WorkWise Q&A: How do I make my business card a winner?

EXPERTISE

Q: Dear Mildred, I'm a Bilingual Spanish Teacher focusing on being a Tutor for kids or Adults... teaching Spanish for I'm well-versed in this subject.

I responded to an Ad that says, 'Need a Bilingual Spanish Teaching Staff", but one of the requirements is to drive a School Bus for the Kids, and they require me to have a CDL Drivers License.

Now, I really have to focus on doing Tutor, teaching Spanish to Adults or young adults.

Mildred, will you please help me how to put my AD on a business card as a Tutor in Spanish? We have Foreign Language School here but I don't want to be a part of the school.

Appreciative

A: Dear Appreciative, Include these components: your name, business name, address, city and state, telephone number and email address.

Think of the points that will sell you best. “Native speaker” should be a winner. Put it first on your list. Prioritize any others.

Have a printer or graphic artist design your card. Under your name, put “Learn Spanish from a native speaker!” Insert under it, “For Adults, Young Adults and Children.”

If you have more points, ask how to display them on the front or back.

mlc

‘NEVER A WORD’

Q: Dear Dr. Culp, I interviewed for the job. I met every one of their search criteria and knew every person on their media list. I interviewed three times and was told I was perfect for the job, that they'd get back to me the next week.

The next week, I saw the exact same job posted again, but at $10,000 less than what we'd discussed. And never, ever heard a word back from them. Didn't even bother to respond to my emails. What do you make of this?

Upset

A: Dear Upset, Something happened at the company. Perhaps the larger salary attracted people they considered overqualified. Maybe they discovered most applicants weren’t expecting as much as they’d advertised. What more could you have done?

If you were still interested, you could have parked yourself at the doorstep until you could restate your case. If you were only somewhat interested, you could have called. And called. Keep in mind that emails are far more tentative than calls or in-person appearances.

However, if you think they really became cheap and don’t communicate, that’s two strikes against them. It doesn’t take three to know it’s time to move on.

mlc