Lying about degree grade on CV. Why I'm tempted.

I've noticed when researching graduate jobs the minimum required degree class is almost always a 2:1. People who achieve a 2:2 or less say how difficult it is to even get a phone call. The recruitment process in this country is disgustingly convoluted.

People who have done nothing but study throughout their lives get the prize yet those who have more interest in practical learning and extracurricular activities and thus have a comparably more valuable skill-set outside of the academic world but happen to miss out on a 2:1 are ignored. Their CVs go straight to the bin.

50% of people lie on their CV according to the book Freakonomics. What's to stop someone who equally deserves the job as a candidate with a better degree class, has a great skill-set but has a 2:2 to bump up their grade? Employers rarely check. What if it's a mere 1% they've lost out by?

In some cases I don't think I could judge someone negatively that did lie about it.

50% of people lie on their CV according to the book Freakonomics. What's to stop someone who equally deserves the job as a candidate with a better degree class, has a great skill-set but has a 2:2 to bump up their grade? Employers rarely check. What if it's a mere 1% they've lost out by?

In some cases I don't think I could judge someone negatively that did lie about it.

Its a risky game, but I guess you gotta think of the downside and upside.

Downside: Lying on CV = criminal offence, & potentially deprive a more worthy candidate who played fair and actually worked and got a 2.1

Upside: You get a good job with good pay & the chance of the good life.

OP make your choice.

Employers rarely check. What if it's a mere 1% they've lost out by?

Don't lie on CVs. It's gross misconduct for most employers, shows you're untrustworthy and at any moment you could get fired. Most people who think they lie on CVs just exaggerate the quality of their work experience; often they downplay their skills so much in their own heads that they're not really lying!

I do understand that it's frustrating having a lower second class degree. I have a first but from the OU so sometimes I get treated the same way as you although I'm long past the point in my career where my degree matters now.

The truth is you're unlikely to get onto a graduate scheme with a 2:2 or lower. Contrary to popular belief, that's been true for the last 10 years at least and has nothing to do with the global financial crisis. I remember many friends having the same issues as far back as 2003.

The reality is you have to do the same as we did and take entry level positions in the same way as A-Level school leavers. At first, your degree will seem like a waste of time when you're slogging it in a call centre or keying in data but the value of the degree will prove itself in time. For example, I realised this when I had exemptions from 10 of the 16 ICSA exams. If you're good, you'll catch up the grad scheme employees in no time too. 10 years into my career and I'm well ahead of them.

As a footnote, I understand it's hard to find permanent employment right now. It's frustrating, but you've got to find a way to use your time constructively.

I've noticed when researching graduate jobs the minimum required degree class is almost always a 2:1. People who achieve a 2:2 or less say how difficult it is to even get a phone call. The recruitment process in this country is disgustingly convoluted.

People who have done nothing but study throughout their lives get the prize yet those who have more interest in practical learning and extracurricular activities and thus have a comparably more valuable skill-set outside of the academic world but happen to miss out on a 2:1 are ignored. Their CVs go straight to the bin.

50% of people lie on their CV according to the book Freakonomics. What's to stop someone who equally deserves the job as a candidate with a better degree class, has a great skill-set but has a 2:2 to bump up their grade? Employers rarely check. What if it's a mere 1% they've lost out by?

In some cases I don't think I could judge someone negatively that did lie about it.

Don't lie on CVs. It's gross misconduct for most employers, shows you're untrustworthy and at any moment you could get fired. Most people who think they lie on CVs just exaggerate the quality of their work experience; often they downplay their skills so much in their own heads that they're not really lying!

I do understand that it's frustrating having a lower second class degree. I have a first but from the OU so sometimes I get treated the same way as you although I'm long past the point in my career where my degree matters now.

The truth is you're unlikely to get onto a graduate scheme with a 2:2 or lower. Contrary to popular belief, that's been true for the last 10 years at least and has nothing to do with the global financial crisis. I remember many friends having the same issues as far back as 2003.

The reality is you have to do the same as we did and take entry level positions in the same way as A-Level school leavers. At first, your degree will seem like a waste of time when you're slogging it in a call centre or keying in data but the value of the degree will prove itself in time. For example, I realised this when I had exemptions from 10 of the 16 ICSA exams. If you're good, you'll catch up the grad scheme employees in no time too. 10 years into my career and I'm well ahead of them.

As a footnote, I understand it's hard to find permanent employment right now. It's frustrating, but you've got to find a way to use your time constructively.

Extra curriculars are nice to have as a bonus, but if you fail to meet the minimum standards in terms of qualifications you will struggle. It is unfair that people are ignored just because they have a 2.2 when they could have so much more to give and could arguably do a better job than someone with a 2.1, but if you don't make the grade there's got to be a cutting-off point somewhere. You're also assuming that people who get 2.1s or above don't do anything besides study throughout their degree, which isn't the case for many.

Plenty of people pad out their CV to make themselves look better, but if you lie about something as clear-cut as your degree classification it's so easy to be caught out and it isn't worth the risk.

In fairness, extra-curriculars (and work experience) are quite important in the sense that you really need to have them to get through those tedious phone interviews and demonstrate your 'leadership' and 'communication' skills.

The temptation really is to embellish your involvement in extra-curricular's and the role you played in projects/activities - it's far harder (nigh on impossible in some cases) to check and saying you 'led' a project is a lot more appealing than saying you played a minor role.

I doubt many people are stupid enough to lie about their degree.

I actually think degree classification should play a more important role in recruitment.

I actually think degree classification should play a more important role in recruitment.