Business cards aren't just for salespeople. Learn how to use your contacts to access the hidden job market, and make your job search easier.
There’s a national bank here that uses the mantra of “You’re Richer Than You Think” (ScotiaBank) to get people to realize their own assets and, of course, to use those assets to obtain credit. However, this great phrase also applies to your potential contacts – you actually have more access to hidden job markets than you previously realized. The problem is how to find and use this new-found asset!
It’s been said many times before – often it’s not what you know, but who you know – AND how to use that information best suited for your needs. You may not know someone directly involved in the job area you are searching for, but they may know of someone. So how can you get the word out quickly about what you can do, how you can be contacted, without having to carry copies of your Resume to every outing?
Simple. Create your own business cards – it’s fast, easy, fun AND inexpensive. Pick out the design you like from Avery Business Forms or pick a blank one and create your own – of course, this is done via computer. Use the Label creation and pick out the Avery choice that fits (often this information is on the Avery package).
Now, the idea here is to create and use this card as a calling card, or mini resume. You need your name and phone/fax/email (your home address is not important here, but feel free to use it – however, if you are running out of room you might decide to delete it). You also need to put on the card what you are looking for, or what kind of experience you have. Often people use both sides of the card – the front for contact info and a few lines of the type of work the person can do; and the back for, well, back up information (years of experience, some clients, or more information or detail on what the person can do).
As you meet people, friends, acquaintances, don’t be shy in talking about your search for work. Be prepared to hand out these cards, and do NOT be stingy. You WANT your contacts to give these cards to others who might be interested in your work. Ensure your family and close friends always have cards on them to hand out to people they know and/or meet. Often people talk about work needs, and what they need may just be what you can provide!
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Copyright August 30, 2007. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
