Business card generally presents an essential key to successful networking because it provides a small “reference sheet” that helps your new contacts remember your basic information.
The Need
Normally, business cards work perfectly for networking. However, a problem arises when people are unemployed or (as with many students) yet-to-be-employed.
What type of card should an unemployed person use?
Although this can be a challenging dilemma, the solution, once known, is simple.
The Solution
When unemployed, a man should use a networking card.
A networking card retains the basic layout of a business card while exchanging individual components. It gives you the opportunity to provide critical career and contact information with people you meet in social and professional situations.
For example, instead of listing his job position, an unemployed man would record his area of expertise.
A networking card has a number of advantages in job hunting:
- Shows you area of expertise
- Lists your ideal job type
- Shares your personal branding statement (more on this later)
- Provides your contact information
With this information on hand, your contacts are much more likely to recognize a good job opening and notify you than they would be if they did not know your expertise or interests.
In fact, I can think of a few personal friends and acquaintances who I know are currently looking for work. Unfortunately, I do not know what type of work they are looking for, so I am unable to help them in their job hunt.
A simple networking card can solve that problem.
Keep your networking cards clean and crisp and bring them EVERYWHERE you go -- to networking events (obviously), career and job fairs, professional meetings, social gatherings, parties, weddings, and anywhere else you may run into potential contacts…everywhere. You should keep copies of your resume handy as well, but there are obviously numerous times where a resume would simply be too awkward to handle.
Designing Your Card
Creating your networking card is not very difficult, and you can probably finish it in five to ten minutes.
A normal networking card contains five components:
#1 Website
Explanation
With the advent of the internet, normal activities are changing. In the past, most job hunting was completed using only paper resumes. Now, online resumes have also been added to the mix.
Although online resumes do not yet (and probably never will) completely replace their paper counterparts, resume websites do give you an important advantage in today’s competitive job market.
Your online resume can be anything from a simple html file to a more complex website/blog combination.
Position
When and if you build your resume website, you should list its address at the top of your networking card.
#2 Name
Explanation
Obviously, your name should be included on your networking card.
Position
Your name should be placed two lines below your website. Use a larger font and bolding to make it stand out.
#3 Expertise
Explanation
Instead of recording your job position, you should list your area of expertise. This will help your contacts think to let you know if they hear about any related job openings.
Position
This information should be communicated in one to three descriptive words just below your name. Use italics to set it apart.
#4 Branding Statement
Explanation
Your personal branding statement should be a condensed description of your vision and expertise. In one sentence, explain your past experience and your future plans.
For instance, a website developer might say: “Internet communications developer with heavy WordPress theme design experience.”
Try to balance the amount of jargon in your branding statement so it can be understood by industry outsiders as well as people in your field.
Position
Insert your branding statement two lines below your name and expertise.
#5 Contact Information
Explanation
Your contact information is obviously a necessary part of your networking card, just like it is on your business card.
Included these three pieces of information:
- Phone Number
- Fax (If you have one.)
Position
Your contact information should be located two lines below your branding statement and stacked in such a way that the remaining space on your card is neatly filled.
Attributes
Attributes of a good networking card include:
- Quality card stock
- Appropriate mix of fonts, font colors, and attributes (bold, underline, italics)
- Good graphical layout
- Balanced amount of information
Because there is limited space, it's important to tailor your information to brief bullet points or concise paragraphs. If more space is needed, you can consider two-sided or even multi-sided folding cards.
Sources and Additional Information:
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