Interview: How to get around not having high GPA?

[xopher]

Morning!

In short, I have an interview for a summer student position coming up and Ive been warned ahead of time this particular Engineering VP, is a very "GPA orientated individual".

Im 90% confident, ill be able to portray myself as an individual with the correct set of skills and the eagerness to assist and learn from this company, however, I can potentially see my transcript ruining my chances (got a low number of F..).

Honestly, ... I understand my stuff in the area, but I don't test well. My GPA is not a good assessment of my intellectual level or my capacity and speed at which I can learn.

This will probably be arguement if he does ask my about my low grades, but I feel like I should find something better...

Opinions? Suggestions?

[ExtraSlow]

Some people will always chose based on GPA. For those people, there's nothing you can do to convince them. Others are looking more for how you present yourself. Worry less about "arguing" your GPA and more about the kinds of skills you bring to the company, how you'll be a positive contributor.

[gretz]

Originally posted by xopher


Honestly, ... I understand my stuff in the area, but I don't test well. My GPA is not a good assessment of my intellectual level or my capacity and speed at which I can learn.

This will probably be arguement if he does ask my about my low grades, but I feel like I should find something better...

Opinions? Suggestions?

No offense, but GPA is almost a direct assessment of your intellectual level, which ties in with how well you can learn... If you have a balls GPA, what are some of your technical skills that makeup for your shortcomings?

This will be an arguement? Why and what would you argue about?

Find something better? You haven't gone for an interview yet...

[leftwing]

If you got an interview, your GPA cant be that bad. They are either looking past it, or you have other strengths on your resume that make up for your lacklustre GPA. I would prepare a defence (just in case) as to why you failed those classes or why your GPA is low.

As for defences...if your bad grades came early in your academic career that is more "acceptable" than failing classes in your later years. I would just be honest, because unless you are a great liar, the interviewer probably will be able to tell your not being honest.

good luck!

[Type_S1]

GPA is a good indicator of your intellectual ability. If you can't explain it on a peice of paper, how the hell are you going to do it in real life. If you were lazy, which is why most peoples GPA's suck, this directly shows the effort your have in your overall life and future.

That is the opinion a lot of people have and it is something you will face until you have a proven track record working.

Tell them the truth on why your GPA is low if it comes up, you have an F and it was in your early years or whatever. If you have an interview already they either can't care too much or their was a lack of applicants. Either way it is good for you.

Now a real question...how the hell do you fail an engineering test when everyone gets 20%-30%'s and end up with B's haha.

[Neil4Speed]

Some good comments in this thread. You need to find a way to diversify yourself appropriately enough for people to oversee that. Be confident of your ability and dissect the job description to make sure you have a great understanding of all the components.

Also, be mindful of the other situation too. I interviewed a girl a few weeks back with a high GPA, and everything you would want in a Candidate - the only thing we really remembered at the end of it was a trivial disagreement she had with a senior level employee during the interview.

[dangleberries]

learn to suppress gag reflex mainly

[Ebon]

How'd you even get the interview? Thats GPA cutoffs are for, after that no one cares.

[wardpr68]

If this person is hiring based solely on GPA... I would not want to work for them.

I know in my families past if someone had a GPA of like 3.8 or above they didn't even bother interviewing them because they almost surely lack communication skills or are so far up their own ass they will be impossible to mentor.

It's worked pretty damn well for the family.

[XylathaneGTR]

I had an internship interview start out with the VP of Engg taking a copy of my transcript out, laying it on his desk and going "So...I see a lot more C's and B's on here than I would normally see with someone who works for us...why is that?" He was blunt and honest and didn't beat around the bush. He addressed a legitimate concern that he had and gave me an opportunity to explain myself.

Confident speaking is key. We've all had an "off-day" on an exam...but you can't have 30 of them. Passion is important as well. I ended up receiving an offer from this company, beating out several other people with higher GPAs. I had multiple offers (received one just as I was pulling into the parking lot for a second interview with this company). When I was speaking with the VP of Engg about it later on, he said that part of the reason was that he really knew that I wanted to be there and that dedication meant that I would do a great job, regardless of the fact that my GPA was not quite what he was looking for. After completing an internship, I continued to work there part time and after a while, received an offer to come back full-time.

It's an interview, man. Sell yourself and be honest. Don't bullshit them, as they'll see right through it and write you off.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by XylathaneGTR
I had an internship interview start out with the VP of Engg taking a copy of my transcript out, laying it on his desk and going "So...I see a lot more C's and B's on here than I would normally see with someone who works for us...why is that?" He was blunt and honest and didn't beat around the bush. He addressed a legitimate concern that he had and gave me an opportunity to explain myself.

Confident speaking is key. We've all had an "off-day" on an exam...but you can't have 30 of them. Passion is important as well. I ended up receiving an offer from this company, beating out several other people with higher GPAs. I had multiple offers (received one just as I was pulling into the parking lot for a second interview with this company). When I was speaking with the VP of Engg about it later on, he said that part of the reason was that he really knew that I wanted to be there and that dedication meant that I would do a great job, regardless of the fact that my GPA was not quite what he was looking for. After completing an internship, I continued to work there part time and after a while, received an offer to come back full-time.

It's an interview, man. Sell yourself and be honest. Don't bullshit them, as they'll see right through it and write you off.

That's actually an awesome interview tactic. Very different and fresh.

[A790]

Originally posted by gretz


No offense, but GPA is almost a direct assessment of your intellectual level, which ties in with how well you can learn.

Bullllllllshit.

GPA is a direct result of how much you studied. Anybody can learn something if they put enough effort into doing so.

That statement sounds like something a career-student would say.

Newslfash folks: you are not your GPA. I mean, yea, try to do well and all that stuff, but your GPA won't be what defines you (unless you're a doctor or something).

[kvg]

^ I would agree with gretz. Your GPA might not say how successful you'll be, but it does show at the very least a lack of focus or inability to learn. When your in school your job is to learn and if you aren't focused and doing a good job is that magically going to change when you get a job? After school you might be far more focused, but this is a way for your future employers to assess you abilities as your new in the field.

[Penis McNickels]

Originally posted by A790

Bullllllllshit.

GPA is a direct result of how much you studied. Anybody can learn something if they put enough effort into doing so.

No, some people are just stupid.

[ZorroAMG]

Originally posted by A790

Bullllllllshit.

GPA is a direct result of how much you studied. Anybody can learn something if they put enough effort into doing so.

That statement sounds like something a career-student would say.

Newslfash folks: you are not your GPA. I mean, yea, try to do well and all that stuff, but your GPA won't be what defines you (unless you're a doctor or something).

Agreed but if you wasted 4+ years not studying, that's a perfectly good indicator that you won't study all that much in the real world...

Meh, I finished with a 3.2 back in the day and it was never a factor in my interviews, just depends on the career path. I remember back in the late 90's early '00 Merryl lynch and the likes wouldn't even look at you if your gpa was below 3.7...LOL what a FUN workplace that would be haha!

[tch7]

Originally posted by A790
GPA is a direct result of how much you studied.

Nah. If that were the case I should have had a much lower GPA.

GPA is a reflection of a person's ability to identify what matters and set priorities accordingly - which are very important characteristics to employers. There are exceptions and GPA in itself doesn't tell the whole story, but a 4.0 probably means a lack of balance, and a 2.0 probably means you're not taking things seriously enough.

[flipstah]

GPA is an inverse measurement of how much you enjoyed college.

Obviously, GTFO <2.0GPA.

[J-D]

Originally posted by flipstah
GPA is an inverse measurement of how much you enjoyed college.

Obviously, GTFO &lt;2.0GPA.

I don't think you can actually get a degree with <2.0 GPA.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by J-D


I don't think you can actually get a degree with &lt;2.0 GPA.

Oh yeah... I guess the party stops at 2.0 lol.

[e31]

I used to give transcripts more attention when I started hiring summer students. However after hiring 2 people (1 each summer) based on good grades, I realized that these people turned out to be total morons. As in they couldn't use a fucking screwdriver, or had Velcro shoes. What is a person supposed to do when you are looking for an employee and find them hiding under their desk in the dark? These were supposedly 3rd year Uni (for shame U of C), but I think the problem was mainly because they were Chinese exchange students.

I'm pretty sure if they came across any trade secrets while working for me, their ineptitude would keep them from sending that info back home.