How important are grades in the screening of CVs in consulting firms in Dubai?

Question

Hello everyone,

While applying for a job in consulting firms in Dubai, I discovered that, unlike in my home country (France), grades were required. As I have focused on building my professional career (I now have a year's experience in strategy consulting as an intern with one of my two internships at a tier 2 consulting firm in Casablanca), I did not spend much time on my education. Although my marks are not terrible (2.6/4), I wonder if screenings could be unfavourable to me even though my experience in consulting is solid. Would having the sponsorship of a consultant be enough to protect me against this risk?

Thank you very much for your help.

Answer 1

Hello,

In CV screening grades are also important. If you have some doubts and want to increase your chances, I would recommend you to apply with referrals.

Do you need any help with that?

GB

Answer 2

Hi there,

If you have a low GPA, it is better to omit it in the CV and application unless explicitly required.

A referral is definitely useful to compensate for a low GPA. You can find more on referrals at the link below:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Best,
Francesco

Answer 3

Hi there,

So, grades are important in the screening of all CVs! For all firms! Of course, the importance varies and the holistic resume is far more important than anything.

Is your 2.6/4 a 2.6GPA (you've translated)? Or a 4/20 like in the French system?

Either way, both are not "not terrible". I'd say they're eliminatory material (if I saw either on a resume I'd pass it). Sorry to be so blunt!

A few tips:

Where you're allowed to, don't show your grades
Grades matter everywhere. So does work experience. So do skills. If it's on the resume, it matters
As time goes on, grades and university matter less
Having sponsorship won't "protect" you against risk or ensure your interview, just like nothing else in this world will. However, every added thing improves your odds. So, can you get a sponsorship? Yes? Then do it! It's all upside

Answer 4

Grades are important for all consulting firms in all geographies. If your grades are not particularly strong, you can indeed compensate with referrals, or also with a really strong GMAT if you have done that. You can of course just leave the grades out - if the firms don't ask for the records before the interview invitations, you're fine.

Answer 5

Hello!

Grades are important -very important indeed- in all geographies, also in France.

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 6

Hello,

From my perspective, grades are not super important. I think if you have consulting experience already and have demonstrated excellence at work or in extra curriculars, having average grades should be alright.

All the best!

Rushabh

Answer 7

The rule is this.. "flaunt it if you have it" :).

So if your grades are not worth showing off, make the work experience and extra-curricular section super strong. Show only some key subjects and grades on CV unless they explicitly ask you to mention GPA. Getting a referral would be massive help too.

Send me your CV via personal message for detailed review.

Answer 8

Hi,

If you can demonstrate that you've been working in parallel and highlight it in your CV / Cover Letter - it's totally fine.

Not sure what you mean by sponsorship. Try to always apply with a refferal if you can

Best