1. Career Opportunities & Employer Relations (COER)
Conquer the
Career Fair
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations (COER)
3rd Floor Norwood Hall
(573)

2. Career Fair
Fall Career Fair Spring Career Fair September 27, February
9am – 3pm am – 3pm
One of the biggest events that COER puts on each semester is the career fair. Luckily for our students and alumni, Missouri S&T boasts one of the largest Career Fairs in the Midwest.
COER organizes two Career Fairs each year; we conduct one in the Spring and one in the Fall.
The career Fairs are typically held on the fourth Tuesday in September and the third Tuesday in February.

3. Career Fair Stats Fall 2014 304 employers attended
(up 12% from Fall 2013)
57 employers NEW to S&T
146 employers from Missouri
32 states represented
54 Fortune 500 employers
Fall 2015
318 employers attended
(up 5% from Fall 2014!)
40 employers NEW to S&T
166 employers from Missouri
33 states represented
47 Fortune 500 employers
Spring 2015
230 employers attended
(up 17% from Spring 2014)
800 recruiters attended
128 employers from Missouri
28 states represented
30 Fortune 500 employers
Spring 2016
221 employers attended
(down 4% from Spring 2015)
27 states represented
20 Fortune 500 employers

4. Prepare Before the Career Fair
First – Update your MinerJobs Profile!
> View employers attending in MinerJobs
> Buy a suit or come to the Suit Closet
> Create/update your resume and have it reviewed by a COER advisor

5. Entering the Career Fair
> Student ID card is REQUIRED to enter the fair
> Bring several copies of your resume
> Professional dress is REQUIRED
> Grads – red dot
> Pick up a program
> Devise a plan

6. What to Expect > Long lines > Congested walk ways
> It will be HOT in the gyms
> 3 to 5 minute exchanges
> Freebies – pick up a bag at the front door
> You may have to apply on-line at an employer’s website as well as in MinerJobs

7. Know Your Target Employers
> Research employers you are interested in visiting
KNOW WHAT THEY DO!
- Know why you want to work for them
- Know why you are the best candidate
Come prepared to talk about why you would be a good fit
> Observe booth signs

8. Be Prepared to Talk to Employers
> Take multiple copies of your resume
> Carry a portfolio/padfolio
> No cover letter, transcripts, or reference page is needed

9. Introduction > Project enthusiasm > Firm handshake
> EYE CONTACT!

10. 30-60 Seconds To Grab Their Attention
A good introduction grabs the listener’s attention. It tells your core message in a way that makes the other person want to know more about you.
Your introduction should be developed with a specific audience in mind. You are more likely to succeed if you clearly target the company or individual to whom you are speaking.
Remember, your speech should be no more than seconds long, or the time it takes to go from the first floor to the top (or visa versa) in an elevator – which is why it is sometimes called an “elevator speech” or “power introduction.”

11. The DO’s of Power Introductions
> Research the organization and incorporate information into your introduction
> Provide examples of successfully using your skills
> Write and rewrite your speech until it is perfectly crafted
> Practice until you know your key points
> Be friendly, confident, and SMILE!
Do’s
Research the organization and incorporate that knowledge into your introduction
Provide examples of successfully using your skills; incorporate a story, if possible, to help support your points
Write and rewrite your speech until it is perfectly crafted
Practice until you know your key points without sounding as though your introduction was memorized

12. The Dont’s of Power Introductions
> Don’t rush through your introduction
> Don’t ramble on and on
> Don’t speak in a monotone voice
> Don’t get bogged down with industry jargon or acronyms
> Don’t forget your USP
Don’ts
Don’t ramble on and on
Don’t get bogged down with industry jargon or acronyms that your listener may not be familiar with
Don’t forget your USP (unique selling proposition) - how you can perform better than everyone else
Don’t forget to end with an action request such as asking for a business card or an interview appointment

13. Tips > KNOW YOUR RESUME!
> Make sure you allow enough time to speak with employers
> Eavesdrop – subtly
> Ask for business cards
> Take notes after each conversation
> Prepare to discuss GPA – if needed
> KNOW YOUR RESUME!
> Make sure you allow enough time to speak with employers
> Eavesdrop – subtly
> Ask for business cards
> Take notes after each conversation
> Prepare to discuss GPA – if needed

14. Professional Dress for Men
> Wear a long sleeve shirt with a suit
> Make sure your shirt is pressed
> The tip of your tie should touch your belt
> Wear dark socks that reach mid-calf
> Leave your suit jacket unbuttoned
> Monitor amount of cologne you use
> Wear a long sleeve shirt with a suit
> Make sure your shirt is pressed
> The tip of your tie should touch your belt
> Wear dark socks that reach mid-calf
> Leave your suit jacket unbuttoned
> Monitor amount of cologne you use

15. Professional Dress for Women
> Pant and skirt suits are acceptable
> Skirts no shorter than just above the knee, no longer than mid-calf
> Always wear nylons/pantyhose
> Use classic simple jewelry
> Monitor amount of makeup and perfume
> Should length or shorter hair appears most professional – pull long hair up neatly
> Pant and skirt suits are acceptable
> Skirts no shorter than just above the knee, no longer than mid-calf
> Always wear nylons/pantyhose
> Use classic simple jewelry
> Monitor amount of makeup and perfume
> Should length or shorter hair appears most professional – pull long hair up neatly

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
Phone: (573) – 341 – 4343
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations