<p>“Understating GPA is what I’ve found works best.” - Maybe so. But to me it seems like a lie (though much better than overstatement). The issue is really only relevant for first job. After that, I doubt that employers look at the transcript. </p>
<p>I had 2 corporate summer internships (mechE) in early 1980s. At that time it seemed the big firms only hired summer students with GPA 3.8 or higher from my college. </p>
<p>Do people take into account that GPA is not the be all end all? Companies want more than just someone who has had their face buried in a book for 4 years. A high GPA, while demonstrating work ethic and intelligence, is NOT indicative of a team player which is imperative in the work setting.</p>
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<p>I think most reasonable people would agree with this. However, having a high GPA is also not indicative of not being a team player and does not require that you had your face buried in a book for 4 years, either. Some people have that preconceived notion, but generally you aren’t going to be prevented from interviewing on the basis of a high GPA. You just better hope that when you get to that interview, you actually are a reasonably sociable person so that anyone that has that preconceived notion has no reason to continue feeling that way.</p>
<p>DH hires engineers based on the following:</p>
<p>****US citizen eligible for security clearance
*uncomplicated resume on quality paper, not crinkled or shredded,
*GPA and relevant coursework descriptions
*questions/research conducted about the company, not filler conversations or questions about raises, vacations
*Ability to communicate and teach something to another employee.
*Social/pragmatics: greeting, eye-contact, proximity, body posture, facial expressions and gestures, punctuality, “please and thank you”, use of colloquialisms.
*Appropriate dress and hygiene, (no jeans and t-shirts with sandals).</p>
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<p>At the company I’m at now, they specifically told us not to dress up for the interview. I still did what I call “business lazy” dress (sneakers, jeans, dress shirt tucked in, sport coat), but this is certainly not a criteria for everyone. I saw a range from the full suit and tie to jeans, t-shirt, and hoodie when I interviewed. </p>
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I think often they do. But when you have a huge list of applicants, GPA is a quick way to whittle it down to a small list for interviewing. Students with high GPA are very smart and/or very diligent. They may or may not be the best fit for a particular engineering job, but an interview can help assess that. </p>