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Lying about A-levels?

Poll

To lie or not to lie about A-levels with future employer.

I'm sure there are plenty of people in a similar position to me. I've got good GCSE's (all A's and B's) but completely neglected my A-levels (CCE :mad:

), I think some part of me thought that because my GCSE's were over I felt like I didn't have to work anymore, but that is not the issue right now. I'm going to be graduating from uni with most likely a 2.1, but possibly a 1st. Either way, I think this shows great improvement on my A-levels. However, I am having a tough time finding a decent job and all the employers I have contacted whom rejected me have informed me that it was because of my A-levels (even prior to an interview).

I know I am far more competent than my final A-level results - it was mainly my AS-levels that did the damage as in my actual A2 exams I got ABC, still with little effort though (so could have done even better godammit!!). My CV is pretty solid with plenty of work experience (including a work placement), loads of voluntary work (national and international, short term and long term), plenty of decent (and real!) hobbies instead of the usual 'socialising' and 'travelling', loads of international experience (work experience, semester studying overseas, etc...), and some great references.

My A-levels prevent me from even applying to most of the jobs I would like to go for as they require 280 UCAS points, however, I feel as though if I got to the interview stage I would perform well and compare to, if not outperform, the other applicants. Up until now I have never considered it as a real option as I have not seen the need to tread on such fragile ground, but I am tempted to fib about my A-level results to reach the 280 points required, just to ensure that I get past the initial screening. The rest of my CV is 100% honest and supposedly a very high percentage of CV's contains some sort of lie, so part of me feels like it is acceptable, but I would be lying about a very integral part of the CV.

I am morally a bit caught up in this, I feel that judging me purely on my A-levels is unfair, but I also feel that lying about my A-levels is unfair to those candidates who really do posess the A-levels. At the end of the day I feel the job should go to the person who is more appropriate for the job. In my case the A-levels were 5 years ago (gap year and 4 year sandwich course) and I have had a somewhat delayed academic development and have so much more to me than my A-levels.

At this stage I do not feel that taking time off to improve on my A-levels is constructive or realistic. Furthermore, many employers state that A-levels must have been attained 'at first sitting' or something similar. Initially I intend to work for 1-2 years and then follow up my BSc with a business related masters which should help plead my case. So I guess my options right now are:

1) Take a shoddy job for 12 months that will not use my full potential and I may be earning less than I could.
2) Lie about my A-levels to get a good job and face the potential ramifications.
3) I am sure you people out there can think of others, let me know...

I would just like people's views as to what they think the right thing to do is. Further if anyone knows the technical side of things, i.e. are employers likely to check A-levels? If so, at what stage? etc... If I were to lie I would feel dutybound to inform my employer at an appropriate stage so knowing these things would be useful.

Many thanks for reading this far. :smile:

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Reply 1

Inter-Company

yes they check your qualifications such as a-levels and gcse's by phoning the exam boards etc - usually done once you've been offered a job i think

Reply 2

tweety_2479

I can't believe there're not offeing you a job because of your a levels its made me start to think becoz i got decent GCSE but ABD for a levels. Surely because your likely to get a 2.1 or a 1st this would show that your a hard worker neway.

Neway lying about your a levels (hmmm did you watch the apprentice the other day) the guy was in the same predicament he lied about his a levels or the years he spent at uni but the still allowed him to go through. Personally if i was in that boat and was seriously gettin turned down for jobs because of my a levels i wouldnt really no what to do but changing my a levels wouldn't be an option for me as they could find out further down the line

This may sound ridiculous but will leaving your a levels of the CV make a difference??

Reply 3

qgujxj39

They might ask for certificates, too. Don't do it.

Reply 4

Tombola

Honestly I'd just leave your qualifications out (GCSE & A-Levels) rather than lie about it. However if you need something there, then put in your 1st Year/2nd Year module grades etc...

From my understanding. Eventually as experience builds up, your qualification matter less and less in the working world.

If they request it, give it to them but offer an explanation that you have since then changed and this is reflected in your degree results. This way it doesn't become immediate rejection.

Reply 5

River85

Don't do it. If you get caught then your job offer may be be withdrawn. It may also be illegal to knowingly provide false information.

Reply 6

georgia

I'd just put 3 A Levels in blah blah blah and leave off the grades altogether.

Reply 7

FutureEconomist

georgia

I'd just put 3 A Levels in blah blah blah and leave off the grades altogether.

Good idea, I second that.

Reply 8

HereWithMe89

#zomg# Don't Do it! Its going to haunt you one dayyy. :eek3:

Reply 9

eulerww

i know a deputy head in a large comprehensive school who lied about his maths gcse results - he had a D but on his application form for a teacher he said he had a B because to get the job he needed a C or above. He has stayed with the same school his entire career - and he is now deputy head yet no one in the school knows he hasnt got a c in maths.

Reply 10

prodriven

Dont do it, the last thing you want is an employer having to question your honesty and integrity before you've even started.... Personally, I would not be happy if an applicant lied on their CV. Depending on the person and the circumstances I would certainly consider removing the offer of employment purely on this basis (most places will want to see proof of your qualifications espeicially for a grad job).

I would go with what has been said above. Just list your A levels, and what they are. That way, for the to find out what grades you actually got they will need to interveiw you, be it over the phone or in person.

Reply 11

ttx

If you end up getting fired as a result of lying on your CV that's going to make your CV look at lot worse. Either just don't give your A-Levels on your CV or apply for roles where A-Levels don't matter.

Reply 12

FutureEconomist

Also, if you lie about one thing, and get caught. They may end up questioning the validity of the entire CV... questioning you about every single detail.

Don't do it. Again, I advise you just put passed A-Levels in X Y Z.

Reply 13

ThePants999

Absolutely don't lie. Just omitting the grades should at least get you an interview or two.

Reply 14

dilburt

what is the point really...if u dont have the brains to do the job then you shouldnt apply for it!

Reply 15

username48778

You shouldn't lie about anything, but definitely not about something they can check such as previous employment or education. Even if they don't check when they first take you on, they might well check later on in your career. Plenty of people have come unstuck because of lies many years earlier.

Reply 16

maxmadx

how much can any company actually check? like can they check your individual grades for modules at uni even? or just the overall result?

Reply 17

Sapphire_Eyes

on mine cause i failed a'levels i put

2004 - 2006
studied for a'levels in science
gcse english lanaguage c
gcse maths d

2006 - 07
gcse maths d

maybe do something similar

year 00 - year 02 - year you did them in
studied A'levels in the following
x
y
x
a1 - extra if necessary as'levels
grades are available is required

then explanin i studied for the 2 full years but i failed my second year but because the course has changed then i havent been able resist.

you've chnaged with your graduting 1st/2:1 employers will properly just see the a'levels sicne when your 16 - 18 you properly would want to go out a lot and just explain at the time if you did you was under pressure/did you have medical problems or was you just unlucky with the grades?

your a'levels shouldnt matter you got into uni and now graducating

if you cant find something, re sit and get the grades needed, a harsh world but if its necessary then maybe you might be forced into it.

or go into a grad scheme but go for smaller companies

just dont lie

(apologises for any misspelling i have dyslexia)

Reply 18

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

mike_freegan

...sob story...

With CCD at A level and a 2.1 some law firm will employ you. With a dismissal for lying on a CV no law firm will employ you. Lying on a CV is a worse 'crime' than mediocre/poor A level results.

I suggest you start ringing firms specifically and not rambling through your sob story, but pointing out that although your A levels are weak, your more current and relevant academic achievement is strong and would they accept an application etc.