When you’re creating a new resume or updating an existing one, deciding whether to include your high school or college GPA is surprisingly challenging. There are times when including a GPA can work in your favor. However, there are also situations where listing a GPA can harm your chances of landing a job.
Fortunately, deciding whether or not to include your GPA can be relatively simple. Here’s what you need to consider.
Whether Your GPA Is Strong
One of the first points you need to consider is the relative strength of your GPA. Generally, you only want to include a GPA on your resume if it shows a strong academic performance. In most cases, the GPA cutoff for a resume is 3.5, as most hiring managers would consider that reflective of a strong knowledge base and solid performance in school.
A GPA below 3.5 can work against you. The hiring manager may wonder whether you acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to perform well in the role you’re trying to land if your GPA is under that mark. As a result, you don’t want to mention your GPA if it’s 3.4 or less.
When You Graduated
Usually, including a GPA on your resume is only necessary if you’re a relatively recent graduate with limited experience in your field. Once you gain experience and start moving up the career ladder, your academic background is less of a factor when hiring managers evaluate your capabilities. Instead, they’ll concentrate on your job performance, so leaving your GPA off your resume doesn’t typically work against you.
However, if you recently secured a new degree – such as getting a Master’s in your field after having a Bachelor’s for years – you can consider adding the GPA if it’s strong, even if you also have job experience. The degree is serving as a new credential, so quantifying it with a GPA potentially works in your favor.
Your Industry
Listing a GPA is more commonly expected in some industries than others. For example, employers in the legal, technology, education, healthcare, or financial sectors are more likely to expect GPA figures on resumes when they’re reviewing candidates. This is especially true for entry-level candidates without much job experience. The GPA helps the company ascertain whether the job seeker has the right knowledge and skills to perform in the field, and considering how complex these industries are, that makes GPAs a more important part of the equation.
In career areas that aren’t as technically complex, including a GPA isn’t always a necessity. For example, employers in service-oriented sectors like hospitality might not worry about an applicant’s GPA to the same degree, so not listing one isn’t inherently problematic.
Ultimately, by considering the points above, you can solve the GPA dilemma and make a choice that will work in your favor. If you’d like to learn more or are seeking out new opportunities, The Squires Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.
