White lies

[ClipsnCurls]

I have recently been offered my dream job....... literally over the moon BUT!
Qualification specifications stated NVQ level 3- no problem I have a level 5 plus a wide range of others.
GCSE grade C or above- I lied
I did my GCSEs 25 years ago and my results were poor and not a C.

I have now recieved my job offer letter and contract which states I need to show ID for dbs checks as well as my level 3 certificate and GCSE certificates.

I'm now losing sleep as I lied in the application. If i come clean I may lose the job before I ve even started.
I could lie and say I don't have the certificates but they may ask me to obtain them from the examination board.
I thought about photo shopping the certificates but then thats fraud.

Most people tell little white lies on job applications right?

Now I don't know how to approach this without shooting myself in the foot.

The job is working for the local council.

I guess you have three options. The worse one would be to photoshop your certificates. That's fraud and will probably be identified. I wouldn't advise it. The middle ground would be say that you don't have the certificates from so long ago and hope that you are not asked to get copies (which may not exist anyway after so long a period). The other option would be to confess but that removes any chance of you getting the job. The middle option - whilst not entirely honest is probably the only chance to progress on the process and even that may be an outside chance.

Can you show your nvq level ones and not the others? I would assume you have c and above for gcse if you have an nvq level 5...

Thank you for your advise, I wouldn't photoshop as i have a conscience and actually I'm eager to retake my GCSEs.
Its my understanding that GCSE results are accessible for a life time by contacting the examination board.

I think its better to tell them I don't have them and see where it takes me

I've never lied on a CV or job application in case I need to prove it.

Not sure what to suggest.

No I didn't need to retake the maths and english for my level 5 I'm not sure why

I can't stand employers who ask for results of exams you took 25 years ago as a child. Honestly, what's the point? If you have the NVQ in the field what does it matter?

Two of my GCSE's were in PE and woodwork. They literally have no baring on my life or career

What about saying you don't have them and showing them your level 3 and level 5 instead - that might be enough proof as I wouldn't expect someone to be able to do a level 5 without GCSE English and maths.
If they do still insist then send off for them. When they arrive contact the job and say you're so embarrassed but you've just realised you've never actually passed them even though for some reason you thought you had and would they accept you doing them in your own time alongside the job as you have a level 5 qualification and so are sure it won't be an issue.
If you just say flat out that you lied then I think it would be worse.

@overthinkersanonnymus
I know right....
I'm no where near the same person i was 25 years ago.

I think I'm just going to have to play dumb and tell them I don't have the certificates and that I'm not even sure on the grades I got but then I stated a C on the application so will that go against me?

They might check if it's marked as essential for the job.

What subjects is it that you need a gcse grade c for?

@Choconut
YES!! I like this thank you. I not usually a liar and didn't think it would be a big deal but now I'm stressing BIG TIME! Lol my own fault but as you say I'm level 5 qualified and more than capable of carrying out the role with or with the poxy GCSE

@wibblewobbleboard
Maths & English

I think tell them that you have no idea where your certificates are or which boards you sat on as your Parents held all of that.

Call their bluff. Either you can do the job or you cannot. If you have a probation, they will soon find out.

Good luck!

Really don’t stress

just say you can’t get the certificates as it was so long ago

it would be very odd for the job to care that much about GCSEs

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t tell the odd white lie on their CV, mine is full of lies and I still manage to pass background checks for employers

@RedDiamond
Probation period is 6 months...... oh god do you think they will check?

@DazzleRazzles
Lol thank you. You've made me feel a little better.
I know loads of people tell little lies or exaggerate the truth on CV's/ applications so great initiative right! Lol

I know someone who retrained as a TA and had to take her math gcse as she failed it 30 years ago. No pass no job.
I did ent think you could take NVQ 3 without it either.

They cannot check'! OMG. I am an employer. Unless it is a Government Department you are going to be working for or a school/hospital etc that need a DBC (?) then I don't know how they are going to find out.

"I'm awfully sorry, I don't have access to my 25 year old GCSE's. I think my Parents had my certificates but I don't think they would be able to help me now and which ever Boards I sat, to be honest, I really don't remember as I was so nervous at the time. But I do have my Level 5 which I can produce."

Of course they can and do check.

They're being ridiculous asking for something you did 25 years ago.

Without being too outting, what type of job is it?

Given it was so long ago i very much doubt they will check, just say you have misplaced them. Even if they check and find out, by that time you will have wowed them with how hard you work and they'll probably just let it go.

@wibblewobbleboard How?

We would ask for sight of the certificate. Especially for English and maths. If it wasn't produced, we would expect the candidate to contact the board and get a copy.

We had a guy who started and said he wood get them. Was given 3/4 months and didn't produce them so he was let go.

*would

Why is it ridiculous to check?

It's fraudulent to claim qualifications you haven't got.

I'd honestly just hand them in and not even say anything about it.