Is It Proper to Include Grades on a CV and Resume?

Have you considered including your grades on your CV, or perhaps you've seen one that includes them? If so, you might be curious to know if it's acceptable to include your grades on a CV and, if yes, what the importance is.

I've always established that CV doesn't have to be static. Hence, it's normal to know and adapt your resume's content based on the requirements for a specific application.

In this post, I will be sharing the advantages and disadvantages of including grades on a CV and whether or not you should, along with what should determine that decision.

Where It's Relevant, Nothing Is Wrong With Including Grades on a CV

Displaying grades on a CV is context-dependent, varying based on your career stage, the job you're applying for, and the norms within your industry. Here are some guidelines to consider and the value it will add to your grade.

1. Include Grades If You're a Fresh Graduate

Grades can be particularly relevant if you have limited work experience. Including a strong GPA or notable academic achievements (like Dean's List, honors, or specific course grades relevant to the job) can help demonstrate your commitment and ability to perform well in a structured environment.

If you have no work experience, what else can you use to win your prospective employer over? Certainly, your grades! And if you've achieved the best, e.g., first-class honors, you should be proud to display that to see to what extent it could win you the interview.

2. Some Fields/Disciplines Value Grades

In industries or roles where academic performance is closely related to job performance (such as finance, consulting, or engineering), grades can play a significant role in the hiring process. Including your GPA, especially if it is strong, can be advantageous.

To your employer, in these fields, you can't be graduating from the university with first-class honors or distinction if you've nothing to show for it. Hence, proudly including your grade if you're seeking a position in any of these fields is a welcome idea.

3. When Grades Are Requested

Sometimes, job listings or graduate programs will specifically ask for your GPA or transcripts. In these cases, you should definitely include your grades on your CV or in your application materials.

There is probably no need to repeat, if your prospective employer wishes to know your grade and instructs that it should be shown on your resume, then apart from the fact that you must do as instructed, you should know that it is a center of attention for the company.

You Might Not Want to Display Grades in Certain Cases

As earlier noted, including grades on a CV is situational. If you decide not to do so, it's based on certain other factors.

1. Don't If You're an Experienced Professional

As you gain more work experience, your academic achievements become less relevant compared to your professional accomplishments. If you have several years of relevant work experience, it's often better to focus on detailing your work achievements and skills rather than academic grades.

At a certain stage of your career, even to the prospective employer, grades from university won't be as important or relevant to the next position. So, why show them off? Here, your experience should be your priority. In fact, some companies won't even be interested in your academics anymore, but rather what you can practically offer based on your field experiences.

2. If Your Grade Is Not Strong

If your overall GPA is not competitive, it might be better to omit it from your CV. Or do you expect your prospective employer to give a lower-graded applicant an interview appointment when those who have higher grades are already more than they can employ?

Including grades on a CV is not for candidates with weak grades, such as lower credit, second class lower, third class, and pass. Unless the company insists on including it, don't dare. You will be doing more harm to your CV than good.

Conclusion

Including grades on your CV is a decision that should be made with consideration of your career stage, the industry norms, and the specific requirements of the job or program you're applying to. For recent graduates or those in fields where academic performance is highly valued, showcasing strong grades can be beneficial.

However, for experienced professionals or those with less competitive grades, it's advisable to focus on professional achievements and skills instead. Always tailor your CV to highlight your strengths and align with the expectations of your prospective employer or academic program.

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