A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I'm going to be a 4th year in university. I attend a reputable business school but I'm a C-average student. B-average within my GE classes. Do employers look at grades? Unfortunately I chose my major when I didn't know what I want so I'm not interested in studying business. Also I dislike math and I didn't know there was so much math involved in business. If I could start over I'd choose journalism or public relations. I have a basic part time job but I do my job very well, and I have excellent customer service skills. Is this enough? What should I do? I'm afraid no one will hire me in this econonmy. I'd love to work for customer service, public relations, or entertainment in a large corporation but I don't think that's realistic due to my lack of good grades and experience. What kind of companies should I apply to and for what positions? I feel lost and not ready for the real world.
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female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (6 July 2012):
 the only thing I can say about my transcripts is I do not think that the actual grades were checked but the fact that I had the degree (in psychology) was instrumental in my being hired for the job I currently do.
the hiring official did not care about the grades or what the degree was in, what interested him was the fact that I persevered over a long period of time and GOT the degree...
I think they are more concerned with the trend... do you complete your tasks (i.e. GET the degree) and are you dependable vs. how high your grades were.
A
female
reader, Basschick  +, writes (6 July 2012):
 Most employers do not check transcripts. They are usually more concerned about background checks, which might reveal if you've had any prior arrests or convictions. That's way more important to most employers than whether or not you made a C in Math. The best thing to do is slowly build your resume by putting your excellent customer service skills to work for you. Be professional. Always be punctual. Don't call in sick too often. Be a team player. Get along well with your co-workers and always, always, always be respectful and kind to your supervisors even if you don't like them, or don't agree with their managierial style. Take on new assignments when you can and if you do change jobs, always give at least a 2-week notice unless the company requires more. Your reputation follows you more than the B's and C's you made in school. I think you will go far if you continue to have good work ethic.
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A
female
reader, MonksDaBomb +, writes (6 July 2012):
 I wouldn't say all, but most employers look at your grades. Especially your final year, to see if you continued to work hard, or had "senioritis." People who did very well in school (3.5 GPA or higher) usually put their GPA on their resume under their schooling just for this reason. Don't get so stressed out about this. Just keep doing your school work and try to get the best grades possible. Good luck!
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A
female
reader, person12345 +, writes (6 July 2012):
 About half the places I've applied for have asked for a transcript. It usually has to do with how large the company is and how formal the hiring process is. With large companies where they hire an outside group to assist with the forms and organization, they often will ask.
They will almost never ask for one until they are serious about you and in the interview process though, because it costs money and official transcripts have to be sent over snail mail.
Because of the snail mail issue, you can be a little sneaky and try to ensure your transcript gets there after everything else. So they won't see your grades until after you've interviewed and after they've gotten recommendations and have essentially already made up their minds. Wait until the last possible reasonable second to order the transcript and whatever you do, don't ask for one to be sent via fax, ONLY via mail. The fax one isn't an official transcript anyways.
Grades are a ridiculously small part of whether they choose to hire someone. I hate to sound mean, but that lack of ambition (*sigh* my grades are so bad I may as well give up now...) is the real reason you're struggling and have struggled. If you're the best candidate, a few Cs aren't going to stop them hiring you. But if you are sitting there thinking "I have bad grades and don't deserve this job" you are going to be oozing inferiority and they will never hire you.
You need to pretend your grades aren't a factor at all and give it your all and apply for the places you really want to work. If you are passionate about a position and about the company, it will show. If you are settling for something, it will show and they will reject you immediately.
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A
female
reader, aunt honesty  +, writes (6 July 2012):
 It is quite normal to feel like this, you are doing a course that you are not interested in therefore off course you are going to feel lost and confused, and it does not help the way the economy is at the moment. My best advice to you is to go and book an appointment with a career counsellor and they will be able to guide you forward and show you what options you have. Good luck.
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