LAST MINUTE GDC PREP – PACK PLENTY OF BUSINESS CARDS – LEAVE THE RESUME IN YOUR SUITCASE
Are you ready for GDC next week? I really hope you remember your business cards. Over the years, I’ve seen people leave them behind and I just want to cry with the unfortunate person. Even if you aren’t looking for a new opportunity in your career, you need your business cards with you at all times.
If you are looking for a new opportunity in your career, then it is your business card that you need, not your resume. Please don’t go anywhere with a stack of resumes printed out. Instead, take your business card with you.
When you meet someone it is -
1. Most important to get their business card.
2. Second in importance is to give them your business card.
3. If they express an interest, let then know you will email your resume (In discussion you will talk about what they are looking for and what you are looking for.)
With each new person you meet, remember that as the conversation turns to potential employment opportunities you need to listen to their needs before you talk about your own goals. It’s bad practice to list out your needs before listening to your potential employer’s wants.
As for your resume, as I mentioned before, that is something you will typically send once you are back at your desk. While they are talking to you, they want to hear about your skill set, not look at a piece of paper. They don’t want to carry around another piece of paper that they will lose. When people print out their resume they get tempted to print it out on colored paper (bad idea).
THE PRIMARY EXCEPTION: The primary exception will be when you are meeting someone and they ask if you have a copy of your resume on you. But even then, they don’t want to see you pull it out from a sheaf of 10 or 20 copies. They want to feel special. You should have one and only one copy with you.
REMEMBER – When you are at conferences and meeting people face to face or by serendipity you have the BEST chance to walk away with an on-site interview or even a job offer.
Now get out there and have a great time!
