Poor GPA- How can I Pass Resume Screens
Hey All,
Whats the best way for me to present my GPA so I can get passed resume screens?
I currently have a 3.41 GPA (5 Semesters). This is due to my Freshman year GPA being a 2.70 (2 semesters). My GPA from Sophomore Year and after is 3.78 (3 semesters). I know that a 3.4 GPA isn't terrible, but it isn't doing me any favors.
Is there anyway I can present my GPA on my resume in such a way that the person who screens my resume will understand that I got my act together? For people who have screened resumes before, do you have any insight on the matter?
Please let me know what you guys think!
Not sure why I got shit thrown at me, is my post against the rules or something.
My understanding is that a 3.4 GPA is perfectly fine for IB. You're not going to have the highest GPA, but it's certainly enough to network your way in.
I didn't MS you, but I bet it's because you used the word "poop".
It's perfectly acceptable to break out your GPA on your resume. Perhaps list your overall GPA and then something like "GPA after freshman year". The thing, though, is that you will have to network your way into interviews. If HR is given a 3.5 GPA cutoff, they will dump your resume.
Sil thanks will try to breakdown the GPA
Anyone recommend something else, or have seen people present Recent GPAs uniquely?
As of now, I am going to go with something like "Cumulative GPA: 3.41 After Freshman Year GPA: 3.78"
Thanks for any input!
I would take Sil's advice over mine, but it just seems weird to put "GPA after freshman year" on a resume. What I suggest to people who have gotten their shit together later on is to include their major gpa. In my experiences most people take more major-heavy course loads in the middle years of college, so this should be higher if you only struggled early on.
I would agree with the "major GPA" part, especially since freshman year is usually just electives/general educational requirements.
unfortunately i took some classes in my major in freshman year and did extremely poorly, so my major GPA is barely higher than my cumulative GPA.
I agree "GPA after freshman year" sounds very weird. But i don't know any other way to convey to the screener that I got my act together.
It seems like people have given good advice, so I will just provide some encouragement. I got my big college internship with a 3.1 GPA. I played football (typical jock douche bag who didn't study) for two years and got a 3.75 the semester I quit sports. I beefed that up on my resume since it gave me an additional scholarship (I left cumulative off completely), but don't be too worried. Just sell yourself and your improvement and something will come around.
Resume GPA CUT-OFF? (Originally Posted: 12/10/2012)
I've been receiving mixed answer's from friends and recruiters on this topic.
Friends say anything less 3.5 dont list as when they scan your resume they just look at experience and recruiters say if it's not listed we assume it's below 3...
What is the proper-cut off?
I for one have a 3.2 and sending 2 different versions of resumes out w and w/out to get some sort of feedback.
I am no expert, but I think it really just depends on each individual situation, if you are a rockstar at everything else on your resume it may be ok to put that on there, however if not, you might want to leave it off. Correct me if i'm wrong. It will take networking with that GPA anyways (not that that's abnormal). EDIT: I just read that 3.0 is absolute cut off. So you should be fine. A 3.2 isn't god awful.
Having a 3.2 just means you have to hustle harder and have other things to make you stand out, i.e. extra curriculars, modelings skills, etc. Don't count too much on OCR since anything below a 3.5 they generally toss out.
I had slightly less than a 3.0 but I had a major/minor from a target with 3 internships and a ton of extracurriculars (teasurer of my fraternity, on the football team, etc) and I never put my GPA on my resume and no one asked me until I brought a transcript to the first day of training. If you have enough other things on your resume those will stick out more because that's what people want to talk about in an interview, not your GPA.
3.0 should generally be the cutoff. I have a 3.4, and have been asked by a handful of interviewers why my GPA was so low. You should have an answer for this. Also, if your major GPA or some other GPA is higher, I would list that, in addition to your cumulative. But if you don't list a GPA, most people would assume it's less than a 3.0. I would leave it on there. If you network, GPA cutoffs won't matter.
GPA and resume (Originally Posted: 12/16/2009)
Should I leave off my GPA on my resume - I go to a non-target and it is very low (3.7) for SA positions and I'm afraid it will keep me out of the running. I know the cutoff for targets is 3.7 or so so I feel that my GPA won't make that threshold since I'm from a non-target.
Troll.
You should leave your non-target school off of your resume and keep your GPA.
Education is worthless anyways. Just talk about your travel experiences and your best hook up story on your resume and you'll be all set.
Hahahaha maybe throw in the first time you got high.
GPA on Resume - Extracurricular activities (Originally Posted: 08/25/2011)
Recent graduate...My GPA was pretty low, 3.05. Spend too much time in extracurricular activities that were not resume builders. Should i include it on my resume?
Have had a great summer as an analyst at a PE firm. They don't have anything permanent for me, but will give me glowing reviews once i get my foot in the door. Problem is my gpa is obviously hurting me, so better or worse to include it at all on my resume?
Thanks!
.
If you leave it off, people will assume that it's bad. Round it up to a 3.1. Not the end of the world.
what about a 3.3?
put 3.50 and if you're questioned tell em you're dyslexic.
^I think this is the best plan.
But seriously, do what Dying's for Fools said. A 3.1 is not going to kill you, especially with some networking.
What about major GPA?
Resume Help - Attended a non target with a low GPA (Originally Posted: 07/02/2010)
i attend a complete non target and have pretty low gpa i am in the process of transferring to T20 undergrad bschool...
side note; the reason my gpa is low is because i had a bad first year and after that i did >3.5 a semester so i intend to have >3.5 at my new school...
that being said::i was wondering how to write this on my resume as i am a sophomore and will be applying to SA programs for next summer and will not know what my gpa is until late dec towards the mid-end of recruitment season.
any idea how i would put this on my resume::: Shcool #1 Transfer
School #2 exp 2012 Mid year GPA: x.xx
??? would that work
don't even put your 1st school on your resume...you will start your GPA from scratch at your new school so when you apply to your summer program just put your anticipated GPA. but if you found it necessary for some reason to include your first school then you will want your resume to list your current school 1st..then put old xxx school... completed coursework towards xxx...
GPA Resume one bad year (Originally Posted: 01/06/2011)
I am a student at a top university in engineering and am looking for internships.
As I acclimated to college my first year gpa was mediocre, 2.7-8s with a slight increase between the the two semesters.
But then my sophmore year, my father had a heart attack and I was unable to balance school and family so my gpa suffered and dropped to a terrible 1.1.
Soon after this I regained my bearings and I worked incredibly hard junior year and my most recent semester, my gpa for the past 3 semesters were 3.0, then 3.2, and now a 3.5, with all engineering courses.
As you can see my overall gpa is incredibly low, something like a 2.6 due to my sophomore year, but if you do not include it roughly is a 3.1.
My question is obviously my sophomore year does not convey my true aptitude and study habits and with most companies hiring in engineering recommending a 3.0 cumulative. Is there anything I can do?
Thanks in advance.
You could put a 3.1 on your resume then when you get an offer, before you sign, explain to them the situation and how you 'made an executive decision based on the information presented at hand to omit that semester's GPA.' Something along those lines. If you are not going to stretch the truth you should not even be considering banking.
Resume and GPA (Originally Posted: 01/11/2008)
I've had a similar topic before, where I had a problem because my school has a low average, GPA is set to 2.0 - 2.3.
Do you think it would make a difference to put this on my resume i.e. my GPA (School average GPA)?
Thanks.
I would like to add, at my school at 3.3 you get a distinction. Does that means a magna sum claude in US terms?
Can anyone shed some light on this?
If you get a distinction then mention it, as it appears on your transcript or in your school's recognition of it.
but what about adding the school avg on it
would that mitigate that my GPA appears lower than other candidates?
Generally, the HR people and whoever is reviewing your resume will know the quality of your school and what average GPAs are. We get this typ eof info for schools we are recruiting for. It's kind of like when you applied to college, and your high school was either really hard (and admissions officers knew that) or you were in a really crappy high school where you exceled easily. I would mention the citation but don't know if i'd go so far to put the average of the school. It would appear to readers that you are making an excuse.
a 2.0 will probably kill your chances unless you can PROVE that the average is 2.0-2.3. Even so, people in the US will stereotype that so negatively that you probably won't get in.
Best chance is to network and explain. Sorry if that was harsh but its the truth
it's on the school website
I would just put a percentile or class rank on there. Even if your resume states "GPA: 2.5", it won't look as bad if next to that it states "top 5% of class" or "ranked 20/500"
Listing GPA on Resume? (Originally Posted: 02/24/2012)
Hey all, I am deciding whether to leave out GPA on my resume. I read this website http://www.thecasecoach.com/consulting-resume-how-much-do-i-share-about… and would like some opinions on this strategy.
I have a 3.85 GPA in undergrad but 3.62 in grad. If I have to leave out, I have to leave out both GPAs and I am not sure if that is a good exchange to give me a better chance of getting my resume into the "pass" pile.
I have attached my resume below.
http://www.razume.com/documents/24536
Any feedback would be great!
3.62 isn't even that bad. I'd assume lower if not reported.
Yeah thats what I initially thought. But according to the website,
http://www.thecasecoach.com/consulting-resume-how-much-do-i-share-about…
I fall into the range where I should leave out my GPA. The experience I had was I got rejected by AT Kearney even though I am positive I made a good impression during the infosession. (The recruiter actually asked for my name and told me he will remember it) So I am quite certain that my resume was at least reviewed before being rejected. One of my friends with similar academic backgrounds got in without listing his/her GPA.
Hence, I am confused as to whether to leave it out or not.
the link you posted is absurd. how can he recommend people not to list their GPA if it's a 3.7 from HYP? Also, Northwestern as a top 10 school??
Hey Swordfish, thank you for your comments. It does not make sense to me too. I was wondering if you have any feedback for my posted resume in terms of experience, skills etc.
Ignore the site. Your resume looks great.
I know right? I felt pretty confident about my resume until I got rejected by AT Kearney and the only reason I can think of is my resume. Then I stumbled on this website which further challenged my beliefs.
resume is good- 3.8+ at an ivy and a 3.6 at what is notoriously a difficult school is real solid. keep applying, your resume isn't whats holding you back
I would censor more of your resume if I were you...
Maybe think about taking "ballroom dancing" off...
Completely honest question...why did you go from EE to IE?
Not a move I would have ever even thought about considering curriculum and starting salary.
I found that I did not like doing transistors or digital/analog circuits. Although I like programming, I wanted something that covers cost benefit analysis and larger systems involving people and technology.
listing GPA on resume (Originally Posted: 07/16/2007)
So I have a below 3.5 gpa. I have a friend who works at a top 4 bulge bracket. He told me that resumes that do not have GPAs listed are automatically thrown out. He said if you have above a 3.0 gpa to definitely list it. I know I have no shot a bulge bracket but thats not the point here.
I also have a friend at a top MM bank. Top 20 bank overall I'd say. He says not to list GPA. The question will come up in an interview and just to impress them as much as you can before then.
So question is, I am obviously targeting boutique banks. Should I list my gpa? Do most boutiques throw out resumes with no gpa?
Look at it like this - you are going to tell them either way.
If you don't list it, you run the risk of having your resume thrown out. If it doesn't and you get an interview, you will certainly be asked about it.
So why delay showing your cards?
Show your cack, simple as that. (list your gpa)
-Cackmenimble
I would suggest showing your GPA, boutiques place less emphasis on it than BBs.
Jesus, what is with all these people putting themselves down and saying stuff like: "I know I have no shot..."? Self-deprecation is not an attractive quality.
You know you are allowed to have more than one resume right? If you want to list GPA for BB's but not for Boutiques, then have 2 different resumes reflecting that.
Do you have a different GPA for just your major? Maybe a GPA for just finance courses? Show both side by side, if one is much higher.
Show your GPA. The general rule is that you leave your GPA off if it is below a 3.0. Recruiters know this and make the assumption that you are below the mark right away. The result? Your resume goes straight to the recycling bin (haha jk, banks don't recycle)!
For people here who actually review resumes. At what GPA do you usually just trash? Do you keep the 3.0 - 3.4 range and actually follow up?
I work at a BB and just did a quick flip of our first years resume book.
There were a few people with 3.5's and I even found a 3.2. Who knows what there GPA's were when they applied, but I think it is a fair assumption to say that 3.5, while low, is probably within the range given how tough undergrad recruiting is for the banks right now.
I toss a resume without a GPA for an analyst position. You are coming out of undergrad, that has been your main gig for the past four years. While I would still look at a resume with, say, a 3.1, if you can't own up to your own performance, you probably shouldn’t work in investment banking.
altfp - from what I perceive, the median GPA is around a 3.7 but the average is lower (ie there are a few kids with below 3.5, not many with 4.0, lots in 3.6-3.7 range)
My "perception" is based on about 15 kids who are working at BBs from my school who I became better friends with while preparing for super-days lol. You can probably add validity to that since you have a resume book.
GPA on Resume - What's the best bet here (Originally Posted: 08/14/2011)
Hey WSO,
Question about how to post my GPA on my resume. I didn't study at all my freshman year and subsequently did terribly (not a valid excuse for a low GPA I know). Anyway, because of this my GPA now is 2.8 and unfortunately because I took a major class that year my major GPA is only 3.3. My question is how I should post this on my resume: should I round my 2.8 up to 3.0? Should I leave it off entirely? Should I only post major GPA? What's the best bet here?
What year are you now? Heading into your Sophomore year I hope...
I would just put "Major GPA: 3.3" and nothing else. If you are heading into your second year this Fall, make sure you stop fucking around and bring that GPA up.
Take a gap year. Take non-degree classes at get 4.0 in everything. Transfer them back to your current school. That should help
take a year off from school because he has a 3.2 or 3.3?
seriously?
Network OP
you can't transfer grades you got at a different institution.
.
I had this same problem lol...partying got the best of me first semester of freshman year and I ended up with a 1.65. After that though I got higher gpa's i.e. 3.8 3.8 so on so forth so I just put after my rounded GPA my two previous GPA's and I had no problem at all landing an internship with networking. Honestly the recruiters and I had a great laugh at that, and it was a great conversation to talk about because it let me stress how much banking actually means to me.
Don't regret having some fun OP...I sure don't. Half the kids on this forum all think it is about getting 4.0's and studying. Of course working hard is a key to being successful, but networking, being confident, and being personable is more important in my opinion.
That's nice.
put the higher gpa and get goods grades starting yesterday.
Thanks Hoogerman, I have been doing lots of networking and definitely have some people to send my resume to. Most of the places to which I will be applying will be recruiting in January/February so by then my GPA should be more in 3.6 major/3.1 overall area, but there is one place that I'm applying to this upcoming semester.
Do you really think it's a good idea to just put my GPA excluding that semester? Should there be some sort of note accompanying it? Would that be better than rounding up to 3.0?
You don't round a 2.8 to a 3.0, fucknut.
Easy man, I know I fucked up first year and look like a retard. I got into banking my sophomore year and have gotten much better grades since, I also emailed about 300 firms last year and got a legitimate ibanking internship this summer and have been networking and talked to 35-40 alumni this year in an attempt to make up for my horrendous start. So you would say major gpa and nothing else is the best bet?
A lot of people fuck up freshman year, but I wouldn't recommend rounding that much, especially with your interviewers potentially having access to your transcript. I would just do Major GPA only and then have some kind of story lined up for under-performing during your first year.
Okay, thanks for the advice, I'll probably do that. Honestly, I know that I will definitely have to explain it at during an interview, but my main concern right now is getting an interview, and I know that I have to have something on my resume to get the interview.
That's it. You're putting the GPA on to get the interview: like flake said, put your major GPA on and if they ask you then explain your case and move on in less then ten seconds. This effectively demonstrates that you've recovered from a mistake and kept moving: something that you need to do on the job.
ALSO: network your way in and DO NOT waste your time with company sites or HR. Both are a black hole, and at best they will waste your time and more likely ruin your chances of working at a company. Go out, meet people, make friends, and find out who's hiring that way......you're going to need this skill once you start working, so you might as well start developing it now.
Good Luck
Sed consectetur voluptate omnis quis. Quos deserunt repudiandae quia rerum aspernatur vero reiciendis. Porro nulla laborum placeat tempore. Suscipit eum quia et vel velit. Autem quo voluptatem tempora vel ex voluptatum dolorem.
Corporis optio harum ea pariatur voluptatibus harum. Ut excepturi autem eaque possimus nisi. Fuga consequatur similique laborum consectetur animi.
Est dolorum perspiciatis ab veritatis ducimus. Asperiores aspernatur non quia ut tempora. Quis rerum autem minus quas doloribus.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Hic eaque laudantium enim similique. Quo nemo id est vitae enim nam dolorem. Repellat possimus esse quas eum aut veritatis. Porro sint fuga et repellat voluptatem sint. Quisquam ea id quia voluptatibus ad et.
Dolores enim maiores nam ut. Est quibusdam reprehenderit est optio ut minus occaecati dicta. Nemo rerum fuga fugiat assumenda.
Placeat et tempora quisquam ea iure consequuntur. Unde eos dignissimos impedit nihil. Soluta at aperiam quia ad deserunt veritatis qui. Enim veritatis sit quod earum harum eum eligendi.
Vero natus et voluptate. Qui eveniet iure et non dolore harum sint. Praesentium quaerat id alias sint ipsum. Culpa in voluptatem omnis voluptate. Possimus id nam assumenda nostrum fugiat quisquam.
Vel officia nobis dicta minus voluptates et aperiam. Ut ut libero et quia. Dolores facilis repudiandae debitis et.
Cumque voluptate quos et tenetur modi necessitatibus quo. Et maxime autem iure nisi natus provident. Iusto eligendi aperiam voluptatum distinctio quidem odit iusto. Iusto quia maxime eaque maxime. Facilis sit quam quibusdam inventore dolorum. Sapiente sunt est fugiat ut aliquid sint earum.
Laboriosam libero laborum deserunt autem ut modi nobis. Qui sunt laboriosam in dolore. Laborum error nam recusandae dolor earum dolor.
Doloribus quasi iure sed voluptatem et maiores. Et deserunt debitis assumenda quam est excepturi adipisci numquam. Harum voluptatibus vel qui inventore. Dolores atque quod adipisci dolorum quaerat quia recusandae blanditiis.