GPA can serve as an initial filter for employers receiving many applications, but should not be the sole criterion considered. While an average GPA of 3.0 or higher is typically required, innovative candidates with skills applicable outside of academics should still be considered, even if their GPA is slightly lower. In the real world, employees do not face a predefined syllabus and must deal with new challenges daily without professors' help, requiring independence. Grading in college can also be subjective, affecting students differently, so solely relying on GPA for screening is not always reliable. Employers should focus on other achievements and traits like determination in addition to GPA.

1. How important is GPA? Should GPA Matter for Employers?
Going to colleges on a hiring spree and giving on-campus placement offers is now a common
practice among companies. During hiring college students, judging them based on their grades in
college is a common practice. While judging students based on their success at school can be
tempting and easy-way-out, it is not the right measure of skills for most students.
GPA can serve as a filter to find top 100 among thousands of applications received by a company.
However, it cannot be the only criterion. If as a recruiter, you are looking for young and fresh talent,
you must look for talent beyond GPAs. An in-depth look at resume and skills will help you bring
onboard employees who are good at things outside syllabus as well.
Of course you cannot accept people with an average of 3 point. But someone with a 5 point and
innovative mind is worth considering. Make it a point to not over-emphasize GPA, because in real
world things work differently –
There is no pre-defined syllabus.
When you are in a full-time job, you do not face a defined set of challenges (as it is in a syllabus).
Instead, every day comes with a new set of challenges. You have to work in pressure, deal with
deadlines, handle office politics, and lots more. If someone is expecting for a syllabus or a grading
procedure, employment is not for him.
There are no professors to help
When in college, you turn your head and you can find people ready to help you. From professors to
fellow-students, others have answers to all the queries you have. When it comes to job, you need to
work in a more dynamic environment. Everyone has different roles and responsibilities and people
are struggling to find a direction for themselves and maintain a work-life balance. Here, you need to
be on your own entirely.
You have a choice
When you are student, you have lots of choices. You get to choose which college you want to study
in, which subject you want to opt for, which classes or tuitions you want to attend, and lots more.
Things work differently at different places and for different people. A student who does excellent in
math may still get good GPA even though he gets average mark in physics. Similarly a student who
is favorite of professor may get good marks in viva even though his performance was not that good.
While grading is subjective, using it as a screening criterion is not reliable.
Your actions only affect you
College is a wonderful place where you can learn new skills, hone your talents, and make new
friends. You do whatever you want to and there is no one else who is affected by your actions.
However, things work differently in employment. There is a consequence of your every action and
there are no rules to put you in right path.
Good grades are important and GPAs should play an important role in screening applicants.
However, employers should focus on other tangible achievement as well. An initiator with strong
determination and entrepreneurial traits definitely make for a good hire, no matter what his grades
are.