Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
I’ve been in DC nearly a year and have learned that, much like my home town of Nashville, you never know who you’ll run into at any given moment and what that person may mean to your career.
That gal–the one who just asked for your business card, but you told her you didn’t have one–might be your future boss. Rather, she might have been your future boss, but she doesn’t have your number.
There’s a movement around town that I’m happy to see: recent grads, laid-off folks, freelance PR pros and/or people like me who work for a company that understandably doesn’t want us mixing business with pleasure, are creating personal business cards.
Most folks’ cards are designed and ordered at places like Moo.com. If you’re me, you’ve got a talented hubby who designed them for you. Either way, this mini, paper you should communicate:
- your name
- your email
- your Twitter handle (if you actually use and are proud of this account)
- your (industry relevant) blog
- if not your blog, your LinkedIn profile
- your phone number
- a description of your skill set
Let me talk about that last one for a minute. On my card it says “Margie M. Newman, PR Flack | Writer | Geek.” This way, you know what I do AND how to contact me. This one is very important. Maybe your card will say “Web guy” or “Wordpress tinker-er” or “communications specialist” or “writer/editor.” Just be sure it is accurate.
Once you’ve got personal business cards in tow, when you walk into a bar, hockey game or Wholefoods, you’ll be ready for any close encounter with the employing kind.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
Comments
03.12.10
I was just at a speed networking session yesterday, and important points on what to do with business cards were mentioned from a student's perspective.
03.12.10
I have business cards. I got them printed up only recently. A few months ago. I have to say they do not have all of what you mentioned, but then again I don't suppose mine would classify as a "personal" card. Though they could be used as such I guess.
I am a freelancer writer, and it includes my name, a brief list of things I do/have/can write, and my contact information.
I didn;t have Twitter at the time I had them printed, and I don't know if I would crowd the card with that anyway.
I have two blogs, but I don't include them on the card. Again, crowding becomes an issue. Plus I don't want to give the impression that my blogs are directly linked to my work as a freelance writer. They display my writing skill of course, but they are not about it.
Either way, until this last year I never had any. I actually felt better the moment I opened them. I just felt more connected and professional. I keep several in my wallet at all times, for the exact reason you mention here.
Funny how a little card can make such big things happen in the right hands, isn't it?
03.14.10
Great article, Margie! Thank you for sharing. I also love your "title"/skill set description - in the right industry a bit of humor works very well.
03.15.10
Hey guys! Thanks so much for the great comments. I didn't know this post had been featured, and I didn't receive an email that there were comments--sorry I've been slow to respond!
Stanley, I'm a firm believer in business cards for students. I've seen too many connections lost because the recent grad had nothing but a Twitter handle to offer up to a potential employer as a quick way to contact him.
Ty, I'm with you on keeping the blogs off the card if they aren't related to your career path. I have my FlackRabbit blog on mine because I do PR and my blog is about the PR industry.
Lindsey, true. Well-played humor can be a great thing! I'm more intrigued by folks' description of their skill set though. If you can sum up who you are and what you do in just a few words, that tells me you understand the importance of brevity! :)
03.15.10
@Margie: Thanks. That's why I order new business cards last week, with my twitter handle, my blog url (although not directly related to my career), and other contact information. Let's see how and when they would pay dividends in terms of opportunities.
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
|
|
|
|
