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bande1102, thanks for sharing that information. I am really glad I referenced this question on the boards because in a few conversations with others, many were against the idea of the non-company business card. I feel a lot better moving forward with this. There are a few certifications I am in the process of acquiring; once earned, I will use several tips you shared--particularly the idea of the "invisible website.
It was discussed that your business card should be an introduction to who are are and who backs you (employer). To paraphrase, the idea was that the employer gives you legitimacy behind what you showcase.
IMHO, for a job-seeker/career-changer, it didn't make sense necessarily to showcase your employer.
Hmm. Well I agree that serving as an introduction and employer association are the two primary purposes of a business card. I guess it just depends on whether you think a business card can serve either purpose independent of the other.
Personally I don't think it is the employer's name that has the greatest value on the card. I mean, people use business cards with their employer's name all the time--when they meet someone at the bar, or to drop in a fishbowl to win a free something, whatever. So even with an employer's name on them, the value of the card is in the individual's name, not the company's.
There are definitely people though who place higher value on a company though. From a coworker I hear the phrase "my girlfriend works for Boeing" at least three times a day. Finally after about six months our boss finally said "Does your girlfriend have a name?" I wouldn't go so far as to say he cares more about Boeing than he does his girlfriend, but he's definitely a name dropper.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cityhopper
It was discussed that your business card should be an introduction to who are are and who backs you (employer). To paraphrase, the idea was that the employer gives you legitimacy behind what you showcase.
IMHO, for a job-seeker/career-changer, it didn't make sense necessarily to showcase your employer.
Exactly. I have business cards that my employer provided. I use those for everything EXCEPT my job search. I think it really depends on the purpose of the card as to whether or not you put the one out there with the employer cobranding.
My current employer uses regular weight card stock, with gray ink, a teal logo and a satin finish on the cards. There is no thermographic printing, but the logo is stamped to give it a three-dimensonal texture. I bought a corner punch in the stationery/scrapbooking section of the local Target ($4-5?) to give my cards a rounded edge. This look good on my work cards, largely in part that the company logo is shaped like a pill, but does not look as good on my personal business cards.
I use them. They come in handy at "networking" events....places where people aren't necessarily looking for resumes, but where you may strike up a conversation with a potential job lead. I'd steer clear of photos, although logos highlighting your accreditation(s) are a plus.
Doing this for a job search sounds pretty cool to me.......never thought of it! Will talk to wife tonight about both of us doing it. With wife/I situation, anything is worth trying now (well, not ANYTHING, but certainly logical things). We can make Business Cards right here at home on our computer/printer!
Thanks for the "heads-up" on it!
I'm a freelance graphic designer, so my situation is a bit different, but I am a big, big fan of networking, and am beginning to believe that in this age of having to be creative when it comes to employment, it's just as much about who you know, as well as what you know. If you can get your name out there that you are qualified in a certain skillset, and you are good at what you do, you can succeed.
So that being said - I do have a business card that promotes me, because I am trying very hard to brand myself. I fired my boss and became my own boss in the summer of 2007, and really haven't looked back.
We use VisaPrint for all of our business card needs.
I do have separate ones for myself and my business, and my employer knows this. I do HazMat and Inventory allocation/organization as a side gig when I have time. In fact, I use my employer as a reference for potential clients
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Re: Anyone have/use personal business cards?
.......never thought of it! Will talk to wife tonight about both of us doing it. With wife/I situation, anything is worth trying now (well, not ANYTHING, but certainly logical things). We can make Business Cards right here at home on our computer/printer!
