GPA? I am extremely confused.

I can't pinpoint how much people care about GPA after your first job. However it's still leaving me extremely confused.

I'd like to hear from the viewpoint from senior people who hire.

My mom (yes, my mom) tells me "Sweetie, no one cares. Only sometimes for your first job". "As long as they can do the job I really don't care".

I normally wouldn't listen to her, except she has a powerful position overseeing several important institutions, and she hires quite a few people in her office.

But for banking, it seems to matter more. Even years after you're in. I'm trying to find out exactly why it matters so much. (Pedigree?)

So WSO? How much does it really matter in banking?

7 Comments
 

Yes, it does matter. If you want to follow the path of BB/EB -> top MM/MF -> H/S/W, it is going to be harder for you because your GPA is below a 3.5.

Even if you land a gig at a top bank, you'll be competing against kids who had 3.7+ GPAs at top targets in just as strong groups as you for those private equity jobs. Same goes for business school. Not saying GPA is everything, but you're at a significant disadvantage.

 

For banking, the higher the better. Should be at least 3.5 if you're aiming for the top firms. Beyond a certain point in your career it might not matter, though. The more full-time experience you have, the more that'll be weighted over college grades accordingly.

 

If i did come it it would be from a certain industry with expertise. I guess at that point it won't matter nearly as much.

No i do not intend on following the curve.

Thanks for the info.

 

I haven't seen GPA on resumes of industry professionals with >4 yrs of experience. It just says school, major, latin honors if application, and graduation year.

Pennies from JcPenny
 

I see it as a way for a company to guage a candidates ability to learn and understand a particular task (it's usually prior to starting their first job).

 
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