Applying for jobs - 47 and only 2 GCSEs

[Zizi444]

I'm 47 and I've always worked until last year when I left to care for a family member. My last role was a senior position within the legal department of a local authority and lasted 25 years.

I'd like to return to some type of work but my problem is that despite all my experience, I only have 2 GCSEs (both English) . I lied on my application (25 years ago) and nobody checked back then. Is it worth doing my Maths GCSE? I really don't want to as I'm already doing an OU degree but am I totally scuppered without it? I'm sure some employers wouldn't care but I imagine alot have rules about minimum education requirements. Any advice appreciated.

You have 25 years of experience, are employers still asking for your GCSEs?

Leave the results out of education section out altogether. Nobody will even care what you have.

Education history seems to be standard on all applications

Yes, this. Just write GSCE in insert subject. I took all the exams but didn’t get above a C and I have always done this. I feel my 20 years of experience outweighs anything else.

On your CV lead with your substantial experience and include qualifications at the end. Are you a member of any professional organisations?

Can you do an online Functional Skills level 2 to “update” your maths

I’m a similar age and think my GCSE grades are irrelevant as I cannot recall anything anyway and maths has changed so much now that it would all be outdated anyway!

I would just say 8 GcSE for example and leave the grades out.

So lie? Not a great start to a job.

I have no issue lying. I just don't want to get caught :)

Don’t lie but on cvs don’t include them. I think the functional skills in maths or maths gcse would be a good idea, though if you stick to smaller orgs they may not ask. Avoid anything to do with schools as they not only ask for qualifications but want to see the certificates, I’ve mislaid mine on multiple intercontinental house moves and exam board no longer exists! I have a masters, undergraduate degree, a levels yet they wanted to see my maths and English certification at gcse not the more advanced ones!

Thanks for this information. I suspected schools might do this. I expect councils and such like may also check. Seems so nit picky when you have a long work history and other higher qualifications. Who keeps certificates from 30 years ago though?

Back to school I go.

But if a job requires qualifications you haven't got, then you shouldn't apply. Will you lie and say you've got a degree as well?

Op, larger companies that have a policy of requiring all staff to have gcse English and Maths are unlikely to invite you for interview because their HR program will have filtered you out.

Smaller companies (I work for a company of about 100 people) won't even notice. They will be much more interested in your professionalism and your long experience.

Apply for any job you like, and be honest. Leave out the GCSEs section. Then enjoy your interview knowing you haven't lied.

It is also worth pointing out the cv fraud is a criminal offence, and would give a company an excuse to fire you for gross misconduct if they ever wanted to.

It's really not worth the stres.

I can’t speak for all employers but my public sector employer asks qualifications or equivalent experience now. It was implemented as part of a wider to drive to improve diversity across the workforce. My role requires a postgraduate degree or equivalent experience and I definitely only have the latter!

If you think you can do the job and the qualifications aren’t needed to do the job (like Prince 2 or an accountancy qualification) apply and outline all your experience. You could speak to the hiring manager as well to explain but your CV should show them you’re clearly competent.

I am 50 this year and both my jobs in last 3 years have required my exam certificates which I do still have.
My current civil service job people without the certificates for maths and English need to do the GCSEs or equivalent.
In both these jobs you would be found out lying.

I'm talking about a 30 year old GCSE which is not really the same thing.

If it's a CV leave them off completely.

Did you do an access course to get onto the OU? Maybe put that as your most recent qualification?

If it's a form put something as vague as poss like "GCSEs including [1 of the 2 you got]"

Or if you got some low passes, like E's, put something like "5 GCSEs at E and above"

Yes it is. You haven't gor the qualification therefore it's a lie to say you have.

As I previously said, I don't have an issue lying

I didn't need to do an access course for OU but I have completed the first year so I have a Certificate of HE.

I think, like you say, I'll just be vague and if they ask I'll just have to be honest that I don't have it.

It all just seems so petty when you have a full work history.

Thanks

So I gather But it may well be an issue if you get caught out.

Thanks.
I have no idea where mine are . I worked for the same local authority for 25 years so I never needed them and I've moved house 5 times since. I don't even know the exam board to get a replacement for the ones I passed.

That's the bit I'm not sure about. I have lots of experience and I'd only be applying for jobs within a similar field, so would a 30 year old GCSE be required? I'm not sure if LAs and such like, just need it as a standard though and would not consider you without it.

I've had two interviews recently and had to produce certificates from PhD to O'levels in 1984, and every certificate in between. My public sector organisation collects certificates from everyone, regardless of grade. We never advertise jobs as 'or equivalent experience'.

I had to get copies of my O'level certs a few years ago. You start here.