Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager
QUESTION:
As an 18 year old freshman my gpa was less than attractive (2.9). I took 2 years off from school and went back when I was 23. I got excellent grades (3.6 to 4.0), but my overall gpa reflects my poor performance as a young student. How do I handle this? Is it necessary to put my gpa on my resume? Can I bring transcripts to show my drastic improvement?
From: Kristine Waeschle, Central Michigan University
ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:
Hi Kristine -
Yes, GPAs are important. In fact, many companies use them as their first "weeding out" criteria when considering entry level hires. You've probably seen this take place with on-campus interviews ("Requires 3.0 GPA or above...") and maybe haven't seen it when corporate recruiters are weeding down a stack of resumes on their desk or a line of people at a job fair.
In answer to your question, don't be too ashamed of your overall GPA. By my calcs from the dates you provided, it's probably in the 3.1 to 3.4 range. There are plenty of other grads that are kicking themselves right now for not making the grade when they had the chance--3.x is definitely above average. Very few companies require higher than 3.0 as the first cut, although higher is always better. Several ways you can handle making it more attractive:
- Since you did better in later classes, it's likely that your Major GPA is higher than your overall. List them both.
- Did you go back to the same school? If not, no need to list the GPA from the prior school--just list GPA since returned. That should be the only GPA on your current transcript anyway, since the prior schooling should pass credits, but not grades to your current transcript.
- Yes, you can use your transcripts. In fact, it will provide you with excellent "Show and Tell" material for the interview, information that you can leave behind for the price of the copies. It also provides you with an excellent opportunity to upgrade the maturity factor in the interview. But don't get too hung up on it or focus entirely in that area. Show the progression, but don't dwell on the perceived negative past. I once had a student tell me that he spent the first two years getting stoned, but spent the last two years trying to bring up his grade point. Definitely not enhancing to the overall image. Keep it positive.
Remember that GPA is only one component. Your overall shouldn't keep you out of any potential employers and your progression provides an excellent item to highlight. And you still need to sell yourself.
Congratulations on your maturity to come back and complete your degree. That fact alone scores several points in my view.
Happy hunting!
Author of College Grad Job Hunter
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All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.
