MBA Career Checklist

Complete the CareerLeader™ online assessment. (Time: 60-90 minutes) Follow the instructions on how to access this assessment (PDF file). Review, print and save the Narrative Report. You will be required to bring the report to MBA Advantage in August. (CRC Requirement)

• Login Issues: If you have any trouble logging into CareerLeader, please contact Pam Krakowiak directly at pjk2@buffalo.edu. Please note that any previous or current School of Management student who completed our undergraduate career course (MGG300 or MGG398) will need to provide a non-UB email address in order to gain access to CareerLeader. 

Complete the Career Vision assignment by July 14. This brief worksheet incorporates your CareerLeader results and your vision for the MBA program and your career goals.

Throughout your career it is important that you have mentors or a "personal board of directors" that can give you advice, provide relevant information about companies, industries, cultures and give you honest feedback. 

So start thinking about someone you might like as a mentor - someone you would consider to be a "career idol". Do your research. You may want to start looking through your network (friends, family, and business leaders in the community) or people who work at one of your target companies.  Additionally you can identify alumni of UB or UB School of Management on LinkedIn or our Alumni Success profiles. 

To complete the online Career Idol assignment, be prepared to:

1. Provide the name, company and title of someone who you admire for their professional profile. Pick a person you honestly think you could see yourself reaching out to (at some point) for career advice.

2. How does this person’s background tie into your own personal career goals? Please explain with specific details from their profile and at least three connections to your goals.

Tell us...who is your Career Idol? 

1. Build your updated MBA résumé using the CRC résumé tools below.
   • Review the CRC’s Résumé Writing Guide.
   • View the CRC’s Résumé Writing Workshop. (Web stream)
   • View the CRC's tutorial of Making Your Content Count for graduate students. (Web stream)
   • Use the CRC’s preferred MBA Résumé Template to prepare your résumé. 
2. Submit your résumé for critique using the VMock résumé review tool, which provides instant, automated and personalized guidance on your résumé. You must use the preferred CRC résumé template to get optimal results. 
   • Access to VMock will be granted in June. Watch for an invitation email, which will be sent to the email address you provided in your admissions application.
   • Your goal is to achieve 70 points or more before proceeding (but keep in mind that you only have 10 uploads or critiques per year through VMock).
3. Revise your résumé based on your VMock feedback.
4. Submit your updated résumé by Sunday, July 14 to mgt-crc@buffalo.edu for approval. 
   • As an MS Word document
   • It should be one page only.
   • Name your document MBA_Last Name_First Name. 
   • Include your specific program in the subject line of the email, such as MBA Résumé
   • Please note that résumés in unacceptable formats will be returned to you for reformatting when asked for a critique

Some of our more competitive students who are conducting a national job search opt to attend a national career conference.  Learn about these conferences here. The most common career fairs are:

• National Black MBA in Houston, Texas during late September
• MBA Veterans Career Conference in Chicago, Illinois in early October
• Prospanica in Orlando, Florida at the end of October
• Registration for these events is currently open.

If you plan to attend a national career fair, submit your U.S. style résumé for an early critique.

• Instructions:  Send an email with your updated résumé (post-VMock critique and revisions) as a Word document to mgt-crc@buffalo.edu. Include your specific program in the subject line of the email, such as MBA Résumé - Your Last/Family Name - Conference.  (i.e. MBA Resume – Smith – Conference)
• Please note that résumés in unacceptable formats will be returned to you for reformatting when asked for a critique

• Learn how to effectively create and leverage your profile, using our social media tips.
• Add your current degree program, selecting the “University at Buffalo, The State University at Buffalo” as your school.
• Invite CRC staff and any other UB staff, faculty or students you have communicated with to join your network after you have updated your profile to indicate you are attending the UB MBA program.

• Understand your options in the MBA program by reviewing the MBA concentrations, courses required and course descriptions on the MBA curriculum page.
• If you are unsure of your MBA concentration review the MBA concentration selection resource.
• Review the concentration resources.

As you begin your MBA program it is important to focus on your career development. After all, most incoming students are here to get a better job, change careers or enhance their other degree. Take advantage of the career resources offered through our office and online.  You can get started with the resources below.

• Understand your options in the MBA program by reviewing the MBA concentrations, courses required and course descriptions on the MBA curriculum page.
• If you are unsure of your MBA concentration review the MBA concentration selection resource.
• Become familiar with the CRC website, the BizLink career system and the Job Fairs and Events pages.
• Be prepared: Some companies (particularly public accounting firms who recruit for IT audit and forensics along with national and global companies in manufacturing, IT, energy and consumer products) recruit interns in early fall, so it is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. Some résumé deadlines are as early as late August or early September. The BizLink career system also lists Employer Information Sessions.
• Understand the recruitment process at the CRC using the BizLink career system
• Review the career tools for international students
• Review cover letter and job search correspondence resources. Any letter or email 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 workshops for the Job Search Correspondence workshop. (Optional but recommended)
• Attend on-campus job fairs, such as the Management Career and Internship Expo and the UB STEM Up Fair in early fall, and networking events within the community. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions. Review the CRC's Job Fairs and Events page for more information. 
• All MBA students, but especially those in Information Systems and E-Business, and Operations and Supply Chain Management programs, should also register with UB Career Services, the university-wide career office. The Career Services career management system is called Bullseye. Complete your profile and upload your résumé to this system to take advantage of their job postings, on-campus interviewing opportunities, mentors and events.

• Information about major events and workshops are promoted through email during the semester or in MGG600.
• All CRC career events will be posted in BizLink. RSVP is usually required.
• All relevant career events and workshops including, local, regional and national events can be found on the CRC website at Job Fairs and Events. Details on registration and links to more information can be found there as well.  

Sign in to the BizLink career management system and create your profile, clarifying your job experience and job preferences. 

• As an incoming MBA student you will receive a welcome email message from BizLink once you have been added to the system. This usually occurs early in August.
• Keep your profile up-to-date. The CRC staff uses the data to effectively communicate with students and market UB's MBA talent to prospective employers. 
  

Schedule an individual career appointment with your appropriate CRC staff member based on your primary functional option/concentration by Monday, September 16. (REQUIRED) Appointments can take place after the 16th, but should be scheduled by then. Schedule your appointment directly through BizLink. Go to Request a Counseling Appointment on the right.

• Pam Krakowiak: Health Care, Marketing, undecided, dual degree students. Note: MD/MBAs and PharmD/MBAs who attended the Group Advising session at MBA Advantage are not required to have an individual appointment, but are always welcome.
• Ellen Murphy: Finance
• Melissa Ruggiero: Information Assurance, Information Systems and E-business, Supply Chains and Operations Management
• Data Analytics, Consulting and International Management are complimentary options and should be taking in conjunction with a primary concentration.

After the CRC has reviewed your résumé and you have made the recommended changes, upload your résumé to the BizLink system. All MBA résumés should be CRC approved and uploaded by September 16, 2019.

• It is extremely important that your uploaded résumé be error-free and in professional business format.
• You can have multiple versions of your résumé in BizLink, but only one “default”.
• As you edit your résumé throughout your program, be sure to upload the newest version to BizLink. Your default résumé should be your most up-to-date version.

• The CRC offers several workshops targeted for our international students to prepare them for the internship and job hunt. Sign up in BizLink.
• In addition, attend all appropriate workshops provided by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), especially those pertaining to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and/or Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Bullseye, “powered by Handshake”, the career system of the university-wide Career Services office. You have access to the resources in the main career office in Capen Hall as well as the management-specific career office in Alfiero Center.

• Bullseye lists jobs, internships, on-campus interviews, company information sessions, career fairs, etc. for technical roles and even business opportunities. Do not miss out on this valuable resource. Companies come to campus for technical candidates (i.e. Yahoo, Bloomberg, Microsoft and more) so they collaborate with Career Services, which serves engineering and computer science. But some of these companies also have less technical roles better filled by our MIS students.

Some companies (particularly larger national companies or those doing development/leadership program hiring) recruit students in early fall, so it is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. Some résumé deadlines are as early as September. BizLink also lists Employer Information Sessions. 

• If you are interested in a company who does not recruit on campus, consider attending a national career fair and view the college hiring section of those company’s’ websites early as there may be résumé deadlines for June grads as early as September.

Attend both the UB Management Career and Internship Expo and the UB STEAM Fair in early fall. Some of the attending companies will hold on-campus interviewing immediately or shortly after the fair. (However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.) Review the CRC's Job Fairs and Events page for more information.

Join student organizations and local professional associations that relate to your functional area of interest.

Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and/or full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:

• Mergent Intellect (formerly Hoover's): Research individual companies and the industry in which they reside, or build a list of companies within specific industries and/or geographic locations to target for internships or jobs
• Vault (found on BizLink): Investigate top employers by rankings, gain valuable career knowledge in the Career Guides and Industry Guides 
• Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted email (or direct mail) campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, professors and alumni as well as friends and family.
• Glassdoor: Create an account and gain an insider’s view of company reviews, how they interview, salaries and more
• MyVisaJobs: Investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.

Keep an Excel file of these companies, contacts and activity. Keep text of the positions you apply to for when you get called for the interview. Sample Excel tracking document

Make the most of your winter break by networking and learning.

• Update your BizLink, Bullseye and LinkedIn profiles to include current job preferences and your MBA experiences.
• Add your MBA experiences (like fall projects, clubs, etc.) to your résumé.
• Upload your revised résumé to BizLink and Bullseye.

• Participate in Network New York in January to meet with alumni in New York City who work in your prospective field.
• Attend valuable company tours organized by the school or clubs which may take place in NYC or other cities. Check BizLink, Bullseye and the CRC Events for more information.

Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using your current contacts, alumni you have met through the UB MBA program and mentors through the Firsthand Career Connector Network (found in BizLink).

• Attend January MBA Advantage a few days before the start of spring classes.

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community, such as CareerFEST and Career Conversations (both organized by UB Career Services). However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.

Continue to research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and job opportunities. Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé.  Conduct a targeted direct mail/email campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, faculty and alumni, as well as friends and family. Understand when each company on your list recruits college grads for  internships and new positions.

Once you have secured your summer internship, report it to the CRC. To earn credit for your internship and meet your MBA internship requirement, log into BizLink and click on Report My Internship.

Sign in to the BizLink career management system and update your profile, clarifying your job search focus.

While interning during the summer, start revising your résumé using our résumé resources. Be sure to resubmit your résumé to VMock for a critique and make additional revisions.  (Note: you can submit to VMock 10 times in one academic year.) After your revisions are complete, upload your new résumé to BizLink.

Update your profile on Bullseye, “powered by Handshake”, the career system of the university-wide Career Services office. And upload your revised résumé.

Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and/or full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:

• Mergent Intellect (formerly Hoover's): Research individual companies and the industry in which they reside, or build a list of companies within specific industries and/or geographic locations to target for internships or jobs
• Vault (found on BizLink): Investigate top employers by rankings, gain valuable career knowledge in the Career Guides and Industry Guides 
• Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted email (or direct mail) campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, professors and alumni as well as friends and family.
• Glassdoor: Create an account and gain an insider’s view of company reviews, how they interview, salaries and more
• MyVisaJobs: Investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.

Keep an Excel file of these companies, contacts and activity. Keep text of the positions you apply to for when you get called for the interview. Sample Excel tracking document Download xlsx(15 KB)

Information about events and workshops are promoted through email during the semester. RSVP for events in BizLink.

Sign in to the BizLink career management system and update your profile, clarifying your job experience and job preferences. 

• Be sure to also update your profile in Bullseye (Handshake)

After adding your summer experience to your résumé, upload it to both BizLink and Bullseye (Handshake).

• The CRC offers several workshops targeted for our international students to prepare them for the internship and job hunt. Sign up in BizLink.
• In addition, attend all appropriate workshops provided by International Student and Scholar Services (ISS), especially those pertaining to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and/or Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

After attending an Advanced Interviewing workshop, schedule a practice interview with Melissa Ruggiero via BizLink to set a baseline interview. This will help you be prepared in case an employer calls you for an interview unexpectedly

• When scheduling the interview through BizLink, submit a sample job posting 
• Prior to your practice interview, you may want to review the CRC interviewing guide and tips or complete your own privately recorded interview through BigInterview (free when you sign up with UB email address)

Some companies (particularly public accounting firms who recruit for IT audit and forensics) recruit students in early fall, so it is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. Some résumé deadlines are as early as September. BizLink also lists Employer Information Sessions. 

• If you are interested in a company who does not recruit on campus, consider attending a national career fair and view the college hiring section of those company’s’ websites early as there may be résumé deadlines for June grads as early as September.

Attend both the UB Management Career and Internship Expo and the UB STEAM Fair in early fall. Some of the attending companies will hold on-campus interviewing immediately or shortly after the fair. (However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.) Review the CRC's Job Fairs and Events page for more information.

Continue to research and identify companies to target for full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:

• Mergent Intellect (formerly Hoover's): Research individual companies and the industry in which they reside, or build a list of companies within specific industries and/or geographic locations to target for internships or jobs
• Vault (found on BizLink): Investigate top employers by rankings, gain valuable career knowledge in the Career Guides and Industry Guides 
• Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted email (or direct mail) campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, professors and alumni as well as friends and family.
• Glassdoor: Create an account and gain an insider’s view of company reviews, how they interview, salaries and more
• MyVisaJobs: Investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.

Keep an Excel file of these companies, contacts and activity. Keep text of the positions you apply to for when you get called for the interview. Sample Excel tracking document

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community, such as CareerFEST and Career Conversations (both organized by UB Career Services). However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.

Continue to research and identify a list of companies to target for full-time job opportunities. Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé.  Conduct a targeted direct mail/email campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, faculty and alumni, as well as friends and family. Understand when each company on your list recruits college grads for new positions.

Determine your market-value by researching salary statistics by degree, location, career and industry using a number of resources. Begin with these salary resources and School of Management’s Employment and Salary Statistics; also collect a few data points to determine your salary expectations and range.

Review information on Managing Job Offers and Compensation Negotiations.

• Your acceptance of an internship or job offer is binding. Do not accept an offer, even verbally, until you are certain you are committed. 
• Do not back out after accepting; that's called reneging, and is unethical. It will negatively impact your professional reputation, the reputation of the program and ultimately, could affect the value of your degree.

Launch your Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a timely manner so that you are eligible to begin working full-time for your prospective employer. 

• It takes approximately three months for OPT to be authorized. 
• If you are not eligible to begin working when the employer requests you to start, the employer may not wait for your OPT authorization.  
• It is important you plan ahead on launching your OPT. You can submit paperwork for your OPT beginning three months before your conferral date. 
  

Within two to three months of graduation, you should no longer be looking at the "college hiring" section of company websites. Focus on immediate openings for experienced candidates.

Complete the School of Management Job Offer and Employment Update Survey before you confer your degree.

• It is very important to inform the CRC of your employment status whether you are still searching, accepted 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 email address) 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. 
• 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 the value of your degree.
• Information collected, including salary information, remains confidential and is only used in aggregate form.

Join the School of Management Alumni Association and their LinkedIn group.

Update your LinkedIn account to show your new employer and job title and keep in contact. The CRC often reaches out to alumni from the program to help advise current students about companies, industries, markets and hiring processes.