One of the hardest things about graduating is realizing that many of the things you were taught to focus on, while you were in school, aren’t so important in the real world. For instance, while a so-so GPA can keep you from getting into grad school or even from graduating in the first place, it probably won’t tank your chances at scoring a good job after graduation. Find out why, in this week’s roundup.
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Alison Green at Ask a Manager: Do Hiring Managers Really Care About Your GPA?
Recently, an Ask a Manager reader wrote in to ask whether GPAs are important in the job hunt. The reader teaches college, and finds that many students are “convinced that anything other than a 4.0 is a death knell for all their future plans.” Her question: do GPAs matter as much as students think they do?
“This is one of those things where being in school is warping their perspective on what employers care about,” Green replies. “I urge you to blow their minds by letting them know that — while it’s true that GPA does matter for a small number of fields (like law and big accounting) — in the vast majority of fields, the vast majority of employers don’t ask about GPA at all or even expect to see it on a resume.”
On the other hand, Green notes, a high GPA might be helpful to the job hunt. Find out how and when to use your grades to your professional advantage, in her post.
Hannah Morgan at Career Sherpa: Attention: New Grads, Don’t Give Up On Your Job Search Until You Read This
“Although the odds may seem stacked against you without any real work experience, you do have assets employers are seeking: a fresh perspective, willingness to learn and loads of energy,” Morgan writes. “Your strong technology skills are also a plus. And because you presumably have fewer outside responsibilities and financial obligations, you demand a lower salary.”
Even with all of this in your favor, you might struggle to land that all-important first job after graduation. Morgan’s tips can help you break the cycle and get your career started at last.
Frank Sonnenberg at his blog: The Best Graduation Speech … Never Given: 9 Valuable Lessons Upon Graduation
Years from now, what will you wish you’d learned right after graduation? Maybe one of these lessons, including:
“Hit lots of singles. Some people believe the only way to achieve success is to swing for the fence. The fact is, you don’t always have to hit the ball out of the park. If you’re trying to save money, lose weight, or achieve any worthwhile goal, don’t discount the power of taking small steps. The truth is, success isn’t only about doing big things; it’s the cumulative effect of doing the right, little things each and every day.”
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