Handling the GPA vs English System for employers

My partner is applying for roles where this question does still come up (hes a bit earlier in his career than I am), or the issue where folks want applicants from Russell Group universities etc.  While I am not a huge proponent of the GPA/Ivy League = automatically better school of hiring thought, I was wondering how others may have addressed this question or overcome any of these hurdles?

He does have in his cover letter that he attended U of Wisconsin (ranked number 25 globally based on the 2014 Times Higher Education rankings), but because he was a transfer to UW in a technical subject, his GPA is wonky (around 2.8 I think).  Does anyone know what that equates to in the UK system?  Is it even worth trying to explain to employers?  Right now he just says that he doesn't remember.

What exactly is he trying to do? Go to graduate school or get a job? Because it will be different in each situation. There are websites out there that will calculate the conversion for you, but each university calculates your GPA differently for their own purposes. They take into account the standard conversions, but look at other things. For example, my GPA for my undergraduate degree is a 3.67, which is converted to a First in the UK. My GPA for my master's degree was 3.45 - which just narrowly escapes a 1st by standard conversion however I spoke with PhD programs I was interested in and they said each US candidate's ranking was looked at in correlation with supporting work. So if I applied and they saw my work as exceptional, they might bump me up to a first to make me eligible for funding.

For work? I'd say find a website with standard conversions. However, how important is it on his resume to have his ranking? For example, we don't have any kind of ranking for our graduate degrees - you either get it or you don't. For undergraduate, we only put rankings on when we're new to the workplace or if we have some sort of distinction. Hope this helps!

Maybe try http://www.fulbright.org.uk/pre-departure/academics/marks?

Write the US mark and then say roughly equivalent to XX?

For jobs, mostly I just say what qualifications I have without the marks and have never found an issue.

Depending on where your partner is applying, keep in mind that many employers have sites globally these days.  When I originally applied to the UK subsidiary of a US company, the hiring manager checked with his US colleagues to see what my GPA meant-- and it came up in the interview. 

I'm not sure saying if saying he "doesn't remember" is the best approach, as it could appear as though he's trying to hide something.  An American 2.8 GPA would be the equivalent of a 2:2 in the UK.

From the University of Nottingham Entry Requirements:

A Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a GPA of 3.2 is acceptable for entry to masters programmes requiring a UK 2:1 for entry. A GPA of 2.8 is acceptable for masters programmes requiring a UK 2:2 for entry.

If I were him, I would be honest about my academic qualifications, but stress the far more relevant aspects of what makes him capable of performing the role that he's interviewing for.   Grades aren't exactly the best indicator of success in the workplace- but saying he doesn't remember could give the impression that he's forgetful..

My partner was never great in academic settings, whereas I graduated summa cum laude/as a ΦΒΚ alumna for undergrad, and attended a Russell Group uni for postgrad.  We've started our careers at around the same time, but he's already shot up to the senior management level at his workplace, and I've only just secured a permanent position after a few years of contract work in my field.  I very often have to go to him for advice on the emotional intelligence aspects of the job or learning to navigate office politics -- something I never learned while my nose was buried in text books or experimenting in the lab!

I'm not sure what field your partner is in, but focussing on the more relevant aspects of the roles he's applying for could be a way around that.  Also, I don't include my Uni's or their rankings in cover letters.  I say 1- Why I'm applying for the job; 2- What I've been doing that's relevant; 3- Why I'm the ideal fit for the role.

Best of luck to both of you!

I'm not sure saying if saying he "doesn't remember" is the best approach, as it could appear as though he's trying to hide something.  An American 2.8 GPA would be the equivalent of a 2:2 in the UK.

I don't think this is a universal equivalency. I'm sure I remember reading somewhere (it may have been from a link posted by Ksand24 in an older thread) that summa cum laude or roughly 3.8-4 GPA equates to a first, magna or 3.5-3.8 is a 2:1 and cum laude or 3.3-3.6 is a 2:2. Personally I think this is absurd and what you posted is much more accurate, but certain institutions in the UK may disagree.

Having said that, my CV lists my degrees and the American honours designations (cum laude, etc), and the universities I went to with no mention of UK equivalencies or US News rankings, and no one has ever even mentioned it. YMMV.

I've put my GPA, specifying 'out of 4.0' and specify any honours courses I took.

For tests, I include my national ranking - so x test, x score, x national percentile. For those standardised tests, it gives them an idea of how I stand nationally.

I'm not sure they even look at it, to be honest, but better to have it on their than appear to be hiding it.

He has just seen a lot of requirements for recruiters or jobs that want a 2:1 or higher (*eye roll*) while using the Fullbright tool his looks like a 2:2, but there is no way to count and approximate the courses he took in Sweden for the first two years.  Gah.  He applies for what he is qualified to do, regardless of whatever degree expectations there are, but we don't highlight the differences.

Seriously, this job search is wearing us both down.  Six months, a ton of interviews for him and its like there is ALWAYS a "surprise!" wrench thrown in the interview.  Interviewed by immature staff instead of the Head he was supposed to be meeting, a fire drill in the middle of one, the always fun "extra interviewer" thrown in at the last stage, 3+ hour Excel tests, GMAT style ranking tests, clueless HR and recruiters, poor professionalism, etc.  We weren't expecting a cake walk, but I'm starting to wonder at the point of staying here. I get that there are a lot of qualified people and they need a way to sort through them all, but some of these places seem just beyond picky and looking for that purple squirrel.  Ah well, we agreed to give it until Christmas to reevaluate, and will give it our best shot this fall.

Sorry to go off on a tangent rant!

and its like there is ALWAYS a "surprise!" wrench thrown in the interview.

And perhaps a hint of bigotry......