Business Cards

Just wondering if anyone has used their own business cards for networking during campus events. Seems like a good way of exchanging info with recruiters/speakers during campus visits, info sessions, etc...

Does anyone have a format they like to use? Any recommended sites to order them from?

 

Personal cards can be really useful. I use them in situations where exchanging business cards wouldn't be appropriate, but in your case they could serve as all-purpose cards. Not sure how useful they'd be with recruiters, because if they want to keep in touch they'll likely ask for your resume.

Check out VistaPrint. They have a bunch of different templates.

 

Daniel Ocean Business Card:

http://liongraphics.com/BusinessCards/HollywoodStyle.htm

OCEAN'S 11

This understated-but-elegant calling card was handed out by Daniel "Danny" Ocean (George Clooney) in the movie "Ocean's Eleven". The border is embossed onto white linen card stock and the name is printed in shiny black raised ink or foil-embossed (in the movie the name is foil-embossed). Very slick. If you choose printing on the back, it will be printed in FLAT ink only.

If you want the border to be printed in ink instead (or if you want to take out the border altogether for a more contemporary look), the price will come down dramatically.

 
karypto:
Daniel Ocean Business Card:

http://liongraphics.com/BusinessCards/HollywoodStyle.htm

OCEAN'S 11

This understated-but-elegant calling card was handed out by Daniel "Danny" Ocean (George Clooney) in the movie "Ocean's Eleven". The border is embossed onto white linen card stock and the name is printed in shiny black raised ink or foil-embossed (in the movie the name is foil-embossed). Very slick. If you choose printing on the back, it will be printed in FLAT ink only.

If you want the border to be printed in ink instead (or if you want to take out the border altogether for a more contemporary look), the price will come down dramatically.

I legitimately can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.

 

Absolutely agree with KillerMike. I had one interviewer for an SA position who was so disgusted by one of the guys who went before me who brought a business card that he made a point to mention it.

Even if you work as a TA, a position that entails neither a secretary nor business cards, typically, you'll still be a dorky college kid with business cards you went out and made yourself.

 

I would slap the taste out of the mouth of the kid who handed me a business card while he's still in school. Then, after doing that, I would draw and quarter him with the entire information session watching and cheering me on.

I would continue the various methods of torture until the crowd started to see you as a Martyr and called for a quick and easy finish. Right before the axe drops, you would yell out "FREEEDOOMMMM!" This would forever change the world, you would become a martyr the likes of which hasn't been seen since Christ. This would be followed by the Rapture.

So, all in all, don't bring a business card unless you want the Rapture.

 

Take the above suggestions with a grain of salt. I suspect most are eager college students who think they know everything.

Just to add some input, in my graduating class, almost everyone who had a business card went onto BB (just an observation). It's all about marketing yourself effectively. Just don't make the business card cheesy with colours and logos, it should also have your school logo (if target).

 

Some schools have a standard business card for its students; you'd be an anomaly if you didn't have one. From my recruiting experience, they helped. GS06-08 is right on the money--just make them simple.

 

When I go on recruiting trips all we do was laugh at kids when they give you a business card. Seriously, at an info session either be memorable enough to get our attention or we don't care. Also, why do you have a business card, if its an interview we have your resume. Heck for PE interviews after IBanking half the time they don't want your card because they have a resume already. Ask for a card from anyone you meet with and send them an email if you have something interesting to say afterwards. People lose business cards in our business they don't lose emails even if they want to.

--There are stupid questions, so think first.
 

The Story: One of the professors at my school is well known for having far superior Wall Street connections than any of the other professors, so naturally getting in good with this guy is must. The problem is that this professor is somewhat of a douche, which in turn makes giving in to some of his requests, not only a huge pain in the ass, but also makes you feel like a tool. Anyway, my prof was incredibly adamant about me getting a business card (he tells all students to get them), I thought this was ridiculous and very toolish so I resisted for as long as possible. Finally, after constant bitching (and fear of not getting on his good side) I gave in and got some business cards made.

The Plan: My plan was to only give them out to people my prof knew in our city (in case he decided to check to see if I was handing them out and yes he would do such a thing), but not to hand them out in any true finance cities like NYC and Chicago. My logic was that no student from my state would ever think of business cards, therefore the cards would possibly make a good impression on a contact in my state (or the south for that matter). Whereas I figured tons of students from target schools think of such a thing and it is therefore frowned upon by most big city professionals.

The Result: In the south, professionals seem to eat the student business card up. Once I gave it a FA I was trying to get an internship with during the school year (sadly PWM is the best internship during the school year here). This guy loved it, talks about how impressive it was to this day, and every time I come into his office to visit (the internship, which I was offered, hasn't started yet), he goes out of his way to introduce me to every big client that is in there (which is nice because it has given me a lot of good business contacts outside of finance) and always asks if I have a business card to give them. I had the exact same experience with a partner at Big 4 accounting firm, this guy goes out of his way to give me every contact he has and talks me up a ton to those contacts as well. Plus, he guaranteed me a job at his firm if I ever decide I don't want to do banking.

When I was in Chicago over the summer though, I never handed the card out to anyone I met. I just asked for theirs and sent an email later that day (or the next) saying how it was such a pleasure to meet them, blah blah blah. However, once over the summer, one of the traders at the hedge fund I interned with saw some of my business cards in my portfolio when I opened it up during class. I instantly thought, oh shit, rookie mistake, now this guy is going to think I'm a tool and bust my balls constantly. To my surprise, the guy was a big fan of the card and asked if he could keep it. For the rest of the summer, the trader graded my quizzes and tests more leniently than others, and still stays in touch with me despite the internship being over.

In the end though, I still avoid giving the business card out to any person outside of the south for fear of being viewed as a douche and then being blacklisted (I'm chalking the trader thing up as an anomaly).

 

Great story, sucker.

Sucker_for_Seers:
To my surprise, the guy was a big fan of the card and asked if he could keep it. For the rest of the summer, the trader graded my quizzes and tests more leniently than others, and still stays in touch with me despite the internship being over.

So are you and the trader dating now?

 

Seriously do not listen to most of these people. 50% of the kids here are not bankers, nor will they ever be. 20% are bankers and have good info, and well the other 30% will be bankers but no zilch to little about it.

Business cards are kind of tacky as they are not frequent. I had two sets of cards as a college junior and senior. One from my internship at a BB and the other as a research assistant on campus. I never presented either. However, while at the BB when I met clients I always distributed because that is called networking and the company wanted you to. As for the RA cards I threw them out. When you meet people get THEIR card and contact them. No one will want to contact you anyway.

 

A tangent to this conversation is that if you are going through recruiting, get some sort of business card binder to keep everything organized. Assuming you get multiple second rounds, you will likely end up with around a hundred cards and it will be tough to find the one you are looking for when they are all rubber-banded together.

https://www.accountkiller.com/removal-requested
 

I've been in the business now for five years, advanced from Analyst to Associate, have led many a recruiting trip, and have interviewed hundreds of potential Analysts and Summer Analysts. I am not alone in my opinion that college kids who hand out business cards are completely ridiculous, at least here in the U.S. Seriously, take my card and email me. Mention something from our conversation at the info session or networking event and I will likely remember you. Do not give me your card, lest you be remembered as Business-Card-Kid at best, or Shitty-and-Cheesy-Business-Card-Kid at worst. I am sure this opinion is not universal; there are probably others out there who think college business cards are impressive. Don't gamble that the recruiter accepting your card is one of those people, whom I believe to be in the minority. There are better ways of making impressions.

Once more into the breach, dear friends.
 

The top MBA programs all issues business cards to everyone. 9 times out of 10 when you give them to a potential employee they'll end up trashing them, since it's your responsibility as the student to email them. That said, there were a number of times at employer information sessions where you were the ass if you didn't have a card ready to give someone who came to campus for recruiting, because everyone else did and there was no other way you have a shot of having your name remembered. And lots of people from banks who do recruiting on campus do keep the cards for future reference.

But again, that's MBA level only, and only if your school does them for all students (they do at Wharton and HBS, so I'm assuming it's the case at all MBA programs).

But it's pretty douchey for an ugrad to do it.....

 

I have been taught and learnt that your life is essentially a constant marketing battle. I would strongly suggest carrying a business card, if for nothing else than setting yourself apart.

 

you should have a business card only if you actually have a job. You'll look like a fag if it says someting like Matt Samuels, Student or John Thompson, Land Owner

Reality hits you hard, bro...
 

I would have to go with the "No Business Card" approach. I saw a card that said Candidate for Bachelors of Science, Business (or something along those lines). Let's be honest, that is a bit of a joke.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

I think it's kind of cheesy. imo, recruiters deal with obnoxious egotistical jerks in their day job- they probably appreciate a kid who is confident while still being humble.

 

I wouldn't.

Now, please allow for a bit of sarcasm: If you do get them, please make sure they are in a high gloss black with only your initials. Feel free to put a graphic of your favorite sports car faded into the background. If you want to have a title, just put something like "Chief."

 

It's the easiest way to let everyone know you're a pretentious asshat.

Honestly, one of my really good friends said it really well. "I'd never give a professional a card. It's an insult. You're there basically asking them for a job or for advice if you already have one lined up and you're giving them a card? Ridiculous." And he even had 5,000 cards of his own he got as some gimmick from a website. He only gave them out to froshes who hopped on his shaft when they found out he was at Morgan since frosh year so he didn't have to bother giving out his university email every 10 seconds.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

These are common in Taiwan. My cousin and his friend visited a couple months back and gave me them.

On the plus side, the cards were university produced.

"All I've ever wanted was an honest week's pay for an honest day's work."
 
adapt or die:
Get them, and don't forget to include a headshot

Headshot is fine, so long as it's a hologram. Or else make sure the text is raised, and the business card is on heavy cardstock.

Consultants really like receiving student business cards.

 

Student business cards? That's so Vayner/Jeff Chiang, it's all about a youtube vid man! Bring your iPad to these events and show everyone!

Don' t be a dick. Get a leather binder and keep a dozen resumes in there. Seriously dude, use your fucking head. That's all.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 

When I become a BSD and go to info sessions as a company rep, I'm going to have a big excel spread sheet that contains all the student business cards I receive and I'll make sure HR dings them all for douchiness.

 

I'm going to go against the grain and say I actually like them for one reason. I really never try to remember names of candidates, so when we're talking to students at recruiting events, it helps to put students' cards in a good pocket and bad pocket of my suit. That way, when we're looking at resumes and determining who to interview, I can screen out any douches just by looking at the cards in my bad pile.

Any other context, student "business" cards are completely lame.

 
wallstreetmonkey85:
I'm going to go against the grain and say I actually like them for one reason. I really never try to remember names of candidates, so when we're talking to students at recruiting events, it helps to put students' cards in a good pocket and bad pocket of my suit. That way, when we're looking at resumes and determining who to interview, I can screen out any douches just by looking at the cards in my bad pile.

Any other context, student "business" cards are completely lame.

LOL i thought you were going in the other direction at first, cuz i'm sure you put every single card in your "bad" pile

 
Husky32:
I wish I could get eggshell with romalian type, but unfortunately I gotta print the cards through my laser printer. What do you guys think of arial size 7 type with just name, number, email and school? (no logo/pictures and black and white)

I'm fairly certain that you should not use business cards right now.

in it 2 win it
 

I have a business card as a student. Name, email, phone, website. It's easy to hand people your personal info w/o having a resume or whatever. It's unusual yes, but it's just good for networking in general or making random contacts (not really in finance).

I feel like in finance everyone insults you for doing anything outside the box. But someone has to do it.

 
Best Response
mokey1234:
I have a business card as a student. Name, email, phone, website. It's easy to hand people your personal info w/o having a resume or whatever. It's unusual yes, but it's just good for networking in general or making random contacts (not really in finance).

I feel like in finance everyone insults you for doing anything outside the box. But someone has to do it.

Not trying to be a dick but here's some advice from someone who has seen this done repeatedly:

Really risky. One of two things is going to happen: 1) the person is going to think you have great initiative and preparedness, and will get a kick out of the card/remember you, OR 2) most likely in the financial world they will think that you are pretentious and/or have no idea wtf you are doing. Someone has to be different, but in this case don't be the rebel, as it could keep you from getting the job. There will be plenty of time to 'add your own flare' once you're in.

There's a reason its called a BUSINESS card. This implies that you have either a good or service to offer someone, or are employed by a company that fulfills one of those needs. The likelihood of them contacting you from a business card is very minimal, as they really wouldn't have anything to talk with you about at this stage. Presumably all they would be doing is talking about a job with you, which is probably a conversation that you will be initiating anyways.

Would you buy a tie if you didn't have a suit????

No, unless you're a hipster. So don't buy a business card without any experience.

"Who am I? I'm the guy that does his job. You must be the other guy."
 

I have never gotten a business card from an intern without thinking it was really weird that they had them in the first place.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

I got a business card at my internship with a F100 company, but honestly that was pretty silly on their part-really just a fun perk for the interns to show mommy and daddy.

If you have a legit need for a card because of your charitable activities, that's one thing, but to get one for networking or job-search purposes is probably a little tacky.

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
 

I received business cards as part of a summer program and actually gave them out to recruiters/interviewers sometimes. I know it's silly and I don't recommend it to other people, but it was kinda funny sometimes when I would bust out a business card when it clearly wasn't necessary (or maybe even appropriate) and make a crack about it. If you do it, don't be a tool about it.

 

I have one, and have been using one for a few years for networking. It has worked great for me. First one I had was simplistic, but a little tacky. had my logo on the front, on the back it said "Research Analyst Strategy" with my contact details. THe next one I got I spent bit more money and had it professionally designed. It works for me. I don't have any cheesy things on this one. Just a logo made with my initials. and on the back my name, website/blog, and e-mail. I always got positive comments on it. Because they were slick, and different from the other people who were handing out standard cards with their school logo on it, or even self-printed ones, they remembered me. When i sent out thank you e-mails, a few times I got, "i remember you, you had the slick business card". Even reaching out to that same person a year later, he said he remembered me. Doubt he would have if I was like the other students. It's a way for people to remember you past meeting them. Will they keep the card? no it will go int he trash when they get home. But they will go through the cards before throwing them out. I always feel its better to have something to return to them when they give me a business cards. Just my opinion, it works for me, but you have to do it tastefully. If you want to see mine, PM me and I'll send you a link.

 

Also, mine isn't specific to any career. I network for consulting, and banking, and for the non-profit i'm on the board for as well, so I keep it simple and it applies to anything. I wouldn't do the non-profit route because it may look as if i"m trying to show off that i volunteer, and some people have expressed how they feel bad they don't volunteer. And i have business card from the bank i work with, but I don't use it unless its for business. I don't want to leave, and if the person does try to reach me, he/she cant get hold of me.

 

So, would it be weird if students had networking cards? I'm going to be a senior in college this year, and I'm comtemplating if I should get some made while I'm in China (because it's way cheaper here), but I don't know if it's necessary or appropriate.

If it is ok to have them, I was thinking about using for networking purposes. What information would you put on it?

 

I don't think it is necessary by any means. You have the contact's info and can/should email him/her to follow-up. It would come off as a bit odd, if not worse, to start handing out your business card on it with just your name and phone number - just use the person contact info to follow up and remind him/her of who you are.

IBanker www.BankonBanking.com Articles, News, Advice and More Break Into Investment Banking

 

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CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

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