I talk with students daily and many of them want to know, do employers care about GPA? Is a 3.4 GPA good? Or, can I get a job with a 2.6 GPA? A big emphasis is placed on your grade point average in high school and college. Scholarships, financial aid, accolades like Dean’s List and President’s List, car insurance, and more. It makes sense that students ask this question.
Do Employers Care About GPA? Answers to Your Questions
I’m here to set the record straight about employment and GPA.
- Do employers care about GPA? Yes, to some extent.
- Does it stop students from getting hired? Sometimes.
- Is it one of the most important factors in hiring? No.
In fact, here is what is more important to employers when hiring.
A Good Personality Fit
Employers have told me time and time again that they want the right person for the job. A student who is willing to learn, work hard, and fits well with their team is, without a doubt, the most important qualification they look for when hiring.
What it comes down to is the right person can be taught the skills and knowledge needed to do a job. What is impossible is to change a personality and personal values to fit a company or position.
Relevant Work Experience
After assessing how a candidate’s personality might fit the position and team, next, companies look for relevant work experience. This is why I so strongly stress the importance of gaining experience during your education and training. Summer jobs, part-time work, and internships are highly valued by employers.
Employers state they prefer to hire interns for full-time positions over graduates who have not worked for their company. Why? They already know an intern’s personality, work ethic, and attitude. As early and often as possible, gain relevant work experience.
Credible Education and Training
After a company has assessed the personality fit and a candidate’s work experience, then the hiring committee will often look at education and training. A reputable and well-known program can earn a candidate immediate recognition and credibility.
When looking at a candidate’s education and training, do employers care about GPA? Having a 3.5 or higher is definitely a selling point. If you have a good GPA, you should definitely include it on your resume. If you do not, however, don’t worry. Simply leave it off of your resume. Chances are, interview time will be spent on the topics above and GPA may never come up in conversation.
When will employers ask about GPA?
If you are applying for internships, you will find some job descriptions that list GPA requirements. Competitive internships have minimum requirements so the most promising students are considered. Is a 3.4 GPA good? Yes, it is a competitive GPA in most majors of study. Is a 2.6 GPA good? It’s pretty average. But, have I seen the student with a 2.6 hired over a student with a 3.4? Yes, many times.
If you are applying to internships, you’ll likely see some that have a GPA requirement of a 3.0 or higher. If you find an internship that you really want and it has a GPA requirement you don’t meet, ask if you can submit your major-specific GPA.
As for recent college graduates, employers sometimes ask for a transcript when an offer is made. At that point, you’ve already impressed them with the interview and it is unlikely an offer will be revoked due to GPA. The request for a transcript is usually to verify a degree.
Are you looking for a job or internship?
You’ve come to the right place. I’m passionate about helping people find a job they are truly passionate about and a company that is the best fit. Regardless of where you in the job search journey, I can help. Resume reviews and interview preparation are two of my specialties! Book a free consultation and I’ll happily share some tips with you!
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