CV help required - failing a year

OpenToSuggestions · 29 Oct 2008 at 19:49

Writing a CV, and I was lazy in my first year of uni and failed. I changed course and acheived a 2:1 after the 1st year, which shows I pulled my finger out. (Both are IMECHE engineering courses).

So started uni in 2006-present, however the 2006-2007 was a waste of time. How do I word this in a CV??
I changed course as I didnt enjoy mech eng?? Or just leave it out??
Or something else??

thanks

Stringy · 29 Oct 2008 at 20:05

Pretend you went travelling. Don't embellish too much of course as then you might get tricky questions

OpenToSuggestions · 29 Oct 2008 at 20:07

Do they check up??
It is only for a placement year - but I want a good company like toyota/cat/jcb

Stringy · 29 Oct 2008 at 20:09

How would they check you went traveling? This is of course a slippery slope to go down, but I don't feel there's any way to dress up failing a year other than claiming you didn't enjoy the course and transferred to a different degree at the end of the first year. If you tell them how well you're doing on your current course then they're unlikely to question it any further (possibly).

trojan698 · 29 Oct 2008 at 20:24

travelling, but to places you've actually been so that when they ask you questions..

oddjob62 · 29 Oct 2008 at 20:27

I was at uni for 7 years and only just scraped a degree... never been asked about it

OpenToSuggestions · 29 Oct 2008 at 20:29

Just to me it says

6th form 2004-2006
University 2006-present and in 2nd year

Stands out that I have been there an extra year

If i put Univeristy 2007-present I have a big gap 2006-2007 that will stand out a mile

SlyReaper · 29 Oct 2008 at 20:45

Just say you changed course after your first year because it didn't suit you. It has the advantage of not being a lie, whilst not making you sound lazy. Just say "University 2006 to present, currently second year". Only talk about it if they ask.

dowie · 29 Oct 2008 at 21:31

Stringy said:
How would they check you went traveling?

by finding out that you where studying at uni that year after carrying out the most basic of background checks

@ the OP - just stick the dates down and they prob won't even notice much - if asked - you changed course - no one is going to be too bothered - plenty of people will decide to switch direction when they're 19 or so....

mangobreeder · 29 Oct 2008 at 21:37

same happened to me, i chose to change a-levels after *** first year, and no one notices the dates, and if they did i would just say GAP year.

DB_SamX · 29 Oct 2008 at 21:54

Do anything but lie. If it somehow comes up afterwards, you will not be doing yourself any favours and will have lost the trust with your employer.

PwnDirect · 29 Oct 2008 at 21:55

how about be honest!!!

Just say "I took it easy in 1st yr and got all the partying out of my systeam now as my grades show am focused & want to settle down".

SoliD · 29 Oct 2008 at 22:24

PwnDirect said:
how about be honest!!!

Just say "I took it easy in 1st yr and got all the partying out of my systeam now as my grades show am focused & want to settle down".

What this man says, admitting your mistakes is a sign of maturity and if you're getting good grades now shows that you have changed from your first year of partying!

b0rn2sk8 · 29 Oct 2008 at 22:34

I changed after a year, i just don't even list the first year as its not relevant. If they ask about the gap, i just say i changed off a course i didn't enjoy, its not a problem. Just don't lie about it, you could slip up in an interview and that could cost you a job.

I'd just like to add that you should be asking the careers advisor at your uni instead of asking on here mate. They are there to help you with this exact question. Go and make an appointment instead of asking here!