Does Your GPA on a Resume Still Matter? Sometimes...

I have been out of school for several years. Does my GPA still matter?

For the most part, it does not. Your grade point average is usually left off a resume after one has been out of school for a few years. Employers are looking to determine what you have accomplished after you graduated from school as opposed to how you did in Art History 101 as a freshman.

There are a few exceptions:

Organizations that are academically focused- such as think tanks or those that focus in the areas of science or math, will care about how you did academically. It doesn't matter how many years ago you completed school. At companies that care, it will permeate organization wide. Even if your job has nothing to do with a core business of biology or quantitative analysis, the organization will want someone who excelled academically.

Organizations that recruit Ivy League grads are proud of the pedigree of employees. Those organizations find value and importance in your prior academic success. Yes, the term "academic snob" may not be far off here. Cornell and Penn graduates, please hold off on the angry emails. It may be hard to break in to this type of organization if you did not have a strong grade point average, such as a GPA over 3.5 out of a possible 4 at a well regarded institution.

-Lavie Margolin Contact me for coaching, resume writing, interview prep., salary negotiation, LinkedIn tutoring, outplacement or to speak at your next event! (914) 525-0965 Laviemarg@lioncubjobsearch.com