MS Career Checklist

Get Started

Here at the School of Management, your career development process starts before you even begin your first class. Use this online MS Career Checklist and calendar to get this process started.

Read and follow the schedule outlined in each section to prepare for the internship and job search process. The summer and fall semester activities will also ensure completion of CRC requirements during the MS program. Access the necessary online tools and resources in each section to accomplish the semester objectives outlined.

Summer (before starting the MS program)
Fall Semester
Spring Semester

Additional Resources

The Recruitment Process
International Students (Employment Visa FAQs)

CRC Mission and Staff

The Career Resource Center (CRC) serves as the primary resource for students and alumni of the School of Management in career exploration and job search. The Center is a key link between the school and employers, offering many programs that bring these groups together, such as MBA career consortium events, the alumni Telementor program, internships, campus recruiting and career development workshops and seminars. Our mission is to create an environment that enables and motivates students to be successful in reaching their career goals.

The CRC's dedicated staff is committed to assisting students throughout the career development and job search process. Click here to meet the CRC staff members.

Summer (before starting the MS program)

There are two major requirements to complete prior to beginning the MS program this fall.

Build and submit your résumé using the tools below. Email your updated résumé for critique by August 14, 2009 as a Word document to som-mail@buffalo.edu. For the most effective feedback on your résumé, please indicate your functional area of interest and industry preferences and briefly explain your career interest and goals (CRC Requirement)
- Review the CRC’s Résumé Writing Guide
- View the CRC’s Résumé Writing Workshop (Web stream)
- Use the CRC’s MS Résumé Template to prepare your résumé. (CRC Requirement)
Attend CRC Sessions at MS Advantage on Friday, August 21, 2009

Fall Semester

Update your profile, experience and job preferences with the Career Resource Center (CRC) through BizLink. Incoming MS students will receive a welcome e-mail message from BizLink once you have been added to the system. This usually occurs in the second week of your first semester at UB. Important Note: Keep your profile up-to-date. The CRC staff uses the data from these profiles to effectively communicate with students and market UB's MS talent (CRC Requirement)
After your résumé is reviewed by a member of the CRC staff and you make recommended changes then upload your résumé to the BizLink system. All résumés must be CRC approved and uploaded by the end of September
It is extremely important that your uploaded résumé be error-free and in professional business format
Your résumé will be available for employers to view online through our BizLink system unless you specifically turn this off in your privacy setting
Sign-up and attend an Advanced Interviewing Skills workshop (CRC Requirement)
Schedule a CRC Practice Interview after attending the Interviewing Workshop. To sign-up for an interview time slot, you will need a résumé and job posting (both must be Word documents). You are required to bring a recordable DVD (or VHS tape) to your Practice Interview appointment or plan to purchase a DVD from the CRC office for $2. (CRC Requirement)
In addition to the requirements listed above, you should also use the following resources to prepare for your job search
Become familiar with the CRC Web site, the BizLink career system and the Job Fairs and Events sites
Be prepared: Some companies recruit students in early fall, so it is important to monitor the CRC Job Opportunities site as well as company Web sites. Some résumé deadlines are as early as September. The BizLink career system also lists Employer Information Sessions
Review cover letter/ job search correspondence resources. Any letter or e-mail sent to a potential employer must be error-free, appropriately formatted and tailored to the company's needs and the desired employment opportunity. (Check the CRC workshop schedule for the Job Search Correspondence workshop - optional but recommended)
Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community. However, don't rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full- time positions
All MS students, especially those in Information Systems and E-Business and Supply Chains and Operations should also register with UB Career Services, the university-wide career office

Spring Semester

Check your CRC registration information and update if necessary (for example: change of concentration, geographic/ industry preferences). Also, confirm and view the résumé on file with the CRC and make sure no formatting errors occurred during transmission. If revised, resend your résumé
Get involved and build résumé and network. Join student organizations and local professional associations that relate to your functional area of interest. Volunteer to serve as a CRC Practice Interviewer to develop your interviewing skills
Conduct information interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using the Telementor program
Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community. However, don't rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full time positions
Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship or full-time opportunities. Go directly to company Web sites for information about how to submit your résumé to them. Conduct a targeted direct mail/e-mail campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, professors and alumni, as well as friends and family
Determine your "market-value" by researching salary statistics by degree, location, career and industry using a number of resources. Begin with the School of Management’s Employment and Salary Statistics; also collect a few data points to determine your salary expectations and range
Complete the interactive Managing Job Offers and Compensation Negotiations modules. Whether you are job-hunting in a tight job market or one that is plentiful with opportunities, knowing how to manage and negotiate offers is critical to the job search process. These modules address key topics and also test your knowledge. When evaluating offers of employment, we encourage students to demonstrate their professionalism during the decision-making process. Your acceptance of a job offer is binding. Don't accept a job offer, even verbally, until you are certain you are committed. Don't back out after accepting; that's called “reneging,” and is unethical. It will negatively impact your professional reputation as well as the program's
Complete the School of Management Job Offer and Employment Update Survey before the semester ends. It is very important to inform the CRC of your employment status whether you are still searching, accepting employment, returning to a sponsoring employer, or postponing your search. If you are still searching, we are here throughout the summer and will continue to assist with your search after graduation. By completing the survey, we collect your new contact information (this includes a non-UB e-mail) to keep in communication with you. Once you secure employment, you can update your employment status online. If you have accepted employment, we want to be able to congratulate you and ensure your aggregate data is reflected in our reporting to national sources that rank business school programs. As you may know, providing this information is critical to the services we provide to both our students and employers. It also plays a strong role in the School of Management’s efforts to improve our national rankings and the value of your degree. (Information collected, including salary information, remains confidential and is only used in aggregate form)