3.8 gpa with no work experience or 3.5 with work experience?

This is just a general question I wanted to ask , not specifically to IB but for overall finance market . If you are an interviewer and see two resumes . One with a solid gpa but no work experience during college (other then junior year internship ) while on the other hand a kid with a 3.5 with work experience throughout college (with also a junior internship). I know this might be a broad question but I’ve seen some kids actually work a lot during college while being a full time student , do employer take that into account ?

Side note : by work experience I’m not saying working at a retail store , I mean somewhat legit experience like working as an assistant manager at Amazon warehouse or being a teller at a big bank . Thank you

 
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The problem the 3.5 kid would face would actually be getting the interview itself.  However, assuming they both got the interview, then GPA would take a backseat to the actual conversation I have with the kid and his story.

If the 3.5 kid is working a full time job to support his family's income or some respectable shit like that, I would give him the benefit of the doubt and assuming all else equal, would probably take him over the 3.8 kid.

However, what you presented is also very general. If the 3.8 kid has a better personality and can nail technical questions better, then I would take the 3.8 kid. My main point is that once you get passed the "getting the interview" hurdle its much more based on personal preparedness and making sure you're cool yet polished. 

 

I always hear “getting the interview” . Is this for IB or top consulting firms only ? Like what if the kid wants to go for big 4 or for another career other then consulting and IB , does a 3.5 still a bag gpa?

 

IBD and consulting are two very competitive industries, and therefore have higher GPA cutoffs. Big 4 is completely different- definitely a lower bar to entry and a 3.5 (assuming you go to a good school) can be sufficient. Again, its also based on self-preparedness in the interview. Once you get the interview, GPA doesn't matter as much. 

 

Finance is exceptionally competitive. Neither of those would get an interview at many places because there are plenty of 3.8s with work experience. 

Also in the finance world, working at Amazon or as a teller are not at all helpful to your resume. You need finance related internships (not bank teller).

The general answer to your question is yes, employers notice when you work during college (I've seen on a handful of resumes where people note next to their school that they paid for it themselves, very impressive) but it's not enough to overcome a bad GPA or subpar work experience.

 

3.5 with work experience only at Amazon or as a bank teller is not that competitive. 3.5 with finance internships is fine. The GPA isn't a huge issue, but that kind of work experience is irrelevant so your interviewers won't really care about it. It might be okay at places like big 4, accounting, random corp finance but this forum is focused on IB/PE/MBB

Are you looking for specific advice? Your question is too hypothetical to say much else

 

Usually half a bullet point in the school section. If scholarship, note Presidential Scholar - full tuition or if just paying your own way, Worked full-time / part-time throughout school to pay for 100% of tuition

There is some finesse to it but banking loves someone who can work hard and balance a lot of demands

 

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