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In addition to being able to broadcast your experience, these sites allow you to post your IAA.

Boom!

Do 14: Shifting into Overdrive with the Callback Card

Nothing will get you jumping up and down like returning from a day of instants to voice mails from offerors with interview invites!

Our callback card will cause ceiling bumps—and keep you v-e-r-r-r-y busy. Your automatic transmission will be effortlessly shifting your magnificent, mean, meetin’ machine into overdrive while you’re appearing on your genie rounds.

I didn’t include the technique in Do 1 because it’s too easy to rely on the callback cards rather than instantly interviewing. There’s no better passive technique, but it’s no substitute for your face.

Keep a box of the cards in your car. Then, stick a dozen or so in your left back pocket every time you leave on your genie rounds. (It’s tempting to take more, but you need to sit comfortably.)

Unlike the business card, your callback card can be as spiffy as you like. It’s your walking advertisement, costs only a fraction more than ordinary cards, and gets your name and qualifications out there like no direct-mail piece ever could.

First, we’ll talk about the design and then the use.

Designing the Card

Use the same printer that did your business cards. This will not only get you a better price (since your quantities will be high), but will help keep the look. As you’ll recall from my comments regarding the cover letter/ resume/fax cover sheet system (Do 5, Do 8, and Do 10), restating your image packs powerful punches. The same is true for the business card/ callback card set. (You’ll be giving out your regular card to the offerors when you interview.)

The callback card should show:

1. Your name and contact information exactly as it appears on your business card. The layout and size will be different, but the info should be the same. If you have a web site, include the URL.

2. The position you are seeking. Not the one you necessarily have. This can appear above your name, below it, or in the center of the card. You decide what gets the most attention. I like the center because an offeror doesn’t care about your name. She cares about what you can do.

3. A concise, bulleted list of your accomplishments. This is a mini flyer-resume.

4. Here’s an example:

Catherine C. Callback Marketing Manager (contact information) M.B.A. with proven track record of success. 7 years experience in media sales. 2 years experience in sales management. Highly qualified and available to increase your business!

5. You can also use the back of the callback card for a short sizzle statement about your attributes. Something like:

Highly motivated professional who believes that dedication and staying ahead of the competition are the keys to success. The product or service is only as good as the integrity of the people behind it.

The printing cost is a little higher, and the probability of it being read is lower. But it enhances the card. I recommend it.

Distributing the Card

My favorite place was in front of an elevator in busy office buildings from 8:30 to 9:00 every workday morning. It’s like giving candy to the nine-to-five trick-or-treaters.

Let’s say you’re an insurance adjuster. You just go to the building directory and look for companies, agencies, claims offices, whatever. Then you remember the floors, get into the elevator, pressdebutton, and take the callback cards out of your right back pocket. As the crowd hustles out, you stand at the elevator threshold, give each suit a card and say, “I’d appreciate a call sometime today when you get a chance! Thanks.” If you can, get right back in and pressdebutton for the next floor. When you’re done, you can work the security office and parking office (Do 61), then go back upstairs to start appearing like a genie.

The classic sales technique is to give out cards to elevator passengers who are staying on as you’re leaving. This works too, but not quite as well.