Facing a Dilemma: Should I Submit an Edited Marksheet to Secure My Job Offer?

I am an engineering student in the last semester of my degree. I managed to get a job with an MNC, and I was very happy to secure my first job after a lot of struggle. Now, the company has requested documents to be mailed to them. However, I had one arrear in my second semester that I have not been able to clear until now. As the documents need to be uploaded soon, I have edited that semester's marksheet. Should I send them the edited one, and by the time I join the company, I am confident I will have cleared that arrear and can provide them with the original marksheet of that particular semester. The main concern is that I want to make it through until the joining date, after which I will submit the original one. I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

My Questions:

1. For the time being, should I submit the edited marksheet?
2. When and how does the company perform background checks on freshers?
3. If I am found faking the marks, what does a company usually do—fire you or press CRIMINAL charges?
4. Will my degree be at stake? What else could happen in this situation?

Thank you.

MNCs do proper background checks. If your editing skills are discovered, then you will lose a good job. Submission of edited documents and then later on assuming that you pass, the fresh mark sheet can lead to the discovery of your skeleton. I would not advise such shortcuts. Whether they take criminal or other action, do not adopt methods that may land you in trouble - not alone legally but in trouble with other employers also.

But it has been edited by a professional so it's hard to make out the difference, especially when the rest of the seven are genuine. I have a shortage of time and fear rejection just because I have not uploaded all the documents. When they ask me to join, I will present them with the new original marksheet because the last marksheet is misplaced, and the college issued me a new one. Will it be safe to upload? How does a company perform background checks?

Well, you have advised on the need to show some level of integrity. If you choose to start your first job by professional editing, then what can we advise? Some MNCs have professional background checking agencies who do verification.

Sir, I understand what you are trying to tell me. However, my point is just to get the date of joining. I am doing this in order to have enough time to prepare for that single exam, clear it, and obtain a new mark sheet. Is it fair enough that when I join them, I have a clear mark sheet with no backlog?

You should never do such things. You may lose a job by telling the truth, but by doing so, you may get blacklisted or may be tried as a criminal. Taking such a step will have dire consequences.

One minute's mistake or error in judgment can cost you a lot. Do not attempt any fudging or editing. Temporary gains may seem enormous, but when a problem occurs, there will be no easy remedy either. This is the only advice which I can stress upon as final words on this issue.

The Importance of Ethics in Professional Life

Please remember, you will follow the same skills after joining the company, such as editing sales figures, service quality, salary certificates, and whatnot. Companies these days are very stringent. If you flunked your papers during your studies, you have to pay for it. You did not work hard when it was really required. All companies verify all documents, conduct background checks, etc. You will certainly be caught with your pants down at one stage or another. It is possible some companies may slap criminal charges as well; we cannot guarantee that. There is something called Ethics and Morality in business and profession. Do not develop and follow unethical practices in business or profession, which will then become a way of life. It is better to be transparent, seek their help and cooperation. In case they refuse, you can focus on clearing the arrears now and then apply afresh for the same or some other company. There are hundreds of companies that require manpower. MNCs are looking for people with honesty and truthfulness, not street-smart guys who can cook up documents!

Best wishes

Ajay512,

If you have been capable of getting this job, you will get another one. Do not worry. But always remember to do the right thing. Shortcuts and falsifying should never even occur in your mind.

Clarification on University and Job Application Concerns

What kind of question is this? It's like asking a lawyer if you can commit murder and get away with it...

I don't understand a few things:

• If the second semester is not cleared, how come you are appearing for the last semester? I thought ATKT was only for a 2-term duration.

• If you have uncleared subjects from the 2nd term, then how come they allow you to appear for campus interviews? Did they not check the records during interviews?

• What kind of professional edits university marksheets? Do you know that if he is caught with your marksheet edited copy, then you will be prosecuted as well...

The better way is to upload the "original" marksheets and request that you will clear the backlogs along with the last semester subjects. In any case, such selections are made on the basis that "If you do not clear all subjects in the last semester, then your selection is cancelled." Tell them that you will respect this term and will clear the backlog in due time before joining.

If you have already informed them that you have no backlogs, then you are already on the path of a slippery slope... Best of luck!

Best Regards,
Amod Bobade.

In case I find out that you have submitted an edited and false mark sheet, I will immediately hand you over to the police and file a criminal case since individuals like you do not deserve a job. Hope this offer is not from my company.

I appreciate your strong stand. Good show. I hope more people in important positions demonstrate this kind of integrity in their personal and official dealings.

The boy is young and excited about landing a job in an MNC. This is the stuff dreams are made of in our country, but the problem is he has arrears of exams/papers. It is normal to think of taking some shortcuts. That is the young age and lack of experience showing up. After so many learned people have advised him of the consequences and it being legally and ethically incorrect, he has learned his lesson. So, what's the point in being so blunt?

Understanding the Importance of Integrity in HR Systems

You do not seem to understand the seriousness of the matter. HR systems in an MNC are always run with clear policies and procedures, and there are no leniencies with such gross misconduct. Please bear in mind, there are no shortcuts that will take you to success!

You must be honest with them: inform the status of your second-year exam results, indicate the repeat exam dates, share the confidence level of passing (like you have in your above comments), and check if they are willing to wait.

You may easily pass off by sending a fake document now, but later when you produce the original certificate with different pass dates, you will be caught. Even if you are not, you would be working each day under the fear of being caught. Do you really want to start your bright career with a big lie?

The option is yours! Good luck!

Regards,
Rakhi

I wonder why people are making adverse comments even after Ajay has said the following:

"Thank you all, Sir/Madam, for your generous feedback. If editing would cause me such trouble in the future, I won't be editing the documents. Maybe I am going to lose this job opportunity; I will have to try very hard to get a new one."

He was only contemplating falsifying his mark sheet by editing and seeking advice/comments about the repercussions. He had not committed the offense. His comments, quoted above, clearly indicate that he is not pursuing that course.

Loginmiraclelogistics,

The only problem with what you have suggested is that the company will straight away notice the shortfall of one mark on the list. The company will either ask you or get a bad impression that the person has not bothered to check before sending papers/documents. The best way here is to straight away admit the arrears of one paper and ask for some more time to join. The company may agree to this approach.

Addressing Arrears in Job Applications

The only problem with what you have suggested is that the company will immediately notice the shortfall of one mark list. The company will either ask you about it or get a bad impression that the person has not bothered to check before sending papers/documents. The best way here is to directly admit the arrears of one paper and ask for some more time to join. The company may agree to this approach.

Generally, corporates who select candidates through campus interviews hardly consider students who have arrears, even for namesake. Their first choice is always restricted to those with a full pass, in single attempts, securing distinction only, and they rely upon those who have consistently maintained distinction throughout from SSLC onwards. Students with arrears, though they might have passed other papers with high marks, and those whose consistency is not up to the mark, stand no chance. Of course, there could be exceptions.

Regards

Even though Ajay has said that "in the future, I won't be editing the documents," the fact remains that he has already mentioned that "he has updated a mark sheet through a 'professional'."

It is not new or unknown information shared by seniors in the post that the enquirer could not have already learned by himself.

Though it is very unfortunate that people look at this forum to seek possible ways of "getting away with such offenses," some people have actually suggested "workarounds" for the matter.

There are no personal grievances with Ajay. But, actually, more and more people making adverse comments on this topic will only strengthen the fear in the minds of offenders, knowing that the HR community in this country is not weak or ignorant of basic ethics.

Best Regards,
Amod Bobade.