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A levels on my CV
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Work & Study
Do I still need my GCSEs and A levels on my CV once I've finished?
My GCSEs are Ok, but due to problems I was having at home, as well as undiagnosed learning difficulties my A levels are poor (as in two Cs and an E).
I'm worrying this will affect my job prospects. I am not thick... I'm currently averaging 68% on my papers at university. However, loads of places aren't even replying to my job applications.
Also, will my degree not being from a top uni (mine is mediocre) affect my application?
My GCSEs are Ok, but due to problems I was having at home, as well as undiagnosed learning difficulties my A levels are poor (as in two Cs and an E).
I'm worrying this will affect my job prospects. I am not thick... I'm currently averaging 68% on my papers at university. However, loads of places aren't even replying to my job applications.
Also, will my degree not being from a top uni (mine is mediocre) affect my application?
0
Comments
Don't think that's true, tbh. I don't even mention most of my GCSEs on my CV. I definitely don't mention the X i got in Graphics!
It's illegal to obtain a job by deception, which I guess would involve pretending you had qualifications you didn't, but I don't see the problem with leaving ones you do have off.
To the OP: I would suggest putting how many GSCEs and A Levels you have on your CV, and what subjects your A Levels are in, but not putting the grade. Also google skills-based CVs
:yes:
I don't mention GCSE's even though they were good. I would just list the subjects taken and if the employer wants to know more about how you did in GCSE cookery / art/ media you can tell them.
Your CV needs to show your skills and experience - the problem is that if you have not had a proper job in your field there is little else to go on.
Unless your filling out an application form i recon you could possibly get away with just putting your insititution and expected degree - as long as you have lots of information to put in the bottom half..........
You could also do a skills based CV - so list all your jobs and dates very quickly at the top and then underneath put relevant skills
So for example
Communications - then talk about your coms skills and which jobs you've used them in
Writing - xzy - which jobs you've used them in
That's possible??? I thought the worst you could get was a U (unclassified), that's what I got for my Chemistry mock GCSE. Ahhh, my parents weren't impressed. Upped it a bit for my actual exam though thank god.
Anyway, yes, maybe focus on your skills for a CV rather than the grades. You can always just put "3 passes" or whatever instead of the actual grades, I guess. Dunno if that would look worse or better :chin:
I'm applying for loads of summer jobs and most of them haven't bothered getting back to me, which is depressing, but oh well. Chin up, good luck!
:yes:
X is absent from exam. Was due to a mix up and my stupid teenage hormones when I told them they could stick their stupid GCSE, and them telling me they would withdraw me from the exam and then not doing that at all. :mad:
I dont lie about my exam results on my CV, but I do edit out the couple of D grades I have at GSCE/AS level.
If A levels are on the CV people will look at them, but sometimes GCSEs are more closely examined, since these can be a better indicator than A levels. At the very least you should include your main GCSEs (English, maths, science) if you passed them.
You need to organise your CV based on the job you're applying for, and your skill set. If your degree is relevant, you can emphasise the modules and average grade on there. If the degree is completely irrelevant, then mention it briefly, but concentrate more on your skills and experience. Find examples of teamwork, motivation, planning, etc.
Also you shouldn't necessarily use the same CV for every job application. The addition of an 'objective' section or covering letter will impress them, but try and alter the emphasis of the text as well, if necessary. I have an education-based CV for academic things and a skills-based CV for part-time work.
But if I do that I'll have a massive great hole in my CV, where for the past 3 years all I've done is a 7 hour a week job
Nothing wrong with getting an N, I got one myself, as well as a D and a U. The only A level result I put on my CV is the D, it hasnt harmed me so far.
You don't have to put anything on a CV. But if you've not got a lot of work experience then really people are going to want to look at your past academic experience, because what else are they going to judge on?
It is, of course, up to you how you choose to put things across. "3 A-levels including English" for example, tells people that you've completed 3 A-levels and one of them was English, it doesn't say "but I only got a U".
I think it is against the rules of UCAS for university applications although for CVs you can leave off what you like.
I really need to sort out my CV.
If you're going into a graduate programme they can be very important. Some of them have funny rules.
I was refused on to some graduate scheme (can't remember which one now, a fairly big company though) because one of my A-level grades was a grade too low. Ridiculously, they suggested at the same time as rejecting me from the scheme that I submit an application for a non-scheme position. Needless to say I didn't bother.