How to Put GPA on Resume

You have just cleared your university with a pretty good GPA and you are ready to brag about it. But you hear different opinions about adding GPA to your resume. Well, this what you are here for.

While creating the resume, you have to realize which information is relevant that will make your resume stand out among others. GPA is a crucial part of that realizing process. GPA can be an asset on your resume if it is good or hurt your candidacy if it is bad. Hence, if you can identify whether the resume deserves your GPA or not then you can have an impact on your application.

In a 2013 Interview with the New York Times's the then Google Vice President of People Operations, Laszlo Block, said that GPAs are worthless as a criterion of hiring. He further added, "Google famously used to ask everyone for a transcript, and GPAs and test scores. But we don't anymore, unless you're just a few years out of school. We found that they don't predict anything."

Therefore, read the entire article to get answers to your question.

What is a GPA?

Let's start with the basics. The full form of the GPA is Grade Point Average. It is that decimal number that defines your academic performance in high school, college, or university. It is usually scored out of a 4 or 5. A high GPA shows good performance while a low one shows a bad performance. Candidates with a high GPA are keen to put it on the resume while others ask the question which will be answered in the article.

How to Put GPA on A Resume?

Stick to the Common Format

When adding a GPA, always follow the standard format instead of just fixing it in the place. It also shows how careful you are with every detail of your resume. The format followed must place GPA like this – GPA:3.57

Put it in the Education Section

The Education or Academic Section is the highlight of a fresh graduate's resume. This where your GPA will go. Along with the name of the school you attended, the years you attended, and the degree you received, the GPA should also be added there.

Put it alongside other Achievements

It is always better to include other academic accomplishments along with the GPA because they will add as assets to your already good or bad GPA. These achievements will highlight your other skills besides the academic performance which creates a balance in the section.

Don't Lie About It

We always stress 'Not Lying' in the resume. And we will put emphasis on It in this article as well. Lying about your GPA in the resume will always lead you up to danger. IT will be the biggest mistake you will be doing. Employers might confirm it from your institute and if they find that a wrong GPA is inserted then you will be disqualified from the application.

If you feel that your GPA is low and it is necessary to input, it in the resume then just insert it and leave things to fate. Or simply leave if it is not required by the employer.

Place it in Parenthesis

If you want to insert the GPA beside the honors title, then always insert it in parenthesis. Example: Magna Cum Laude (Overall GPA 3.98)

Use a Major's GPA

It is common to have a certain Major's GPA to be higher than your overall GPA. If your overall GPA is lower than the major's GPA then you can include either the major's or both of them. If the major is relevant to the job, then it will obviously increase the chances of recruitment. Make Sure each one is classified accordingly.

When to include the GPA in the Resume?

Firstly, During the education phase when you are still studying or you recently graduated from an institution, what matters to the employer is not your experience but the education. Obviously, you spent years studying so you won't have enough experience and therefore the employer assesses your credibility based on your education. However, when you are four to five years out of academics, then your experience will shadow the academics and thus including GPA is not worth it.

Secondly, if you have earned a Latin Honors title, it already means that you are a high achiever and including the GPA won't add that value to the resume. However, if your degree does not include the magna cum laude or summa cum laude titles, you can definitely include your GPA.

Lastly, only include your GPA when you think it is good enough. A good GPA is the one that lies between 3.5 and 4 out of a total 4 GPA. GPA in this range leaves a good impression and reflects your skills, work ethic, and motivation to succeed. IT suggests to the employer that the candidate worked extremely hard in academics to achieve the result. And therefore will contribute similarly in the work environment as well.

Hence, GPA is what primarily gets your first job. This is why its credibility lies in the initial years of your career.

When not to Include the GPA in the Resume?

Like we said before if including the GPA has perks then not including it has its benefits as well.

The primary thing to know is that when you have been involved in the work experience of 2-3 years then that experience weighs heavily on the resume. At that time your GPA and academics are not that valid in the judgment of the employer. What he requires is the recent development you have gone through and the skills and achievements you currently possess.

The space that included the academic records once could be utilized in other relevant and strong information that strengthens your resume. It can be work accomplishments, skills development, or other notable achievements.

Another situation where you should never include your GPA is when you have a really bad GPA. That GPA might overshadow your other personal developments and create a bad impression on your profile. It is better to leave it out.

Also, if the employer does not specifically ask for the GPA, it is better to leave it out rather than forcefully including it to fill the resume space. Always follow the instructions on the job listing in that matter.

Shall I include the GPA in Cover Letters?

We have already covered what content to include in the cover letter. Basically, a cover letter is literature that compels the employer to hire you because you convince him through the letter that why you are a better candidate. Hence, including the GPA that is already stated in the resume is not a good option here. Instead, fill the letter with material that highlights your key strengths, work ethics, and determination to work.

Shall I mention the GPA during the Interview?

The interview panel already has your resume in front of you, therefore when you will mention your GPA intentionally or unintentionally it will create no magic in front of them. They would have already judged you upon your GPA initially when they received your resume. What they need to see your body language and determination to work. Mentioning GPA is similar to the name-dropping tactic which is generally not considered appropriate.

Is it Even Worth Going Through the GPA fiasco?

The answer to the question goes in both positive and negative aspects.

Academics

At Academics Level, having a GPA is all about your performance. IF you have a bad GPA then there will be pretty harsh consequences to this. You might be placed on academic probation or face program dismissal as well. Worst case scenario you might even be removed from the university.

However, a good GPA will result in many perks. You will be showered with praises, might get on the Dean's list, and will always or mostly be chosen for competitions/events and much more. A high achiever lives like a King in University.

Getting a high GPA requires effort and the reason why high achievers get plucked by multinationals is that they worked hard in their academics to achieve the GPA. This motivation must be enough to study hard and get a good job.

Professional

Like we stated before. GPA really matters at the start of my career. However, different companies have different recruitment styles. Large Corporations and Multinational Firms tend to choose the candidates from among the high achievers i.e. those who have a high GPA than other people. They even come to the universities for the recruitment cycle to choose few candidates from high achievers for their firm. So, it is relatively easier for a high achiever to get a job in a good company.

On the other hand, small businesses, start-ups, or lesser-known companies who don't have proper recruitment criteria don't have a necessary requirement of selecting a high achiever with a superb GPA. They do this because they lack the luxury of hiring candidates from a large pool of talent. Hence, they don't give much importance to the GPA and choose those who are skillful and accomplished some achievements via other activities.

Conclusion

We believe all your queries regarding adding GPA to the resume are cleared. You now know how to add it and whether or not it should be there on the resume. Just don't be disappointed with your GPA if it is bad. Look forward instead of looking back and focus on your goal. Once you start your career, the GPA won't bother you anymore. 2 years and more into the career, the GPA won't matter anymore.

Till then, happy job hunting.