Do Grades Influence Job Prospects?

So believe it or not, across the board, there are concerns and common stresses about earning a C+, C, C - or yes even B- grades!

The question typically is "Don't prospective employers expect at least a 4.0 GPA?"  It seems the common perspective or misconception is "If I don't get straight A's, I won't get a job!" 

Here's what I know...Most employers tend to hire based on the following:

1) Referrals -- If you find an internship or volunteer for a company or organization that aligns with your passion, you are more likely to get referred to a full-time position after you graduate, thus individual grades are never even looked at.  From what I know, companies do not look at your individual courses anyway, so please take a breath, dry your eyes, and be proactive in your search for what can bring you the most joy!

2) Did you schedule an information interview before you applied?  I may not be working in the career center, but word has it, if you do your due diligence, a company may respect your action and move your application to the top of their list.

3) Are you a team player? If so that characteristic trait seems to count more than straight As.  In my previous role, I worked as a liaison to tech companies, and I was told time and again that being team oriented does count.  Sometimes a straight A student may not have the best etiquette for working with people and that may not be the best asset to have.  So, if you can collaborate well with people, that's more of a way to have an "in" versus most introverted individuals who might have a higher GPA.

Thus, in conclusion, grades do not seem to be the main criteria in job selection.  Sure it may not be favorable to see an overall GPA below a 2.0, however if you have the top 3 areas covered, and if you have influential and reputable referrals who can convince a company to focus on your strengths along with what you will be able to contribute, then grades will only be a memory.

I will share that I didn't have the best GPA in college,  but I did learn valuable life lessons to which I'm still grateful for and the journey was well worth it.  I also feel I made up for it in graduate school where my GPA was even better.  However, as I matured, I earned better grades for myself--so going to graduate school was a choice I made for my own personal accomplishment.  I also feel that the choice to pursue graduate studies should be a personal matter.  College is but one stepping stone.  The skills I learned from being employed as a work-study student were also a bonus.  So as for getting that job lined up, I hope now you feel better equipped with what steps to take.  Remember a grade is just a measure of how well you may have learned the material at that particular time, not a definition of what you can do as a person!  Also in most cases, colleges allow a retake of a course if you had an "off" quarter or semester!

Further help should be found in your school's Career Centers, so I would also take the opportunity to set up appointments for more specific tips, ie: 1) How to Write a Resume, 2)Interviewing Tips 3)Assessments to find out your strengths, etc.

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Disclaimer:  The advice on this post is not meant to criticize those who achieve all A's but to offer general tips and hope for those who do not, despite earning a degree.  This post is also open to comments, so if there are employers out there who feel the need to weigh in, feel free to do so.  My advice is always based on my experience, observations, and in consultation with my peers.  Constructive feedback is always welcome, as we all learn lessons daily.
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