Missing A Level Certificates
Discussion
I am due to start a new job in August and they have requested copies of both my GCSE and A Level certificates.
Sadly these were taken in 94 for GCSE and 96 for A level.
I have absolutely no idea where these documents are.
While searching the loft I found a document which at least listed the GCSE exam boards...
This allowed me to apply to AQA and OCR etc for a document that can stand in place for the certification issued by these now defunct exam boards.
A Level is more of an issue - I know nothing about the boards.
1) Contacted college - no records from so far back.
2) Not in touch with any friends from that time in my life so can’t check.
Anyone been in a similar situation? Thank you.
Sadly these were taken in 94 for GCSE and 96 for A level.
I have absolutely no idea where these documents are.
While searching the loft I found a document which at least listed the GCSE exam boards...
This allowed me to apply to AQA and OCR etc for a document that can stand in place for the certification issued by these now defunct exam boards.
A Level is more of an issue - I know nothing about the boards.
1) Contacted college - no records from so far back.
2) Not in touch with any friends from that time in my life so can’t check.
Anyone been in a similar situation? Thank you.
I would go back to HR and ask them if they are serious, it sounds like an HR junior has no idea of your age, role etc and is just assuming you're a new starter straight from school. I mean you sound like you are in your mid 40's, surely a reference or two from you last employers would suffice, and if not, you'll be on a 3 month probation anyway.
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
I would go back to HR and ask them if they are serious, it sounds like an HR junior has no idea of your age, role etc and is just assuming you're a new starter straight from school. I mean you sound like you are in your mid 40's, surely a reference or two from you last employers would suffice, and if not, you'll be on a 3 month probation anyway.
‘I need evidence of things you learned 30 years ago and forgot 28 year ago’Why on earth would they want certificates
bristolbaron said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
I would go back to HR and ask them if they are serious, it sounds like an HR junior has no idea of your age, role etc and is just assuming you're a new starter straight from school. I mean you sound like you are in your mid 40's, surely a reference or two from you last employers would suffice, and if not, you'll be on a 3 month probation anyway.
‘I need evidence of things you learned 30 years ago and forgot 28 year ago’Why on earth would they want certificates
Stereolab said:
Anyone been in a similar situation?
Yes. I do a little consultancy based work for a major international development agency from time to time. To get onto the roster I needed to provide all learning certificates including 'O' levels I took in the 80s. I'm surprised they didn't ask to see my yellow and blue swimming stripes from infant school or cub badges! I explained that the subsequent higher education certifications demonstrated that I did successfully complete early exams (I wouldn't have been granted access to the higher education courses if not). But they were insistent.
If the company are equally insistent, then you need to go back to the school or college and ask the name of the examination board that applied at the time when the exams were taken. Then start here: https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate
There was one diploma certificate that I couldn't locate. Quite an important one but one attached to a professional qualification issued by an industry institution than has long disappeared. I'm not saying I did or didn't use Google images and Photoshop but a solution was found!
There's no harm in clarifying the purpose of need with the company, though. As I say, the last certificate you received will normally trump the others which if the HR people are junior, they may not be aware of.
I wonder if it's one of those outsourced HR department areas, where the person is 000s of miles away.
I've had this, asking for certificates going back even further. I spoke to a UK based HR person, had an adult conversation and no paperwork was required.
They also struggled to believe I didn't have any gmail, facebook or similar accounts. Yes, they asked for them, they couldn't find me when performing their own searches.
I miss the days of interviewing, getting an offer the same or next day. Starting four weeks later and getting on with interesting work.
I've had this, asking for certificates going back even further. I spoke to a UK based HR person, had an adult conversation and no paperwork was required.
They also struggled to believe I didn't have any gmail, facebook or similar accounts. Yes, they asked for them, they couldn't find me when performing their own searches.
I miss the days of interviewing, getting an offer the same or next day. Starting four weeks later and getting on with interesting work.
Collectingbrass said:
bristolbaron said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
I would go back to HR and ask them if they are serious, it sounds like an HR junior has no idea of your age, role etc and is just assuming you're a new starter straight from school. I mean you sound like you are in your mid 40's, surely a reference or two from you last employers would suffice, and if not, you'll be on a 3 month probation anyway.
‘I need evidence of things you learned 30 years ago and forgot 28 year ago’Why on earth would they want certificates
It's been a while since I've updated my CV, but I'm not sure I'd bother listing my individual GSCE grades any more, I'd rather use the space to focus on the stuff more relevant to the role I'm applying for.
Zetec-S said:
Yep, which is fair enough if you're employing a school leaver or graduate without much relevant work experience. If you're worried about a 40-something year old lying on their CV, surely you're better off focusing on the roles they've done in the past and make sure they're actually genuine.
It's been a while since I've updated my CV, but I'm not sure I'd bother listing my individual GSCE grades any more, I'd rather use the space to focus on the stuff more relevant to the role I'm applying for.
The problem is IME, they start to ask for all this information, when you've not listed it. It becomes a hard block on progressing the process. Like you I stopped listing school related information a long, long, long time ago and anything over 5-7 years, other than dates.It's been a while since I've updated my CV, but I'm not sure I'd bother listing my individual GSCE grades any more, I'd rather use the space to focus on the stuff more relevant to the role I'm applying for.
Yes, it does put you off / re-consider the company. I've spoken to other people who been through it and they were less impressed than I was with the process.
It baffles me that there isn't some kind of official record of your exam results on government gateway. I had the same once - prospective employer wanted to see my certificates. No idea where they are. I did manage to find the little paper slips they give you with your results on before you get your certificates, which they accepted.
ETA:
Is it the civil service? They thrive on this kind of stupidity. Just checked and it was a CS job where I was asked for them, despite having left school some 30 years prior!
ETA:
Is it the civil service? They thrive on this kind of stupidity. Just checked and it was a CS job where I was asked for them, despite having left school some 30 years prior!
Edited by MitchT on Friday 26th May 10:20
MitchT said:
It baffles me that there isn't some kind of official record of your exam results on government gateway.
Do you mean publicly accessible?How many times and how many people have embellished their academic prowess to get a job?
I'm certain that the majority would rather the information not be made public!
Where it's absolutely necessary, individuals would exist on a register of achievement.
boxedin said:
I wonder if it's one of those outsourced HR department areas, where the person is 000s of miles away.
I've had this, asking for certificates going back even further. I spoke to a UK based HR person, had an adult conversation and no paperwork was required.
They also struggled to believe I didn't have any gmail, facebook or similar accounts. Yes, they asked for them, they couldn't find me when performing their own searches.
I miss the days of interviewing, getting an offer the same or next day. Starting four weeks later and getting on with interesting work.
Teams interview. On site interview. Awaiting offer letter. Resigned before I started applying and want 3cweeks off before I start new job. I've had this, asking for certificates going back even further. I spoke to a UK based HR person, had an adult conversation and no paperwork was required.
They also struggled to believe I didn't have any gmail, facebook or similar accounts. Yes, they asked for them, they couldn't find me when performing their own searches.
I miss the days of interviewing, getting an offer the same or next day. Starting four weeks later and getting on with interesting work.
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