How to get a high paying job at Google even with low GPA?

 

 

Google is the fifth highest paying company in the USA.

But to land one of those high-paying jobs, you’ll have to be strategic about it — especially if you’re just out of school and have a low GPA.

We looked through Quora, Glassdoor, and other sources to find ways to stand out when you have a mediocre academic record.

 

 

1. Get professional experience

If you have the right professional experience, it might not even matter if you have no university degree at all. (Of course, having a good degree is always preferable.

 

2. Build up your coding skills (if you’re applying for an engineering job)

GPA is only one criteria. When you’re starting out, what matters more is how well you can interpret code, come up with different ways to improve it, and how quickly can you ramp up over time.

3. It’s better not to apply externally through the company website (instead focus on internships, campus recruiting, and referrals)

The best ways to get an interview with mediocre grades is the best way to get interviews in general…If you have to externally apply via (for example) a company web site, your chances of getting an interview aren’t very good.

4. Grow a specialty and become what Google calls a “T-shaped” person

Google looks for ‘T-Shaped people’ — very skilled in one area, often the best in their field, but also have other interests.

5. Don’t bother writing your GPA on your resume if it’s too low

We all know Google doesn’t care about the GPA if the Engineer is good enough. But still when the HR is comparing your resume with thousands of other resume, you don’t want anything on your resume which is not your strength. And, I think having a low GPA does hurt your chances in some way.

6. Wait until you’re more than three years out of school

If you apply within 3 years [of graduation], Google will ask for your transcript and it will stay in the electronic records used by Google recruiters forever. If you wait to apply and don’t volunteer your GPA they shouldn’t ask.

7. Have a track record on open source projects

Everybody is trying to cheer you up but reality is that unless you have a pretty impressive track record contributing to open source projects, it’s highly unlikely. That’s not only for Google by the way. Once you get more experienced and have some impressive projects under the belt, grades matter less.