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Original poster

Might have accidentally exaggerated on my job application...

56 replies

TooMuchCheesecake · 18/10/2017 16:35

I filled out a job application form (for a lunchtime supervisor job at my children’s primary school) a couple of weeks ago. On the qualifications section I listed all of my 10 GCSEs but wrote down the grades from memory.
The thing is I have been invited for an interview and have been asked to take copies of my qualifications with me. I have no idea where my GCSE certificates are, and also I’m worried that I may have given some of the wrong grades.
I haven’t needed to show the certificates in all my previous jobs so they haven’t been seen since I left school (18 years ago!).
Not sure what to do about this at the interview now?!

OP posts:
SonicBoomBoom · 20/10/2017 06:34

I have never, ever, been asked for my GCSE grades or certificates for a job. I don't think I ever got a certificate. I can't remember the exam boards either, there were varying different ones.

I do remember the grades, but I have no way of getting the paperwork.

I've once been asked for my professional qualification proof. I think they also asked for proof of my degree, which I didn't bring and they didn't care.

SonicBoomBoom · 20/10/2017 06:35

Various*

Believeitornot · 20/10/2017 06:37

@Babbitywabbit

How is not having GCSE documents for a supervisor a safeguarding issue.

I can understand why for ID checks. But a gcse grade is not an ID check.

treaclesoda · 20/10/2017 06:39

Any job I've ever applied for in the public sector has required me to list my GCSEs, including the year and exam board, and then if appointed, to provide the certificate. Same for A levels and degree. If you can't provide them, the offer of employment is withdrawn. Whether they're compulsory for the job is irrelevant, it's for proof that you told the truth when you applied.

Job hunting sounds a lot easier elsewhere Sad

EmmaGrundyForPM · 20/10/2017 06:44

I've worked for the Local Authority fir many years, and did at one point work in a school setting. On every application form I've been asked to list my qualifications and I always write "9 0-levels including a English and Maths at grade C and above". I haven't got a clue what the actual grades were for most of them and have no idea where the certificates are or what the exam boards were.

I have been asked to provide the original copies of my degrees and my professional qualification and professional PIN number though.

PerfumeIsAMessage · 20/10/2017 06:46

Whether she needs the qualifications/can't remember them etc is irrelevant. She's been asked to produce the documentation.
Ring the school and warn them ahead that you may have remembered your grades incorrectly. Tell them you will get the copies. Then if you're offered the job subsequent to you providing the docs, you provide the docs.

Babbitywabbit · 20/10/2017 06:56

Believeitornot- I explained above. It’s not whether she has specific grades or not which matters for the job. It’s about the school having an accurate SCR, which is pivotal to safeguarding

AdalindSchade · 20/10/2017 07:02

I wrk for a local authority and have never been asked my exact grades, just whether I have English and maths. Never been asked to prove it either

HotelEuphoria · 20/10/2017 07:03

Am I unusual at 51 still knowing exactly where my OLevel certificates are? Filed away safely with DS and DDs and their ALevel results and DS graduation stuff.

I wouldn't mind but none of us have ever been asked to show them for work either Grin

Battyoldbat · 20/10/2017 07:10

I currently work in a school (private sector though) and wasn’t asked for any certificates. Asked for loads of ID and references and have done lots of compulsory safeguarding training though.
I wouldn’t have a clue what exam board my GCSE or a-levels were. And my school no longer exists. Good job I’ve never needed them!

gamerwidow · 20/10/2017 07:31

Write to your old school. I lost my GCSE and A Level certificates but they were able to provide me with a letter on headed paper to confirm my results.

Piratesandpants · 20/10/2017 07:35

Babbitt is spot on.
I find it odd that someone who is applying for a position of trust, looking after children, has such a casual attitude towards lies - it seems pretty clear from your post that you know you have lied about your grades.
Babbit has explained really clearly why it is important in a school. Perhaps this isn’t the job for you?

greendale17 · 20/10/2017 07:42

“I've never even had to show proof of my degree when applying for a job“.

I find that really hard to believe

treaclesoda · 20/10/2017 08:19

Am I unusual at 51 still knowing exactly where my OLevel certificates are?

I have always considered them a basic necessary part of adult paperwork, along with birth certificates, passports, medical cards etc. As does everyone else I know. But then it's the norm where I am that I have to be able to produce them. Have also never had an application form that would allow me to just write '9 GCSEs at grades A to C' as someone mentioned upthread. They always have a column for year, subject, grade and often exam board as well. If you don't fill them in, you wouldn't be shortlisted, regardless of how impressive the rest of your application is.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 20/10/2017 08:44

Treacle* as I said up thread, I have always written "9 o levrls" etc across the columns and Ive never not been shortlisted for a job. I do write in my A level grades. I have the certificates gor those but have never been asked for them.

I'm a registerd professional with a professional qualification, and I have a Masters in my field. I have always been asked to provide those documents as they are the relevant ones.

I started writing the "9 o levels" stuff years ago when aplication forms were paper and there was never enough space. I've had many jobs over the last 25 years and no one has ever asked for O level grades or proof that I've got O levels.

treaclesoda · 20/10/2017 08:50

Sorry, I didn't mean I was doubting you.

But I'm in N Ireland and recruitment here seems to work slightly differently to the rest of the UK. In a public sector role here they are very very specific with the forms and if you didn't fill it out properly you just wouldn't get through. I sit near the HR team in my organisation (not public sector, but very strict on their recruitment procedures) and I hear them have this type of conversation day and daily with people who are furious at not being shortlisted even though it states clearly that you won't be considered unless you answer all the questions.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 20/10/2017 08:54

That's ok treacle Smile

I'd be stuffed if they did ask me to produce my O level certificates though!

Babbitywabbit · 20/10/2017 17:16

Goodness some people are having a problem getting their head around this! The application form is clearly a generic one. For some admin jobs in a school, gcse grades may matter. For a lunchtime supervisor, they won’t. If the OP had just put ‘5 gcse’ or whatever, then I doubt the school would be remotely bothered. That’s the obvious thing to do if you can’t remember your grades. To actually make up grades means the OP isn’t bothered about being honest, and puts the school at risk of having inaccurate data on their SCR which is a massive safeguarding issue. I appreciate that if you have never worked in a school, you probably won’t get the significance of that. But it’s a bit tedious when people don’t accept the facts from people who do get it

MissWilmottsGhost · 20/10/2017 17:24

Despite my chaotic teens I still have my GCSE certificates grades are shit though which is just as well because at 45 I am still being asked for them at job interviews, even though I have a degree and PhD.

Hulababy · 20/10/2017 18:21

As a teacher and a TA I have had to show evidence of my GCSE English and Maths - both had to be grace C or above. Photocopies were taken for school records. None of the others were required though, and no A levels. Ive never had to show my degree certificate though have been required to give my DFE/QTS number - I assume they check that on central records to check I am qualified.

Like others I never list al my GCSEs - I just say that have x number of GCSEs at grade C or above. I then list A levels, degree and subsequent qualifications taken.

I do have my certificates though - tucked away safe with other paperwork and other stuff from my past.

Babbitywabbit · 20/10/2017 18:37

Goodness some people are having a problem getting their head around this! The application form is clearly a generic one. For some admin jobs in a school, gcse grades may matter. For a lunchtime supervisor, they won’t. If the OP had just put ‘5 gcse’ or whatever, then I doubt the school would be remotely bothered. That’s the obvious thing to do if you can’t remember your grades. To actually make up grades means the OP isn’t bothered about being honest, and puts the school at risk of having inaccurate data on their SCR which is a massive safeguarding issue. I appreciate that if you have never worked in a school, you probably won’t get the significance of that. But it’s a bit tedious when people don’t accept the facts from people who do get it

LadyLapsang · 20/10/2017 23:59

I once worked with someone that received a final written warning for lying about his O Levels. He stated he had 5 but had 4. It came to light 10 months into the job. It was about honesty / integrity.

LadyLapsang · 21/10/2017 00:00

He was nearly sacked.

ukelelebanana · 21/10/2017 00:05

I find it hard to believe anyone would ever be interested in seeing your GCSE's for any job. Anything that you need to be qualified for you need much above that level, and anything you don't need to be qualified for don't need GCSE's either.

Neolara · 21/10/2017 00:05

I filled out an application form the other day and couldn't remember what O levels I'd taken. I knew I had 11 but could only think of 10 subjects. Took me 20 minutes and prompting from my dh before I remembered I'd taken Latin.

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