Lower academic results question

satnavadays

Hi all,

I'm filling in a job application form and there is a question asking 'if your academic results are a true reflection of your ability? If not why?'.

My last degree results are lower than my average but I can't think of a reason to give. Anything that I can think of only shows weakness and lack of commitment. Has anyone any tips/advice? I'm thinking its easier to put they are at this stage!

Nody

Family related issues in the last year (not many will dig further but if they do have something ready)

satnavadays

Nody wrote: »

Family related issues in the last year (not many will dig further but if they do have something ready)

Many thanks, could they see that as an inability to cope?

Nody

satnavadays wrote: »

Many thanks, could they see that as an inability to cope?

They can read what ever they want into it but by making it family issue it could be anything from half your extended family dying to old auntie who you were close to getting upset at you. Most people would assume something serious and would not push further but some people may; hence the need to have a reasonbly serious explanation why it affected you (father got Parkinson/Alzheimer/Cancer and you had to watch him change rapidly from his usual self even with medication and your mother being stressed about it so you had to help etc.).

For most people the academic results will not be a major consideration point and hence require a deep dive into why you got what you got.

Equality

If a relative died, you could mention this.

Better not to mention anything, as the question is designed to weed out applicants who say 'Mom got sick'. This leads to the conclusion that Mom is probably in need of care and you might want lots of time off.

Same if you say 'I have X condition'. This translates as 'you would be too much trouble'.

A poor or average academic result is not always a bad thing. I know of employers who will not hire people with a degree, particularly a very godo degree - they cause too much trouble because they want to be in management, and if hired for a lower ranked position are difficult to deal with.

One pal of mine applied for a job in a factory and was told they would keep her cv on file for a management position!! Needless to say, there were jobs in the factory, but none in management. The next job she applied for, she left the fact that she had a degree off her cv, and got the job.

Remmy

Equality wrote: »

A poor or average academic result is not always a bad thing. I know of employers who will not hire people with a degree, particularly a very godo degree - they cause too much trouble because they want to be in management, and if hired for a lower ranked position are difficult to deal with.

Actually this is something I might have fallen foul of in the past.:o Do you think it is generally a bad idea to project the idea that you would be interested in working hard and progressing up the ranks in a company before even starting ?

I used to think that it shows potential employers that a person is interested in the job and will work hard but I can see how it might give the wrong signals.

chris85

Why excuses and so forth. Say you are happy with the degree you got and worked hard to obtain and you understand the importance of academic qualifications but that the real test is the application of the skills gained in the years immediately following graduation and an individuals ability to absorb experience from professional life and build on the strong foundation of skills gained through college.

I got a first in both degree and masters and this is what I went with when asked similar before. I emphasised my academics but employers are most interested with the real world application of these skills which some graduates struggle to deal with.

Thats my opinion anyways.