So many people get caught up on their GPA. It could be in high school or college. They believe that the GPA is the one thing that will secure them a good college place or job position. The truth is that there is so much more in life that is more important. If you’re a student, these are some of the things that you need to focus on.
Managing Your Time
Your GPA tells people how well you do at school, but how much time do you really spend focusing on your schooling? How long does it take you to do a task and are you any good at sticking to your to-do list. If you have poor time management, you will find it hard to succeed in life. No employer wants a member of staff who struggles to do anything by a deadline.
Volunteer Work and Extra Curricular Activities
That 4.0 GPA doesn’t look that great if you’ve sacrificed a social life outside of school. This isn’t just any type of club either.
It is best to focus on the clubs and work that will show you are thoughtful and put the community first. Volunteer at the local soup kitchen or help out at a kid’s camp during the summer.
Work Experience
You need to have some sort of work experience. If you’re still in high school, just having a job will help you. You could spend a few hours a week working at the local diner or you may decide to get a job at the local clothes shop.
As you get older, you can focus on job specific experience to help you land your dream role. Work experience shows that you can work with others, handle customers and understand the importance of putting a company first.
Your Ability to Write
You need to be able to write basic emails and letters. Employers need to know that you can spell and will be able to give the company a good image. Surprisingly, those with a high GPA find they struggle with the more simpler tasks.
Your Ability to Speak in Public
While you may be smart, it doesn’t mean your social and public speaking skills are any good. You need to come across as confident, friendly and knowledgeable.
However, if you’ve spent all your years behind a computer, swatting up for the next exams, you will likely struggle with this. Some employers now ask for their prospective candidates to give a speech or presentation during job interviews.
Common Sense
Smart people tend to lose their common sense. Don’t be one of those people! This involves thinking before you speak, and thinking in a way that makes sense to the majority of people.
Of course, there are certain roles that will require you to think outside the box, but that doesn’t mean you can completely forego common sense. This isn’t something that can be taught, but you can work at the skill.