[04.18.09]

85 great comments!

A New Business Card for Networking: FlashCard

If you haven’t been following along, much of my effort lately has been in developing tools. For you. Tools to help maximize your effort during job search. And they are all free.

OK, I guess they are not totally free. If you would, I’d love to count you as a regular blog reader. And I’d love it if you would tell your friends about the blog and the tools. Mostly free, I guess.

This most recent series of tools has been about establishing a solid set of personal marketing materials. I call the whole set my Full Pitch™ series as I hope they help you hit the street with confidence. Confidence, a really good sense of who you are and what specific ways you can positively impact the people you’ll be meeting during job search.

So far, you’ve seen the SoloSheet™. A one-sheet networking bio that gets all of your critical information onto one, easy-to-digest page. It includes data that will help your network help you – something a professional resume does not accomplish.

Today I have another FREE download to share. Like the SoloSheet, this download is my version of something that is not new. It is a template for a business card you can use while career networking.

Now for all of you who already have a networking business card, be patient with this next paragraph. You are one step ahead.

Now, for the rest of you who are not using networking business cards as part of your job search communication strategy, it’s time to get started. Why? Well, it gives you a very common and socially accepted tool in business. It also helps you feel valuable and shows personal pride. OK, so it makes you feel like you are still in business. Great.

But most networking business cards I’ve seen are bland and include very little information for someone to take-away from your encounter. Certainly nothing actionable regarding your job search objectives.

So I created a new format that I’d like you to consider. It gets key data about you onto a very portable item. One that, once properly filled out, will make for a great reminder of how someone in your network can help you.

And I came up with a name for them. Sorry, I can’t help it. I’m a marketing guy.

Instead of a networking business card, I call it a FlashCard™. Why a FlashCard, you ask? Well, simply, it allows people to remember you and, this is crucial, your specific job objectives . . . in a flash.

So, what does it look like? I thought you might ask – front and back are below:

for job, human interest, career networks, mass media, media technology, business card, job objective, networking business, job search, job descriptions, business cards, learning, flashcard, jobs, card, search, objectives

So, on the front is much of the standard info (name, e-mail, phone number) you might expect. What’s been added is your positioning statement (right off your one-sheet and resume), 4-6 key strengths (to help people line you up with specifics on a job description) and your Linkedin profile (make sure that your profile is fully filled out and represents you well). Overall, the front tells people who you are and how they can get in touch with you. I also left some room at the top if you wanted to add a design element.

The back is where the FlashCard becomes highly actionable. While I do not recommend putting career objectives on a professional resume, it is crucial that your one-sheet and business card have them. These are the two key documents that you will use in networking, right? How can someone effectively help you if they forget your objectives? Be as specific as you can and you will get good leads in return. Make sure to include 5-6 target companies. Not everyone you are targeting, but ones that will help people as they see a job flying by in their in-box.

You may notice the last line on the back:

Add me to your Watchlyst™ at www.timsstrategy.com

Not familiar with the Watchlyst? Well, you can read about it if you’d like. Basically, it is a career networking tool that helps you keep track of the job objectives of those in your network. Me? Help other job seekers? Yes, absolutely. The Watchlyst gets everything on one sheet so you no longer have to shuffle through a pile of resumes to figure out who should receive that new job lead.

Your job is to get your objectives on the Watchlyst of as many people as you can. If successful, you will receive more qualified leads and your network will feel good that they were able to help. If you are not a Watchlyst user or do not see the value, you can easily take that copy off the template when you design your cards.

You can also join my personal Watchlyst – it’s is easy.

Here’s how the template works. This is a Microsoft Word template file (.dot). Once downloaded, you can create your cards (front and back) pretty quickly. I did mine by purchasing an Avery product (#8877) called Clean Edge business cards. You can pick them up at any office superstore. I like this method because you can print as many as you want. If you want to change anything on the card, you can do it any time and be back on the street that same night!

Of course, you can get cards printed many ways.

Go to the free job search tools page to download the template . . . and, good luck out there.

Nancy

Great idea! I just tweeted this as I am a recent “ULOP” – unexpectedly laid off professional – who is looking for ideas and thoughts to get noticed.
As a recent ULOP, I dont really know what my objectives are yet but this – and a few former posts which I just read- will be VERY helpful to me.
Thanks again!
Nancy
Visit me at LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymikkelsen
Nancy

Great idea! I just tweeted this as I am a recent “ULOP” – unexpectedly laid off professional – who is looking for ideas and thoughts to get noticed.
As a recent ULOP, I dont really know what my objectives are yet but this – and a few former posts which I just read- will be VERY helpful to me.
Thanks again!
Nancy
Visit me at LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymikkelsen
http://www.ResumeBear.com Diana Lewis

Nancy,
You may want to use an online resume service like http://www.ResumeBear.com which has real-time tracking to aid in your job search.
http://www.ResumeBear.com Diana Lewis

Nancy,
You may want to use an online resume service like http://www.ResumeBear.com which has real-time tracking to aid in your job search.
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Nancy – Thanks for the tweet! Good luck to you!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Nancy – Thanks for the tweet! Good luck to you!
http://www.linkedin.com/in/staciglovsky Staci Glovsky

Thanks, Tim. Your advice and tools have been incredibly helpful in aiding my job search. I have shared your blog with many other folks in transition, as your information is truly invaluable. Now I just need to execute all of your ideas.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/staciglovsky Staci Glovsky

Thanks, Tim. Your advice and tools have been incredibly helpful in aiding my job search. I have shared your blog with many other folks in transition, as your information is truly invaluable. Now I just need to execute all of your ideas.
http://www.LinkedIn.com Charles Garber

Tim,
I like the concept as well and would appreciate seeing your completed version.
Thanks.
Charles
http://www.LinkedIn.com Charles Garber

Tim,
I like the concept as well and would appreciate seeing your completed version.
Thanks.
Charles
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Staci – Great re-connecting with you. I’m glad I could help!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Staci – Great re-connecting with you. I’m glad I could help!
Butch Sweedar

Very clever idea. It is professional and yet different. Well done!
Butch Sweedar

Very clever idea. It is professional and yet different. Well done!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Butch – I hope it helps!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Butch – I hope it helps!
http://www.linkedin/in/vshaull Verne

Thank you for the tips. I have looking to make a change in organizations to further my career and the tools you have shown will be of great benefit to my search. I would really like to hear your thoughts on promoting transferable skills.
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Verne – Good question re: promoting transferable skills. Thinking about how to approach this one . . .
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Verne – Good question re: promoting transferable skills. Thinking about how to approach this one . . .
http://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiafishel Cynthia Fishel

Tim, I would really be interested to see a final version example of the Flash card (yours or others you may have). Thanks! Cynthia
http://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiafishel Cynthia Fishel

Tim, I would really be interested to see a final version example of the Flash card (yours or others you may have). Thanks! Cynthia
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Cynthia – It’s on the way!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Cynthia – It’s on the way!
Mark Tenzer

Great idea! Can I see an example of your card. Thanks..
Mark
Mark Tenzer

Great idea! Can I see an example of your card. Thanks..
Mark
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Just sent it, Mark. Thanks!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Just sent it, Mark. Thanks!
Gloria

Thank you for creating these helpful forms. Please send me an example of your card. I like the idea of making it easier for folks to cross refer and help each other in the process.
gloria
Gloria

Thank you for creating these helpful forms. Please send me an example of your card. I like the idea of making it easier for folks to cross refer and help each other in the process.
gloria
Jonathan Clark

Great advice! Can you send a Flashcard to jlclark97@yahoo.com?
Thanks!
Jonathan
Jonathan Clark

Great advice! Can you send a Flashcard to jlclark97@yahoo.com?
Thanks!
Jonathan
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

You are welcome, Gloria! I hope it helps – your copy is on the way . . .
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

You are welcome, Gloria! I hope it helps – your copy is on the way . . .
Katherine

Hi Tim,
I just fell into your site last night and was so grateful to discover that I was not the only one who is feeling angry, frustrated, depressed with the difficult job searching nowadays. Your information and forms have given a much-needed boost and I’m going to revamp my resume and strategy and get back out there. Could you please send me the example of your Flashcard?
Thank you
Katherine
Katherine

Hi Tim,
I just fell into your site last night and was so grateful to discover that I was not the only one who is feeling angry, frustrated, depressed with the difficult job searching nowadays. Your information and forms have given a much-needed boost and I’m going to revamp my resume and strategy and get back out there. Could you please send me the example of your Flashcard?
Thank you
Katherine
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Katherine – Yes, there is a nice long list of emotions experienced in job search. We all have been inflicted! Glad to hear that some of the tools have helped you – your sample is on the way!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Katherine – Yes, there is a nice long list of emotions experienced in job search. We all have been inflicted! Glad to hear that some of the tools have helped you – your sample is on the way!
Melitta W

Hi Tim,
These products are brilliant! Would you email me your completed SoloSheet and FlashCard please?
Many thanks,
Melitta W.
Melitta W

Hi Tim,
These products are brilliant! Would you email me your completed SoloSheet and FlashCard please?
Many thanks,
Melitta W.
Nara Acharya

Can you please send me too a copy of your SoloSheet and FlashCard?
Thanks,
Nara A
Nara Acharya

Can you please send me too a copy of your SoloSheet and FlashCard?
Thanks,
Nara A
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Nara – Your samples are on the way. Thanks for asking!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Nara – Your samples are on the way. Thanks for asking!
http://www.nigelbeane.com Nigel Beane

Tim, thanks for the suggestion…I’d been wrestling with Vistaprint for a couple of days so this is a really timely option for me. I’d be interested to see your own version.
Just setting out off to Staples now!
Nigel
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelbeane
http://www.nigelbeane.com Nigel Beane

Tim, thanks for the suggestion…I’d been wrestling with Vistaprint for a couple of days so this is a really timely option for me. I’d be interested to see your own version.
Just setting out off to Staples now!
Nigel
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelbeane
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey Nigel – I’ll send you my version right now. Good luck!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey Nigel – I’ll send you my version right now. Good luck!
Sarah DiGioia

The FlashCard – another great idea, Tim. It’s a powerful update on the old business card. Even in our e-everything networking world the business card is still going strong and it’s format has taken some interesting turns (for example, check out MOO.com’s popular smaller format cards). Tim’s suggestions add value to the business card idea by focusing on memorable keywords and steering away from unprofessional attention-grabbing gimicks that might leave the wrong impression.
Sarah DiGioia

The FlashCard – another great idea, Tim. It’s a powerful update on the old business card. Even in our e-everything networking world the business card is still going strong and it’s format has taken some interesting turns (for example, check out MOO.com’s popular smaller format cards). Tim’s suggestions add value to the business card idea by focusing on memorable keywords and steering away from unprofessional attention-grabbing gimicks that might leave the wrong impression.
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Sarah! Until someone invents a new, user-friendly e-business card that’s as personal as the one one we have today, my hope was to make it better and more functional. Appreciate your feedback and I will check out moo.com. Thanks for the tip!

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