1. JOB INTERVIEW RESEARCH
Hello Everyone!
Thank you for stopping in to listen and learn more about Career Opportunities & Employer Relations, also known around campus as C-O-E-R.
For those of you that do not know, we are located on the third floor of Norwood Hall. We can also be found online at career.mst.edu, by at or by phone at
Career Opportunities & Employer Relations (COER)
3rd Floor Norwood Hall
(573)

2. The Importance of Research
Do you research a product before making a large purchase?
Everyone should research before making a big decision– that includes researching a company and job requirements before an interview. This will enable you to see if the job is a right fit for you.
Not only will this get you a head start on competition, but it will also allow you to see if the company’s environment, values, and mission would be something that you agree with.

3. Researching about a company and utilizing that information throughout an interview is a good way to stand out and make a lasting impression on the employer.
How to Stand Out

4. Where Do You Begin? > Read the job description
> Review the company’s career site
> Reach out to current employees
> Check social media
> Mentor-A-Miner
> Read the job description
- You meet the basic qualifications, now what?
> Review the company’s career site
- “Seeking innovative talent…”
> Reach out to current employees
What internal development opportunities are being offered?
Do we have alumni working There?
> Social Media
- Check the employers’ social media pages for more info
Mentor a Miner
Are they in the Missouri S&T Mentor a Miner Program?

5. News & Events > Read the company’s blog
> Review recent press releases
> Check out the latest company news
> Search their social media
> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
> Search their social media
> Read the company’s blog
> Review recent press releases
> Check out the latest company news
We recently had a student visit the Career Center who had interviewed with Roll’s Royce. During the interview there was one question that he couldn’t answer and he felt that was one of the reasons he didn’t advance.
The question was….”What did you learn about us from our social media sites?”
- Make sure you are utilizing social media!

6. Follow Company Pages on LinkedIn
Benefits of following the company on LinkedIn
> Allows you to see who works at the company
> Shows growth of company and movement of staff
> Gives updates on job opportunities
> Informs followers of upcoming events
LinkedIn is a fantastic way to learn more about a company. Since the company’s LinkedIn page is operated by the staff, it allows followers to gain insight on new and upcoming things happening within the company. You can also search for connections on LinkedIn to see if you may know somebody that works in the company. You can use him/her as a resource to get the inside scoop on the company.

7. Get The Inside Scoop > Friends > Family > Alumni network
- LinkedIn
> Fraternity/Sorority
> Additional Websites
- Glassdoor.com
Do you know anyone working within the company? If so, they can give you insight and inform you about upcoming events or projects that may not have been released to the public. Getting inside information can give you a leg up on the competition.
As an inside resource they can:
-tell you whether or not they like working there
-inform you about company policies
-provide you with information about your interviewer (what kind of personality do they have?)
-update you on any upcoming job opportunities

8. A Source Closer to Home:
libguides.mst.edu/companyinfo
> Company Profiles
> Articles
> Annual Reports
> SWOT Analyses
> Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Use the Missouri University of Science and Technology library website to conduct searches on companies. This acts as a resource to search company profiles, market reports, company financials, SWOT analyses, etc.
A SWOT analysis is conducted within companies to help them learn about their internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as their external threats. You want to show tell them how you can contribute to the company’s strengths and increase their opportunities. If you know the company’s weaknesses, you can offer ways to help. Knowing the company’s threats can inform you about competitors.

9. Learn the Key Players > Managers > Department Directors
> Vice Presidents
> CEO/President
You can usually learn about key player’s within a company by going to their website’s “About” page—employee biographies should be located there. Once you learn who the key players are, it is important to check out their social media, such as LinkedIn, to see what these individuals are saying about their company.

10. Culture, Mission, & Values
> What is the company’s mission statement?
> What are the strategic goals?
> How does the company expect employees to be engaged?
> Community Service
> What is the work environment like?
> Offices/Cubicles/Collaborative Space
Learning the company’s culture, mission, and values can play an integral role in determining whether the job will be a good fit for you.
There are multiple questions you need to ask yourself:
Is their mission statement something that you would be passionate about?
What type of environment are you looking for?
Do you want to work for a company that encourages community involvement?
Does the company have values that align with yours?
A Millennial Branding Study states that 43% of Human Resource professionals believe that culture fit is the most important quality to look for in candidates.

11. Clients, Products, & Services
> Who do they work with?
> What do they create or help produce?
> What types of services do they provide?
> Who are their competitors?
Investigating the clients, products, and services the company has to offer will allow you to see what the company has to offer. Mentioning these key points throughout the interview will show the hiring manager that you’re aware of what the company does. It will also give you a foundation to ask the interviewer questions.

12. The Interview Team > Find out who will be interviewing you
> Ask about the interview format:
> Multiple interview times/interviewers?
> Panel interview?
> 1 on 1?
Figuring out the setup on the interview is crucial. Will it be a one-on-one interview or will you be in front of a panel? Knowing this information will give you time to prepare for the interview and keep you from being taken by surprise.
Finding out who will be interviewing you will give you a heads up and allow you to properly prepare for the interview. You can look for your interviewer’s bio on the company website. Checking your interviewer’s LinkedIn to gain even more background information on them. Find out what they do and how they contribute to the company. Look for shared common ground (for instance, graduating from the same college) that you can bring up in conversation. You can also compliment them on any achievements that they may have within the company.

13. The Best Way To Utilize Your Research
Compliment the company
“I love that your company recycles.”
Never criticize
Tell them how your expertise can benefit them on any upcoming projects they may have.
Emphasize how company values align with your own.
Be sure to utilize your research in the best way possible. Compliment the company on things that you find the most appealing (such as awards or achievements). Be conscientious of criticizing. You never want to say “I would do this differently.” or “I don’t like this about the company.”
Offer ways to help them. If you know of any upcoming projects or events, tell then how your expertise can be of use to them. Show them what you can bring to the table.
Interviewers want to hire candidates who match the company’s values and culture. Be sure to tell them how you would fit in to the culture of the company and how you agree with their values.

14. The Payoff
> Hiring Managers respect candidates who have taken the time to research the organization
> Recruiters will value your dedication to the selection process
The payoff for researching a company before the interview is huge. It shows employers that you are serious about the position and have taken time to thoroughly learn about their company.

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