Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

It would depend on the circumstances. If you had a cup with money sitting in front of you, or if you're on the side of a street accepting handouts, it would be pretty obvious that you were panhandling instead of legitimately looking for work. If people offered you money and you declined, saying that you were actually looking for employment, that would suggest that you weren't panhandling.

Of course, local ordinances may have an effect. You don't say where you are doing this.

However, since you obviously have access to a computer, why not spend your time working on a resume, searching "help wanted" sites and contacting employers, instead of passively sitting on the street holding a sign, expecting a job to come to you? Most people assume the sign-holders want handouts, not work.