Would you lie about your education to get a job?

[missypie]

My nephew is 22 years old and did not finish high school. From 8th grade on, my DS purportedly "home schooled" him, but she was having mental problems at the time, so basically nephew has a 7th grade education. He had a job as a night stocker at a grocery store..he recently lost it, probably because he was bored to death. The easiest thing for him would be to lie on job applications and say that he did graduate from HS...he went to school out of state...I doubt that many employers of the kind of jobs for which he would be applying would order HS transcripts.

If you were an unemployed HS drop out, would YOU lie on a job application?

 

[castlegazer]

No.

But that's me who has no real understanding of living in his shoes. I don't know whether or not he will be caught in the lie, but he may be - it may be a risk he is willing to take to get a decent job which is all important.

 

[mudnuri]

Wouldn't it be easier for him to just get a GED?

I can't imagine it would be that smart of a choice to make, given that if found out, my theory would be if he lied on that part, what else did he lie about? Grounds for immediate dismissal

But then again, I'm sure others would say "sure why not"....but my morals wouldnt let me say that

Brandy

 

[castlegazer]

As an adendum, it seems to me, working for a very large employer, that we tend to background check lower level employees more than higher level employees. It seems to be a very unfair system but is designed to prevent lying and drug use slipping through and giving our company a black eye if discovered.

 

[janette]

They probably wouldn't check but he would be risking losing the job later. If he can find a job with advancement and actually get promoted to higher levels what happens when they do check?

I'd encourage him to be honest and get his GED!

 

[Idaho]

I wouldn't because not only is it dishonest, which isn't the best way to start out a new job, but if his employer ever found out, it could cause him being fired right away. To me, since he is unemployed right now, I would recommend him working towards his GED so that he wouldn't have to lie and it can only serve to help him in the future.

 

[Barb D]

Was he "legally" homeschooled according to the laws of his state? Was there oversight from the county or another organization? Homeschoolers don't have to have a diploma from a school to be considered graduates, but some states do have requirements for high school credits even from homeschoolers. Other states have no real requirements at all.

Could he take the GED to have a piece of paper?

 

[TigerBear]

No way! I would encourage him to get his GED.

 

[missypie]

You're all assuming that he COULD get his GED. He might if he really studied full time and had lots of tutoring, but he basically has a 7th grade education because my DS only did the "home" part - not the "school" part. What is supposed to be putting food on the table while he studies for the GED?

It is sort of like the character in Les Miserables stealing bread so he won't starve...yes, stealing is wrong, but is it better to starve? Yes, lying on a job app is wrong, but is it better to have some income while trying to get a GED than none? Is it the end of the world to be terminated from a job that you shouldn't have gotten anyway?

If any kids are reading this: STAY IN SCHOOL SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO FACE ISSUES LIKE THIS AS AN ADULT!!!!!!

 

[luv2nascar]

where I work lying on your app is grounds for termination if they find out even later on years down the road

I would go get a GED

 

[Winka]

Originally posted by missypie
What is supposed to be putting food on the table while he studies for the GED?

... Yes, lying on a job app is wrong, but is it better to have some income while trying to get a GED than none? ...

I'm not sure whether you believe he can work a job and towards his GED or not but I wonder if there is some sort of program that might assist in some way...whatever happened to , "No child left behind"? Just bc he is no longer technically a child , I can't believe we can just let him go.

I pray he can find work AND work towards his GED...maybe just KNOWING that he is working towards it will cast a favorable light while job-hunting. I wouldn't lie but I wouldn't just languish in the situation either.

 

[Cindy B]

Yes, I am aware of how challenging this situation is.

My father and my grandparents were both in this situation.
My dad was able to "get by" with a military background (hey, this was the late 60's, the military wasn't turning anyone away at that point!)

Eventually, maybe 20 years later, my father did get his GED. Until that time, he worked at fast food places, as a bus driver, stockroom supervisor at a store, landscaping, and a truck driver. Eventually he wound up at the post office. (as a mechanic).

My grandparents weren't so lucky without the GED. They wound up both working in factories (one in a toilet factory, and one at a machinist shop) until they both left. To this day, my grandmother can not get a job anywhere without her GED. (She couldnt get a crossing guard position or even a greeter at Walmart)

I would encourage him to do his best to get the GED. It can and has been done by TONS of working adults. So he works days, and studies at night. Many many others do it! Hey, if my dad who always worked three jobs steadily, with a family and kids to support can do it, so can he!

And no I would not agree to lying on a job application either. There are just too many risks involved.

Perhaps he can find a small local owned business that isn't so "particular". He can then use that experience as a springboard to other experiences for other jobs.

Hope that helps, and that it is helpful for him.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

he's NOT Jean ValJean, he doesn't have to lie or steal to feed himself. tell him to go get a job in McDonald's or whatever--something that a drop out can do -- and get himself into a night school program to get the GED. even if it takes 2-3 years for him to catch up, it's better than lying and getting caught and becoming unemployable.

GED

 

[helenabear]

No way!!! I too would get a GED!

 

[missypie]

As you may be able to tell, he's not the most motivated young man. When I was 19, I had a summer job in a hospital kitchen...what memories! Back then, the patients could smoke in their rooms...nothing like being in the dish room and having to clean up after a patient who has extinguished his cigarette in his bowl of congealed oatmeal! A week there was enough to motivate me to go to college.
You are all so right...working at McDonalds or the kind of job he can get w/o a HS education SHOULD motivate him to work hard to get his GED...but 2 years of stocking groceries at night didn't do it.
But, I guess to his credit, he hasn't lied about his education either.

 

[janette]

This looks like it would be helpful: GED PREPARATORY TUTORING & GED TESTING SERVICES

I don't know if he's in this area or not but those might help. My understanding of the GED is that it is easier to pass than the HS TEKS test. Even a 7th grade education wouldn't be that far away from it if he wanted to do it.

If he lies on the application he is ruining any chance for promotion with that company. If he wants to be a stock boy for the rest of his life I quess that's okay.

 

[catsrule]

no

 

[BarryHom]

I wouldn't lie on a job application because it will only come back one day and bite you on the butt! I would have him get a GED. Even if he has to take night classes, get it. It's well worth the effort.

 

[mommyseven]

Many employers, even those of minimum wage-type jobs, are requesting to see the applicant's diploma. This is happening frequently.

Unless he can back it up with proof, I would not lie.

 

[danacara]

Fifteen posts from people insisting that they'd never lie on a resume, but hasn't research shown that people do it all the time? I wouldn't lie but only because I'd be terrified I'd be found out, and also I'm pretty happy with my resume.

Honestly I don't think it will matter much for this kid. Two years of menial labor didn't motivate him, so I think he'll probably do a lifetime of menial labor. And the best way to get him a job is probably to appeal to some friend of the family who owns a supermarket or whatever. It's not going to be a resume dump that finds this kid a job.