Simple answer: Don't put a title if you don't have one.

As a job seeker, a strategy you might want to think about is to be working not to give your information, but to get theirs. That is, you want to establish a rapport to the point where you feel you can be comfortable to email, or maybe even phone, rather than you waiting to call them. Because you could be waiting a long time.

Several weeks ago, Alan at Benchfly wrote about the utility of business cards for scientists and what should go on them. It's worth a look. For mine in grad school, I listed 2 major areas of interest, as "biochemist" is a vague term. I think having business cards for a meeting is great because it often prompts the recipient to hand you theirs.

I agree on the whole "let us swap cards" - but it will probably be up to you to email afterwards and connect again... but then you might get a magic card with "personal information" rather than a generic one. Mind you, I think most people I have collected cards from have been in industry or maybe something governmental (like a uni with a mission) ;)

Now, I don't have any cards anymore and I will see if I get some "personal" ones written up since it is an easy thing. Like you said "change cards in underwear" :)

(And yeah, I don't socialize too much with my gym friends. We chat at the gym, exchange food stories and exercise but once out the door, we're on our own...)

I think they're good to have even if you barely ever use them- I was at a conference at one point when I was an early post-doc and literally had to rip a square piece of paper out of my program and write my name and email on it for someone while he stood there and watched, which was humiliating and made me feel like I was about 12 years old. After that I've always had one, even if I only use it every 6 months.

Staples actually makes pretty decent ones- you can design it on their website, and if you pick nice card stock they look good- plus its really fast (although there is enough time before SFN to order them somewhere real, I'm sure).

OK so here's a question: Let's say I want a cool old sciency picture on my card, kind of in the vein of Namnezia's avatar. Are there copyright issues I need to deal with?

I say you make your business card something functional. Like a laser cut eppie tube waterbath floaty in the shape of a neuron or something like that.

I think it's paramount for anyone to have business cards. I've actually got two styles ;) I have my standard biotech business card, which I give out at meetings or conferences or whenever I want to connect with someone on a business level.

I've got a personal networking business card where I put my name, phone #, email address, LinkedIn profile link (which I keep updated), as well as my professional Twitter account. This is the one I hand out if I meet people at parties or networking events and they want to connect via facebook or twitter. I try to network at local events at least once or twice a month, but depending on the time of year, I might be out at several events a week. I don't discriminate on who I network with - I've met some great connections that have helped my company by having drinks with someone random who happens to be a printer, or a videographer, etc. You never know when you need someone in your circle with expertise. I got these cards from Moo - included my own photography on the back. They were free because they were with a coupon (Moo prints free coupon codes on their free cards along the bottom - easy fix - cut off the coupon on each card along the bottom and you have professional looking cards). VistaPrint is excellent too, but their free cards don't have the nice card stock that Moo uses.

Now, I used to be in academia, where I never used any cards. But I also never knew anyone then either. My life in the city and my work career has been made a lot easier by making myself a person who networks. I can't stress that enough. Even if you are in academia, you have lots to offer, and others may have lots to offer you. You don't know where your next job offer comes from. I once was offered a job based on a random Tweetup event at a pub, after a few months of chatting. If I hadn't made an effort to learn more about their business, they wouldn't have pitched to me (I love my current job too much to leave, but it was nice to have the offer).

Doc Becca,
I would suggest finding someone who knows a decent amount of design to help out. Even if it costs you a six-pack or a twenty, you might be able to make the jump from amateur to professional.

...plus most of these images are already out of copyright...

I have cards, and had them at National Lab. National Lab was lame, so I used Vista Print for my cards there. I don't use them much, but when I need them, I am glad to have them.

When I get cards at meetings, I write on the back the context at night in my room so I can remember the person who gave it to me. I find that very helpful in getting the most out of networking, since I have a brain like a sieve for social things when I am stressed and tired.

May I recommend

..um...

Etsy.com? They have about a million different shops of handmade stuff, and I've found all of their paper products to be awesome. You may find business cards under "calling cards" in the search, and you'll often find people happy to do little batches, rather than hundreds of cards.

My business cards are Big Pharma sponsored, obviously. I've found them handy as a lab manager, when trying to coordinate repair of equipment or dealing with sales reps. They may also come in handy if I ever go to a meeting.

I like that, Dr. Becca. The image is really cool too!

I'd like to have my next business card to be a barcode. Then people can scan it and have it bring them to my website.

I like that idea, TJ. That's pretty clever.

Thanks, guys! BB, I was thinking about that, but I recently deleted my LinkedIn profile. I wasn't really getting anything out of it, plus I realized it made me instantly findable by my blog readers. (Not to imply that any of you are anything but absolutely lovely!)

Dr. Becca, I like the card you put together. I have to say that I have never been asked for, or asked for, a card in my life. But if I did what one from someone, I think yours would make an impression.

Thomas Joseph said: I'd like to have my next business card to be a barcode. Then people can scan it and have it bring them to my website.