Why College Toppers Aren’t Always the First to Get Hired

For years, you were told that marks = success. You saw the toppers get awards, scholarships, and that golden 9.5 CGPA.

So why is it that during placement season, the topper is still waiting — while someone with 7.2 CGPA just bagged an offer from a top firm?

Because in the real world, your report card isn’t your resume.

Here’s why that rank 1 doesn’t always mean “hired first” — and what actually matters to recruiters in 2025.

via GIPHY

Marks Tell a Story — But Not the Full One

Grades measure how well you answered someone else’s questions.
Jobs require you to ask the right ones.

Companies today want:

• Problem-solvers, not just memorisers

• Communicators, not just coders

• Collaborators, not just competitors

And unfortunately, topping an exam doesn’t guarantee these skills.

The Skills Recruiters Are Actually Hiring For

According to LinkedIn’s 2025 India Hiring Trends, here’s what hiring managers value most in freshers:

• Communication skills (verbal + written)

• Adaptability and willingness to learn

• Project or internship experience

• Basic digital literacy and AI awareness

• Ability to work in a team and manage feedback

Notice what’s missing? GPA.

Internships > Internals

Many toppers focus so much on theory, they skip internships, live projects, freelancing, or extracurriculars that build real-world experience.

Meanwhile, the “average” student might have:

• Written for blogs

• Managed college events

• Interned at a startup

• Taken online courses in AI or design tools

Which résumé do you think the recruiter remembers?

The “I Deserve This” Mindset Can Backfire

Sometimes toppers walk into interviews expecting their grades to speak for themselves. But confidence without real-world context can come off as entitlement.

Employers want learners, not just achievers. If you’re not coachable — even with 95% — you’re not a great hire.

So What Should You Do Instead?

Stop obsessing over grades. Start building employability.

Here’s how:

• Learn how to build a portfolio (even without work experience)

• Do mock interviews — not just mock tests

• Learn how to answer “Tell me about yourself” like a pro

• Pick up a real-world skill — Canva, Excel, AI tools, anything

• Understand your strengths and explore what careers fit you

Not Sure Where to Start?

MOJO, the AI career assistant on Mentoria Connect, helps you:

• Reflect on what you’re good at (outside the syllabus)

• Explore careers that match your style — not just your degree

• Identify your job-readiness gaps and how to fill them

And if you need real advice? Book a 1:1 session with a mentor who’s hired hundreds like you — and knows what gets resumes to the “yes” pile.

Final Thoughts:

Being a topper can open doors — but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll walk through them.

Because in 2025, the job doesn’t always go to the smartest student.
It goes to the most prepared one. Feeling underconfident because you weren’t a topper? Or maybe you’re one — and still not getting callbacks?
Try MOJO on Mentoria Connect. Let it show you what your résumé might be missing — and help you fill in the gaps.