The short answer to the question is, “it depends.” It depends on your industry, whether you’re applying for an internship or entry-level position and sometimes just even on the organization.
“For example, consulting and major public accounting firms seek candidates with strong GPAs – 3.6 and above – whereas other business-related roles may not be as particular, like some sales professions,” said Dale Austin, director of career services at Hope College.
You will likely find there are internships with a minimum GPA requirement. However, if yours is below the requirement, it doesn’t mean you’re not a worthy candidate. Organizations, particularly larger ones, simply need (legal) ways to weed out the hundreds, if not thousands, of applications they receive for any one position. At the internship level, GPA is an easy way to accomplish this.
“Employers want to see that a student has applied themselves well in the classroom, before that student takes on responsibilities inherent in the workplace,” said Mike True, director of the Internship Center at Messiah College. “Oftentimes, when students do an internship, they straddle two worlds – taking some academic classes while also testing the waters of the workplace. That can be stressful. If students have not done well academically, employers are wary of them doing well in the workplace with an internship.”
Kristen Campbell, national director of College Prep Programs at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, adds, “Without a long résumé of professional accomplishments, employers have few criteria on which to judge potential new hires. For students fresh out of college with little or no work experience, the GPA may be one of the most important factors potential employers look at when evaluating their candidacy.”
But, GPA is “not the be-all end-all” says Karen Nethersole, Esq., CEO and founder of Full Circle NY.
“It is important for a student to show that he or she takes courses seriously enough to do whatever it takes to achieve the highest grade possible. This shows the ability to work consistently and persistently to achieve excellent results,” said Nethersole. “An employer also needs to look for well-rounded candidates who can demonstrate what they are doing beyond school that shows some kind of leadership. It's not just about GPA or the courses taken. It's about what you are bringing to the table.”
Steven Rothberg, president and founder of CollegeRecruiter.com, adds, “The vast majority of employers use GPA as merely one of many factors when considering candidates. So, if your GPA is low but your other qualifications are exemplary, then you still stand a good chance of landing an interview and being hired.”
What general guideline should you follow when deciding whether or not to include your GPA on your résumé?
“As a rule of thumb, I regularly counsel entry-level and internship candidates that they should definitely include a GPA on the résumé within the education section when they have been on the Dean’s List or have a GPA of at least 3.0,” said Todd Nilson, director of Talent Acquisition Partners. “Sometimes, it is appropriate to also include the GPA within one’s major course of study, again if the GPA is high enough.”
Ken Wisnefski, president of WebiMax.com, adds, “If a candidate’s GPA is not very high, then they should leave it off but be prepared to place a positive spin on the reason for leaving it off if asked.”
Comments
I am surprised at the comments in this post. I was responsible for hiring and managing young professionals in different industries for many years and I never looked at GPA on a resume. If someone has a 3.9+ it's impressive but a GPA only tells one side of an applicant. Someone can be book smart and not be able to work well with others, etc.
I've been confused about this ever since I started applying for jobs. Since I still lack experience, I mention my current GPA in my resume to get an edge. And looking at other resumes at nuresume.com (a student resume network I recently signed up in), students feature theirs as a highlight to their profiles. It's a way of marketing too.
Being a student with a strong GPA has always been important to me, and I'm hoping that it will impress employers. However, I agree that its important to also focus on other skills, such as volunteering, internships, etc. It's like applying to college- you can have a 4.0 and a high SAT score, but if you've never participated in other activities, you won't get far.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!