The contact card is slightly different than the business card. My seven tips below will aid you in designing your contact card so you can sell you.

1.  Use quality card stock. Do NOT ever attempt to print your cards at home. Cheaply made cards will destroy your reputation. There are many resources available to you online and offline that will print your cards for you at a very reasonable price. Do not accept the free version of these services because the card will often have the vendors web address on the back. Prepare to upgrade to heavy card stock.

2. Glossy or Matte. Glossy contact cards are pretty and shiny but the recipient cannot write on them. Matte cards can be purchased in regular or heavy card stock and allow for writing a note or appointment on the card. You will need to consider how you or the recipient will be using your card. I have seen professionals use glossy on the front of the card and matte on the back. This is an option.

3. Do use the back of the card. This is different advice than what I give business owners. You want to the leave the back blank so the recipient can write notes about you on it. Avoid the temptation to list your skills or job titles. You do not want to list them because their name will vary from industry to industry. You do not want to lose out on an opportunity because you did not list something or listed the wrong skill or job title. Many jobs have different names depending upon the industry. Err on the side of caution. Keep the card simple. Plus, your area of focus may change and you do not want to have to have various cards for areas of interest.

4. Font. Make sure everyone can read your card. Cutesy fonts are often hard for people to read. Use a font that is large enough for everyone to read. Before printing your cards have the proof evaluated by people of all ages to include those that do and do not wear glasses.

5. Color. You will want to use basic professional colors on your card.  Black business cards seem to be the rage but I for one have a difficult time reading them. Avoid a black or dark colored card. Solicit feedback from others before having thousands of cards printed. Also, know the industry you are applying. If it is a conservative environment keep your card conservative, if it is artsy then you have more options and so forth.

6. Logo or Photo. Since this contact card is for job hunting I recommend not using a photo or logo. You do not want the photo to reveal your age or misrepresent you. You do not know what the employer is looking for.  I also recommend not using a logo. You do not want to pigeon hole yourself into that industry only.

7. Information. Include the pertinent information on your card i.e. your name, credentials, physical address, phone number, Linked url and your email address. Your credentials can be your degree conferred, professional license, certifications if appropriate, or military retiree affiliation. Do not make people hunt for your information so that they can follow up. Make it easy for the person to contact you.

My seven tips for designing your contact card will aid you in your job hunting success.  Your contact card is one more tool available to you so that you present a professional image.

Semper Fi,

Coach Jaynine

“Be the kind of man or woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, “OH CRAP, YOU’RE UP”! – author unknown

Coach Jaynine is the international coach for the military. Jaynine Howard is a retired United States Marine and former psychotherapist who works with Veterans and those on Active Duty. She is the host of Military to Mainstream. Jaynine will work with you to prepare for your next mission. She will teach you the systems and strategies needed to grow your business, have a successful military career, or transition to civilian life.   Are you ready for your next mission?

Your elevator speech can be broken down into three easy to relate items.

1. Who are you? – state your name followed by – are you a military veteran, business owner, college graduate? Think about what words describe you. Example – I am Jaynine Howard, a military veteran with over 20 years administrative and leadership experience and over ten years experience as a Domestic Violence/Rape Advocate. I have my Masters Degree in Psychology.

2. What job do you want? Example – I am seeking a job as a Director of a mental health facility or I am looking for a job in the defense industry or medical field.

3. How do you help – what value do you bring to the company? In this statement you will want to be specific on what you can do to help the business. This can be in the form of increasing revenue, developing strategies, managing personnel etc. If possible try and quantify your statement. Depending upon your industry it may be that you bring your outgoing personality and zest for life to the job each day. Example – I am really good at revamping office procedures so that production is increased and manpower is reduced bringing added revenue to the company.

The most common mistakes job seekers make are being nervous, unprepared and lacking confidence in stating what they do; this is why you need your elevator speech. You will want to practice it and refine it until it is comfortable and authentic for you to say. Do not be embarrassed to sell yourself. Also, be sure and make eye contact and SMILE as you present your elevator speech.

If you are job hunting in a few different areas you will want to have an elevator speech prepared for each niche. I suggest researching the company and the job openings so you can tailor your elevator speech to the company and the job opening. Again, the goal is to present you as the only ideal candidate for that job.

You can also recycle your elevator speech and type it out and use it as your email tagline. Place it below your signature line along with your point of contact information such as your email address and phone number. This will allow others to see that you are job hunting, learn who you are and provide job leads.

Your elevator speech will help you rediscover who you are, what job you want, and the value you will bring to the employer. When you master your elevator speech you will be prepared to attend job and career fairs with confidence.

Who is Coach Jaynine?

I provide business, life and career coaching for military veterans and their family members. As a retired United States Marine I know the unique needs that our military veterans encounter. I understand the lingo and know how to reach them at a level they understand and appreciate. My coaching delivers the desired results.

Whether it is job hunting or building a business I teach my clients how to use social media to grow their professional networks. This results in an increase in business growth and being seen by headhunters and future employers.  Client who hire me to help them grow their business see an average growth of 10-36% per year and my career clients who are job hunting typically find their dream job within four months.

My business is International with clients currently residing in Bahrain, Afghanistan, Iraq, Hawaii, and the Continental United States. There is nothing cookie cutter about me or my clients. I design my coaching programs for their unique needs. If you don’t see something offered just ask…that is how my business has grown through the years.  http://www.facebook.com/CoachForTheMilitary

Unemployment rules vary from state to state. You will need a copy of page four of your DD 214 when you apply. In the state of North Carolina you may apply for unemployment as soon as you have used any or all of your accrued leave.  If you have no leave there is no wait time.

I was also told by my resource at the NC ESC that you can file with your home state. Why would you want to do this? They may provide more benefits and resources than the state you are currently residing.

Yes, unemployment is a benefit that you have paid into whether you served a four year tour or twenty years.  I know from experience and from those around me that most Veterans exhaust their savings before filing for unemployment. Do not do this. Swallow your pride, shift your mindset and apply for benefits that you earned.

I have said it before no matter how prepared you think you are for the transition the job you thought you had waiting may not be available. You may think you have enough money saved but you will be amazed how hard it is to get use to living on your retirement check. Again, know your options. Unemployment is one option you may have available to you when you make the transition from the military to the mainstream.

Disclaimer: I do not know how your RE Code may affect your ability to collect unemployment. I will find out and write more about this later.

If you are unemployed know your options before you touch your savings account.