Networking business cards
03-27-2013, 12:03 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: King Air PIC
Posts: 145
Networking business cards
Hello great and wise people of the APC forums. I have a question that relates to networking as part of my upcoming job search. About one year from now I will retire from the Army and be joining the masses of pilots looking for work. Currently flying business jets for the Army I fly into different FBO’s around the country and get to say hello to many pilots with different companies. While I do not plan to push them on anyone, I would like to start handing out some business cards to some of these contacts.
My question is this; should I use my current business cards that have all my personal info but are specific to my current employer, or should I make up a new batch of cards that have my personal info as well as things like FAA certificates and type ratings? While my current business cards are very professional, they were not set up with the idea of promoting myself as a job search tool. If I was to make a new batch they would almost be a “mini-resume” if you will. Which type of a card would you hand out in my situation?
I know that networking is one of the keys to getting ahead in this profession. Making the right first impressions can make or break you sometimes. Any insight that you might have about business cards as part of the job search networking would be greatly appreciated.
My question is this; should I use my current business cards that have all my personal info but are specific to my current employer, or should I make up a new batch of cards that have my personal info as well as things like FAA certificates and type ratings? While my current business cards are very professional, they were not set up with the idea of promoting myself as a job search tool. If I was to make a new batch they would almost be a “mini-resume” if you will. Which type of a card would you hand out in my situation?
I know that networking is one of the keys to getting ahead in this profession. Making the right first impressions can make or break you sometimes. Any insight that you might have about business cards as part of the job search networking would be greatly appreciated.
03-27-2013, 04:08 AM
#2
Swearing at the FMA
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: MD-88 FO
Posts: 902
Stick with what you have
Unless you're a graphics guru, I'd stick with what you already have. I've tried making my own numerous times, at a high financial and time cost. In the end, they don't look very good and I just end up frustrated.
Your current cards may not be a mini resume...but that's what your resume is for. Recruiters and contacts will remember you in relation to what your current job is...further reinforced by your cards from said job.
Good luck!
Your current cards may not be a mini resume...but that's what your resume is for. Recruiters and contacts will remember you in relation to what your current job is...further reinforced by your cards from said job.
Good luck!
03-27-2013, 04:16 AM
#3
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,293
I would say use what you have now, but if you're near retirement, most or all of the contact info on your business cards will soon bounce anyone trying to reach you.
Either make up your own cards for this purpose, or get some new official cards that include at least a personal cell phone number that you're going to keep, and maybe a personal email if you can get away with it. Do retirees retain an AKO email account? Maybe use that one. Somehow highlight your permanent contact info as preferred...if someone gets bounced once, they might not keep trying.
Either make up your own cards for this purpose, or get some new official cards that include at least a personal cell phone number that you're going to keep, and maybe a personal email if you can get away with it. Do retirees retain an AKO email account? Maybe use that one. Somehow highlight your permanent contact info as preferred...if someone gets bounced once, they might not keep trying.
03-27-2013, 11:50 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: King Air PIC
Posts: 145
The current set of business cards that I have were made after my last PCS move and also have my personal phone numbers and E-mail. Because of that I do not think there will be any “bounce” problems. Also, to be clear these are not business cards that were provided to me by the Army. These are cards that I make up using VistaPrint and they are very professional.
What I am thinking I will do is use my standard business cards and then have a few resumes in a folder in my flight bag if the conversation goes there. Thanks for the input.
What I am thinking I will do is use my standard business cards and then have a few resumes in a folder in my flight bag if the conversation goes there. Thanks for the input.
03-27-2013, 12:23 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2013
Position: Doggie Style
Posts: 586
I like this idea and may try it. My current business cards are for an independent contractor position I have with an investment company (non-flying) and would like to give something different to prospective flying job contacts (like at a hiring conference with the majors). I guess the question is what is the right amount of info? Name, contact info, and quals? Also, will it look like you're not employed and does that matter?
03-27-2013, 12:33 PM
#6
APC co-founder
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
What about a "clean" business card with a link to a resume web site? Web publishing is so easy that it's reasonable to have a professional looking site that can be updated and customized by job goal. A card would be a little to static IMO.
Another idea is to embed your info into a QR code and print that code on a business card. Like a website, you can update the info as needed with a single QR.
A QR can contain all your contact info, flight times, ratings etc and a recipient just scans your QR with a smart phone to get the info into their contacts.
Here's a resource to get you started QR Code Generator: QR Stuff Free Online QR Code Creator And Encoder For T-Shirts, Business Cards & Stickers
Another idea is to embed your info into a QR code and print that code on a business card. Like a website, you can update the info as needed with a single QR.
A QR can contain all your contact info, flight times, ratings etc and a recipient just scans your QR with a smart phone to get the info into their contacts.
Here's a resource to get you started QR Code Generator: QR Stuff Free Online QR Code Creator And Encoder For T-Shirts, Business Cards & Stickers
03-27-2013, 12:33 PM
#7
Working weekends
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 2,384
Originally Posted by MilitaryAV8R
Hello great and wise people of the APC forums. I have a question that relates to networking as part of my upcoming job search. About one year from now I will retire from the Army and be joining the masses of pilots looking for work. Currently flying business jets for the Army I fly into different FBO’s around the country and get to say hello to many pilots with different companies. While I do not plan to push them on anyone, I would like to start handing out some business cards to some of these contacts.
My question is this; should I use my current business cards that have all my personal info but are specific to my current employer, or should I make up a new batch of cards that have my personal info as well as things like FAA certificates and type ratings? While my current business cards are very professional, they were not set up with the idea of promoting myself as a job search tool. If I was to make a new batch they would almost be a “mini-resume” if you will. Which type of a card would you hand out in my situation?
I know that networking is one of the keys to getting ahead in this profession. Making the right first impressions can make or break you sometimes. Any insight that you might have about business cards as part of the job search networking would be greatly appreciated.
My question is this; should I use my current business cards that have all my personal info but are specific to my current employer, or should I make up a new batch of cards that have my personal info as well as things like FAA certificates and type ratings? While my current business cards are very professional, they were not set up with the idea of promoting myself as a job search tool. If I was to make a new batch they would almost be a “mini-resume” if you will. Which type of a card would you hand out in my situation?
I know that networking is one of the keys to getting ahead in this profession. Making the right first impressions can make or break you sometimes. Any insight that you might have about business cards as part of the job search networking would be greatly appreciated.
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