Should I Include My GPA on My Resume?
In some professional fields, employers place a high premium on Grade Point Average (GPA), they want to know it, and often request for it. In such fields, if you leave out GPA on your resume, you risk employers assuming is very low. Professions such as law, engineering, and academia rely largely on academic grades to determine a candidate’s eligibility. While in some other fields, GPA is not a dependent factor in determining an applicant’s preliminary qualification for a role.
The main purpose of a resume is to showcase your achievements with where and when they came through. Employers would not hire you because you are nice, or because you need an income to meet family and personal responsibilities. Rather, they want competent candidates who can achieve results, effectively and efficiently even in the most stringent of situations. A stellar academic record is no doubt an indicator of achievement; A particular kind of achievement in a structured environment. However, it does not show the totality of a person’s ability or skills. Nonetheless, it shows that an individual did achieve more and outperform others in the pursuit of knowledge.
A distinctive academic record will suggest to the employer that you are top talent. It also portrays you as a motivated individual with the right mentality and knowledge to succeed in the work environment. Not certainly though, as it doesn’t show weaknesses or deficits in other areas. Outstanding grades and academic achievements are not a guarantee for success on the job, but they draw the needed attention a candidate requires for other areas of his personality and professionalism to be assessed. Once you were good in class, it is expected you would be good in the workplace, all things being equal.
There is no definitive benefit of including your GPA on your resume (especially when not requested). However, if you have done exceptionally well, it is worth showing your academic accomplishments. More so, some industries (hi-tech for instance) rely on candidates’ GPAs to move them to the next hiring stage. This might not even be included in the job listing. Including Grade Point Average on your resume can either help or harm your chances of getting an interview. Ensure you know when to include this information, and when to leave it out.
When to include GPA on your resume
- When looking for an internship: when applying for internship positions, your GPA can earn you interviews. At this stage, you need to convince the employer that you possess relevant skills and abilities for the role; A good GPA might just aid you in doing that.
- If the grade is high: although there are no clear rules on when to include your GPA on your resume, most career experts suggest you keep it when it is over 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The idea of having to include your GPA on a resume is to impress the employer, but when it is not that high it might end up achieving the direct opposite.
- When the employer requests for it: there are job postings that specifically request for candidate’s GPA. In such cases, you have no reason whatsoever not to include it on your resume. Opting not to could automatically disqualify for the role. Stick to all the requirements of a job listing if you want to get invited for an interview.
- If you have no working experience: recent graduates generally have little or no work experience. Highlighting your achievements, professionalism, and enthusiasm followed by an impressive academic performance will be a positive indicator for employers. Stellar academic performance is a major boost when searching for your first job.
When not to include GPA on your resume
- If the grade is low: if your GPA is below 3.5, it is not bad, but is not noteworthy either. In such a situation, including it on your resume might be counterproductive. Instead, focus on other areas of your strength and accomplishments that will make you stand out. A low GPA should not be captured when applying for a role except if requested.
- When not requested: do not include GPA on your resume if the job posting doesn’t request for it. Some employers require you to submit your academic transcript or requests specifically for your GPA, do avail it in this situation. But when unsolicited, you should simply do away with it both on your resume or cover letter, except if it is 4.0
- When you have had a relatively long working experience: the value of your GPA wanes in the labor market as you acquire more working experience. If you have been working for over five years, it is preferable to emphasize your work accomplishments than your GPA. At this level, it is expected that you have built a career path and your work should be doing most of the speaking for you.
Tips on including GPA on a resume
- It should be at the education section of the resume: since your GPA is an educational element of your qualification, it should go in the education section of your resume. This section should also capture all other academic honors, recognitions, or awards you have received.
- Include other academic achievements: back up your GPA with other academic achievements you might have earned. It will show you are an all-around hardworking person. Some academic achievements don’t just support your GPA, but could also draw the employer’s attention. Rarely, if you have won awards but your GPA is not high, include those awards and leave out the GPA.
- Be honest: although you are free to leave your GPA out (unless compelled not to by a prospective employer), you should not lie about your GPA on your resume. It is easy for an employer to do a background check to verify the grade you submitted. Besides, the lies we say today have a way of revealing themselves tomorrow, no matter how long it takes. You wouldn’t want nemesis to catch up with when you are at the peak of your career.
It is paramount to first find out if a job application requires your Grade Point Average. If it doesn’t, you should only include it if it is high and your working experience spans less than three years. Endeavor to highlight achievements that will make your resume stand out in other sections, especially if your GPA is not that impressive.