I got some positive feedback on my recent posts where I dove deeper into specific topics that I write about in my Career Articles online. (Thanks Dina for your response). So I’m going to do more of that this week…I hope it’s helpful.
Business Card Tips and Etiquette
How important is your business card? Are you in the kind of business where you use it a lot, or not at all? I used to work in a field that didn’t require much use of the business card. So I subsequently used mine as bookmarks, to write to do lists on, and now to be honest, I have a large box of old unused business cards in my office that I just can’t bring myself to throw away. I like to recycle as you know and hate wasting paper.
Now that I’m in business for myself, I realize just how important these little cards are, especially if you’re in the job market or in business for yourself. So how important are they? They’re important, and here’s why:
1 – They make a statement about who you are. Because I can control the way my card looks, the "look" is very important to me. It’s my image and my 1st impression. If you’re in business for yourself, or looking for a new job, make sure your card makes a statement about who you are.
2 – Think about your personality – what kind of card fits your personality? Create one that fits who you are.
3 – Consider the job you’re searching for – what kind of card is most appropriate for that field? More conservative and straightforward or creative and funky. My cards walk the line between creative, bold, hip and professional. I always get comments on them, it makes me that much more memorable to the person I’ve just met. So make yours that way. Make a statement, the right statement.
4 – If you’re in between jobs, should you make up a card? Yes, especially if you’re attending a networking event. You need something to hand to people right? You can easily get cards made for free online these days, or something done at Kinko’s. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to look good. So make something up with your contact info and the type of job you’re looking for. Include the title of your current or previous position on there so people can identify you with a specific field. If you’ve got a sense of humor include something funny and memorable.
Making a good first impression is important in career networking and your card is an important part of that impression. Good luck! Hallie – career coaching
