Saturday, July 2, 2011

A card-carrying networker

When I was on the job, I often didn't bother carrying around my business card. I tossed a nearly full box of cards in the trash while packing up my office.

That's all changed. During the outplacement class I took before my last day of work, those of us on our way out the door were advised to get a personal business card so we'd have something with our contact information to hand out while we're out there, networking.

Networking, they say, is the best way to find a job these days. I'm hearing that consistent message wherever I go, and it's advice I am taking to heart.

Anyone can get a free set of 250 business cards from vistaprint.com -- all you'll have to pay for is shipping. That, and any fancy upgrades, such as opting to have the promotional line touting "FREE business cards from vistaprint.com" removed from the back of your card.

I procrastinated ordering my cards from vistaprint.com, and ordered a quick box of 250  from FedExOffice  because I wanted to be armed and ready for a networking opportunity. They're nicely printed and they'll certainly do, but when I run out, I'm ordering my free cards and making some changes based on what I'm hearing from the career gurus.

Here's what they tell me. One phone number is enough, and make it your cell phone, not your home phone. Include your email address, your Linked In address, and your website if you have one.

Oh, and speaking of your Linked In address, there is supposed to be a way to create a shorter URL with your very own name on it. I just haven't figured that out yet.

One caveat: don't put your street address on your card. No one's going to send you snail-mail correspondence these days, so they don't need to know where you live. Not until they hire you.

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