SAN FRANCISCO - JULY 20: A job seeker receive...

I’ve been in DC nearly a year and have learned that, much like my home town of Nashville, you never know who you’ll run into at any given moment and what that person may mean to your career.

That gal–the one who just asked for your business card, but you told her you didn’t have one–might be your future boss. Rather, she might have been your future boss, but she doesn’t have your number.

There’s a movement around town that I’m happy to see: recent grads,  laid-off folks, freelance PR pros and/or people like me who work for a company that understandably doesn’t want us mixing business with pleasure, are creating personal business cards.

Most folks’ cards are designed and ordered at places like Moo.com. If you’re me, you’ve got a talented hubby who designed them for you. Either way, this mini, paper you should communicate:

  • your name
  • your email
  • your Twitter handle (if you actually use and are proud of this account)
  • your (industry relevant) blog
  • if not your blog, your LinkedIn profile
  • your phone number
  • a description of your skill set

Let me talk about that last one for a minute. On my card it says “Margie M. Newman, PR Flack | Writer | Geek.” This way, you know what I do AND how to contact me. This one is very important. Maybe your card will say “Web guy” or “WordPress tinker-er” or “communications specialist” or “writer/editor.”  Just be sure it is accurate.

Once you’ve got personal business cards in tow, when you walk into a bar, hockey game or Wholefoods, you’ll be ready for any close encounter with the employing kind.

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