Leaving qualifications off a CV - Martin on the Wright stuff,.

onamission_2 · 21 June 2007 at 2:38PM

I was at home this week on sick leave and saw the wright stuff on tuesday. they were discussing "fake CVs". Martin said that they bin CVs of people who are over qualified for jobs (e.g for a junior at MSE Towers) as over qualified people would be looking to move onward and upward quickly whereas they need someone who would be happy to stick at the role for a few years.Could this be considered discrimination??

I personally know of someone who had to leave their degree and PhD off their cv to be able to get the JOBCENTRE to help them when they were made redundant. I was horrified at the unfairness. would you consider leaving your higher qualifications OFF your CV?

aurora_borealis_2 · 21 June 2007 at 2:42PM

Not a chance.
I slogged for mine - but my work experience also shows that I can work for long periods of time in a variety of jobs.

My favourite job would be classed as menial. If I didn't need the salary, I'd go back to it tomorrow.

studentphil · 21 June 2007 at 4:09PM

It is hard to define a job that is doctoral or graduate level, so in a sense it is not always clear cut to say what is a doctoral or graduate post, therefore, when is the right time to label someone as over qualified?

If you do think someone is over qualified for a job there are reasons why people want lesser jobs than their qualifications from only wanting to work part time, to not wanting a high powered job, so to make any universal statements about being over qualified does miss out the uniqueness of person.

LittleVoice · 21 June 2007 at 7:38PM

For some jobs, you are supposedly over-qualified with 6 GCSEs!

I do select which qualifications to include on my CV - a matter of space as well as "level".

If one is willing to spend some time on a relatively low level job, why jeopardise the chance of getting it by scaring them off?

welshman10 · 21 June 2007 at 7:44PM

LittleVoice wrote: »

For some jobs, you are supposedly over-qualified with 6 GCSEs!

Nonsense. Name one.

studentphil · 21 June 2007 at 7:48PM

LittleVoice wrote: »

For some jobs, you are supposedly over-qualified with 6 GCSEs!

I do select which qualifications to include on my CV - a matter of space as well as "level".

If one is willing to spend some time on a relatively low level job, why jeopardise the chance of getting it by scaring them off?

You cannot miss 5 years out of your CV for your further and higher education without your CV having a big hole in. I died for 5 years

Compound_2 · 21 June 2007 at 8:15PM

I didn’t see the Wright Stuff (would be great if there was a link on Youtube etc). But if what onamisson says is true, then I am very disappointed in Martin. It seems unbelievable considering he used to be a students’ union leader. Of course, the discriminatory practice goes on in business, but it isn’t ethical MoneySaving. A system which encourages people to conceal the truth is wrong.

I’m sure MSE Towers would benefit from graduates’ ability to think analytically—they are more likely to spot bargains and flaws. Some of the site’s topics (credit cards, loans, insurance, phones) are extremely complex. It might be said that you need a PhD to understand them.

lynzpower · 21 June 2007 at 8:18PM

Oh so thats why I never got offered the job at MSE towers :rolleyes: Cheers martin

I think it is discrimination.

Ive got a degree in politics. If that makes me "more employable" elsehwere then thats my business, not my prospective employers. Indeed, while working full time I know people who have done courses etc - what do employers do fire people for bettering themselves? Course not THAT WOULD be discrimination now wouldnt it?

Personally i think if employers provided a decent working environment where people are challenged and nurtured, then there should be no real reason why people move o ( as arule)

The main reason people leave thier jobs as umpteen surveys have shown, is cos they dont like thier management

beard0609 · 21 June 2007 at 8:37PM

mmm I decided not to go to Uni myself but have worked hard and have (in my opinion) done well for myself... But what I find very frustrating is when someone is given a job because they have a degree even if it is not relevant.. I know some one who got a job as a csi examiner for the met who had a history degree the person who came 2nd in the interview was working as a csi examiner assistant but was passed over due to "lack of education!!!" ie she had no degree:mad:

studentphil · 21 June 2007 at 8:41PM

I think any decent employer would respect that many people naturally will grow and want to take on more important functions as time go on and the employer would support that growth.

rubuhoeikanaika · 21 June 2007 at 10:32PM

I think all these cries of 'discrimination' are misplaced. The job of Martin, or any employer, is to find the best person for the job. I think being 'the best person for the job' includes 'is not likely to leave in an unreasonably short period of time'.

Look at it this way. You are advertising for a cleaner or shop assistant in June.

One CV comes in with some GCSEs.

Another CV comes in:
- BA Oxford, top first
- MA Cambridge, distinction
- PhD Princeton

I don't know about you, but I'd take the first candidate, all other things being equal. The additional education of the second wouldn't be a help in the job and, all other things being equal, you'd expect the second candidate to ditch you and find something better soon. Job searches are expensive and time consuming.

Except in very special circumstances, I think Martin's stance is justified.

rubuhoe

Leaving qualifications off a CV - Martin on the Wright stuff,.

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