1. FINDING A JOB WITH A LOW GPA
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations (COER)
3rd Floor Norwood Hall
(573)

2. Will I ever find a job with my low GPA
All of you are probably wondering if you will ever get a job with your less-than-desirable GPA. Right?
The fact is, employers use GPA to gauge a few things about you:
•    Your intelligence •    Your discipline •    Your ambition
Good grades imply that you are smart, serious and motivated. Mediocre grades imply the opposite.
So, if your GPA is on the low side, you need to show that you possess the attributes of someone with a higher GPA.

3. Steve Jobs’ High School GPA: 2.65
Just because your GPA is low, it doesn’t mean you won’t succeed. Obviously, Steve Jobs was a very successful man but his high school GPA would not have predicted that.
Here’s the most important thing about GPA: it matters less and less as you advance in your career and have more experience under your belt (no one asks a 52-year-old executive what grade she got in Freshman Econ). So, this means if you want your GPA to matter less, you need to make your experience matter more. We’ll talk about that in just a minute. First, I want to explain Missouri S&T’s generous grade replacement policies…

4. Undergraduate GPA Adjustment Policy
A “D” or “F” in a Missouri S&T course may be replaced in the calculation of the GPA if the course is repeated at Missouri S&T
No more than 15 semester hours may be replaced
You can only replace one previous grade in the same course in the GPA calculation
Grades of “I”, “W”, “HR” or “Pass/Fail” will not replace
All grades earned will appear on the student’s transcript
A statement of the repeat policy will be included on the transcript to explain the GPA
After repeating a course, you MUST submit a Repeat Course GPA Adjustment form to the Registrar’s Office to have the GPA changed
The new grade will replace the old grade in all GPA calculations in which the previous grade was used, except calculation of graduation honors
If you do not submit the Repeat Course GPA Adjustment form, both grades will be used in GPA calculations.
Policy is for Undergraduates ONLY and may not be applied past graduation
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations provides many professional development services to Missouri S&T students.
You may make an appointment with a Career Advisor for a resume review, videoed practice interview or an individual advising session. Topics you may want to talk about include understanding a job offer, comparing offers, negotiating, preparing for a plant trip, or writing a statement of purpose for your grad school application. You may also want to attend one of the many workshops we have scheduled this semester; you’ll find these listed on our Calendar of Events, which is located online at career.mst.edu.
We also have a FREE Suit Closet located in our office on the 3rd floor of Norwood Hall. If you need a suit for an interview or to attend the Career Fair, you may take one free-of-charge. The suit is yours to keep or, if you wish to return it, we ask that you have it dry cleaned so it will be ready for the next student to use.
Our department also sponsors several employer events each semester. Some of these you’ll find listed on our Calendar of Events. These are great opportunities for you to meet and network with recruiters from some of our top hiring companies.
And, each semester we have an Etiquette Dinner. This is a special 5-course meal during which we teach sensible strategies for dining in business and formal settings. Reservations are required and seating is limited, so please register as soon as possible for this event.

5. Transfer GPA Adjustment Policy
All transfer grades and credit hours are transferred and computed in the cumulative GPA
Grades not included in the transfer institution’s GPA due to a repeat or forgiveness policy may be removed from the Missouri S&T cumulative GPA upon verification to the Registrar’s Office.
No more than 15 semester transfer hours will be dropped from the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA
Students may apply the policy to transfer credit already included in the Missouri S&T cumulative GPA
All transfer grades will continue to be printed on the Missouri S&T transcript - those affected by this policy will be designated that they are not in the cumulative GPA
A Transfer GPA Adjustment Form MUST be filled out and submitted to the Registrar, the transfer institution’s repeat or forgiveness policy will be verified, and then the GPA will be adjusted
This policy applies to undergraduate students only and may not be applied once the student has graduated
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations provides many professional development services to Missouri S&T students.
You may make an appointment with a Career Advisor for a resume review, videoed practice interview or an individual advising session. Topics you may want to talk about include understanding a job offer, comparing offers, negotiating, preparing for a plant trip, or writing a statement of purpose for your grad school application. You may also want to attend one of the many workshops we have scheduled this semester; you’ll find these listed on our Calendar of Events, which is located online at career.mst.edu.
We also have a FREE Suit Closet located in our office on the 3rd floor of Norwood Hall. If you need a suit for an interview or to attend the Career Fair, you may take one free-of-charge. The suit is yours to keep or, if you wish to return it, we ask that you have it dry cleaned so it will be ready for the next student to use.
Our department also sponsors several employer events each semester. Some of these you’ll find listed on our Calendar of Events. These are great opportunities for you to meet and network with recruiters from some of our top hiring companies.
And, each semester we have an Etiquette Dinner. This is a special 5-course meal during which we teach sensible strategies for dining in business and formal settings. Reservations are required and seating is limited, so please register as soon as possible for this event.

6. So, NOW let’s talk about how you can show employers that you possess the attributes they are looking for?
To begin with, you will need an AMAZING resume!
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on books to learn how to create an amazing resume. The truth is, by using a simple format for your resume, employers will be able to quickly find the information they are looking for, which will help your resume stay out of the trash can.
If you haven’t attended a COER Resume workshop, I would suggest picking up one of our Resume and Interviewing Guides before you leave today, and then making an appointment with a COER Career Advisor for a resume review.

7. Showcase Other Accomplishments > Part-time jobs
> Internships/Externships/Co-ops
> Class projects you have excelled in
> Clubs/Organizations – JOIN NOW!
> Sports Participation
> Volunteer work – PARTICIPATE
Since you have a low GPA, you will want to showcase other accomplishments on your resume.
Use the Experience section of your resume to highlight skills you have obtained through:
Previous jobs – part-time, internship, co-op
Class projects that you’ve excelled in
Participation in clubs, organizations and sports teams
Volunteer work you’ve done in the past
Make sure your bullet points begin with action verbs and focus on transferrable skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork.

8. SPOTLIGHT > Relevant Coursework > Leadership Activities
> Skills
- Computer programs/Software
- Specialized machinery or equipment
- Foreign Languages
Other areas you can spotlight are:
Relevant Coursework – especially higher-level classes
Leadership positions you’ve had in a club or organization
Skills – such as computer programs/software, special machinery or equipment you know how to use, or foreign languages you can speak, read or write
You can also demonstrate you’ve achieved better grades in classes pertaining to your degree by bolding your major GPA and not bolding your cumulative GPA on your resume.

9. Begin Your Job Search Career Fair Employer Sponsored Events
After you have you’ve created an AMAZING resume, you should begin searching for jobs.
How many of you are utilizing Miner Jobs? (Explain process of updating profile, uploading resume and transcript, applying for jobs they qualify for, on-campus interviews)
Have you heard of Going Global? (Explain the database)
Have you used Mentor A Miner? (It’s a great way to connect with Alumni & Employers ▪ Search by major, common interest, company ▪ A great way to network! )
Have you attended any of the employer-sponsored events this Fall? (Garmin, U.S. Steel, Boeing, Union Pacific – give dates for those that haven’t yet passed)
Career Fair –Give the next DATE! (Remind them to update MinerJobs profile for accurate nametag, explain appropriate dress, etc.)
Employer Sponsored
Events
Career Fair

10. Other Sources for Jobs > Job boards > Niche sites
> Networking
> Social Media
Job boards
Niche sites
Internet Resources
Networking
Alumni from fraternity, sorority, clubs, organizations
Family friends
Professors
Social Media

11. Missouri S&T Employers
What Employers Want
NACE Job Outlook
Missouri S&T Employers
Teamwork
Leadership
Communication Skills
Problem Solving Skills
Strong Work Ethic
Analytical Skills
Initiative
Technical Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Organizational Ability
Communication Skills
Internship/Co-op Experience
GPA
Leadership
Attitude
Willingness to Learn
Company Fit
Technical Knowledge
Problem Solving Skills
Extracurricular Activities
The criteria that the employers ranked as
most important are as follows:

12. Interviewing Do’s Research the employer before applying!
> Do a SWOT Analysis on yourself
> Most employers utilize behavioral interview questions
> Utilize key words
> Dress professionally
> Prepare 2-3 questions for the recruiter
> Have a nice portfolio/padfolio with you
Research the employer before applying!
Look at company’s videos on their website, YouTube
Learn their vision, mission, goals
Read the latest press/ learn about their position in the market place
Talk with people you know who have worked there – get their perspective
Share what you have learned in the interview
Do a SWOT analysis on yourself
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Discuss in an interview any specific expertise you have that may be an advantage to the company
Most employers utilize behavioral interview questions - review them before
Utilize key words
Choose professional dress over business casual
Prepare 2-3 questions for the recruiter
Have a nice portfolio/padfolio with you

13. Interviewing Taboos > Arriving Late
> Not trying on suit – dressing inappropriately
> Talking negatively about past employers/professors
> Appearing disinterested in the job
> Not researching the company
> Not being prepared
> Not asking questions
> Talking too much – not focusing on questions being asked
> Discussing salary or benefits too soon
> Not sending a Thank You note

14. Be Prepared To Talk About your GPA!
As we discussed earlier, some students choose not to add a low GPA to their resume – which is usually a red flag for employers. Whether a low GPA is listed or not, sooner or later, you will be asked about your GPA, and you need to be prepared to discuss it.
The best strategy is to tell the truth. Did you make really bad grades in your pre-requisite classes? Did you get to campus and realize the classes here were a lot harder than they were in your high school? Did you get involved with too many activities your freshman year, or you realized you didn’t have good time management skills?
Whatever the reason, it’s better to get it out there and then tell how you’ve turned things around and you’re doing much better in your classes now.
HOWEVER, if the truth is very personal or really negative, you may want to smooth it over a little. If you need assistance with this, contact the COER for an appointment with a Career Advisor. We can help you plan how to talk about your problem without scaring an employer off!

15. Reminders….. > Interview genuinely > Adhere to schedules
> Don’t keep employers hanging
> Accept a job offer in good faith
> Withdraw from recruiting when job search is complete
> Write thank you notes!
Interview genuinely - Interview only with employers you’re sincerely interested in working for and whose eligibility requirements you meet. “Practice” interviewing is misleading to employers—wasting both their time and money—and prevents sincerely interested candidates from using those interview slots.
Adhere to schedules - Appear for all interviews, on campus and elsewhere, unless unforeseeable events prevent you from doing so. And, if you can’t make the interview because of an unexpected event, notify the Career Opportunities Center or the employer at the earliest possible moment. (Note No-Show Policy & Possibly Use Text)
Don’t keep employers hanging - Communicate your acceptance or refusal of a job offer to employers as promptly as possible, so they can notify other candidates that the position is filled or that they are still being considered.
Accept a job offer in good faith - When you accept an offer, you should have every intention of honoring that commitment. Accepting an offer only as a precautionary measure is misleading to the employer and may restrict opportunities for others who are genuinely interested in that employer.
Withdraw from recruiting when your job search is completed - If you accept an offer or decide that full-time graduate or professional studies are for you, notify the Career Opportunities Center and withdraw from the on-campus recruiting process immediately. And, inform employers that are actively considering you for a job that you are out of the running. By doing so, you’ll help your friends who are trying to get on interview schedules or who are being considered for positions.
We get many complaints from employers on this issue. For example, here is an excerpt from an employer
“We were disappointed with the level of professionalism exhibited by several candidates-they expressed their interest, we followed up, and then no response. A quick note or phone call telling us they were no longer interested would have saved us time.  We have posted the position in several other locations and we are receiving some interest.”
The unprofessional behavior of a few students may damage the institutional reputation and cost other students jobs in the future if the employer decides to recruit somewhere else.   

16. Student Services - Resume Reviews - Practice Interviews
- InterviewStream Individual Advising Sessions
- Professional Development Seminars - Employer Sponsored Events
- Career Fair MinerJobs
- GoinGlobal Free Suit Closet
- Etiquette Dinner Co-op / Internship / Externship
- Strengths Quest LinkedIn Reviews
- Destination Survey Alumni Services
- Professional Development Planning - Career Planning
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations provides many professional development services to Missouri S&T students.
You may make an appointment with a Career Advisor for a resume review, videoed practice interview or an individual advising session. Topics you may want to talk about include understanding a job offer, comparing offers, negotiating, preparing for a plant trip, or writing a statement of purpose for your grad school application. You may also want to attend one of the many workshops we have scheduled this semester; you’ll find these listed on our Calendar of Events, which is located online at career.mst.edu.
We also have a FREE Suit Closet located in our office on the 3rd floor of Norwood Hall. If you need a suit for an interview or to attend the Career Fair, you may take one free-of-charge. The suit is yours to keep or, if you wish to return it, we ask that you have it dry cleaned so it will be ready for the next student to use.
Our department also sponsors several employer events each semester. Some of these you’ll find listed on our Calendar of Events. These are great opportunities for you to meet and network with recruiters from some of our top hiring companies.
And, each semester we have an Etiquette Dinner. This is a special 5-course meal during which we teach sensible strategies for dining in business and formal settings. Reservations are required and seating is limited, so please register as soon as possible for this event.

17. Professional Development Plan
Students who follow our Professional Development Plan on average earn 4% higher starting salaries!
I also want to make sure you are aware of COER’s Professional Development Plan! While attending Missouri S&T we’ve put together a “road map” to help you be better prepare for that full time job your Senior year. Each year is outlined with a number of steps you should take and there’s room at the bottom for you to add notes that are specific to your goals.
Our Career Advisors would love to speak with you about your specific professional development plan and help you tailor it!
I also want to note students who follow our professional development plan on average earn 4% higher starting salaries than those who don’t! Be sure to take advantage and be prepared!

18. COER Calendar of Events
Be sure to keep an eye on our calendar of events for upcoming seminars and employer events!

19. Career Opportunities & Employer Relations
Thank you!
Q & A
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations provides many professional development services to Missouri S&T students.
You may make an appointment with a Career Advisor for a resume review, videoed practice interview or an individual advising session. Topics you may want to talk about include understanding a job offer, comparing offers, negotiating, preparing for a plant trip, or writing a statement of purpose for your grad school application. You may also want to attend one of the many workshops we have scheduled this semester; you’ll find these listed on our Calendar of Events, which is located online at career.mst.edu.
We also have a FREE Suit Closet located in our office on the 3rd floor of Norwood Hall. If you need a suit for an interview or to attend the Career Fair, you may take one free-of-charge. The suit is yours to keep or, if you wish to return it, we ask that you have it dry cleaned so it will be ready for the next student to use.
Our department also sponsors several employer events each semester. Some of these you’ll find listed on our Calendar of Events. These are great opportunities for you to meet and network with recruiters from some of our top hiring companies.
And, each semester we have an Etiquette Dinner. This is a special 5-course meal during which we teach sensible strategies for dining in business and formal settings. Reservations are required and seating is limited, so please register as soon as possible for this event.
Phone: (573) – 341 – 4343
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations