Should I Add My GPA On My Resume in 2022? (Tips & Examples)

Should I Add My GPA On My Resume in 2022? (Tips & Examples)

Learn essential tips from resume examples to make the right decision on including your gpa in your resume, especially if you have a low GPA.

Written by Rohit Sahay • Last updated on Jan 11, 2022

Introduction

The connection between GPA and landing your next job can be a bit of a blur. When do you need to include your GPA on your resume?

Depending on how much professional experience you have, including your GPA could either help or hurt your chances of landing an interview. Let’s take a look at a few scenarios to help you decide.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

When to include a GPA on your resume?

The very first step is to read job descriptions of positions you’re interested in applying to. If the job description says that GPA is required, you need to include it on your resume. No matter what your actual gpa is or how much professional experience you have.

Employers often filter out any resumes that exclude information such as GPA, either manually or automatically through Applicant Tracking System. If you’re applying for an entry-level position, there’s a good chance that employers will require you to provide your GPA. Some may even ask for a full grade transcript.

You should also include your GPA if it’s above a 3.5 and you have less than 1 year of full-time professional experience. Companies like this because they can learn a lot about candidates with little experience from their academic performance.

In some cases, it might be helpful to include a GPA that’s a little less than 3.5, especially if the employers know that your major or school was challenging.

Be sure to include your GPA along with the scale in the education section of the resume as shown in this server resume example below.

Server

What if you have a low GPA?

Let’s face it - there’s no way to completely hide your low GPA, especially if it’s required by the job description. However, many employers know that academic performance isn’t always the most accurate measure of how you’d perform in the job. There are a couple of things that you can do to make your candidacy stand a better chance.

One option is to split your GPA into different groups of coursework. For example, you could calculate your Major and Minor GPA separately, or between irrelevant and relevant coursework. This is ideal for someone who would be able to report a higher GPA from classes that are more relevant to the job opening. For example, if you’re applying to a role in finance and have performed well only in Math related courses, perhaps you can report on a separate Math GPA vs Non-Math GPA.

Another way to deal with a low GPA is to highlight any leadership experience and accomplishments beyond the classroom. Whether you’re a fresh graduate or a current student, there are always ways to get involved in community organizations and show initiative. Look up volunteering opportunities near you online.

The third way is to take additional courses and acquire certifications. As long as they’re listed in the right place on your resume, certifications can be an effective way to make your resume stand out.

See how this IT Specialist resume example uses certifications instead of a GPA to stand out.

Server

When can you exclude your GPA on your resume?

As long as the job description doesn’t say that you need to include your GPA, omitting your GPA from your resume is an option.

Your high school GPA should be left off your resume once you’ve completed your first year in college, no matter how high it was.

If you have more than 2 years of professional experience, then you could leave the GPA off your resume especially if it's not stellar. At this point, your work experience will be more relevant to most employers evaluating your candidacy.

Remember, the point of a resume is to market yourself to employers in the best possible way to win an interview. GPA is not everything! There are many other sections on your resume that you can focus on to help you stand out from the crowd. See how this property manager resume example does this below.

Server

Final thoughts

It’s important to first find out if your job application requires you to include a GPA. If it’s not required, you should only include it if you have a high gpa and less than a year of work experience.

Be proactive about opportunities to make your resume stand out in other sections, especially if you don’t have an impressive GPA.

Easy Resume’s customizable resume templates let you optionally include a GPA in your education section. Create your resume in under minutes with our free resume builder.

Rohit Sahay

Rohit is a software engineer, entrepreneur, and investor with a passion for helping others advance in their career. He interviews experts across different industries, researches job market trends, and provides career advice at every step of the job search process.

View Author ProfileLinkedin

Get inspired with more resume examples

More advice that will accelerate your career path

15+ Key Healthcare Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

Healthcare is a massive and important industry that contains all sorts of professionals. To land a job in healthcare, you must understand what relevant skills employers are searching for. In this guide, we will cover key healthcare skills to include on your resume and why doing so is so important.

Read this career advice article

15+ IT Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

IT is a massively growing industry with tons of potential for professional growth. It’s no wonder why so many applicants are flocking to these jobs! In this guide, we will cover what IT skills are and offer you examples of some of the top skills to include on your resume.

Read this career advice article

50+ Key Technical Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

Including technical skills on a resume is an absolute necessity. These types of skills show employers your quantifiable qualifications. In this guide, we will cover exactly what a technical skill is and some of the best examples to include on a resume.

Read this career advice article

20+ Key Computer Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

With the world becoming more digitally focused, having strong computer skills is more important than ever. In this guide, we will cover what computer skills are and which ones are best to include on your resume.

Read this career advice article

Read our how-to guides on making your resume perfect

How to Write a Resume Header

Your resume header is the very first thing an employer will see. Not only does it need to contain the correct information, but it needs to stand out as well! In this guide, we will teach you how to write the ideal header for your resume.

Read this resume guide

How to Write Your Resume in Reverse-Chronological Order

When setting out to write the perfect resume, choosing a format is an important decision. Reverse-chronological resumes are the standard format, so knowing how to craft one is key! This guide will teach you how to write the best reverse chronological resumes.

Read this resume guide

How to List Contact Information on Your Resume in 2022

Learn how to format contact information on your resume and what information to share with the hiring manager.

Read this resume guide

How to Write a Two-Page Resume (with Examples & Tips)

Don't know whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume? Find out when it is appropriate to write a two-page resume and learn how to write it correctly.

Read this resume guide

Professional resume templates to help land your next dream job.

Choose from one of our many resume templates to help you stand out from your competition.
Create your resume,
fast and easy.
Edit this Resume