How to Write Your GPA on a Resume

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Your resume is a formal representation of yourself. Your employer is likely to base their recruitment decision on the information you provide in your resume. Thus, it is crucial to add all the relevant material in your resume to create a positive impression. You can follow these steps to determine whether you should add your GPA to your resume.

Should you write your resume with a GPA?

Here are some situations in which you should include your GPA on your resume:

The employer requests it

Adding your GPA to your resume is usually optional. Sometimes, however, the employer may explicitly ask you to add GPA on your resume.

You have a high GPA

You may mention your GPA if it is at least 3.5, as it can help demonstrate that you value high quality in your work. Employers may also consider a high GPA as a sign that you can handle work pressure and succeed at multiple tasks.

You’re new to the workforce

Fresh graduates may include their GPA within two to three years of their graduation. Your GPA can be helpful if you haven’t yet gained much work experience. It can also give the employer insight into your field interests and work ethic. Be prepared to have transcripts or test scores available if the employer ask for them. 

How to write your GPA on your resume

Follow these steps to write your GPA on your resume:

1. Firstly, consider the placement of the GPA

Your GPA’s placement on the resume can have an impact on what type of impression you want to make on an employer. You may mention your GPA at the start of your education section if you have graduated with a particular honor. You can also specify the GPA in front of your majors. However, it may be beneficial to mention your GPA in a separate section than your academic honors, giving you the opportunity to create a more comprehensive achievements section.

2. Secondly, format your GPA appropriately

Formatting is crucial when creating a professional and formal look for your resume. Clearly label the GPA wherever you place it. Writing random numbers may confuse the hiring manager, so you can create a separate list of your major’s and overall GPA. Putting your GPA in parentheses is also an effective method to make it prominent.

3. Thirdly, emphasize your academic accomplishments

You don’t need to focus solely on your GPA when discussing your education. Support your GPA with other academic achievements that are related to the job. For example, if you are applying for a copywriting position, you may mention any national or international writing contests you won in addition to your GPA.

4. Next, only include your real GPA 

Only include your real GPA if it is exceptional. If your overall GPA is lower than 3.5, it may be better to leave it out. However, you could also add a specific GPA to create a better impression. For example, if your overall grades are lower, but the GPA in your job-related subjects is high, you may mention this GPA on your resume instead.

5. Then, round off to two decimal places

It’s usually recommended to round off your GPA to a maximum of two decimal places. For example, if you graduated with a GPA of 3.449, you would round it up to a 3.45.

6. After that, make sure you add the type of GPA the employer prefers

Some employers have specific guidelines on the type of GPA they prefer to see on resumes. For example, the employer may either ask for your overall GPA or the GPA in your major. If this isn’t mentioned in the job posting, opt to include your overall GPA.

7. Next, always emphasize relevant experience along with GPA

You should include any relevant job experience to your resume before adding your GPA. Your job experience creates a professional impression on employers. Add your GPA after mentioning the job experiences to improve the image it creates of you.

8. Finally, understand your strengths and priorities

If you have mentioned your GPA while considering all the other aspects of your resume, make sure you feel confident about it. Your GPA can be a useful addition to your resume, but only if it complements the other information you provide. Once you’ve been in the workforce for a few years, your GPA is generally less important than the experience you’ve gained in your field. An exception would be if you’ve gone back to school to pursue a different career path. Once you rejoin the workforce in a different field, it may help to add your GPA after the first couple of years.

FAQs about adding your GPA to your resume

Here are some of the questions and answers related to adding GPA in a resume:

Should I add a GPA that’s lower than 3.5?

It’s usually recommended to add your GPA only if it is 3.5 or higher since this can show an employer that you highly value hard work and quality. You may prefer including related job or internship experiences if your GPA is lower than 3.5.

My employer asked for my GPA. Which one should I include?

If an employer mentions that you must include your GPA on the resume, be sure to check the guidelines to make sure you add the right one. If there is some sort of confusion, you may add both your overall and your major GPA. Another approach is to consult the employer regarding their exact GPA requirements.

I have a strong resume, but my low GPA may cost me a job opportunity. Should I lie about my GPA?

A strong resume with relevant work experience and achievements can help you get the job, regardless of your GPA. You must only include your real GPA on the resume. If the actual GPA is low, use your cover letter or interview to highlight your other strengths or achievements.

Is my GPA significant to the employer?

Most employers are looking for practical experience compared to academic excellence. They may be interested in your GPA if you’re new to the workforce. However, if you’ve already gained a few years of professional experience, employers are typically more interested in your past positions.

Template for including GPA on a resume

Here’s a template you can use when including your GPA on your resume:

[Years attended] 

[Name of Degree]

[School attended]

[Numerical GPA]

Example of GPA with academic achievements on a resume

Here’s an example of how to list your GPA along with your academic achievements on your resume:

Overall GPA 3.7| Major GPA 3.9

  • Dean’s list from 2010 to 2014
  • Student of the Year 2012
  • The Young Literature Prize – International Literature Association
  • Active member of student government from 2010 to 2012