Click the button to access ALL additional resources recommended for alumni.

There are many resources available to alumni who are experiencing a career transition, stalled job search or recent layoff. Individual career advising is available to recent alumni who have graduated within the past year, but our extensive online resources and comprehensive career guides are helpful tools for Tigers at any stage of their professional journey.

Featured Online Career Resources

These tools are available to you anytime and are free for alumni to use:

• Handshake – Recent graduates and alumni can login to this employment site to apply for internships & full-time jobs, connect with employers and attend virtual recruitment events.
• Mizzou Career Tools – Customize your search using this database of hundreds of career resources including handouts, videos, blog posts and recommended sites for job searching, internships, relocation, interview preparation, job offer negotiation and more.
• LinkedIn – Now more than ever you should be connecting with new contacts. Complete your profile and start networking on this site. The vast majority of recruiters on LinkedIn are actively seeking students and alumni for vacancies.
• Career-On-Demand videos – Watch these recorded videos at your convenience for tips on stellar resumes, interviews, and cover letters.

Recently Unemployed or Furloughed

It can be stressful and overwhelming when facing job uncertainty, but there are resources to help connect displaced workers. Below you will find helpful information, resources, and job leads in essential industries seeking hires. 

• Things You Should Do If You’re Out of Work 
• File for Unemployment Benefits 
• Companies Hiring on Handshake 

Also, look to booming industries: If you are able, find ways to align your skills to the companies and industries that are hiring, carefully considering in-person and remote work opportunities.

Career Planning & Transitions

Many alumni reach out seeking assistance with a career transition. The Career Center offers a number of helpful online tools and resources to help you assess your skills and interests as you rethink your long-term career goals.

Career Exploration Resources

• My Next Move – This interactive tool, powered by O*Net, allows users to learn more about their career options.  
• MO Job Centers – Missouri residents have FREE access to job centers and their services which range from career advising to job search assistance and more.  
• Job Point (mid-Missouri) – An employment center helping people with their career planning and employment efforts. 
• Candid Career – Explore career paths by accessing thousands of video shorts that highlight industry professionals sharing their job descriptions, backgrounds and career advice. 
• Career Interests Game – This interactive game is designed to help you match your interests and skills with work environments and similar careers. 
• O*Net – Learn about hundreds of occupations with detailed descriptions that include skills, abilities, tasks, education, salary information and more.  

Next Steps

• Make connections: Reconnect with your network and establish new contacts. Reach out to old colleagues, college classmates, and potential employers who might help you find a job. There is no shame in telling people you are on the job hunt. Also consider arranging informational interviews to gain career insight and valuable contacts. 
• Continue with Plan A, but create Plan B: Remember that back-up plans can still lead you to your long-term goals. Consider short-term opportunities to network, gain transferable skills, and ultimately forge a new path that might lead you to the same destination. Lower pay or a step down in job title is something to consider while transitioning to your career goal. 
• Use time at home to increase your skill set: To make a successful transition, you can improve sought-after skills and continue to learn, all from home. Some examples of these resources might include  Google Skillshop, Hootsuite, LinkedIn Learning, Skill Share, and more. Check out Ted talks about interesting topics and stay up-to-date with career advice sites that might give you an edge when applying for competitive positions. 
• Seek Alignment:  Make sure you realign your resumes, cover letters and online presence to reflect the different occupations and industries you are now considering; you may need to create more than one resume highlighting varying skills and experiences if you are applying for positions in different industries. 

Job Search Strategies

Spend time carefully preparing your application materials and creating a professional online image:

• Draft a strong resume and cover letter to make your case to employers.    
• Prepare and practice for employment interviews. 
• Update your LinkedIn profile and maintain and active and professional active online. 
• Draft compelling networking communications and consult online resources for help getting started. 
• Bookmark job search sites and crea
  • Handshake: Nationwide job listings and online recruitment events 
  • Jobs.mo.gov: Statewide job vacancies for Missouri residents 
  • Glassdoor: Job listings, company reviews and interview questions 
  • Indeed: Job vacancies and salary data 
  • USA City Guides: Career guides for nearly 50 major U.S. Cities (available through Handshake) 

If you are a recent alum (graduates within last calendar year) please consult with your divisional career services office regarding employment resources and advisement. 

Staffing Firms

Staffing firms, also known as third-party recruiters, are agencies that recruit candidates for temporary, part-time, or full-time employment opportunities for other employers in need of hires. Staffing firms are ideal for those who’ve had little success in their job search thus far, are planning to relocate or are uncertain of their post-grad plans.

Staffing firms offer candidate evaluations and match you with positions that are well-suited for your skills and abilities. These firms assist with the onboarding process and are free of charge. Fees are extracted from the hiring company, usually as a percentage of your salary that the agency negotiates. Upfront candidate fees are a tell-tale mark of a staffing company scam.

To find a staffing agency, please review the American Staffing Association’s online directory of reputable staffing firms or simply Google “staffing agency (city name and state)” to get results for staffing firms in your region.

Career Counseling

For recent alumni (who have graduated within the past calendar year), you may request career counseling services to discuss career transitions, job search needs or other career support. Recent alums may email CareerCounseling@missouri.edu  to find out more and inquire about availability. Please note that to obtain counseling services you must be a Missouri resident.

For more experienced alumni you can find career counselors and therapists to assist in career assessment, career coaching, career guidance, career transition, job counseling and skill development.

Counselor Searches: 

https://www.nbcc.org/search/counselorfind  
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists