A business card can be one of the best marketing tools for your career. It’s an inexpensive, simple way to connect with influential people you meet – such as employers, thought leaders and network connections.
And, yes, as a job seeker, you should have a business card. They’re no longer exclusive to the employed—in fact, some might argue that business cards are more important for people looking for a new gig.
Business card do’s:
- Include important contact information. At the minimum, your business card needs your full name, email address, website/online portfolio, and phone number(s). You could even include links to your professional networking accounts.
- Consider going virtual. If you often find yourself running out of traditional business cards (or forgetting to bring them altogether), an electronic business card, such as CardCloud, can be a great alternative.
- Keep it simple. There’s no need to include everything on your card. While it may be tempting to list out all of your skills or accomplishments, those things are best saved for your website or online portfolio.
- Use one or two readable fonts. Using too many fonts makes for an ugly business card. Choose one or two simple, classic fonts to ensure your information is clear and easy to read.
- Write notes on the back. Want someone to remember something specific that’s not on your card? Write a note on the back before handing over your card. This tactic is used a lot in sales and marketing when the salesperson is offering a special deal or incentive to entice the customer to come back or purchase the product.
Business card don’ts:
- Be cheap. Much like investing in a nice suit for job interviews, you shouldn’t focus on getting a bargain business card. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars – websites like VistaPrint.com have very reasonable prices for large amounts of business cards.
- Include too much information. As stated above, keeping it simple is best. If people want to know more, they’ll contact you.
- Keep outdated cards. Ever received a business card with a scratched out phone number or website? It looks tacky and unprofessional. Instead, order new ones if an important piece of information changes.
What else is important for job seekers to know about business cards?
