Tech companies will ask for your transcripts if you are applying for a job straight out of college. Only a third of Americans have a degree so employers that include this on the job description want to make sure they are getting the right applicants. However, after a few years of experience, you won’t need to provide your degree transcripts with a job application.
As you gain more experience the fact you have a bachelor’s becomes less important. Employers are more interested in the things you have achieved in the workplace, not what master’s degree you obtained a decade ago.
Many employers won’t ever ask for transcripts because a degree isn’t important for most jobs. Less than 30% of business leaders believe that having a degree is very important to work in technology. The rise of boot camps and self-taught developers has also diminished the need for a college education – much like a trade most of what you learn as a developer will be on the job.
Let’s take a look at why employers want your transcripts in the first place. Then understand whether tech companies require your official transcripts and when they would ask for them.
Why do employers want transcripts?
Employers usually ask for transcripts as part of the application process, especially for positions that require a college degree. Transcripts provide a complete record of a student’s academic performance, including grades, coursework, and attendance.
For employers, transcripts can help determine whether a candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge for the job. In addition, transcripts can also reveal important information about a candidate’s work ethic and ability to handle challenging coursework.
The reality is that plenty of employers do care about college and requesting transcripts is one way that companies can gain insight into a developer’s potential as an employee. Companies usually require transcripts to:
- Gain insight into fresh college graduates – Recent graduates don’t usually have much work experience. They aren’t battle-tested in the business world and transcripts provide insight into their work ethic, attitude, and intelligence.
- Weed out the competition – Getting a job at a large tech company is incredibly difficult because it’s so competitive. College transcripts are a good way to identify your grades and determine whether you are a top performer. Smaller companies may not require you to provide evidence of your grades at all.
- Verify your background – If you have mentioned experience in Java or Python because of modules at college, then an employer will want to know to what standard these were completed. It also allows them to understand your attendance skills.
- Authenticate your education – Claiming you are a top performer in your year group is easy to do on a resume. Stating you have a 4.0 GPA raises some eyebrows and your transcripts allow a company to check.
- Understand the candidate – Your transcripts contain a lot of information. If you did incredibly well in your first year but then dipped in your later years, or vice-versa, it may demonstrate a lack of consistency. While it is unlikely they’ll look through it with a fine-tooth comb it’s worth considering.
Do tech companies ask for official transcripts?
Tech companies will likely ask for official transcripts if you are a recent graduate or if this is your first job out of college. They want to see your academic history to gauge your qualifications for the role you’re applying for. In addition, tech companies may also use your transcripts to verify your identity and confirm that you have the necessary skills and knowledge for the job.
However, once you have a few years of experience it is highly unlikely that a tech company will ask for your official transcripts. Experience speaks far louder than the university you attended and the course you studied. So while you may not always need to submit your official transcripts when applying to a tech company, it’s always best to be prepared in case they do request them.
While most companies won’t request any of your degree certificates, some include them as part of the regular checks they perform similar to criminal convictions and asking for your references.
When do tech companies ask for transcripts?
Tech companies will usually ask for your transcripts once they have made you a job offer. It forms part of the pre-employment checks that a lot bigger businesses complete for their candidates.
However, be prepared to send over the transcripts during the initial application. Some firms are hot on weeding out people as early as possible, especially the larger companies that receive a lot of applications.
But remember, for most tech jobs you won’t ever need to require transcripts – especially if you have industry experience.
Do engineering companies ask for transcripts?
Applying for a job can be a daunting task, but it’s important to remember that employers are looking for qualified candidates who have the necessary skills and knowledge for the role.
Just like tech companies, engineering companies will often request transcripts as part of the application process. This is because engineering companies want to see your academic record to make sure your qualifications are a good fit for the job. In addition, engineering companies may also use your transcripts to check who you are and verify you have told the truth.
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Nathan Britten, the founder and editor of Developer Pitstop, is a self-taught software engineer with nearly five years of experience in front-end technologies. Nathan created the site to provide simple, straightforward knowledge to those interested in technology, helping them navigate the industry and better understand their day-to-day roles.
