When you don’t belong to a business it may seem strange to make a business card, but it is an invaluable networking tool because it carries your critical contact information. When engaging in conversation or an informational interview, offer to exchange business cards instead of whipping out your unsolicited resume and asking for a job. Think of nurturing your professional contacts like dating: you wouldn’t declare your undying love to someone you’ve just met and ask them to make a commitment on the spot (at least I certainly hope that you wouldn’t). You’re pursuing this relationship with a goal in mind, sure, but you have to build some sort of rapport first, “courting” your target and eventually winning them over.
This is where your personal business card comes into play: you’ve made a good first impression, and it’s time to exchange digits! Your card, as a student or recent grad seeking employment, should contain your field of study, degree level, university (boiler up!), email, and phone number. If you have an online portfolio, include the url. Don’t be tempted to turn it into a tiny resume, and don’t give yourself an imaginary job title. Your business card by itself won’t land you a job, but it isn’t meant to—it’s meant to get your foot in the door. Because they’re so much easier to tote around than a folder full of resumes, you can (and should) carry your cards with you at all times (an inexpensive business card case will keep them safe and crisp, even in the most treacherous purses or backpacks). You never know when you’ll meet “that special someone” who’s looking for a new employee.
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