GCSE results at 41??

[onyabikeivy]

Hi I've had a verbal job offer confirmed, it's an amazing job a huge step up in terms of wages and job role. I've been part time for 18 years following having my 3 dcs (aged 7,9 and 18)
So my question is, on my cv I put 7gcses grade A to C, and when the job specification was sent to me it said C or above in math and English, I didn't give it a thought as I wasn't expecting to get the job. I've now handed my notice in and told all my colleagues I'm leaving and I'm staring to worry I won't get it if they look into it and realise I only got a D in maths 😫 I have other relevant qualifications and experience, before this job I worked in a bank for 15 years.
Has anyone had experience of this please ??

If it says 'or equivalent' I would hope they don't query it.
If they do, quote that.
If you Highlight it now they may consider you 'dishonest' & reject you for that instead of the Maths which your long banking experience should stand in for.

To avoid this issue in future you could retake maths as a private candidate to get that c. Or 4? Could aim for doing exams next summer.

Particularly if your main experience is with a bank and they may place more importance on the grades obtained/take more interest in being dismissed for dishonesty.

I needed to show my GCSE certificates to get my current job five years ago and I'm 39

I don't have everything on my current job spec and I didn't jump up and down to bring it to their attention. It is extremely normal to apply for jobs where you don't meet all the "essential" criteria and it is not your responsibility to talk yourself down while you're applying for a job. What next, "you said confident in Excel but actually I sometimes google pivot tables stuff, ever so sorry to waste your time" ?

This! I'm genuinely staggered that people have been asked to provide proof of exam results that may have been achieved in the last millennium. I've never even been asked to prove my degree/postgrad or professional certs. At this stage experience and achievements delivered counts for so much more.

Just say you’ve lost the certificate and do whatever test they set you instead

No it was just in the job spec they sent me before the 2nd interview, no mention of it before or since.

We would expect men and women to provide the same evidence, equally. There sex wouldn't come into it. If they couldn't provide the evidence then they'd follow the same route.

I do, and I'm in my 50s. Dh does too.
But then, in my profession, I have to provide them if I start a new job. Therefore, it's important to me that I know where they are.

I'm older than lots of people on this thread and I have had to produce qualification certificates at interview along with proof of ID/passport etc. I'm surprised so few others have. For a recent prof qualification there is a number given in the qualification that can be verified with the exam board so it's no longer required but the number must be supplied.

I would probably see what the letter says and mention it regardless as no-one would want to work knowing that they could use it as a reason to fail probation/remove you at a later date.

Although it depends on the industry, if you're in education or running courses, I would expect them to enforce the requirement for a GCSE grade. But if it's another role maybe not.

If they ask, say you don't have certificates (assuming you don’t) and offer to sit a functional skills test. I'm a similar age and I can't even remember what GCSE subjects I did, let alone the grades.

And well done on getting the job!

Thank you!!

This is due to safer recruitment in teaching which means proof of qualifications must be provided if required for the role. Other employees may also have such policies but it is worth the OP checking as they may not.

At 40+ and with 15 years experience asking for O level results seems a bit daft. Someone I work with has A level (applied?) maths and has to ask about basic excel formulas so it doesn't follow that it proves someone has a basic knowledge.

Fingers crossed it won't be a big deal if you have everything else.

You can contact the exam boards and get a copy of your certificates. Does cost you though. If they were happy with an alternative test to be completed they would offer it..

Unfortunately many places not only ask for your original certificates when you join, but wont sign your contract without them.

Lots of people on here saying they have never been asked - I am in my 60s and have been asked for every single job I have ever done - not only that, but have seen people sacked for fudging it, and getting caught out a year or so down the line, at which point everyone has to produce their original certificates all over again.

But you say you have other qualifications? Could any of those be argued to be a substitute for the maths grade?

If you are capable to do the job I wouldn't even worry about it

They willl not check. If they do then you have been very unlucky. But 12 years is the longest schools hold their records so do not worry

I'm all for honestly and all that jazz but sometimes in life to give yourself a step up fibbing by omission about one grade difference at GCSE which mean bloody nothing is worth the risk

I say Op say nothing, go for it and turn up to work at your new job and work your butt off. I assure you now you will not be the only one who applied for the job or who already works there who has stretched the truth.

The exam boards don't exist any more for people in their 40s. I've lost all certs in flooding and while I could get a copy of my degree certificate reissued, I've never been able to get anything else and usually explain that when asked (and it's only in the last ten years they've started asking) and it's always been fine.

Have you not read the thread? Can you point out where OP has been dishonest? 🙄

I agree. You actually haven't been dishonest at all. Unless they specifically asked you if your 7 A-Cs included maths. Otherwise, I wouldn't give it another thought in these circs. As a pp said, you rarely get someone with every single one of the published criteria on the job spec.

Yes the one I'm half way through (awaiting tv e second half of the assessments to be released) would count as gcse maths as it's a course that links to a 2 year degree

Thank you!! I'm thinking this is the best line of action 🙂

A friend of mine in her 50s had to buy a new O Level certificate as her new employer wanted to see it. She got her maths and English grades the wrong way round, and they withdrew the offer. It was OK once they saw the certificate

I'm always asked. But I'm a professional, who had a career break.
I couldn't find the ad maths GCSE certificate (as I really couldn't remember exactly what was the exact title of the exam) so I left it off my CV for 20 years and it wasn't until the only other person who sat the exam at high school asked me if I had my certificate on facebook, that someone from the tear before posted his.

Anyway OP - I would not lie. They are not difficult just re-do it.

What kind of employer would refuse to recruit someone with years of relevant experience if they were a few marks short of a C in an exam taken 25 years ago? The mind boggles.