<p>Some major companies use your GPA as not only a deciding point in who they hire but also as a starting point for starting pay. This really can make a big diffetrence as all raises after hire are based on % of pay.</p>
<p>If you can get an internship and prove yourself before graduation a low GPA might not be a hurdle. However it's tough to get your foot in the door.</p>
<p>To mcim:
You should definitely include your GPA, especially if you don't have any full-time work experience. "Especially" right out of college or graduate school.</p>
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If you don't include your GPA on your resume, and the employer asks you for it and you give it, and then they ask you why you didn't put it on your resume, how do you respond?
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<p>Hmm. I never had this happen. I should think that once I actually gave my GPA, it was pretty obvious why I didn't put it on. You could try saying that you thought it would be a distraction from the rest of your resume, or something like that, but I don't know if they'd buy it, and it might be risky to try since it would sound evasive.</p>
<p>My experience was that, with one exception, the people who wanted to know my GPA asked up front. As in, they had an application form that had a spot for it. Which makes sense.</p>
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You should definitely include your GPA, especially if you don't have any full-time work experience.
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<p>Not if it's crap. On the other hand, if you're graduating without any full-time work experience, you might have a problem anyway.</p>
<p>I will point out, though, that depending on your situation, you might be able to massage your GPA into something acceptable to put on a resume. Look at your in-major GPA. Look at your GPA for upper-level classes. Look at your GPA for all technical classes. If any of these are reasonably good, just list (one of) them instead of your cumulative GPA (specify what they are, though...you wouldn't want to come off as dishonest).</p>
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You should definitely include your GPA, especially if you don't have any full-time work experience. "Especially" right out of college or graduate school.
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<p>No, you shouldn't. Presumably you've got a little internship experience, maybe some honor societies, maybe you made dean's list one semester... Put THOSE things on. If your GPA isn't stellar, make 'em ask. I've never had trouble with not getting interviews because I left my GPA off my resume.</p>
<p>When they ask why I don't put it on, I just say something to the effect of, "I feel that my GPA doesn't showcase my abilities nearly as well as my extensive work and leadership experience does."</p>
<p>it's important because it's used to determine your starting salary.</p>
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it's important because it's used to determine your starting salary.
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<p>Maybe that's the protocol for some companies, but a lot of the places I interviewed with never asked for my GPA, and they <em>offered</em> me starting salaries, sooo... I'm certain that this isn't always the case.</p>
<p>If they want it, they'll ask you. I've had interviews with big defense contractors and small-to-medium firms, and none of them has had a problem with my GPA not being on my resume. They'll ask, and I'll tell, but not having my GPA on my resume didn't bump me out of the running with any of the companies that I really had my eye on.</p>
<p>I had no idea that one does not HAVE to include the GPA in a resume... my bad.</p>
<p>The rule of thumb is if you have over a 3.0 put it on your resume, otherwise don't. As far as if it matters, the more work experience you have the less employers will be interested in your gpa and more in the type of work you've done. However, if you want to work with a major employer out of college you're going to have to have a good gpa. Nonetheless, it will still be difficult to work with a major employer with a bad gpa even with experience because chances are you're not going to have the type of work experience they're looking for. </p>
<p>If you're not a top student and want to work for a major employer i would recommend still shooting for at least a 3.2-3.3. If you obtain that, build up a strong resume in your stay at college, and prepare well for your interview, you will probably have a decent shoot at getting your foot in the door. Even if you don't, you will still likely be able to get a job at a smaller company involving the type of experience a major employer will be looking for and then go from there.</p>
<p>I think the bottom line is you're going to have to put the work in somewhere. You may as well get it done at school and save yourself the work/stress down the road.</p>