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.

They do. Which is why more and more companies are putting their candidates through pre-employment checking into references, social media screening, CV gap checking, qualification verifications.

You might get away with it this time but taking the line of everyone does it and it's no biggie is a very dangerous approach.

It does seem crazy. But the rules were that he had to have English and maths and he didn't have it and that was that (public authority fwiw).

@FamilyTreeBuilder
I agree strongly and will deal with the consequences.
That said I will also be retaking my Maths & English exams very soon so that my CV is as shiny and squeaky clean as a brand new car xx

@Quveas there is no equivalent phrase 'black lie'

White lie isn't a racist phrase as the 'white' comes from light/day/bright as opposed to darkness. Not skin colour. Not every use of the word white is racist

Good luck OP.

Just show your highest level certificate and hope they don't ask for others

But even those are easy to get round

Ive passed many an employee background check in the private and public sector.

People on here really like to be dramallamas

@wibblewobbleboard Thank you for standing your corner and wearing your hard hat. There are obviously jobs/positions/careers that need to check qualifications. Thank you for giving your responses without getting irritated by some of us,

I'm not making a judgment. I'm just stating what happens.

@wibblewobbleboard
ITs appreciated thank you

I'd show the higher level qualifications and be honest, and say you assumed these would trump GCSE hence ticked yes, mistake.
If they say you do need the gsces I'd speak to the hiring manager and explain situation again.

Did you put that you got a c or did you leave them off?

I have a level 2 functional skills so stress levels have returned to normal. No drama here

Most jobs want a minimum of C grade in Maths and English these days. Especially the local council! Major mess up. I think you should say you havent got them but I also think they will ask you to get them from exam board. If its stipulated in the job description, they wont just let you off! The council will follow the rules I'm afraid.

Just make sure you take the c at gcse off your cv and replace it with level 2 functional skills.

OP is not trying to get an A Level or take on a Level 3 apprenticeship so why GCSE certificates would be relevant at all is beyond me. They do not demonstrate at all if the OP can meet the demands of the job. I also highly doubt the role involves annotating poetry or any of the random maths equations taught and long forgotten at GCSE level. Surely the written application and interview, in addition to a probationary period, demonstrate the OP is literate and can use numeracy skills relevant to the role.

OP- I've not lied on an application before but I'd tell them the certificates are lost and you tried requesting them for a previous job and had no luck. Show them any other relevant qualifications and say if it's a deal breaker you'd be willing to study for and resit GCSEs or an equivalent as you really want the job? If they later find out you didn't have a grade C you can claim ignorance.

This! And presumably this 'white lie' got you an interview when there could have been other candidates with your lack of qualifications who were honest and so wouldn't have been considered.

If you can’t remember why did you put the grade they asked for?

People may think it’s nothing but it’s gain by deception as someone who may have had all the essential won’t have got the role now. I was tempted to once for a public service role but they check certain band roles so wasn’t worth it.

Oh that’s good 👍

Ummm, having grade C or above in GCSE English and Maths is a pre requisite for many jobs and no, I don't think many people lie about such qualifications.

I'd say you've probably lost this job, and please don't commit fraud by photoshopping the certificates!

My advice would be to retake the exams, pass them and then apply for jobs that you are qualified for. Good luck!!

As a recruiter I would not assume this. I don't assume.....I want evidence!

Poppycock

They do it to narrow down the candidate pool. Got to start somewhere.....

Try this and see. They might let it slide......

Actually a GCSE C or above in Maths/English does demonstrate a certain level of numeracy/literacy required for many jobs. I think that the OP would be best placed to retake these exams, it will open up her job prospects tremendously.

I’m sure they do if they are recruiting an 18 year old with no other qualifications or work experience. However, if they are recruiting a 40 plus year old with a Bachelors or Masters degree, I doubt a C in Maths and English matters a jot. And if the job is still insistent then I’m sure the candidate will go elsewhere. Remember it is very much a job seekers market at the moment.