Don’t get me wrong. GPA is an important factor in your job search,
making you more (or less) marketable and possibly impacting your starting
salary. However, most employers know that GPA is not the single or most
accurate predictor of success in the workplace. In the NACE Job Outlook 2014,
67.1% of responding employers reported screening 2014 grads by GPA, down from
an all-time high of 78.1% in 2014. While a strong GPA is helpful in your job
search, it is just one piece of the puzzle.
To be a well-rounded job seeker, pair that great GPA with
one, two or three related work experiences such as internships, co-ops, or
research positions. In the same NACE Job Outlook survey, 74.1% of employers
said that they prefer to hire candidates with relevant work experience, up from
71% in 2013. Here are a few reasons why internships, co-ops and other related
work experiences appeal to hiring managers.
1. Wet Feet – Having work experience related to
your career field shows employers that you’ve gotten your feet wet and tested
out the industry. Employers invest thousands of dollars in recruiting, hiring
and training new employees and when they see that a candidate has related work experience,
they assume that he or she is applying for the position because they enjoyed that
experience and want to continue working in the field.
2. Mad Skills – As a student you learn copious
amounts of information on your field of study, but many programs don’t allow
much time in the classroom for students to apply the principles and concepts
they have learned. Internships and other work related experiences allow you to
supplement knowledge gained in school with skills developed in the workplace.
This shows employers that you have put your education to practice and that you
may be more likely to hit the ground running faster than your counterparts
without the experience.
3. Movin’ on Up – Internships are also a great way
to get your foot in the door with a company you’d like to work for long term.
Many companies invest great amounts of time and money into their intern and
co-op programs in the hopes that they can convert a percentage of those
students to full-time hires at graduation. Think of related experiences as an
extended interview. They are the prime time for you to see if you enjoy working
for the company and for the company to assess your value and viability as a
full-time employee.
Can jobs be found for graduates with high GPAs and no
related work experience? Yes. However, candidates with the complete package
will rise to the top of employers’ must-have lists, will command high starting
salaries and may have their pick of the most desirable positions.
No comments:
Post a Comment