Sharing is Caring: How to Spin Your GPA

By the time a college graduate transitions to the working world, he or she has spent years being defined by numbers: SATs, GPAs, GREs, LSATs, class rank and so on. As a result, and understandably, college graduates with a thin portfolio of work experience assume hiring managers will place a great deal of stock in their overall GPA as a gauge of intelligence, capabilities and competence.



That’s not always true. The GPA of a newly minted college graduate is certainly something a potential employer will consider, but a good hiring manager takes a more expansive view of each candidate. When it comes to the interview process and resume preparation, it is important for recent graduates to understand the context in which to present GPA and academic performance to a hiring manager. Additionally, there are interview and resume preparation strategies that college graduates can employ to compensate for a less-than-stellar GPA.


The Numbers That Matter
Hiring managers ultimately want to see competencies in coursework specifically relevant to the job vacancy. As a freshman in college, I nearly flunked out of a scuba-diving elective I was taking—which, of course, dented my overall GPA. But because it was not a course relevant to my major or job search, it didn’t have to exact the same damage as a poor grade in one of my core classes.

Highlight your GPA in your major. If you are interviewing for a finance job, and your overall GPA was 3.0 and your GPA in finance courses was 3.5, focus on the latter number. This approach helps hiring managers parse information and identify the numbers that matter most.

Demonstrate improvement and growth. Many people aren't ready for college their freshman year as it takes time to adjust. The unfortunate result is freshman-year grades that aren't very strong. We eventually get my act together, and ast time progresses  our GPA improves. If you can, parse GPA information for prospective employers to demonstrate a positive trend line. An overall GPA of 3.0 is good, but highlighting a GPA of 3.7 junior and senior year is even better. It will matter to an employer.


Hiding Behind a Name
My son is two years away from going off to college, and he was asking me the other day about how top universities are perceived. College graduates must be cautious about assuming that a university’s pedigree will carry disproportionate favor with a hiring manager—especially if the job seeker positions his or her school’s status as an excuse of sorts for a weak GPA.

The country is full of excellent, regionally niche colleges and universities. A good liberal-arts college in New Hampshire might impress a hiring manager with a Northeast firm, but be far less valuable to a company based in the Midwest or Western part of the U.S. The school simply won’t deliver the same familiarity factor in this part of the country. I bring this up because I’ve seen and heard from college graduates who assume a top university will somehow add weight to their GPA in the minds of hiring managers. This is a dangerous game to play, one that could easily backfire.


When in Doubt, Leave It Out
College graduates who enter the work world with a thin professional resume might feel inclined to list their GPA no matter what, simply to “fill the page.” But like any aspect of a job seeker’s background, a graduate should not include GPA on his or her resume if it is a weak or mediocre data point. More than that, a GPA is just a number without a story. There are more effective ways for recent college graduates to tell an effective story on their resumes, including:

Connect coursework to job: Rather than simply stating a GPA, connect a class to the job requirements. For example, the job candidate could write “my program focus was business management, and this job requires business management skills…”


Highlight work experience and internships related to the job: If you have held any jobs or internships during your college experience relevant to the job opening, that will impress hiring managers. And don’t simply list the positions that were held, but focus on the return on investment you delivered to the employer, be it in the form of tangible results, demonstrated leadership, etc.

Emphasize club and association accomplishments, not participation: Everyone wants to put clubs and associations on their resumes, but it is the accomplishments in the club, not simply participation, that will catch a hiring manager’s attention. Instead of populating a resume with a laundry list of university association and club memberships, focus on the ROI you delivered. For example, did you double the size of the club when you were an officer?


Wrong Number
 A GPA listed on a resume, absent any context, doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything about how the candidate will perform in the job. That’s an argument for simply leaving off even a strong GPA.


Additionally, there are cases where a hiring manager who perhaps did not finish college with a strong GPA finds a candidate pretentious for listing a GPA.

A strong GPA is, without question, something a college graduate should take pride in and use as appropriate during the interview process. But it won’t make or break any job applicant.

Rob McGovern is founder of CareerBuilder and currently serves as CEO of Jobfox.com.
Source: http://blogs.wsj.com/hire-education/2010/07/02/how-to-spin-your-gpa/?mod=wsj_share_twitter

TIPS: The top 5 interview questions & how to approach them

With this job market, job interviews are an even more important step to obtaining your dream job. You could avoid this process by taking a risk and hire yourself by becoming an entrepreneur. Regardless of whether it is a phone interview or in person you want to be as prepared as possible for the interview. Talented Generation cares about your success so here are the 5 most common interview questions (that I've both asked and been asked) and how to approach them: 

1. Tell me about yourself. This question is often the first the interviewer will ask so be prepared. This is not the time to discuss how you broke your finger skateboarding when you were 12 or how you hated erasing the chalkboard when you were in elementary school. Instead, the interviewer is oft looking for you to describe your professional skills and how they will be an asset to the company. Your answer should focus on the skills you think are essential for success i.e. Microsoft Office, multitasking, time management, working with groups, etc. Thus, your answer could be something like: 

My name is Raine, I have 4 years customer service experience working for various technology companies including 2 fortune 500 companies. For 2 of those years, I was responsible for training new employees as well as implementing more effective training programs in order to assist new hires with making a smooth transition into our company.

The answer encompasses my experience while also discussing subtle skills like supervising others, working with a volatile industry and a commitment to delivering satisfactory customer service.

 2. What is your greatest weakness? Focus on a genuine weakness but not one that will cost you the job. It will help if you have a weakness your interviewer is likely to relate to.You may choose to discuss your fear of public speaking. This will only work if your job does not involve public relations.  Public speaking is a genuine source of anxiety for many people so chances are the interviewer will be able to relate to your weakness. Regardless of what you choose, make it a genuine and solution-oriented answer. Do not EVER answer with things like "I'm lazy at times" or "I don't respond well to authority." Also, stay away from answers like "I work too hard", "I'm too kind", and "I'm too patient" because these are answers the interviewer has heard a thousand times.  Be sure to discuss how you are turning your weakness into a strength. Something like a fear of public speaking can be improved upon and you can discuss it without being too self deprecating. 

3. What do you know about our company? This is where you display your researching skills. Briefly discuss the company history and different projects the company is currently involved with. Before the interview peruse the company's website until you are comfortable conversing about what you've learned. Take special note of mission statements, press releases and any info you can gather on your interviewer. This question could be the easiest one to answer because a simple Google search of the company can give you all the info you will need. There is no reason to ever get tripped up on this question. 

4. What is your 5 year plan? or Where do you see yourself in 5 years? The interviewer asks this question to gauge your ability to be forward thinking. This is your time to show you have ambition. Discuss in detail what you see yourself doing and more importantly tie it back into your growth in that company. If you're applying for an associate position discuss your ambition to become partner and to join the management team. Make special note of the steps you plan to take to get there and how you plan to remain a dedicated asset to that company.

5. Tell me about the most high pressure situation you've dealt with in the last 6 months. As much as you may be tempted to discuss the time your S/O make you walk the dog at 2am, refrain from such discussions. Nobody wants to hear that anyway. Another thing, your interviewer doesn't care! This is not the time to ramble about BS, control what you share and be meticulous about everything you say. Use this question to demonstrate your resilience and your perseverance in a work environment. Speak about a tough deadline you had to meet and how you approached it. Although you are expected to discuss a hurdle, be sure to discuss it in positive terms. Thus, even though you had difficulty meeting the deadline you should emphasize your determination to complete the task with excellence and in a timely fashion.

Remember, an interview is a 2 way street: they are interviewing you, but you should also interview the company to ensure that you complements to each other. Asking questions shows that you have researched the company and your position and it will help illustrate your interest. 


Here are a few questions you should ask:

What do you think are the three key skills/strengths vital to this position?

Describe the work environment. What is a day in the office like? What are some of the challenges of working here? 

What would I be expected to accomplish in the first six months on the job? in the first year?
Why did you decide to join the company? What are the things that make you stay? 
What is the most difficult part of working for this company? What sort of challenges can I expect? 
What sort of training is offered for this position?

What is the next step in the hiring process for this position?

How soon can I expect to hear from you?

How to excel in your interviews...TIP # 5: Be exciting no matter what!!

No matter what your situation, you need to realize that the people who most consistently land the jobs they want are resilient and able to put their best foot forward in all of their interviews.

One poor interview can engender a negative vote that will turn a potential offer into a rejection. You must remember to think of yourself as a professional during each of your interviews. You need to be resilient and keep yourself in a positive state of mind throughout every stage of the interviewing process. You must also remain calm, even if you're asked 10 separate times why you are deciding to move. Each time you answer this question, you need to respond with the same amount of enthusiasm that you displayed the first time the question was asked. Remember that every interviewer will be watching you closely; always assume that each one has a veto.



Enthusiasm and "being up" involves more than just indicating your desire to work for a particular employer. All organizations want a person with "spark" or something that sets them apart. The tendency of all of us is to be circumspect and cautious during interviews. Of course, there will always be that "threshold" cat-and-mouse moment after you first meet when you and your interviewers will attempt to "size up" each other. Was your handshake too firm, too soft or just right? Are you trying to avoid eye contact with your interviewers? Does your voice indicate that you're experiencing stressful feelings? Do you appear meek and self-effacing or filled with self-confidence and the ability to take charge of situations? Are you too aggressive or passive? All of these questions are designed to shed some light on the subjective ways your interviewers will be evaluating you.

The sad fact is that some of us simply go into interviews on bad days. Others get flustered at some point in their interviews or lose enthusiasm during the latter stages of the interviewing process. While no one can tell you how to act with each specific person, we can tell you this: You must exude serene self-confidence without appearing arrogant. Regardless of your age, your employer expects you to be able to talk with high-ranking corporate officials and the press. When you project the right demeanor, you are indicating that you can do the job. If you miss the boat here, you stand a chance of flunking the interview and losing a great job.

Interview strategies that work...TIP #4: Know your strengths

HUSLToday recommends that candidates try and make up a short list of approximately five of their strongest selling points related to each particular hiring organization. This list should reflect your most notable legal achievements so that it will help distinguish you from the other candidates for the job.

Here is a sample list of 5 strong selling points:
1. Organized
2. Works well with people
3. Prompt
4. Diligent
5. Open to new opportunities



As an added step, we also recommend that you are prepared to discuss your weaknesses. However, if asked about your weaknesses do not bash yourself; instead, use the question as an opportunity to emphasize the things you are building on and that you recognize you are not perfect. We do not recommend that you say you do not have weaknesses, it will make you appear arrogant and out of touch. Here is a sample Q&A:

Interviewer: Please describe your biggest weakness.

YP: My biggest weakness would have to be that I struggle to maintain a work/life balance. Often times I get caught up in trying to be a perfect sibling, spouse, etc. while simultaneously trying to be the perfect employee. Sometimes my family suffers in my quest to reach my potential in my work and I feel bad about that, but I have to be honest with them as I help them to understand the reason I am a workaholic is because I want to successful.

Note: Its important to emphasize the need to improve upon your weakness and how you think it may have affected you. This will give the interviewer a better opportunity to assess your ability to recognize and remedy adverse situations.

Interview strategies that work...TIP #3: Understand your goal

There is one key goal you must focus on during each stage of the interviewing process. You need to make a positive impression. Never express concerns or doubts during an interview. There are probably plenty of candidates for the same position who will not express doubts during their interviews. Your goal is to get the job and you can only accomplish that if you make a positive impression.



You made a positive impression back when you applied to law school and when you landed your current position. Try to remember how you managed to do that. Never forget how important it is to make a positive first impression. You will have numerous opportunities in life to make a bad impression. Resist the temptation to be lazy and arrive fully prepared. Think about everything you're planning to say during an interview before you say it.

Photo: I found it on google, sheesh!

Interview strategies that work...TIP #2: Be prepared

People who prepare for interviews are much more likely than not to be hired. Preparation is the most important component of any interview. You should do everything possible to ensure that you are prepared for your interviews. Research starting salary and bonus structure information, facts about the people you will be speaking with, and insights into the events currently taking place inside the hiring organization that are motivating the interviewers to consider hiring you. It will help you to look up recent articles about the company/firm so that you can learn even more about it. Find out as much as you can about the organization's operations, market niche and corporate culture.

Be sure to review the following questions that may be posed to you during your interview. Your ability to answer these questions calmly and intelligently will indicate just how well you really have prepared yourself. Amazingly, many people fail to land their "dream jobs" because they cannot properly answer these rather simple questions. For the first interview, steer clear of asking questions about salary, vacation allotments, and other benefits. You want to reserve such questions for the call back or second interview. The first interview should be a platform for your to emphasize your interest in the company and to get a feel for the company's work environment.




Here are a few common interview questions:

*Why do you want to work here?
*Why should we hire you over the other candidates?
*What new things can you contribute to our company/firm that we do not already have?
*What practice area do you want to pursue? Why?
*What are your long term goals?
*Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
*Why did you choose your college major? How many times did you change it?
*Describe a situation where you had to overcome a difficult situation. How did you get through it?
*Give an example of a time when you were placed in a leadership position.
*Do you prefer working with a team or individually? Why?



HUSLToday also recommends that you simulate your interview at least once (the more the better) before your actual interview. You may even choose to wear the clothes you plan to wear to the interview in order to make the experience more realistic. Even if the person practicing with you is not familiar with your subject area they can still provide valuable and honest information about your posture, eye contact, body language, fidgeting, and preparedness. It is your accomplishments that have gotten you in the door, you need to appear confident and prepared in order to get over the interview barrier.

Note: You should always be prepared to discuss EVERYTHING on your resume.Including gaps in employment and how you occupied your time


photo and some of the tips: acetheinterview.com

Interview strategies that work...TIP #1: Understand your interviewer's goals

Interviewer's job at the Interview:

* Make sure that the candidate is comfortable so that he/she can perform their best
* Ask questions to assess the your knowledge about the company
* Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes/no answer
* Let the candidate do most of the talking, just listen and evaluate
* Get a feel for candidate's enthusiasm about the company
* Tell all good things about day-to-day life at the company
* Tell you how the company can make you financially rich :-)

New advice series: Interviewing strategies!!!

Considering (for lack of a better and less annoying phrase) "the current state of our economy," many people have found themselves jobless, underemployed, or employed and miserable. If you've been forced into one of these categories and you want to change your situation, consider employing the strategies in HUSL Today's new series of advice: INTERVIEWING STRATEGIES.



Before the interview:

* Identify your strengths and weaknesses, goals, skills, etc
* Research the company/law firm/organization
* Rehearse what you plan to say
* Practice answers to common questions
* Prepare questions to ask the employer

During the Interview:

* Make sure you arrive a few minutes early
* Be aware of nonverbal communication. Situp straight, look alert, speak clearly and forcefully, but stay relaxed. Make good eye contact, avoid nervous mannerisms, and try to be a good listener as well as a good talker. Smile!
* Follow the interviewer's lead, but try to get the interviewer to describe the position and duties to you fairly early in the interview so that you can then relate your background and skills in context
* Be specific, concrete, and detailed in your answers. The more information you volunteer, the better the employer gets to know you
* Offer examples of your work and references which will document your best qualities
* Answer questions as truthfully and as frankly as you can. Answer honestly, while trying not to say more than is necessary