Upcoming Job Interview and want advice on poor GPA questions 5

[newgrad321]

Long story short, I did poorly in undergrad and failed and repeated 5 important classes in my major. I had terrible anxiety and off and on again depression throughout college which was the root of the problem.

I managed to get into grad school and do very well which does undo some of the damage I have from undergrad. The employer has already seen my full transcript and my gpa is also listed on the application.


I want to keep it positive and not say anything too negative. But I also dont want them to suspect that I was just plain lazy or a party animal (which isnt my personality at all). I know better than to say I had anxiety and depression in a job interview because they will be concerned I would be unreliable and its unprofessional to talk about personal problems. I also had family problems but I dont want to mention that obviously either.

Any advice on how I can tactfully address the F's on my transcript if they bring it up without sounding like I am making excuses?

 

[HgTX]

You should be able to say that there were things going on in your private life during that time which have since been resolved, as evidenced by your graduate transcript. If they ask. Which they shouldn't. If they ask you to elaborate, I strongly recommend that you tell them you prefer not to. They shouldn't be delving into your personal life, especially your past personal life.

Do not offer any information if they do not ask. It really doesn't matter if they think you were a lazy party animal. If you had been, your grad school transcript would show that you've obviously grown out of it.

My first undergrad transcript looks atrocious. My second one looks magnificent. My grad school transcript looks decent. Anyone looking at that first transcript can tell that I was a college kid with "issues". No one has ever asked me about it--not even grad school. Everyone knows about college kid "issues" and no one wants to hear about it, as long as you've shaped up.

Hg

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[newgrad321]

Thanks, that perspective really helps. I know I will be anxious enough with the interview in general so I was worried about that particular question and not just how I answer it but my body language and confidence when answering it.

I have already thought of saying something like: "I dont want to make any excuses regarding my undergrad performance. I think that my strong graduate performance and my strong references from internships and professors indicate I am capable of doing a great job"

The only thing I was worried about was them thinking I was a party animal but you made a great point that even if that was the case my graduate transcripts would show I grew out of it.

If they kept digging for more information I could say "I had personal/family problems that have been resolved" and that seems pretty good. I dont have arrest records or anything like that so I think its likely then they wouldnt ask more more elaboration or think I was crazy/unreliable.

 

[NomLaser]

I wouldn't worry much about your undergrad experience. I don't recall any employer asking for a transcript post-graduation. Mine wasn't glorious either, especially my first couple of years.

 

[cvg]

sounds like you are still dealing with the anxiety issues. your best bet is to just relax and be yourself and not try to control your body language and confidence levels. When I interviewed for my first job I flew out to meet my future boss. I brought along a suit and tie so I could impress him. For the plane ride out, I just wore shorts and tennis shoes. I was picked up from the airport and taken straight to my bosses office for an impromptu meeting. No chance to change into a suit and get nervous. no opportunity to get nervous. I got the job, probably because I was able to think on my feet, but certainly not because of my gpa or looks.

 

[photoengineer]

If they ask, I'd tell the truth (that you had medical conditions that prevented you from focusing on your studies). I believe in telling the truth whenever possible, because then when they hire you they are hiring you for what you are.

You wouldn't want to work for an employer that can't handle anxious / depressed employees anyway!

Did the employer require a copy of your undergrad transcript? Since you don't feel comfortable discussing grades, I wouldn't suggest handing it out unless required. I have not had an employer require me to provide a transcript in any of the numerous interviews I've done over the years.

Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[HgTX]

Presenting it as medical conditions (even though you also had family stuff and who knows what else) is a very good solution. Because then you get into medical privacy laws (if you're in the US, anyway) and they really can't ask you any further.

Hg

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[zdas04]

HgTX,
I think your first post was perfect. I wouldn't go a step beyond it. "I had some issues in my life, they have been resolved" is a great response. Going beyond that (or talking about medical issues) is really bad strategy (sounds defensive).

newgrad321,
They've already seen the transcript. If they had a big problem with the poor grades they would have thrown your application in the trash. Start from strength.

David

 

[Waidesworld]

Weird that they are asking for a copy of the transcript...I never even had to show proof of my degree.

drawn to design, designed to draw

 

[stanford94]

never had to show any employer my transcript nor do i put my gpa on my resume.

 

[dvd]

I would point out that you are, hopefully, very social and that if the employer is interested in hiring an introverted, socially inept individual that they should go for the high GPA. You can easily make a case for brains not being everything.

I think that you can also make the case for not quitting a project in the face of adversity. Anyone can drop a class at the first sign of trouble. It takes someone who is willing to take a risk to ride out a class until the end and then fail. You may be a lot more entrepreneurial than most engineers. Explain that you aren't afraid to try and fail and then learn from your mistakes.

 

[KENAT]

Pah, only 5, what you worrying about?

I looked at my transcript the other day, was not pretty. Fortunately it doesn't list which were re-takes.

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(probably not aimed specifically at you)
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[B16A2]

If you think saying you had depression would make them worry, being vague about 5 F's will lose you the position fore sure. If they bring it up I think you just need to suck it up, look them in the eye and tell them what happened AND MORE IMPORTANTLY what you learned from the experience. If you sound confident and direct, IMHO you'll be fine and they'll respect you for it.

When I hire and see a major void, I expect a reasonable answer. Honestly, I think GPA's are a joke, but they do tell some story. Medical problems can cause one F, but five means something more. A vague answer will instill more apprehension than keep you safe. It would sound like you're hiding something.

 

[B16A2]

FWIW, if a prospect tried to tell me that high GPA people are socially inept as DVD is indicating, I would probably count that against you.

 

[photoengineer]

Trying to explain a GPA is a sticky situation. As a college kid, my GPA meant the world to me. As an adult, I would prefer hiring someone with a high GPA but would never say a word about a low GPA during an interview. It's highly personal and dependent on many things beyond the students control.

For the record, I graduated with honors from my university.

Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[KirbyWan]

I have a few F's and retakes on my transcript. I think the advice above is generally good, but I'd like to throw out some other options for you.

If all 5 F's are close to each other, that is in one or two consecutive semesters, saying you had a family issues, anxiety or depression, however you word it, would be perfectly understandable. If they are randomly sprinkled across your college that explanation may not wash.

Some of the classes I've done poorly in was just because I didn't get that subject. Controls comes to mind, I just never got it. Of course I was focusing on Thermo/Fluids as my emphasis so when challenged I usually say that subject was not my strong suit.

No one is expected to have a perfect record and most engineering students struggle through at least one or two critical courses. And there is no one course that is critical to an engineer. I would posit that even calculus is not used by engineers on a regular basis. Don't be ashamed of the struggle. Highlight the determination to succeed and that you probably know that subject better then most graduates because you struggled through it two or three times.

The number one thing a hiring person should be looking for is, Does this person communicate well? Good communication is three quarters of every job. If they ask tough questions they may be more interested in how you handle pressure more then what your specific issues were. I've found that being relaxed, open and honest shows them that I can communicate well.

Remember, there is an island of opportunity in the middle of every difficulty. Miss that, though, and your pretty much doomed. (on of my favorite demotivators from despair.com)

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[plasgears]

A job held during studies is a good alibi for low grades. I had several. Also explain that certain courses were used to 'separate the men from the boys.' I got some low grades in areas in which I later worked with some authority. Nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[B16A2]

Nothing to be ashamed of other than lying to your employer upfront.

 

[KirbyWan]

B16A2,

I don't think anything plasgears said could be considered lying. I think his point was that if you had a job during studies that would be a good explanation of poor grades. Not everyone can spend 4 years on someone elses dime to get a degree and working through college to pay for it does hurt academic performance. Also some classes are "weed out" courses. They are taught at a faster pace and at a higher level to narrow the field. I don't agree with the practice, but it does happen. Again if this was the case then it would be completly honest to say so in a job interview.

I did not read plasgears comments as saying "Say these things to pull the wool over the employers eyes and get the job." I read it as "Here are some other reasons why you may not have performed as well as your classmates which if true for you may be a valid explanation to an employer."

Just my thoughts. And I would never suggest lying to an employer (or anyone). Honor is important.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[p14175]

It took me 16 years to get my BS-Math. Along the way I failed courses or had to drop them due to changes in work hours. I think I took Calc I three times! It took me several years of signing up and dropping the required Physics classes before I was able to maintain a work schedule long enough to complete them. In the end I took a year off from work and finished the degree without distractions. I graduated with a 3.0/4.0 but it hurt to know I could have done better, but I don't lose any sleep over it.

If a prospective employer wants to know I just tell them the truth. Working full-time, maintaining a household, and going to college all at the same time can be very difficult. Most companies I've worked for thought it showed personal responsbility and the ability to stay focused on the prize.