I thought HR was supposed to practice discretion?

[Happymac1]

Of course they have records. My sister got a copy of her degree certificate after the first one was accidentally destroyed. Own up and say sorry. They already know by the sound of it so this could do you real professional damage. I hope you manage to sort it.

[lljkk]

I was offered a job at Uni X where I got my PhD (15 yrs earlier).
I had to bring in my PhD certificate to prove I had a PhD from Uni X.
They insisted they had no other record.
I'd brazen it out if I were OP, produce proof of registration & see what happens.
Change CV in future to be more ambiguous about what was achieved.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

If OP has been background checked to that extent, I imagine the company have already spoken to the uni OP claimed to have a degree from, and they'll have confirmed that she doesn't have a degree from there. Some unis will just say that, some will confirm OP was a student between X and X date, studying Y, but didn't graduate. I am presuming OP gave permission for the background check or the uni shouldn't have said anything.

I think in this case, it's rather pointless to continue the lie. You could pretend you didn't know you didn't graduate but that will probably not fly, and it'll likely damage your reputation as much as admitting you lied. At this point you may be better to apologise profusely, explain that you are two credits from graduating and are ashamed you lied, and ask what they'd like you to do next. They may wonder why you didn't come clean when they requested the background check, but hopefully they'll take on board your work so far and keep you on, especially as you're a freelancer.

Good luck. I hope it all works out.

[Happymac1]

You don't have a degree though. You aren't a couple of credits out, you didn't graduate.

[yellowflags]

Why do you need proof? I couldn't get hold of proof of my degree from 20 years ago. What are they checking out about you and what kind of job is it? If I were you I would just say that I no longer have the certificate and ask if there is another way you can prove yourself to them. Do they suspect you of lying?