MBA Career Checklist

Complete the CareerLeader™ online assessment. (Time: 30-60 minutes) Follow the instructions on how to access this assessment (PDF file). Sign in using your UB email. Review and save the Narrative Report. You will be need to refer to it during 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.
  NOTE: If you are a previous or current School of Management student who completed our undergraduate career course (MGG300, MGG315 or MGG398) you will need to provide a non-UB email address in order to gain access to CareerLeader. 

Complete the Career Vision assignment by June 30. 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,  our Alumni Success profiles, or through our networking platform Connect-a-Bull.

To complete the online Career Idol assignment by June 30, 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 MBA résumé using the CRC's MBA Résumé Template. 
   
   • CRC résumé writing tools include a guide, digital workshop and tutorial on Making Your Content Count.
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 and tools to get optimal results. 
   • Access to VMock will be granted in June (or soon after you commit to UB). You get 10 uploads per academic year.
   • It is best to use a PC/laptop to effectively use this tool, though there is a VMock app. If you have accessibility concerns, please contact us directly.
   • Your goal is to achieve 70 points or more before  proceeding.
3. Revise your résumé based on your VMock feedback by Sunday, June 30.
4. Some résumé tips:  
   • It should be one page only.
     
   • Name your document your name Last Name_First Name.

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 mid-late September
  • Although this fair is focused on MBAs from underrepresented groups, it is open to any MBA student. This is the key event to attend if you are conducting a national job search.
    
  • For 2024, registration opens in April/May. Register early for discounted pricing.
    
• MBA Veterans Career Conference in mid-October
  • For 2024 there will be both in-person and virtual components
• Prospanica in October
  • Although this fair is focused on MBAs from underrepresented groups, it is open to any MBA student. If you are conducting a national job search you are encouraged to attend a national fair.
    

If you plan to attend a national career fair, connect with your CRC career advisor in early summer. 

• Instructions:  Send an email to Pam Krakowiak with your updated résumé (post-VMock critique and revisions) as a Word document to pjk2@buffalo.edu. Include the specific conference you are interested in and why. Ensure your résumé is named your with your program, name and conference like MBA Résumé - Your Last/Family Name - Conference.  (i.e. MBA Resume – Smith – Conference)

TIP: Watch the Prepare for the National Conferences workshop. And watch BizLink for the latest workshops.  

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Many of the employers who attend national career fairs focus on domestic candidates at the fair. However, it may be an opportunity to connect with company representatives for future opportunities.

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

• 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. 

• 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 to learn more about each functional area and the career resources available for that area.
  

• 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.

As you begin your MBA program it is important to focus on your career development. After all, most of you are here to get a better job, change careers or enhance another 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.
• Become familiar with the CRC website, the BizLink career system and the Job Fairs and Events pages.
• Be prepared: Some companies are recruiting early; as early as the summer before you start the program and in early fall. These are usually national companies and some in very competitive industries like consulting or technology. While other 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. The BizLink career system also lists Employer Recruiting 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. Résumé deadlines could begin as early as June (a whole year before).
• Understand the recruitment process at the CRC using the BizLink career system
• Review the career tools for international students
• Review cover letter 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.
  
• Attend on-campus job fairs, such as the Management Career and Internship Expo and the UB STEAM 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, Marketing and Operations and Supply Chain Management programs, should also register with the UB Career Design Center, the university-wide career office. The Career Services career management system is called Bullseye/Handshake. Complete your profile and upload your résumé to this system to take advantage of their job postings, on-campus interviewing opportunities, mentors and events.
• Explore Relish Careers if you are interested in working outside Western New York.
  

• Information about major events and workshops are promoted through email during the semester or in MGG600.
• Sign up for a Resumania 10-minute quick critique if you still have questions on your MBA resume. Log into BizLink and click on Counseling, Add New Appointment, and find a Resumania appointment. 
  
• 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.  

Schedule an individual career appointment with your appropriate CRC staff member based on your primary functional option/concentration by Monday, September 18. (REQUIRED) Appointments can take place after the 16th, but should be scheduled by then. Schedule your appointment directly through BizLink. Go to Counseling an and then click Add New Appointment. Scroll down the left side to find your advisor's name, select their name only and click Check Availability.

• 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.
• Katie Rusek: Finance, Operations and Supply Chain Management 
  
• Kevin Thomas Jr.: Information Security, Information Systems and E-business
• Data Analytics, Consulting and International Management are complimentary options and should be taken in conjunction with a primary concentration. Meet with your advisor for the primary area listed above. 

After your résumé has been critiqued by VMock,  you have made revisions, participated in a summer résumé session or Resumania appointment, then make final changes. Upload your résumé to the BizLink. All MBA résumés should be CRC approved and uploaded by September 23, 2024.

• 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.
• Tips on Formatting Your Résumé Using Word
  Using the CRC template is important, but you may still want to watch this quick video to learn the MS Word hacks necessary to format your résumé professionally.

• 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 Services (ISS), especially those pertaining to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and/or Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Bullseye, “powered by Handshake” is the career system of the university-wide career services office, the Career Design Center. You have access to the resources in both career offices. The Career Design Center in Capen Hall as well as the management-specific Career Resource Center in Alfiero Center.

• Bullseye (Handshake) 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. Bloomberg, Microsoft and more) so they collaborate with the Career Design Center, which serves engineering and computer science. But some of these companies also have less technical roles better filled by our MIS students or business roles in finance, marketing, operations and more.

Some companies are recruiting early; as early as the summer before you start the program and in early fall. These are usually national companies and some in very competitive industries like consulting or technology. While other 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. 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. Résumé deadlines could begin as early as June (a whole year before).

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. Watch the Writing a Cover Letter workshop.

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 (found on UB Libraries): 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
• 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
• Interstride: A tool for international students to improve U.S. job search success. You can investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
• MyVisaJobs: Investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
• Follow your target companies on social media (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) as companies often post internships and jobs there before other, more expensive methods. Follow key people from those organizations as well.

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. 

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.
• Tips on Formatting Your Résumé Using Word
  Using the CRC template is important, but you may still want to watch this quick video to learn the MS Word hacks necessary to format your résumé professionally.
• Upload your revised résumé to BizLink and Bullseye.

• Participate in Network New York in January to meet with alumni in New York City (NYC) who work in your prospective field.
• Attend valuable company tours or virtual meetings 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.
• NYC events are typically advertised in November.
  

Continue building your network and relationships using the CRC networking resources.

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 LinkedIn. The Career Resource Center can also help you connect to alumni or company contacts.

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

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events. Check in BizLink, Bullseye and CRC Events for more information. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions. Also use LinkedIn. Explore Relish Careers if you are interested in working outside Western New York.

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. Log into BizLink and click on Experiential Learning.
• To earn credit for your internship and meet your MBA internship requirement, indicate you would like to earn credit for the internship. 
• How to earn credit for your internship.

Companies in certain industries are recruiting very early. Consulting is one of those industries. It is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for job opportunities. Be sure to sign up for the free portion of Management Consulted if you are interested in working in consulting.

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.

• Tips on Formatting Your Résumé Using Word
  Using the CRC template is important, but you may still want to watch this quick video to learn the MS Word hacks necessary to format your résumé professionally.

Update all of your profiles related to your job search.

• BizLink: Upload your current résumé with your summer experiences and clarify your job search focus.
• Bullseye (Handshake):  Upload your current résumé with your summer experiences and clarify your job search focus.
• LinkedIn: Review your headline (text immediately under your name). Revise your About (summary) to include your summer experiences and your current job search focus. 

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

• Mergent Intellect: 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
• 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.

Some companies are recruiting early; as early as the summer before you start the program and in early fall. These are usually national companies and some in very competitive industries like consulting or technology. While other 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. BizLink also lists Employer Recruiting Events. 

• 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. Résumé deadlines could begin as early as June (a whole year before).

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.

• Tips on Formatting Your Résumé Using Word
  Using the CRC template is important, but you may still want to watch this quick video to learn the MS Word hacks necessary to format your résumé professionally.

Update all of your profiles related to your job search.

• BizLink: Upload your current résumé with your summer experiences and clarify your job search focus.
• Bullseye (Handshake):  Upload your current résumé with your summer experiences and clarify your job search focus.
• LinkedIn: Review your headline (text immediately under your name). Revise your About (summary) to include your summer experiences and your current job search focus. 

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

• 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)

Advanced interviewing will be covered in your fall course, MGG600 MBA Discussion Group. If you are applying for national internships then start early, and watch the Advanced Interviewing workshop series. Then schedule a practice interview with your CRC career advisor (Katie or Pam) 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 (or just paste the description into the note) 
• Prior to your practice interview, you may want to review the CRC interviewing guide and tips or complete your own privately recorded interview through Big Interview (free when you sign up with UB email address)

Companies are recruiting early. Some companies may begin recruiting the summer before you start the program and in early fall. These are usually national companies and some in very competitive industries like consulting or technology. It is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. 

• 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.

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

• Mergent Intellect (found on UB Libraries): 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
• 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
• Interstride: A tool for international students to improve U.S. job search success. You can investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
• MyVisaJobs: Investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
• Follow your target companies on social media (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) as companies often post internships and jobs there before other, more expensive methods. Follow key people from those organizations as well.

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. 

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community and on campus. 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 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.