Business Cards - Never Be Without One

by Jan Nussbaum
Assistant Director for Professional Development

As you tell people about your job search and career goals in whatever context - informational interview, SORG or professional association event, party with friends and family, working out at the gym or bus ride - be sure to have business cards at hand to give out. This is extremely important for several reasons:

• It's essential for people to remember you, your conversation and to stay in touch. This is reinforced when they have your card.
• It's an easy way for people to review your background and career goals if you've listed your LinkedIn profile link on the card. Even as a law student, you can have a LinkedIn profile that reflects your career ambitions and past work experience.
• It's a great way to get the other person's card to allow you to follow up with them. Be sure to immediately jot down a few pieces of information about your conversation before you forget. Include personal data as well. You can use this information when looping back with them and they will be quite impressed about how much you remembered. For example, "how did your trip go back East to drop off your daughter at college . . . would you have time for a quick cup of coffee to provide me some input on my career search (or internship ideas, etc.)?"

Make sure your cards look professional. Get them printed on nice card stock in either white or off white, and keep the lettering to a minimum - your name, Doctor of Jurisprudence (with year of matriculation), email, phone, LinkedIn profile link. Address is optional. The simpler the card, the easier it is to read and more professional looking.

Business cards are not expensive. Many copy and print shops charge $15 for 100 cards. Vistaprint.com will print an initial 250 cards for free and does have one design that is quite professional looking - first page, second sample. In addition, the law school SBA can provide GGU business cards at reduced rates. Contact SBA Secretary Jodi Phillips after September 1 for more information (ggulaw.sba@gmail.com).

It's best to offer your card toward the end of the conversation. "I enjoyed talking with you. I'd love to get your business card. Here's mine." Just like networking, it can be somewhat intimidating to offer and exchange business cards with someone you just met, especially in a new or different venue. But once you do it a few times, it becomes second nature. You have nothing to lose, only contacts to gain.