Conduct a Job Search

At the beginning of a job search it is important to consider some important questions:

• Where to live. Consider climate, familiarity, proximity to valued people/interests.
• Work environment. Remote, hybrid, in-person? Independent work or team-oriented?
• Career growth potential. Types of positions that will support my long-term vision.
• Types of organizations.  Large business or small organization. Non-profit or for-profit. Community involvement?

The job search process and career choices are very individualized.  It’s important to consider interests, personality, work values, and other key elements to make an informed decision about appropriate careers. To get started, take Focus, a free career assessment, to research careers that highlight those elements. The key to being successful in a job search is preparation.

Some resources that help with self-exploration and understanding options:

• Careers In… will help find careers and types of employers in these areas. Beneficial for exploring majors or searching for information about a chosen field.
• Focus is a self-paced career system designed to help choose majors offered at Buffalo State University, explore occupations, & make informed career decisions. To access a free account, click the link above, then click on “create a new account” button. Type in the access code “Bengal” and complete your registration. From there, you will be able to take assessments:
  • Work Interest Assessment
  • Values Assessment
  • Personality Assessment
  • Skills Assessment
  • Leisure Assessment

The answers will connect to occupations and majors that correspond to interests, skills, values, and personality.

Be sure to polish up professional documents such as cover letter, resume. Practice interviewing skills during the job search process. Remember - job search preparation is key! 

Respond to online openings 

• Search for and apply to positions advertised by employers on BengalLink, CareerShift, company websites, job search specific websites

Target employers

• A good job search includes efforts to engage with employers. Create a list of employers that align with identified goals based on the above research steps. After creating a list of employers:
  • Search for openings on the organization’s website.
  • Meet employers when they visit campus to develop professional relationships.
  • Contact employers to ask about current job opportunities.

Networking

• Networking is an important professional skill and job search strategy. Communicate with family, friends, supervisors, classmates, even if they’re not in fields of interest.  They may know of contacts to make introductions! Reach out to contacts within companies/agencies of interest to build relationships. Learn about them, their company, and areas of interest by conducting informational interviews.  These conversations and relationships can lead to job and internship opportunities.
  • LinkedIn and the Buffalo State Alumni Engagement office are great resources to expand professional networks.

Making a choice

• When a job is offered, it’s important to take the time to evaluate it to make an educated decision to accept it or reject it.
• Consider the entire compensation package – salary, benefits, perks, work environment – not just the paycheck.

• Weigh the pros and cons and ask for time to mull over the offer. Each job seeker needs to evaluate their own personal situation today and determine the best course of action is for them and their career goals. 

   

• When a job offer is received, be sure to ask for the offer in writing. Read the offer over carefully and make sure to understand the total compensation package offered including salary, benefits, vacation, etc. Consider intangibles like a flexible schedule and time off, which can offset a lower salary offer. 
• Review tips for negotiating and/or contact CAPE and speak with a career counselor to determine if negotiating is appropriate and to develop a strategy and approach.
• Check out some salary information resources including
  • NACE Salary Calculator
  • Salary.com
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Wage Information

Accepting an Offer

• Upon acceptance, the organization should send a letter or email detailing all aspects of what was negotiated.
• Write a letter of acceptance outlining the hiring terms. If declining the offer, write a letter of declination. The organization may post other jobs at a later date that may be a better fit. Remember to not burn bridges and leave the door open to future possibilities.  Professionalism is key.

Declining an Offer

• The reality is, not every job is right for every person. Remember the purpose of the interview: It gives the company representatives an opportunity to decide on good candidates for the job and allows job seekers to evaluate the position and organization. When declining a job offer it is important to end the interaction with the employer on good, professional terms. 

• How to Decline a Job Offer

   

Social media can expand your job search and make it much more effective. Learn how to use it skillfully to get the best results.

How does social media fit into a job search?

Social media lets you learn about industries, connect with networking contacts, and be visible to employers who search for candidates. Many companies also review profiles before making hiring decisions.

Effective ways to use social media:

• Follow employers on social media: Check their pages for job postings, learn about their company culture, and stay up to date on what’s important to them. Like, comment, or share posts to show interest.
• Make connections: Reach out to people in your field, recruiters, or employees at companies you’re interested in. Ask for advice, introductions, or insights. Look up who’s involved in hiring and engage with their posts.
• Join groups: Be part of professional or industry-related groups online. These can be great places to find job leads and learn about your field. Before posting, take time to read the group’s rules and get a sense of how people interact.
• Post on your own profile: Share projects, articles, or things you’ve learned. This shows your interests and skills to a wider audience. Ask classmates, professors, or coworkers to recommend you on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Build a portfolio: Show examples of your work—projects, papers, presentations, or creative work. A portfolio makes it easier for employers to see what you can do.

Make your profile work for you

Social media can showcase your strengths, but unprofessional posts, language, or mistakes can create a negative impression on employers.

Use these guidelines for your profile:

• Choose a good photo: Use a recent, professional-looking picture (think “resume headshot,” not vacation selfie).
• Highlight your skills: On career sites like LinkedIn, list your experience, classes, and projects. Use keywords employers in your field are looking for and keep everything updated.
• Check your privacy: Google yourself to see what shows up.
• Think like an employer: Only post photos, comments, or videos you’d be okay with an employer seeing.
• Clean up your content: Remove anything related to alcohol/drugs, negative or discriminatory comments, political rants, or anything unprofessional.
• Proofread everything: Double-check spelling, grammar, and tone on your posts and profile.
• Pick the right platforms: Use the social media tools you know best. If you’re new, try out LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter) and see what works for you.