Job Searches

Lesson 6: Final Rehearsal

Closing the Deal

Your interview is a sales call, and you need to finalize the deal, or at least have them keep you in mind. Your best bet is to hand each interviewer your business card and shake hands before you leave. This gives a personal touch along with a memento of you. Business card? But I’m looking for a job and don’t have one! That’s exactly why you DO need a business card. And you make them yourself at any computer, with a quick trip to your local Staples kind of store. Do not bother investing in the minimum 500 cards from a local printer. By doing your own you have the flexibility to change them at will.

The store will stock different kinds of blank business cards. Choose one that you like and suits you. For my business I put on my own graphic and a lot of information, so I go with a plain coloured or textured one. You won’t need that much area (unless you are trying to start out on contract work or freelance or start your own business) so feel free to choose one with a graphic. The core information you need is:

Your name
Full Address
Phone, email

Now you can add a quick line or two about what kind of work you want and what skills you have. Keep it short, this is not your Resume, but sort of a quick “trailer” or teaser – just like the ads for a new movie. You want to put the highlights, the best parts.

These cards work great for the new graduate, the person re-entering the workforce, and the high executive probably already has one in circulation.

Now hand them out – not just at the interview, but anyone you run into that might possible know of someone looking for a person with your qualifications. So if someone says “call me later and send off a Resume” – you can hand them this card right away, and STILL send in the full Resume later.

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