When you’re working on landing a job in Cleveland, making sure your resume is on point is a must. While listing your relevant education is typically a must, many candidates struggle when it comes to whether they should include their GPA on their application.
Regretfully, there isn’t one set answer. In some cases, including a GPA may be wise. However, in other situations, it’s better to leave your GPA off.
If you are wondering if your GPA is needed on your resume, here’s what you need to know.
Do You Have to List Your GPA on Your Resume?
In the vast majority of cases, adding your GPA to your resume is purely optional. The only exception is if the application instructions specifically state that listing your GPA is required. In that situation, failing to include it means you didn’t follow instructions, and that will work against you. However, there are also times when listing your GPA is beneficial, even if listing it isn’t mandatory.
When to List Your GPA on Your Resume
There’s no hard and fast rule about when to include your GPA on your resume. A general rule of thumb is to list it for up to two years after you graduate or earn a degree as long as it’s a 3.5 or higher.
If you’ve just graduated from high school and are looking for your first job, your high school GPA gives the hiring manager insight into your capabilities. If you’ve recently earned a college degree, a high GPA shows the hiring manager you have a solid grasp of the materials you studied, which could help when trying to land an entry-level role.
Additionally, if you’re trying to land an internship during college, you may also want to include your current college GPA if it’s high, regardless of whether you’ve graduated yet. Your GPA may matter to hiring managers who are bringing interns on board who are on their way to earning a degree but haven’t finished the program yet.
Finally, if the company specifically requests your GPA, you need to list it. That way, you’ve followed the instructions.
When to Leave Your GPA Off of Your Resume
First, if your GPA isn’t strong, you don’t want to include it on your resume. In most cases, any GPA below 3.5 isn’t going to help you stand out in the eyes of the hiring manager. Additionally, a GPA below 3.0 may even hurt your chances of moving forward in the hiring process.
Second, if it has been more than two years since you graduated and you have two to three years of relevant experience, your GPA is no longer necessary. At that point, your work history is more impactful than your GPA in the hiring manager’s eyes, making your GPA an unnecessary detail.
Are You Looking for a Career-Boosting New Job in Cleveland?
If you’re working on landing a job in Cleveland, partnering with a staffing firm is a smart move. By contacting the recruitment team at Vector Technical Inc., you can dive into your job search immediately.
If you would like to start the process right now, you can head to our website. There, you can discover more about our open jobs in Cleveland, Ohio, and you can also submit your online application to get the ball rolling today.
