How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

[Hassan Darkside]

Well here I am as a senior looking for some full-time work when I graduate. I'm Business Information Technology (AKA Business (or Management) Information Systems) and we're having job fairs and whatnot giving us kids opportunities to get employed after graduation.

I've always had my GPA on my resume but I took it off mainly so I could get more space and because I think it sucks, it's a 2.7. I asked a friend who worked at Career Services here and she said it shouldn't matter if I have it or not but of course when I take it off and go to the job fair, 75% of the recruiters ask for it.

Anyway, I've been applying and there's minimum GPA requirements for some of the positions, some that aren't even obtainable for me. 3.2, 3.4, etc. Kinda sucks and makes me feel demoralized looking at them.

Should I apply anyway? I still haven't put my GPA back on my resume, I figure if they want it, they'll ask, but I don't want to have them stop reading at my resume at "GPA" and toss it out.

Is it that important? I know experience often trumps grades but I don't have a lot of very relevant experience in BIT. I have a good bit of technical experience (no qualifications or anything) working as a technician/consultant here at Virginia Tech but it seems pretty different from what I'd be doing on a day-to-day basis.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

Well here I am as a senior looking for some full-time work when I graduate. I'm Business Information Technology (AKA Business (or Management) Information Systems) and we're having job fairs and whatnot giving us kids opportunities to get employed after graduation.

I've always had my GPA on my resume but I took it off mainly so I could get more space and because I think it sucks, it's a 2.7. I asked a friend who worked at Career Services here and she said it shouldn't matter if I have it or not but of course when I take it off and go to the job fair, 75% of the recruiters ask for it.

Anyway, I've been applying and there's minimum GPA requirements for some of the positions, some that aren't even obtainable for me. 3.2, 3.4, etc. Kinda sucks and makes me feel demoralized looking at them.

Should I apply anyway? I still haven't put my GPA back on my resume, I figure if they want it, they'll ask, but I don't want to have them stop reading at my resume at "GPA" and toss it out.

Is it that important? I know experience often trumps grades but I don't have a lot of very relevant experience in BIT. I have a good bit of technical experience (no qualifications or anything) working as a technician/consultant here at Virginia Tech but it seems pretty different from what I'd be doing on a day-to-day basis.

What's your in-major GPA? I only listed that on my initial resume, and I got pretty good response. I was like you, I wasn't terribly impressed with my out-of-major GPA (as I dogged it in some history and english classes) but I had a 3.5 in-major, so I put that on there, noting that it was in-major. I bet on the fact that the in-major GPA was the only one they really cared about.

Also, if you haven't already, you're going to want to build your LinkedIn profile. I've got a TON of play from that (even though nothing has come through as of yet). If you heard my Seattle stuff from the OT thread... it came from LI. Definitely need to have one.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

Not important at all nowadays.........since you have people with 4.2 GPAs unemployed. Only thing that matters now is work expereince in the field you applying for and how well your talking skills are.

But as I tell everybody, apply anyway.....can't hurt to apply, because at the end of the day, you still have to sale yourself. Some people are very smart, but when it comes to 1 on 1 talking, they fail big time and literally talk themselves out of a job by not knowing how to interact with other humans.

Then you have others who might not be the top 3% of the class, but their people skills are off the charts and can talk their way into a job.

[p_rushing]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

Honestly for major corporations anything below 3 is probably going to get you tossed out unless you can sell yourself in the few minutes you talk to the recruiters. If your in-major GPA is higher, tell them that one. I would still apply to at least get experience talking to them or interviewing. Worst thing they can tell you is no.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

Not sure it matters that much.

Besides, no one's getting jobs anyway. It seems like it's all luck at this point.

[ScoobySnax]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

What's your in-major GPA? I only listed that on my initial resume, and I got pretty good response. I was like you, I wasn't terribly impressed with my out-of-major GPA (as I dogged it in some history and english classes) but I had a 3.5 in-major, so I put that on there, noting that it was in-major. I bet on the fact that the in-major GPA was the only one they really cared about.

Also, if you haven't already, you're going to want to build your LinkedIn profile. I've got a TON of play from that (even though nothing has come through as of yet). If you heard my Seattle stuff from the OT thread... it came from LI. Definitely need to have one.

Ah, I never heard the outcome from that. How did everything go?

[roadman]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

For the first few years out of college, bigger companies look at GPA as a measuring tool on how you stack up against others that have the same qualifications as you. Plus, they will ask you for your transcripts just to verify you did graduate from college. So, they will find out one way or the other. If you were active in clubs, memberships, part-time work and interships, this will help potential employers recognize you can juggle several things while attending college.

After your first few jobs outside of college, GPA becomes less important and skills start taking over.

As someone noted above, see if your Major GPA is better than your overall GPA.

Good luck.

[Husker_OS]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

I really feel for those who didn't network in college. Whether they didn't have the opportunities or what, it's REALLY hard to land a job based solely on credentials. Now, it's impossible to get the job without the degree and basic knowledge that comes with that degree. But you have to know someone with some pull at the company you apply for. Not only do you need to know someone, they need to be able to go to bat for you to the right people. I got my first job due solely to networking. I had the qualifications, but I networked with the person making the hire and got the job over everyone else. Same thing goes for the job I have now. I got the job without an interview because several people were vocal during the hiring process.

GPA is important while you're in college. Once you graduate, it means very little. The only time GPA matters is when you're in graduate school(especially in law and medical school).


To sum up, NETWORK. Never turn down a chance to network. Break out of your shell, meet people, get phone numbers, get business cards, contact these people after you meet them. Once you get the first job, continue networking. That's how you climb the ladder. Know the person who already climbed the ladder or will assist you in doing so.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

Did you join AITP? http://www.aitp.org/

It's not to late if your school has a chapter and you just didn't know about it. There is a regional contest in October and a National one in March(date?). It's a big summit with professionals for major corporations. You go and participate in some kind of challange representing your school(network design, programming, ect). They are 3-4 ordeals. http://www.aitp.org/?page=2011Summit

I think it's a job fair too. Our group is lucky and we are able to raise enough money to go for free. I couldn't go last year, but they went to Orlando for 2 nights for free.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

Also, if you haven't already, you're going to want to build your LinkedIn profile. I've got a TON of play from that (even though nothing has come through as of yet). If you heard my Seattle stuff from the OT thread... it came from LI. Definitely need to have one.

I'm taking your advice. I let it search my email for contacts, turns out my dad it on it!

Who are appropriate people to connect to? It also pulled up some of my professors. The main person that it found was a guy who I interviewed with for an internship. I wasn't a senior so I didn't get it, but I think he liked me. This was back in February. I had to email him my resume, so that is how he is on there. Do I add someone like this as a connection?

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

Not sure it matters that much.

Besides, no one's getting jobs anyway. It seems like it's all luck at this point.

True, sort of. I'm in a pretty small major with high demand here. We'll only have ~80 people graduating with BIT degrees and it seems to be dropping a little each year. As a result, 86% of BIT folks were hired right out of college with an average starting salary of around $55k. I'm just trying to not be in that 14%. I'm fairly confident something will come about though.

I really feel for those who didn't network in college. Whether they didn't have the opportunities or what, it's REALLY hard to land a job based solely on credentials. Now, it's impossible to get the job without the degree and basic knowledge that comes with that degree. But you have to know someone with some pull at the company you apply for. Not only do you need to know someone, they need to be able to go to bat for you to the right people. I got my first job due solely to networking. I had the qualifications, but I networked with the person making the hire and got the job over everyone else. Same thing goes for the job I have now. I got the job without an interview because several people were vocal during the hiring process.

GPA is important while you're in college. Once you graduate, it means very little. The only time GPA matters is when you're in graduate school(especially in law and medical school).


To sum up, NETWORK. Never turn down a chance to network. Break out of your shell, meet people, get phone numbers, get business cards, contact these people after you meet them. Once you get the first job, continue networking. That's how you climb the ladder. Know the person who already climbed the ladder or will assist you in doing so.

I've been trying to make a more conscious effort to do this. I applied at KPMG (I probably have no chance) but I talked to the recruiter for about 20 minutes at the job fair, then they had a special function at a bar later that night and I dropped by and talked to him for a while there again.

I've also been e-mailing a guy at Capital One. I think that's probably my best bet and I really like the sound of the job, hopefully I'll get an interview there. They didn't have GPA requirements listed on the site.

Did you join AITP? http://www.aitp.org/

It's not to late if your school has a chapter and you just didn't know about it. There is a regional contest in October and a National one in March(date?). It's a big summit with professionals for major corporations. You go and participate in some kind of challange representing your school(network design, programming, ect). They are 3-4 ordeals. http://www.aitp.org/?page=2011Summit

I think it's a job fair too. Our group is lucky and we are able to raise enough money to go for free. I couldn't go last year, but they went to Orlando for 2 nights for free.

We're not on there.

Oh yea, @ GIGGAS, I'm also on LinkedIn. I need to update my profile though. It's kinda hard to navigate...I'll see if I can find those recruiters I spoke to on there.

[Jr.]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

I really feel for those who didn't network in college. Whether they didn't have the opportunities or what, it's REALLY hard to land a job based solely on credentials. Now, it's impossible to get the job without the degree and basic knowledge that comes with that degree. But you have to know someone with some pull at the company you apply for. Not only do you need to know someone, they need to be able to go to bat for you to the right people. I got my first job due solely to networking. I had the qualifications, but I networked with the person making the hire and got the job over everyone else. Same thing goes for the job I have now. I got the job without an interview because several people were vocal during the hiring process.

GPA is important while you're in college. Once you graduate, it means very little. The only time GPA matters is when you're in graduate school(especially in law and medical school).


To sum up, NETWORK. Never turn down a chance to network. Break out of your shell, meet people, get phone numbers, get business cards, contact these people after you meet them. Once you get the first job, continue networking. That's how you climb the ladder. Know the person who already climbed the ladder or will assist you in doing so.

This X 10000000000000000000

Networking is everything. Schools stats don't say everything and employers know that. They want to know what kind of person you are. If you can make a good impression and get an in with a company, it increases your chances of being hired so much.

[DocHolliday]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

Best way to network....Drink with people....im serious.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

The only two interviews I've had since graduating were through people that were already working at the place when I interviewed for them.

[GoToledo]

Re: How important is GPA for an entry-level position?

I interview entry level candidates for chemist positions at my company (usually with a BS or MS), so I know my field may be different from yours. I would leave the GPA off of your resume. If we are serious about hiring a recent grad, we will request their transcripts and worry about grades then. It doesn't matter much to me personally, FWIW. I have seen great chemists with average college grades and vice versa.

Good luck!