MS MIS Career Checklist

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 CRC is a key link between the school and employers, offering many programs that bring these groups together, such as career events, alumni connections, internships, campus recruiting and career development workshops and seminars. Our mission is to create a caring environment that enables and motivates you to be successful in reaching your individual career goals.

The CRC's dedicated staff is committed to assisting you throughout your career development and job search process. Get to know our team by visiting the CRC staff page.

1. Build your updated résumé (U.S. style) using the CRC's MS 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 75 points or more before  proceeding.
3. Revise your résumé based on your VMock feedback.
4. Personalized critiques from a career advisor are also important. Submit your updated résumé to mgt-crc@buffalo.edu  by June 27
   
   • As an MS Word document
   • It should be one page only.
   • Name your document MIS_Last Name_First Name. 
   • Include your specific MS program in the subject line of the email, such as MS MIS 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 for our MIS students are:

• National Black MBA in-person fair on Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Atlanta, GA
  
• AnitaB.Org Grace Hopper Celebration on September 20-23 in Orlando, FL and the virtual option
  
• INFORMS Analytics Career Fair on April 16-18, 2023 in Aurora, CO   

If you plan to attend a national career fair, add “conference” to the subject line when you submit your résumé to the CRC. Subject line: MS MIS Résumé - Last name/First name - Conference

TIP: Watch the 2021 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.  

• 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 Melissa Ruggiero 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 our program.

• Career tools (cover letters, interviewing guide, etc.)
• Events
• International career tools
• Networking resources
• Job market and research tools
• Relish Careers
  

You will receive access to Bizlink, the CRC’s career management system in June, or soon after you commit to UB. Watch for an email sent to your UB email address.

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

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

After the CRC has reviewed your résumé and you have made the recommended changes, upload your résumé to the BizLink system. All MS MIS résumés should 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.
• 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.
  

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

After watching the Advanced Interviewing workshop series and viewing the CRC interviewing guide and tips, 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 complete your own privately recorded interview through Big Interview (free when you sign up with UB email address)

Bullseye, “powered by Handshake”, the career system of the university-wide Career Design Center. 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. 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 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 (virtual or in-person) 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, including the national career fairs. Potential financial assistance for conferences can be requested through the WOW Fund via BizLink | Jobs.

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
• Career Connector: Investigate top employers by rankings, gain valuable career knowledge in the career and industry guides and find career connections. (Site is currently under construction. It is expected to be back online in fall of 2022.)
  
• 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.
• 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.

Revise your résumé to showcase your fall projects. Upload your new résumé and update your profile and preferences in both BizLink and Bullseye.

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.

Participate in the infoTech WNY IT Informational Interview Program in mid-January to spend a day-in-the-life with an IT professional (adjustments made for virtual environments, if needed).  An email advertisement will be sent in the fall.

• Participate in Network New York in January to meet with alumni in New York City (NYC) who work in your prospective field if you would like to work in NYC after graduation.
  
• 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.
• NYC events are typically advertised in November.

Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn and UB Career Connector Network. (Career Connector is currently under construction. It is expected to be back online in fall of 2022.)

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community, including any relevant event organized by UB Career Design Center. 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 the 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 at least 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.

As soon as you graduate, you are a member of the School of Management Alumni Association. We recommend updating your contact information and joining the 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.

Those who have extended graduation until September may duplicate some of these efforts again in the summer months.

1. Build your updated résumé (U.S. style) using the CRC's MS 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 to get optimal results. 
   • Access to VMock will be granted in the fall. Watch for an invitation email, which will be sent to your buffalo.edu email address. NOTE: If you do not receive an email, please check your spam or junk folder before sending an email to mgt-crc@buffalo.edu. Some students may have received a welcome email to their personal email address this past summer before they deferred. If so, refer to that email, but your buffalo.edu email will work as well.
     
   • Your goal is to achieve 75 points or more before proceeding.
3. Revise your résumé based on your VMock feedback.
4. Personalized critiques from a career advisor are also important. Submit your updated résumé to mrugg@buffalo.edu  by January 31
   
   • As an MS Word document
   • It should be one page only.
   • Name your document MIS_Last Name_First Name. 
   • Include your specific MS program in the subject line of the email, such as MS MIS Résumé
   • 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.
• Watch a video on Advanced LinkedIn Profile Building from our renowned speaker, Ross Macpherson who presents to our class each fall.
• Add your current degree program, selecting the “University at Buffalo, The State University at Buffalo” as your school.
• Invite your career advisor, Melissa Ruggiero 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 our program.

• Career tools (cover letters, interviewing guide, etc.)
• Events
• International career tools
• Networking resources
• Job market and research tools
• Relish Careers
  

You will receive access to Bizlink, the CRC’s career management system in January (once you are registered for classes). Watch for an email.

• As an incoming MS student you will receive a welcome email message from BizLink once you have been added to the system. This usually occurs early in your first semester at UB.
• 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 MS talent to prospective employers. 
  

After the CRC has reviewed your résumé and you have made the recommended changes, upload your résumé to the BizLink system. All MS MIS résumés should be CRC approved and uploaded by the end of February.

• 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, as this is the version we use when speaking with employers about you.  

Information about events and workshops, such as Advanced Interviewing Skills  are promoted through email during the semester. RSVP for events in BizLink.

• If you are an analytical student, consider attending INFORMS Analytics Career Fair during April.
  
• Potential financial assistance for conferences can be requested through the WOW Fund via BizLink | Jobs.
  

• 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)

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)
• Watch a fantastic video on How to Win at Virtual Interviewing (in BizLink | Resources | Document Library)
  

Bullseye, “powered by Handshake”, the career system of the university-wide Career Design Center. 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. 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 public accounting firms who recruit for IT audit and forensics) recruit students through the CRC via on-campus interviewing. Typically, college recruiters look to fill entry-level roles and internships from their visits to college campuses, and they often post positions in fall for the following June. Deadlines for on-campus interviewing and when companies post on their website tend to be hard deadlines. 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 and expect an RSVP in order to attend or to get a Zoom link. 

• 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 companies’ websites early as there may be early résumé deadlines.

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 Basic Cover Letter digital workshop and other job search correspondence videos.
• Learn more about how to develop professional relationships on the CRC site.

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
• Career Connector: Investigate top employers by rankings, gain valuable career knowledge in the career and industry guides and find career connections 
  
• 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.
• 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. 

Even if you are doing an internship or a project with a faculty member, there is no reason to stop preparing for that full-time job hunt! Make the most of your summer by networking and learning.

Upload a new résumé to showcase your spring projects and summer internship in both BizLink and Bullseye. As always, use VMock for an immediate critique and follow it up with an individualized critique from Melissa Ruggiero.

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.

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 the UB Career Connector Network.

Revisit your target list of companies. Add or change this list based on the experiences you have had in projects, internships or research. Visit these companies’ career pages to learn their hiring timetable as they may request you submit a résumé as early as September 1. Follow these companies on social media.

Your full-time job hunt is in high gear in your final semester. Remember to carve out time each week to work on and execute your strategy. Begin by meeting with Melissa Ruggiero to develop your plan of attack. You can schedule an appointment through BizLink.

Attend job fairs and networking events within UB, the community and nationally. 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.

Many organizations who want to find bright business talent at the graduate level expect to meet those candidates at a national career fair, especially if they do not visit your school. Some of our more competitive students who are conducting a national job search opt to attend a national career conference. Learn about these conferences on the CRC career events page. The most common career fairs for our MIS students are:

• National Black MBA typically happens in mid-September
• AnitaB.Org Grace Hopper Celebration on September 20-23, 2022

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 from resources like Salary.com and Glassdoor.com to determine your salary expectations and range.

Review information on Managing Job Offers and Compensation Negotiations.

• Your acceptance of a 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. 

• Request OPT three months before conferral date.  So February 1 grads request it via ISS on November 1 (or soon thereafter).
• Select a date that makes sense based on the economy, your job-search activity and readiness. It is difficult to say how long it takes to authorize OPT. It may take anywhere from eight to 15 weeks. You cannot work until you receive your Employment Authorization Document.  
• If you are not eligible to begin working when the employer requests you to start, the employer may not wait for your OPT authorization.

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.

• Even though you are finished with classes, you are still a student until February 1. You can therefore participate in Network New York in January to meet with alumni in New York City who work in your prospective field. Those who plan to live and work in NYC should plan ahead to attend this event.
• 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 a few months beforehand.

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.

As soon as you graduate, you are a member of the School of Management Alumni Association. We recommend updating your contact information and joining the 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.

Keep in touch. We always like to hear from our alumni.