Do grades matter in my job hunt as a fresh grad?
Do grades really matter?
Justine: Questions like this are part of the reason why I started this blog in the second place. To inform people about the relationship between grades and interning. (Hint: it’s not a direct correlation. Great grades doesn’t guarantee a great job! And a great job doesn’t mean you had great grades!)
The short answer: Yes, but not as much as you’d think.
I get turned down for a lot of things because I don’t have great grades to back me up. Generally, those jobs require an information overload aspect or are at places that directly correlate your grades to your intelligence, so I’m OK with being rejected. After a while. (If you don’t get over things quickly, like me, I suggest you take up a combat sport. Very useful.)
Don’t take any rejection personally, but instead use it as fuel while applying somewhere else. I’m sure you have a ton of great skills you can bring to any work environment; you just have to be persistent in finding a work environment that will be a great place for you to grow.
Grades are, after all, a good measure of how hard you’re willing to work, how good you are at retaining information, and how good you are at pulling all that information out in a pressured environment. Or how good you are at gaming the system at your school. [I’m a bit biased in the sense that some people I know graduated with honors, partially because they only took easy classes.]
Some recruiters won’t know which you are, but those who are alumni of your school can figure it out pretty quick during your interviews. Be prepared for all sorts of small talk topics about your school if ever.
[2019 Update: I’ve worked with a lot of 2+ years out of college people switching jobs and none of them were Dean’s Listers. All of them ended up getting job offers from their dream companies, some of which were the top MNCs here in the PH. So it’s really what you do with that grade that ultimately fuels your career. Food for thought.]
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My friend defending my post.
Story time: I posted something after I got a terrible grade (if you want to read it, click here) and a friend who worked in the recruiting industry shared it with her own words in response.
Ultimately, your grades are a numerical indicator for a specific type of performance. It’s a number that defines you, yes, but it’s not the only number that can.
To those slaving away to become DL but know that their hearts aren’t in it, take a break to reassess and to be kind to yourself. They do matter now, but maybe they won’t in 10 years’ time. Maybe not even in 3 years’ time. Lean into your other strengths too if ever academics really isn’t your strong suit.
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“Ok, Justine, I get that, grades are important sometimes. But what about today, when I really need to find a job as a fresh grad and my grades are so low that it looks like I barely paid attention in school? What do I do then?”
Alright, alright, I hear you. Let’s go into some practical tips.
In 2015, Jobstreet’s Jobs and Salary Report shared that 80% of the surveyed Philippine employers want fresh grads to highlight internships in their interviews. Grades took second place at 52%. Knowing that, here’s 4 things you can do to make sure possible employers aren’t looking for your grades in your resume.
1. Leave your grades off your resume.
Don’t include it unless it is exceptional or the employer specifically asked for it to be included. In general, if you need a certain grade to apply, recruiters look for applicants with a 3.5 or greater (assuming 4 is the highest). That is also the number I recommend to my students.
Is your majors-only grade higher? If so, include that score instead. Especially if your course is a perfect fit for the job.
2. Perfect the rest of your application.
They won’t notice your missing grade or poor overall grade, if you combine it with a strong application. Most hiring managers wouldn’t think twice about your grades, if you’re able to show them that you were a well-rounded student during your time in college. That means highlighting experiences showcasing your ambition, skill, and leadership ability instead.
The 3 fastest ways to do so are
Tailoring your resume to the position by using the job description.
Creating a cover letter that tells your story and how you’ll be an asset to them.
Sharing work samples, like digital portfolios or personal websites.
3. Get referred.
Getting referred by an existing employee is the easiest way to separate your resume from the rest. Think of it as a little green flag next to your name. You’re instantly vetted.
This is your chance to practice networking in order to boost your application, which ultimately lands you in jobs you’d never expect. Tap into your professional network from internships and org life, and don’t be afraid to ask your peers and professors as resources for referrals.
Don’t forget, if you’re referred to a position, mention it in your cover letter. That name drop acts as an instant recommendation.
4. Focus on better opportunities that are a better fit for you.
Unfortunately, some companies are strict on grade requirements. If they require a 3.5, and you have a 2.7 (like I did), your chances there are slim to none. Trust me, I speak from experience.
Instead, apply for internships and entry-level jobs that are flexible with GPA scores, and that match your abilities. If you excel at those jobs, you might be able to circle back around to the company you first wanted to work for. [2019 Update: Which is exactly what 4 of my Work With Me students did.]
Seek a second opinion to help reevaluate your options if need be. A friend who you don’t compete with is best. Your parents and direct competition is not that great an idea unless you’re absolutely sure it’s safe to do so. [2019 Update: Some people decide that I’m that second opinion via Work With Me’s.]
And whatever happens, don’t be discouraged. At least you tried your best and got rejected which is infinitely better than self-rejection.
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At the end of the day, if you are unhappy with your GPA, and you still have the chance, then change it!!! Even if you’re in the first sem of junior year or last sem of your senior year, every grade counts. Take your GPA seriously, but understand that it is not the be-all end-all when applying for certain roles.
And if you’re like me where it’s set in stone already? Pick up a side project that better showcases your skills. It’s infinitely more fun to talk about your side project in interviews than to talk about your grades.
Whatever happens next, good luck!! You’ll find the right fit for you, just keep searching.
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Hi! I’m Justine.
I’m the founder and writer of all things in The Bumpy Career and welcome to Job Hunting, a slot where I share the life hacks and life facts I’ve learned over the course of my internships and job hunt. I hate that all the advice is either archaic, rude, or pretentious; job hunting’s hard enough as it is, older people don’t have to be rude about it. So that you guys don’t have to go through the terror of trial and erroring this stuff like I did, I made a whole category about it for you.
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