Job Search Toolkit

Student demand for appointments is high. If you need the appointment for a class assignment, please schedule as soon as possible, because this high demand may limit the availability of appointment options. Because of the demand, we request that you cancel any appointment that you cannot attend. Students who consistently fail to show up for an appointment may not be allowed to self-schedule appointments for up to one semester.

You may schedule an appointment with one of our Career Resources Specialists or Graduate Students in two ways:

Online

1. Log into Handshake from My Missouri State, from the Career Center website, or from Handshake's login page.
2. Click the Career Center drop-down menu and select Appointments. If you are using the mobile app, select the school and then Appointments.
3. Choose a Category based upon your needs, and then select an Appointment Type.
4. The next screen will show you days and times that are available based upon the category and appointment type. You also may select a specific staff member and an appointment medium (phone, email, Zoom, or Skype). Select the day and time you wish to request.
5. The next screen shows details for your appointment and a pre-appointment survey. All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. You will receive email notification from Handshake when your appointment has been approved. You also will receive email reminders of your appointment.

Phone

If you are unable to make an appointment online or to select an option that fits your schedule, please call our office at 417-836-5636.

When you schedule an appointment, please specify the category and type of appointment you need. When you make an appointment on Handshake, you will see that each option includes a brief definition. In Help Requested, include information on your specific needs. Categories for appointments include the following:

• Career Assessments
• Career Documents & LinkedIn
• Explore Majors & Careers
• Graduate School Preparation
• Interview Preparation
• Job/Internship Search
• Specialized Programs

After you make an appointment, you will receive a pre-appointment survey. Provide as many details as you can regarding your needs. The more information you provide, the better prepared the staff member will be.

You may want to prepare a list of questions before the appointment to ensure you discuss everything you need. In addition, be sure to take notes during the meeting. If you have any questions after your appointment, please follow-up with the staff member.

If your appointment is by Zoom, the staff member will provide you with the link. If you have not used Zoom before and don't have it on your computer, you may wish to download the software (free) and test it, doing a video and audio check of your system. Zoom also is available on mobile. With Zoom you and/or the staff member may share screens. For example, if you are doing a résumé review you or the staff member can share the screen that shows your résumé.  

If you don't have Internet, have a poor connection, or don't wish to use Zoom, you may make a phone or email appointment.

With phone appointments, the staff member will call you at the designated time. With email appointments, you can email the staff member without having to wait for them to contact you.

For document reviews, you may email your document to the staff member, or if your document has been uploaded to Handshake, the staff member can retrieve it from there.

Although appointments are virtual during this time, they still have start and finish times, so please arrive on time for your appointment in order to get the most benefit from the meeting.

Zoom or Skype appointments: If you have not arrived within 15 minutes of your scheduled start time, your appointment will be cancelled and designated as a “No show.”

Phone appointments: If you do not answer when the Career Center staff member calls you on the agreed-upon time, your appointment may be designated as a "No show."

Email appointments: If the Career Center staff member does not receive a response from you or an initial email from you during your designated appointment time, your appointment may be designated as a "No show."

If you need more time than is allotted for the appointment, you may schedule another appointment. There is no limit to the number of appointments you may have. You also may follow-up at any time with the staff member via email.

After your appointment, you will receive a post-appointment survey. We value your feedback and appreciate your taking the time to complete the survey.