An applicant's academic record is a proof of his qualifications and knowledge. An impressive academic record plays a key role in gaining the interview call. However, applicants with a poor academic record have to overcome this shortfall to compete with other well-qualified applicants. Hence, putting emphasis on other credentials and bringing out your qualities beyond academics to the employer, will help you in impressing the employer. Find below some tips and points to emphasize in your resume if the academic record is not so good
Emphasize on Your Work Experience
For the employer, the work history matters more than the qualifications of the applicant. Thus, even if the applicant has poor academic record but an impressive work-history then, the employer will consider the candidate for the interview. Highlight your designation, responsibilities and achievements of your work history. This will divert the employer's interest from your qualifications towards your experiences.
Stress on Key Skills
Key Skills denote the qualities of the applicant that help him perform his duties better. In spite of poor academic record, an employee can deliver quality work with his skills of handling work and people around him. Hence, stressing on key skills is a good way of convincing the employer of your potentials.
Include Details about Training and Seminars
Trainings and seminars help students understand the true corporate environment beyond books. They learn incorporating themselves within this environment and the ways to survive the challenges they possess. Hence, an applicant who has undergone such training will have a better chance of gaining an interview call than someone who is well qualified but under-trained. Try to include details of the training sessions or seminars attended by you. Attach certificates, if required with the resumes as proof of your attendance.
Highlight Your Project Work
Projects works give the employers an idea about the applicant's capabilities at handling applying the gained knowledge for practical purposes. The purpose and importance of scoring good grades is lost if the applicants fails to apply it in everyday activities. Therefore, remarkable projects will give the employer better idea about the applicants' strengths.
Mention Extracurricular Activities
If you have participated in any extra-curricular activities, emphasize on them in the resume. These activities could include drama, sports, art or social work. Emphasis on these activities will portray you as an all-rounder. In addition, it can justify your low scores, if you have been managing both at the same time.
Do Not Mention Grades
Applicants have an option of not mentioning the grades scored by them in the qualifications section. They can complete the section by writing only the university name, year of passing and qualification gained. Applicants can discuss grades during the interview and can even explain the reason for low scores. In this way, the applicants can gain the interview call and excel in it as well with sound reasoning and explanations.
Do not give False Information
However desperately you may want a job, never give false information in your resume. If it catches the employer's attention, it will ruin your chances of gaining an interview call forever.
Overall Presentation of the Resume
Present the resume in a way that is professional, simple and appealing to the employer. Resume is a way of proving your worth to the employer in order to gain the interview call. Hence, the overall presentation of the resume- its look, formatting and contents should impress the employer. With an impressive resume, the employer may consider overlooking your poor academic record and call you for the interview.
Although poor academic record may affect your chances of gaining the interview call, follow the given points to emphasize in your resume. If the academic record is not so good, even then you stand a good chance of impressing the employer and getting an entry into the corporate world.