Job Hunt Tips 2: The First 2.5 hours and $27
My brother is wondering whether he’ll have to launch a job search after 20 years with his employer. Then yesterday, I met another fellow looking for work who is looking for tips.
As a consultant, I look for work constantly. Here’s my advice for the first few hours after you realize you might leave your current employment.
BUSINESS CARDS - 10-20 minutes and $15.00
Get business cards printed right away so you can start handing them out both to folks you know at work, and to others you meet along the way. Start handing them out at work ASAP. When you leave, you won’t have the same access to folks, and will regret not getting your contact information out before you lose touch.
Move fast on getting the business cards handed out. i.e. take them with you always, and give one to EVERYONE you see. You can’t predict the next layoff, and you want your card in the hands of folks who may leave before you. They’ll get the idea and soon there will be many of you exchanging cards. If an executive questions you, explain you don’t want to miss the chance to be on everyone’s Christmas Card list.
Don’t stuggle to come up with some pithy marketing phrase, nor claim to be a consultant. That’s silly, and everyone sees through it. Just keep it basic so you can hand it out liberally without wondering whether you want to expose your job search to each individual.
Have the cards printed with your name and contact information (Mailing address (for fedex), phone, email) and LinkedIn URL (see below). Cheesy “pitches” on a business card look desperate. Don’t use a job title. Every firm has their own vernacular, and you don’t want to be typecast because you put a title on your card.
Leave the back of the card blank so folks can make notes on it about their meeting with you.
Don’t buy microperf paper and print your own business cards. They are expensive (you’ll be needing many cards) and everyone recognizes them as home-made. You need to look professional in your search.
VistaPrint.com is the printer I use. For $10 (to remove the VistaPrint imprint on the back of the business cards) you can get professional business cards that look great. If layoffs are already announced, walk to a local printer and get cards printed immediately. If you don’t have time to get your LinkedIn profile up, order 250 cards immediately and re-print when you have your LinkedIn profile available.
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