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Original poster

CV question about adding school qualifications

16 replies

Thisisthepoint · 14/05/2021 10:55

I am updating my CV and in the past have never added my school qualifications, and have only ever had my degree stated. I’ve also never been asked about school quals in interviews years ago either.

But I’ve noticed that so many job adverts and CV templates ask for your school qualifications now - is this a newish thing? I haven’t applied for a new job in about ten years.

I graduated from Uni in 1995, and finished school in 1991 - both obtained in another country anyway and the school quals would not be easily translated into English grades. Do employers really actually care about grades from 30 years ago?!

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 14/05/2021 10:57

I wondered this recently and Google told me you should only go back 15 years in terms of education. So that's what I've done.

I don't know if that's 'right' though!

DinosaurDiana · 14/05/2021 10:58

I’ve always put my GCSE grades on.

NewMatress · 14/05/2021 11:02

I'm interested in this. Every job I've ever applied for wants GCSE maths and English, despite other much higher level professional qualifications? so I do have to put them down. I did Olevels, so it instantly ages me.

Original poster
Thisisthepoint · 14/05/2021 11:39

I’m glad I’m not the only one interested in this. I understand putting your schools quals if you only left school 10-15 years ago, but 30 years ago? I’d hate to be defined by my school achievements and like to think that subsequent life and work experience counts for more. I think I’ll leave school quals off and they can ask.

OP posts:
GillBiggeloesHair · 14/05/2021 18:23

I also did O levels and on my CV I write GCSE equivalent in X subjects. I don't write the year as I'm sure I would be considered too old (52).

NewMatress · 14/05/2021 18:31

Ah now, when I see "equivalent" I tend to assume it's someone who didn't pass their GCSEs...

Throwntothewolves · 14/05/2021 18:37

I haven't applied for a job in a long time but my mid forties DH has. He doesn't put his school qualifications on his CV as it's completely irrelevant being nearly 30 years ago. The experience he has and professional qualifications are what will get him in the door, not what grade he got in English in the early 90s.

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 15/05/2021 14:44

I've been coming up against this a bit - lots of applications ask you to tick the box to say you have GCSE English and Maths, whereas I have (Scottish) Standard grades which are equivalent. I'm neve sure if I can tick that box, as I have the equivalent (even though they're 30+ years old), or whether I should contact the employer and ask what to do.

Most recent application I've been looking at also has a tick box for A level results - the UCAS points on mine add up to (the minimum) what they ask for, but one is over and one is under the requirement. Plus they are also 30+ years ago, and seem totally irrelevant now.

I've been avoiding CV applications, as skills based stuff is much easier to use to show what I can do, but it's a bit tricky, as, as a PP said, "old" qualifications instantly age you.

PearlclutchersInc · 16/05/2021 16:23

Having been involved in recruiting(indirectly) lately , it depends on the organisation, the role and your age.

If you're quite senior and its a technical/professional role I wouldnt think that anyone would be remotely interested in your GCE/CSEs (esp the ones in woodworking and RE Grin

NewMatress · 17/05/2021 10:10

So why do so many jobs state a requirement for Maths and English and what happens if you don't include them because they're decades old?

Darkmood · 18/05/2021 08:13

I think it's probably a standard lazy question rather than a new thing - the new thing is that qualifications are a pile of crap and don't provide a good indication of ability to do a job - the degree requirement is being dropped from a lot of job requirements. We are currently looking at focusing in very heavily on 3 - 5 personality traits that we feel are critical to a new recruit's success within our team and anyone who doesn't possess those qualities does not get hired. In other words recruit for attitude, train for skill (within reason).

Nexttome · 18/05/2021 10:03

@Darkmood DH’s organisation which has about 500 staff has the policy of employing for attitude rather than just experience too. He does most of the recruitment as part of his role and this belief has huge success.

I wish more companies had at least some of this attitude towards recruitment. There was a manager on here a couple of years back who said she’d never employ a SAHM who’d been out of the workforce for a few years as they would have little to offer and were a liability. I told DH about it and he was horrified at her attitude.

Darkmood · 18/05/2021 10:22

[quote Nexttome]@Darkmood DH’s organisation which has about 500 staff has the policy of employing for attitude rather than just experience too. He does most of the recruitment as part of his role and this belief has huge success.

I wish more companies had at least some of this attitude towards recruitment. There was a manager on here a couple of years back who said she’d never employ a SAHM who’d been out of the workforce for a few years as they would have little to offer and were a liability. I told DH about it and he was horrified at her attitude.[/quote]
That's great to hear - we are much smaller but attitude is everything. And I do not have a negative view of employing a Sahm either, I believe they are a valuable untapped resource - we have at times tried to target them but I believe one of the biggest obstacles is confidence in themselves - we are not phased by that as we have recruited a very able supportive team - my biggest fear is accidently employ someone like the manager you describe - it's hard to get people to reveal they are an arse.

sashh · 18/05/2021 11:03

so I do have to put them down. I did Olevels, so it instantly ages me.

This always makes me laugh because my mum went to evening classes in the last year of O Levels to get her English and then she did a couple of GCSEs so her CV always looked like she was younger than me!

OP

A friend of mine from Germany puts, "Abitur - German equivalent of A Levels"

I totally agree with, recruit the person teach the skills for a lot of jobs, obviously for things like medicine you need the qualifications.

I worked one summer for National Express and their recruitment process was entirely focused on the skills you would need eg they gave you blank maps with circles representing airports and you had to label them.

darkmood · 18/05/2021 11:13

My Sil says they are now recruiting teachers at her school - not on their teaching skill but on their attitude to the kids - their empathy, how they connect and build trust - if they have the right personal qualities to support. connect and empathise with the kids - often from difficult backgrounds, they believe the teaching will fall into place. They believe that schools should be about supporting kids and have decided to ignore the league tables - it's a radical approach and lots of the teachers in the school are making their objections felt but they are determined to make the change and hire teachers for attitude - they clearly have to hold the legal minimum qualifications. But I'm intrigued as to how this will play out.

chatw0o0 · 18/05/2021 11:29

I haven't included my school grades since I got my first 1-2 jobs under my belt. I doubt my poor performance in Food & Nutrition, will be of any interest nearly 30 years on Grin

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