Business Card Ideas for Job Seekers

By Anish Majumdar, Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

If you are out of work, it might not make sense at first that you would have a business card. After all, business cards are normally issued to employees when they come to work in a new job.

Upon further reflection, it makes perfect sense to have a business card while you are looking for a job. Here are some reasons:

- You might easily hand out a business card to someone in a setting where handing out a resume wouldn’t make sense. Say you are at a basketball game with a bunch of friends and some new acquaintances. You mention your situation and talk about what you are looking for. One of the new people says he knows someone who might need someone with your skills. Rather than going out to your car to get a resume, or looking for a pen and a piece of paper and trying to write down all of the relevant contact information and key points, you simply hand out the business card and it gets pocketed and passed along. Anyone who sees the transaction assumes that it’s a normal business transaction and no one is the wiser.

- Let’s say you land an interview. Of course you will send your resume ahead of time, or leave it when you arrive, but resumes often get filed away. Leaving a business card as well allows your interviewer to have something that she can leave on her desk or on a corkboard for easy reference. When she is looking to make a hiring decision, you may just be the first one called because you are more visible.

- Attach a business card to any resume you send out. Not many people will, and it is one thing that will set you apart. In a tight job market,setting yourself apart is the name of the game.

When designing the card itself, keep these ideas in mind: – Make sure that your contact information is completely up-to-date. If you were to have some reason to change a phone number, it’s better to have your cards reprinted rather than lose a job opportunity. Make sure your overall skill set and your professional designations are featured beside and under your name.

For ex: Melissa Thompson, M.S., Senior Scientist and Project Manager

On the reverse side of the card, you can put more specific skill sets, such as secondary areas you may have some experience in or degrees and certifications not directly related to the area which you are seeking employment in.

- When choosing color and print style for your card, go for a conservative look. Black print on off-white thick stock card paper will offend no one. The only exception to this rule would come into play when you are seeking a job which requires creative talent, particular in the advertising or graphics arts field. In that case, tailoring your card to showcase some creative talent you possess may not only be a good idea – it may be expected.

About the Author

Anish Majumdar is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Owner at www.ResumeOrbit.com. 95% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee (in writing).

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