Ok so I went travelling and didn't really give the job situation as much consideration as I should have done, and ended up getting onto a mediocre grad scheme. I am due to start soon. I've got an Oxbridge degree and solid extra curriculars, and feel I could do better. I am worried that if I apply for grad schemes in September, my short stint isn't going to look too appealing. So, I'm thinking about not putting it on my CV, and claiming to have an extended gap year, leaving my employment record clean, with only my previous student work placements. Is there any way for prospective employers (at interview or if I land a job) to find out the truth? I'm not sure what systems are in place and whether this would be feasible. If I do land a job, I can hand my notice in, in time to join the new intake. It seems like a massive gamble, but if I can get away with not mentioning my first role, I think it would certainly be to my advantage. Any thoughts?

This is an interesting question, because you could use all that you learn in the time at your present grad scheme to gain the upper hand. You should have thought ahead like most other people though.

All prospective employers worth their salt will run background checks and they're pretty comprehensive. You may well get found out.

Uhh, what are they going to do, spam every company in the world with an e-mail asking "Did so and so ever work for you?"

No, they'll just cross-refer against stuff like details found from your national insurance number. They outsource the background checks to other firms who do it on a daily basis. Thinking before you speak is a valuable tool in life. I suggest you do.

So it's likely they will bust me? I'm seriously considering doing this, so if anyone involved in recuitment knows what the processes are or can offer any advice it would be much appreciated

"Oh what a twisted web we weave......."There's no way they'd check to see if you've done jobs you haven't. And whats to say some uncouth individual hasn't stolen your NI and is using it to gain employment?Personally I think you'd be better off disclosing your employment. Not because of the deceit element (though a lack of integrity isn't a great quality) but rather there are 3 elements all grad emploers look at when asessing applicaitons 1. Academics 2. Work experience 3. Extra curricular activites. Most probably in that order as well.Huge number of grads go into their first jobs not knowing what they want, or whether its the right job for them. The plain fact of the matter is that you don't know what a careerr, or industry is like to work in unlesss you've experienced it. Having work experience on your application would make you more desireable, as you can demonstrate the transfereable soft skills that consulantancies require. Sure the interviewer will ask the question, why you want to switch careers? But as long as you come up with a half decent answer everything will be fine.Just say something like, I thought this career path was more challanging and intellectually demanding than it turned out to be.

Thanks for the input Tez - much appreciated. I could also use Mars' opinion on this as well, seeing how he's the expert on recruitment.

Good post from Tez and I completely agree. I get candidates all the time who have been in a role for less that a year and have realised they made a mistake. Just be open about the fact that you realise the job you're in isn't for you, but that it has "helped to crystalise your views on your career" (or some other b*llocks to that effect). Employers on the whole will commend you for holding your hands up and as Tez says, you are a step ahead of the raw graduates.

Thanks recruiter. The only thing is, I'm worried that on paper, it will look like I wasn't good enough to cut it first time, making for an easy excuse to bin me. But on the other hand, I think my CV is strong enough to warrant an interview at a reasonably prestigious place. It's just with all the competition, I really don't want to give them an excuse. Maybe I should emphasis the positive qualities I can bring out of the experience in my cover letter.

Kris, you say you are due to start soon - does this mean you are due to start the grad scheme soon or you have just finished the scheme and are due to start a full time job?

Sorry to barrell in so late in the discussion :-)Kris the advice from Tez is spot on; not only does it give you something to bring you to the party - i.e. work experience - it also, in my humble opinion demonstrates 2 other, rather important points: that you can get on to a grad scheme in the first place (you may not be finding it challenging but entry is competitive, so it tells the MC interviewer you beat a lot of competition to get there) and it shows integrity and strength of character to admit you made a mistake, or rather that you have outgrown the potential (?), and are willing to take hold of sorting it out and finding a solution. The key is in differntiating yourself as Tez and Recruiter said, so anything which makes you stand out is worthwhile. Covering letters - opinion is divided, but personally I hate them and never read them. Your cv should say what is needed, and a letter often just makes a number of assertions which I need to correlate with the CV anyway. So get the positivity in your CV.