GPA And First Jobs

Created By : Jatin Gogia

Reviewed By : Rajasekhar Valipishetty

Last Updated : May 22, 2023


GPA And First Jobs: Curious to know whether your GPA affects the chances of you being hired for a job? Well, we have the answers right here for you. If your GPA does matter while job hunting, then how does it affect it? Stick around to find out more.

Does GPA affect my Job Hunt?

The answer to this question is both a yes and a no! Every field has its own standards for GPA requirements.

Generally, most companies prefer graduates with a GPA of 3.0 or more. This is because this cut-off indicates your work ethic and commitment to your education, as a recent graduate. You might not have much work experience, so your GPA should be able to make up for this. Despite not having experience in the field, your GPA will usually convey your capabilities to recruiters. They will be able to determine if you can handle the job and if you are the right fit for it.

Apart from your GPA, employers look for the values such as self-motivation, effective work ethic, responsibility, and reliability. Usually, they believe that these qualities often result in a high GPA by themselves.

Including your GPA on your resume

You should almost always write down your GPA on your resume. There are times when it is better not to include it on your resume, but we will go over that scenario later in this article. For now, if you are an entry-level graduate who is applying to jobs in a particular field, you should ensure that you have included your GPA on your resume.

If you have a high GPA, this will help you get noticed so you should absolutely use this to your advantage. Make your GPA visible, and do not try to hide it from recruiters. Your GPA can make or break the hiring process, it might even set you apart from your competition. However, remember that your GPA is not the only factor that recruiters will look at. There are numerous other things to remember, so here are a few of them to keep in mind.

  • Professional email address
  • Any previous work experience like internships or volunteer work
  • Skills and accomplishments
  • Professional Summary to compensate for not having much work experience

We suggest that you try to include your GPA wherever possible, and try to connect it to your skills and accomplishments. Additionally, you can also include reference letters from credible sources. These things will definitely make your case and help recruiters discover your potential.

If you are a seasoned professional, then you have a lot more freedom when it comes to listing your GPA down on your resume. Most of the time, it is not required for you to include your GPA, since your many years of work experience, as well as accomplishments, will be enough to convince recruiters.

What to do if your GPA is below 3.0?

If your GPA falls below 3.0, then we recommend that you do not include it in your resume. Sometimes, you may not include the GPA if it is lower than 3.3 as well. A 3.3 GPA is approximately a B average. Since this is this average GPA, many companies will readily hire you

If you have a GPA that is lower than this average, then this might send the wrong impression of you to employers. They may consider students with lower GPAs as unfit for the job. But, we have a few tricks up our sleeve that you can use to improve your chances of getting hired despite having a low GPA.

  • When recruiters ask you about your low GPA, you should be prepared with a detailed reason as to why you have a less-than-ideal GPA. This is important if you have a genuine reason for your low GPA, such as an illness, your family situation, etc.
  • Avoid listing down your GPA on your resume if it is below 3.0 or 3.3.
  • Instead of your total GPA, list down the GPA of all the classes that revolve around your major.

Want to know more about these topics? Then, hop on to lcmgcf.com to get your questions answered in no time!

FAQs on GPA And First Jobs

1. Do recruiters ask for your GPA?

Yes, especially when you are a recent graduate, employers can only determine if you are fit for the job if you provide them with your GPA. This will showcase a lot of your abilities and qualities, and they will judge whether they are enough.

2. What is a good GPA?

The average GPA that you need to usually get hired by most companies is higher than 3.0. But a good GPA is typically one that ranges from 3.5 to 4.0. If you have a GPA within this range, all the odds are in your favor, and it is highly probable that you will be hired.

3. When to include my GPA on my resume?

If your GPA is over 3.0 or 3.3, then you are encouraged to include it on your resume. But if your GPA dips below 3.0, then we suggest that you do not include it. Keep in mind that there are still other qualities that the recruiter may look for in you.

4. Does my first job depend on my GPA?

Yes, if you are fresh out of college, then most of the time, your first job in the field will rely on your GPA. If you have an ideal GPA, then you are more likely to get hired. But the chances become slim if your GPA is lower.

Final Words

We understand that job hunting is a nerve-wracking phase of your life, and it is even harder if you do not have a good GPA. As much as we don’t like it, your GPA does in fact affect your chances of getting your first job. A higher GPA will get you a job more easily, and a lower GPA can make it quite difficult for recruiters to hire you. But all hope is not lost, since you can still get hired despite having a low GPA. Go over the suggestions above to increase your odds.