Great things can start in small packages. It can be as petite as your wallet or the pockets in your pants. What I’m talking about are business cards.

To many, business cards are meant only for those who are trying to promote their enterprise to strangers and possible partners. What they don’t know is that business cards can also be a very powerful job hunting tool.

Business Cards can Build your Connections
Not all jobs are found in the Internet or even in job posts inside newspapers or on bulletin boards. Some job vacancies can come from your friends, family members, and random strangers. That is why if you have such a huge desire to land a job immediately, you should also try to increase your network connection.

A business card is one of the best materials you can use for establishing connection for a lot of reasons.

• First, it is considered traditional and formal. No one is going to raise his or her eyebrows should he or she get one from you.
• Second, it is easier to carry. Potential employers can keep your cards in their wallets or pockets with a reduced possibility of losing them (unless they deliberately throw them away).

Get All Your Contact Details in One Location
Don’t you think it would be easy for your potential employer to get all your contact details in one go? The company’s HR manager does not have to open your resume just to have your phone number or email address. Instead, he or she may just look at your business card. A business card can contain as many contact details as you wish: home phone number, mobile number, fax number, e-mail address, and even your website.

Tell Them What You Know
When you think of business cards, you will probably just consider contact information when it comes to content. However, these are not the only types of information you can print there. You can also put down your list of services or excellent skills, perhaps in abbreviated or bulleted form. You can place this list on a two-fold business card. You can also utilize the back portion of the cards for these kinds of information. Make your business card the briefest and the most precise resume.

Share Your Portfolio
You really don’t know who you are going to bump into, so you better make sure you bring along your portfolio as often as possible. Nevertheless, that would be cumbersome. What you can do instead is set up a website, publish your complete resume there, upload your best samples, and add a website link to your business card. Ensure that you indicate that it is a portfolio link.

You have to remember, though, business cards can only get you this far. You will never get the job you like if you cannot prove to your potential employer that you deserve it. You may want to improve your skills, relevant knowledge, and level of education to further increase your chances of getting that dream job.