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Third class honours degree

2

Comments

  • #32
    Richard571
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 104 ✭✭Richard571


    jive wrote: »
    Don't put your grade on your CV, i've never been asked about my grades unless filling out a graduate application to large multinationals. In fact, I've had three jobs since graduating and nobody has even asked to see my degree. I didn't get a third class honours I just choose not to put my grade on my CV as it seems somewhat juvenile and irrelevant, it might have a place in academia but outside of universities I don't rate grades too highly; too course and university dependent, an indicator of work ethic at best.

    I don't think it's either juvenile or irrelevant, particularly for recent graduates with little or no work experience. It gives an indication of the intellectual ability of the candidate and also the amount of work they may or may not have put in over an extended period of time. Whilst it is not the only indicator of performance, if there are a large number of applicants there are worse ways to short list potential candidates.


  • #33
    Jim2007
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,818 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    jive wrote: »
    Don't put your grade on your CV, i've never been asked about my grades unless filling out a graduate application to large multinationals. In fact, I've had three jobs since graduating and nobody has even asked to see my degree. I didn't get a third class honours I just choose not to put my grade on my CV as it seems somewhat juvenile and irrelevant, it might have a place in academia but outside of universities I don't rate grades too highly; too course and university dependent, an indicator of work ethic at best.

    It does not really matter how you rate grades, it is what employers think that matters! If you do not put down the grade on your resume then it will be assumed that you got a pass degree for the simple reason that people who get higher grades do indicate the grade on their CV.

    And the fact that you were not asked about you degree by employers is more likely to indicate that a degree was not necessary for the position than anything else.


  • #34
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Jim2007 wrote: »
    It does not really matter how you rate grades, it is what employers think that matters! If you do not put down the grade on your resume then it will be assumed that you got a pass degree for the simple reason that people who get higher grades do indicate the grade on their CV.

    This is not true. I've never put the grades on but I have been verbally asked for the grades at interview then asked to follow up with supporting documentation. If a post grad is on there then the degree grade is largely irrelevant anyway, my first post grad was just pass/fail, there was no grade.


  • #35
    Jim2007
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,818 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    username123 wrote: »
    This is not true. I've never put the grades on but I have been verbally asked for the grades at interview then asked to follow up with supporting documentation. If a post grad is on there then the degree grade is largely irrelevant anyway, my first post grad was just pass/fail, there was no grade.

    The point still stands, if you don't get to the interview stage you'll never get to tell them what the grade was and one of the likely reason you'd get filtered out is the assumption that you'd only got a passing grade. So why would you handicap yourself before you even start???


  • #36
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Jim2007 wrote: »
    The point still stands, if you don't get to the interview stage you'll never get to tell them what the grade was and one of the likely reason you'd get filtered out is the assumption that you'd only got a passing grade. So why would you handicap yourself before you even start???

    Because most people don't assume a bad grade when no grade is mentioned on a CV? I've never come across anyone make that assumption.


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  • #37
    Tarzana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,062 ✭✭✭Tarzana


    username123 wrote: »
    Because most people don't assume a bad grade when no grade is mentioned on a CV? I've never come across anyone make that assumption.

    That you know of. I'd certainly wonder why a grade wasn't included.


  • #38
    Gael23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,147 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    I think myself as a graduate it has to be.


  • #39
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72,774 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    I've seen plenty of CVs with no grade for a degree; however I'd assume it to be 2.2 or lower as usually 2.1 and 1.1 are the grades I have seen. Same applies for pass/merit/distinction certs - never see pass written down.


  • #40
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Tarzana wrote: »
    That you know of. I'd certainly wonder why a grade wasn't included.

    I mean when I've been involved in filtering CVs, usually what was of more interest was which course/which university - that being the more pertinent feature in the area at that time (no matter the grade).

    Sure, some people make assumptions, but plenty don't. Going by a lot of posts I've seen recently on this site, plenty of people just lie about the grade on the CV anyway so as an employer I'd be looking for supporting documentation either way.


  • #41
    Jim2007
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,818 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    username123 wrote: »
    Because most people don't assume a bad grade when no grade is mentioned on a CV? I've never come across anyone make that assumption.

    After 25 years working for multinational, I've lost count of how many people I've recruited but in all that time I can never recall coming across that type of logic! But at the end of the day I you want to take a chance on them guessing what is in your mind that is your business.


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  • #42
    Jim2007
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,818 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    username123 wrote: »
    I mean when I've been involved in filtering CVs, usually what was of more interest was which course/which university - that being the more pertinent feature in the area at that time (no matter the grade).

    Sure, some people make assumptions, but plenty don't. Going by a lot of posts I've seen recently on this site, plenty of people just lie about the grade on the CV anyway so as an employer I'd be looking for supporting documentation either way.

    So how many CV are you talking about and how did you filter it down to the few you were going to interview?


  • #43
    rockbeast
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,548 ✭✭✭rockbeast


    Jim2007 wrote: »
    So how many CV are you talking about and how did you filter it down to the few you were going to interview?

    Randomly throw 90% of the CVs in the bin - you don't want to hire unlucky people!


  • #44
    Tarzana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,062 ✭✭✭Tarzana


    rockbeast wrote: »
    Randomly throw 90% of the CVs in the bin - you don't want to hire unlucky people!

    Trite urban myth. :)


  • #45
    blindsider
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,067 ✭✭✭blindsider


    OP - if you can do the Post-grad (financially), go for it.

    I presume you're paying for it - if so, most HEI's will be fairly happy to accept your cash these days - as long as you have passed your Under-grad.

    One question - what are you going to do differently in your PG to get you a 2:1? Why would your academic performance be better? (Rhetorical question - I don't need an answer, but I do think you need to work through the answer for yourself.)


  • #46
    jive
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,762 ✭✭✭jive


    Tarzana wrote: »
    A good thing, surely? :confused:

    Indicator of work ethic surely is a good thing. I've received a few academic awards which are on my CV so I guess that is an indicator of how I performed academically.
    Mr. Loverman wrote: »
    You're not the person critiquing your CV though...

    Fair point but I have tailored my CV in a manner which I believe gives me a good chance of getting an interview. I don't put too much weight in grades, within reason, and as such I don't put them on my CV. If they want them then they can ask for them and they will receive.
    Richard571 wrote: »
    I don't think it's either juvenile or irrelevant, particularly for recent graduates with little or no work experience. It gives an indication of the intellectual ability of the candidate and also the amount of work they may or may not have put in over an extended period of time. Whilst it is not the only indicator of performance, if there are a large number of applicants there are worse ways to short list potential candidates.

    In my experience grades and standards vary considerably from institution to institution and from course to course, so much so that I really don't put too much heed in them at all. There are certainly worse ways to short list potential candidates and that's why the 2.1 cut-off is so popular.
    Jim2007 wrote: »
    It does not really matter how you rate grades, it is what employers think that matters! If you do not put down the grade on your resume then it will be assumed that you got a pass degree for the simple reason that people who get higher grades do indicate the grade on their CV.

    And the fact that you were not asked about you degree by employers is more likely to indicate that a degree was not necessary for the position than anything else.

    It does matter how I rate them because it's my CV. If employers want to make erroneous assumptions then that is up to them; I won't get that particular job. A lot of graduate jobs have a 2.1 pre-requisite and as such surely they will assume a 2.1.

    I've held three jobs since graduating all of which relevant to my degree and all three requiring a degree as per legal requirements. Questionable due diligence on the part of my three employers perhaps or, alternatively, it was obvious that I had obtained a relevant degree due to discussions during the interview process.
    Jim2007 wrote: »
    The point still stands, if you don't get to the interview stage you'll never get to tell them what the grade was and one of the likely reason you'd get filtered out is the assumption that you'd only got a passing grade. So why would you handicap yourself before you even start???

    Perhaps the CV will be read by a like-minded individual and they will give you the interview based on the fact that you don't over-emphasise your grades...


  • #47
    littleblackDRS
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 221 ✭✭littleblackDRS


    It's funny isn't it how it depends on the course. In my course, we were told that if we got less than a 2.1, we were better off not even mentioning the degree, as it would be as good as useless to us.


  • #48
    D Weasel
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 36 ✭D Weasel


    Got a pass BBS now on over 100k pa package with no further qualifications.


  • #49
    Richard571
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 104 ✭✭Richard571


    D Weasel wrote: »
    Got a pass BBS now on over 100k pa package with no further qualifications.

    And I'm sure your very good at what you do with a track record of achievement; with this your academic performance is of less relevance once you've demonstrated ability in your chosen profession.


  • #50
    Gael23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,147 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    Just wanted to update this.
    Ive had a few more interviews but not even one offer or second round interview.

    Also and post grad diploma I have been interested in requires a 2.2 minimum so I really don't know where to turn.


  • #51
    on_my_oe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭on_my_oe


    I appreciate that you might have left it too late for exam boards, but any chance of mentioning 'exceptional circumstances'?

    Otherwise perhaps doing post grad through an online university? RDI have some options? Or maybe some of the Accounting Technician papers? You may be able to get exemptions from your degree papers for some modules?


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  • #52
    Mr. Loverman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭Mr. Loverman


    ryanf1 wrote: »
    Also and post grad diploma I have been interested in requires a 2.2 minimum so I really don't know where to turn.

    Ring them and explain your situation.


  • #53
    Gael23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,147 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    on_my_oe wrote: »
    I appreciate that you might have left it too late for exam boards, but any chance of mentioning 'exceptional circumstances'?

    Otherwise perhaps doing post grad through an online university? RDI have some options? Or maybe some of the Accounting Technician papers? You may be able to get exemptions from your degree papers for some modules?

    I never thought of online universities but its probably too late now for this year.
    I believe I do have exemptions from some papers but need to check that.
    I met with a Careers Adviser in college and he said to look a little broader than pure accounting roles so might give that a try.


  • #54
    Tarzana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,062 ✭✭✭Tarzana


    Hi Ryan,

    I'm not sure what your field is. But one of my friends got a third class honours science degree in 2009. She got into a biomed science postgrad at the University of Ulster, got a 2:1 and has worked away in the field since then.

    Find out what unis have leniency on grades.


  • #55
    Gael23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,147 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    Tarzana wrote: »
    Hi Ryan,

    I'm not sure what your field is. But one of my friends got a third class honours science degree in 2009. She got into a biomed science postgrad at the University of Ulster, got a 2:1 and has worked away in the field since then.

    Find out what unis have leniency on grades.

    I did Business Studies.
    Are there certain universities that offer postgrad diplomas?


  • #56
    Tarzana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,062 ✭✭✭Tarzana


    ryanf1 wrote: »
    I did Business Studies.
    Are there certain universities that offer postgrad diplomas?

    I looked at my friend's postgrad prospectus and it says a second class honours degree is required. She had barely any relevant work experience either. Her third class honours was from Trinity, no idea if that made a difference.

    I think you're just going to have to make inquiries about any courses that interest you. We can only speculate on here.


  • #57
    InReality
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,374 ✭✭✭InReality


    I did a post grad course after getting a pass ( 41% ) :) degree. The offical requirement was probably a 2.1.
    Those requirements should not really be in place at all IMO -
    1. based on threads I've seen here over the years they are not enforced
    2. They put off people applying who really need the qualification
    3. People with a pass degree etc , like myself , are highly motivated to do well on a post-grad and are actually the best people to be on it.


  • #58
    Gael23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,147 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    InReality wrote: »
    I did a post grad course after getting a pass ( 41% ) :) degree. The offical requirement was probably a 2.1.
    Those requirements should not really be in place at all IMO -
    1. based on threads I've seen here over the years they are not enforced
    2. They put off people applying who really need the qualification
    3. People with a pass degree etc , like myself , are highly motivated to do well on a post-grad and are actually the best people to be on it.

    I looked at an Accounting PG Dip in DCU and when I emailed the course director she said there were no exceptions to the entry requirements.
    Where did you do yours?


  • #59
    Mr. Loverman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭Mr. Loverman


    ryanf1 wrote: »
    I looked at an Accounting PG Dip in DCU and when I emailed the course director she said there were no exceptions to the entry requirements.
    Where did you do yours?

    I think this has been said to you multiple times now...

    You need to RING them.

    People don't like to break the rules in writing.


  • #60
    on_my_oe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭on_my_oe


    ryanf1 wrote: »
    I never thought of online universities but its probably too late now for this year.
    I believe I do have exemptions from some papers but need to check that.
    I met with a Careers Adviser in college and he said to look a little broader than pure accounting roles so might give that a try.

    Application deadline, 4th October, and you can generally pay by instalments

    http://www.rdi.co.uk


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  • #61
    InReality
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,374 ✭✭✭InReality


    I did one in IT in Cork. Now I didn't get an written exemption - I just applied and wrote quite a detailed "cover letter" bit explaining why I wanted the course and why I could do it .
    So I would do that.
    You probably won't be told offically the requirements will be relaxed - and its possible for a minority of popular courses they won't be.


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