GED and UK education

[uklassy 0]

hi,
im kinda new here...

I am British, I was educated as far as high school in the uk, I left school in 1986, I didn't leave with much in the way of GCSE's and I am now hitting all kinds of barriers trying to find decent work here in America. I have applied for tons of jobs, all online, which is where the problem lies, although I know I am quite capable of all the jobs I am applying for, not one of them has got back to me, if the form has an 'additional information' section...I explain that I am british and I finished uk highschool...that's all I can think of doing to explain why I selected 'no' to the GED or highschool diploma section....

the only thing I can think of is because I didn't finish high school here...I am weeded out of the applicants before I even get a chance to show my abilities...
I am also out in the middle of no where and jobs are sparce enough for the youngsters...I am applying for jobs my 17 yo stepdaughter is applying for too...and now she has a job I feel so god damn useless...

I am married, 7 years.

I have a green card, I have been here since june 2013...I have only been able to get work in a local petrol station for a short while last year...since then I have been getting more and more frustrated because I have never been out of work for so long, so I contacted a collage to try and enrol in a course and I was told that because I have not been educated in America I have a cat in hells chance of enrolling in any course, including the free ones, this was Kaplan online university. he told me I need to return to school to do a GED. the only way to avoid this is to have my grade certificate I received way back in 86 transcribed into the American equivalent...the thing is with this...its been 30 years since I got that certificate and I have no idea where it is...also the school I was at in the UK has since closed as a school...in the mid 90s...
does anyone know if there is a way of getting hold of my results from the UK? or am I destined to become billy Madison for a couple of months??

also, as my grades were not very good...does anyone know how they would turn out as an American equivalent?

oh...apologies if this is in the wrong forum...

thanks all.

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

Then don't click no in the GED, or high school diploma section. (I always answered yes to these) You finished secondary school in the UK, and have exam results to prove it ,thats as good as having a high school diploma. If it comes up at interview show your UK test results and explain how you got them.

I applied for several jobs, had three interviews, and was offered all three positions. Not once was my school qualifications mentioned. Like you I am not that young, and have employment history that shows my abilities.

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

If you want to go to college then you can do entry tests that determine your level. You may not need to do many classes to get your GED.

[perfect 39]

I'm the same vintage as you are with some of the same troubles when I first arrived here ten years ago!

Even community college wouldn't let me enroll and wanted me to get my GCE O'level certificates which were lost years before. The exam board doesn't even exist anymore and the high school I went to doesn't exist either. I decided I wasn't going to go that route and always put "united Kingdom education" (One employer in CA told me that UK education as was back in the 1980s is equivalent to an AA here anyway and he wasn't remotely concerned about it!)

I always answer yes to the question did I graduate and yes to GED and if there is a box marked other put "United Kingdom education" and let them know that I have the equivalent or more. It's worked since I have always managed to get interviews and have been employed for all but 9 months of my time here after receiving EAD in well-paid professional jobs.

Also, try and use recruiters if you can - they will give you skills tests which are work-related and which can act as part of your marketing plan, thereby circumventing the need for outdated education certificates anyway!

Hope that helps and good luck. Keep your chin up.

[uklassy 0]

I am so worried about this...loosing faith in my American dream...my hubby is at the end of his rope with me being out of work for so long...its not like I am a lazy cow...but money talks...
I cant find the certificate, that's annoying too, because I know I had it for so long...but then moving here, things seem to just disappear...I used to know where everything was lol that's why I asked about a way to get it from the uk?

my grades were not brilliant and I only sat English, maths and biology, but they were passes as far as I remember...it would be nice to know prior to having my grades transcribed, what kind of result they would show...then id know for sure if I need to go back to school...

after leaving school I just got into working life and men, my career was always second place...now I really regret that...the men were loosers and I put my life on hold for them...stoopid!!
even my PCV licence isn't valid here but it kept me busy for 20 years...right up to coming here...and now because of that...it seems I am not capable of lifting a feather duster...I cant even get a cleaning job!
its one of them circles....I need a job, to pay for my GED or transcribe...but I cant get a job because I have no GED or proof...grrr...

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

The GED is incredibly easy. My husband took it last year and despite having never taken US history, an appalling educational background in math and science, and English being his second language - he passed all of the tests in one shot.

I'd say answer yes to the question on job forms and get the GED if you want to go to college.

[SK2014 44]

Hiya, not sure if it will help but you might be able to get copy of your result from:

https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate/who-to-contact

You could try that link or

http://www.aqa.org.uk/help-and-contacts/past-results/who-holds-your-records

But also like LORIEandPHIL said don't check no because you have finished high school so check yes is fine.

Best of luck!

Edited January 30, 2015 by SK2014

[uklassy 0]

thanks you both

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Off the top of my head, at least in Connecticut, the local adult education program covered the cost of the GED and free GED classes. I'd look into that.

[uklassy 0]

I guess honesty doesn't pay off...ticking the box lol

I was aiming for a total career change, from buses to a web based career, which means collage...which was why I got hit with this issue in the first place...otherwise id be filling out forms all wrong forever!

I also need help putting together a resume...does it matter if you don't get dates right?

is there anywhere I could find a template or something?
looking back over my working life, even though I have enjoyed it thoroughly...it is a bit of a mess! but, I always looked at it as life experience...there isn't much I cannot do...im just not qualified to do it...and that sucks here...
OMG am I really vintage?? lol

but thanks 'y'all! I wasn't expecting the quick responses!

[uklassy 0]

SK2014 thanks for them links...ill get my sister to call them, and see if she can find out anything for me...

[SK2014 44]

SK2014 thanks for them links...ill get my sister to call them, and see if she can find out anything for me...

No problem! Fingers crossed you get something soon

[uklassy 0]

well...im no longer sitting here like this > but rather more like this >

[Lemonslice 4,544]

Contact your local career/job center, they usually offer workshops on resume, interview, etc. Not sure if you're in NJ (from your profile) but here:

jobs4jersey.com

[raven52 233]

Sad story, hope you get a decent break soon, seems that there are some excellent posts here, follow their advice.