State/Federal Jobs and GPA (employment, high school, college)

[ecsdude]

Do any state and federal workers here happen to know if there is a general minimum GPA requirement for most full-time, permanent positions? I believe for internships or student-worker programs, there may be a general requirement for a 3.0 minimum GPA? Is that accurate? And is that the case for most other positions (non-internship, non-student-worker)? I am interested in a state/federal job but as an undergrad about 7 yrs ago, I got just a minimum graduating GPA hovering in the low 2.x range in a soft major. I've since been working in a good job and have made steady gains in pay and position, but am concerned about being ineligible for employment opportunities elsewhere, like State/Fed jobs, if GPA requirements are fairly fixed.

[NickB1967]

Originally Posted by ecsdude

Do any state and federal workers here happen to know if there is a general minimum GPA requirement for most full-time, permanent positions? I believe for internships or student-worker programs, there may be a general requirement for a 3.0 minimum GPA? Is that accurate? And is that the case for most other positions (non-internship, non-student-worker)? I am interested in a state/federal job but as an undergrad about 7 yrs ago, I got just a minimum graduating GPA hovering in the low 2.x range in a soft major. I've since been working in a good job and have made steady gains in pay and position, but am concerned about being ineligible for employment opportunities elsewhere, like State/Fed jobs, if GPA requirements are fairly fixed.

There are minimum educational credentials at times, but not a GPA per se. So if you passed with less then flying colors, that won't matter so much.

What to do, according to my friends in the Kalifornia "civil cervix" (a womb like environment, comforting or stifling, depending upon your point of view):

1. Just flash your sheepskins when necessary.

2. Get to know the civil cervix tests, and score high. Here, your score most certainly DOES matter:

A. Actual written tests

B. Panel Interviews--Certain questions will repeat themselves, and through trial and error, you can formulate the answers they will want to hear. Or better yet, see if you can find anyone who has been through it and can give you the best answers.

C. Always ask for a position's "duty statement" before the panel interview or other civil cervix examination. Read it over and study it hard. Formulate questions to ask, especially if it has abbreviations or jargon with which you are not familiar. Get an idea of what the position is all about.

[sacite]

Originally Posted by ecsdude

Do any state and federal workers here happen to know if there is a general minimum GPA requirement for most full-time, permanent positions? I believe for internships or student-worker programs, there may be a general requirement for a 3.0 minimum GPA? Is that accurate? And is that the case for most other positions (non-internship, non-student-worker)? I am interested in a state/federal job but as an undergrad about 7 yrs ago, I got just a minimum graduating GPA hovering in the low 2.x range in a soft major. I've since been working in a good job and have made steady gains in pay and position, but am concerned about being ineligible for employment opportunities elsewhere, like State/Fed jobs, if GPA requirements are fairly fixed.

Experience usually factors in. To my knowledge that's true with grad school or stae employment.

[My Other Self]

I'm failing to understand how a low GPA from 7 years ago would have any bearing on any job. At this point in your life, isn't experience the only thing employers generally look at?

[justducky2]

I'm a scientist with the state, currently, but have held other positions including working for the Gov's Office....I've never been asked GPA in any position I've interviewed for or gotten. It's not an issue. You need to make sure you qual (qualify), and then study the heck out of what is needed for the classification to get on the list.

Once you are on the list, when openings arise, you need to study the heck out of the issues listed on the duty statement for the job you are interviewing for - usually you are working on a specific program...go to that program page and understand what you will be doing.

And....apply for every exam you might possibly qual for!

Best wishes!

[John7777]

I've had more than a few federal jobs and I can guarantee you nobody anywhere ever calculated my GPA. I went to top-notch schools, and I'm sure that helped, but beyond that, I think they really didn't look further. And of course, once you're in an agency, what matters is your performance.

[Cowgirl Kathy]

While I am not employed by the state, but by a municipality, I never had to supply my GPA...for heaven's sake, I was nearly 40 by the time I applied for an entry-level position! I simply indicated I was a high school grad, plus attended college, and went through the testing process for the position. Because I was willing to work in a temporary status, I was picked up early in the process and, because I had excellent skills, was able to work in both short term and long term temp positions until my rank came up for permanent positions. My status as working temp definitely made a difference in getting hired permanently, and I am now a 20-year employee.

Be prepared to do well on the written test for the classification you are applying for, and be prepared to answer appropriate questions in a hiring interview. I do NOT think your GPA is particularly important, unless you have no previous employment to qualify you to be hired. Good luck!

[Hemlock140]

Like the others, I work at a public agency, have worked at another in CA, and applied for jobs at several others and have never been asked for a GPA. In some lower level jobs in the past I have had to take written tests but they were specific to the positions.