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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think I'm being a bit naff?

34 replies

LaLaLaLayla · 22/08/2011 15:21

OK, so I am an 'Executive Assistant' which is basically a secretary. I have just started a new job and have got the proof through for my business cards. I have a degree and am half way through my MBA. My business cards say this:

Layla Turner
BSc (Hons) PG Cert Bus Admin

Does this look a bit naff? For a secretary (I mean Executive Assistant?). My job title is not on the business cards.

Would really appreciate your honesty. Thanks.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 22/08/2011 15:24

Yep, it does look a bit naff to be honest.

Layla Turner
Executive Assistant

Is all you need.

summertimeblews · 22/08/2011 15:24

having business cards is a bit naff

but yes the other stuff is naff too

dont think i have ever put my BSc(Hons) on anything except a job app

TalcAndTurnips · 22/08/2011 15:25

If there was a lot more swearing in your job, would you be a 15 cert and not just a PG?

Grin

I think you should definitely big it up - you are not just a secretary.

switchtvoffdosomelessboring · 22/08/2011 15:26

At first glance it looks like a cinema ad for a new family film about buses . Go with squeaky's suggestion

overmydeadbody · 22/08/2011 15:26

Layla Turner

Is that your real name?

That's a good name. I like it.

Ephiny · 22/08/2011 15:27

Depends what is the norm in your industry, if everyone puts their bachelor's degree etc then fine. Personally I wouldn't, though. Maybe professional qualifications directly related to the job, but not a BSc.

Why wouldn't you put your job title? I would have thought that would be more relevant.

overmydeadbody · 22/08/2011 15:27

and I agree with squeeky's suggestion

scuzy · 22/08/2011 15:30

why would you need a business card? genuine question.

PortBlacksandIsLovelyInAutumn · 22/08/2011 15:37

I get loads of work from handing out my business cards - they're not naff at all...Hmm

PortBlacksandIsLovelyInAutumn · 22/08/2011 15:38

Admittedly i am self employed though....

carabos · 22/08/2011 15:38

You should put on your business card what it is that the person you are giving it to needs to know (remember) about you, so just your name, job title and how to contact you.

Original poster
LaLaLaLayla · 22/08/2011 15:40

The girl who did the job before me set the precedent for not using job titles. I have always had business cards, though. They are very useful. Much better than scribbling your contact details on a piece of paper.

OP posts:
weejimmykrankie · 22/08/2011 15:44

Yep, totally naff to list your quals, sorry. It looks like you are trying too hard. Having cards is not naff at all though.

catgirl1976 · 22/08/2011 16:38

I would just go with your job title. Not your qualifications.

Every meeting I go to starts with the swapping of business cards so I have to have them. People expect me to have them at meetings, events, exhbitions etc.

I tell you what annoys me though. Women have nowhere to put them because women's suits don't have real pockets - just fake ones, whereas men's suits have real pockets. Men get to pull a business card out of their breast pockets, women either come in clutching them and looking wierd or get to rummage through a handbag for ages looking equally weird.

It's not right! Rant over.

milkmilklemonade · 22/08/2011 16:41

Why are business cards naff? When did they become naff? Why didn't anyone tell me? I work for a multi national oil company and get through hundreds. Layla, it's up to you what you put on them. Internationally I have noticed that people tend to put MBA and PHD on cards but not regular degrees. I love my cards, my company policy is to put position title on so every time I get promoted I send my mum and gran my new card. Ok, I admit the last bit is naff but still want to know why you don't approve of cards. Is it green?

Mandy2003 · 22/08/2011 17:01

Perhaps wait until you have your MBA?

I love job titles - because I don't want to work outside the village I took the first job available, cleaning in a gastropub. I always joke and say that I am "in charge of the presentation of customer-facing areas" Grin

G1nger · 22/08/2011 17:04

How will they know what your job title is if you don't print it on the card? ;) I do think that putting BA (Hons) after a name looks a bit naff, but I'd go with the company consenses on this one, like someone else suggests.

ObiWan · 22/08/2011 17:11

I wouldn't put the undergraduate degree, almost everyone as one these days.
If you had a PhD, then using Dr. would be O.K. but still not necessarily relevent to your role. MBA might be handy when it comes to being head hunted though Grin.

aldiwhore · 22/08/2011 17:20

With all due respect I hate business cards.

Or rather, if yours isn't naff then neither is mine that shall mention my educational achievments and my current status as a domestic engineer.

Unless you actually NEED a business card for business, then they're naff. I remember getting one in a party bag of my son's once and rather than think 'ooh that might be handy' I thought 'what a wanker' ... if you're just handing them out to people in pubs or random people you'd otherwise just give your number to (or even, take their number) then they're naffer than naff.

I've been a secretary/PA/executive assistant in my past, it aint all that, and although its a 'spinal' role in a company (a lot lies with you) and I'd never under estimate it, it does not require you to have business cards, and in fact, by handing them out, or even considering it, makes me think you're not completely into your current job and need something with more coudos... being an exec ass requires you to put your ego aside somewhat, and if you can't do that, move one.

If we met, and you gave me a business card, whether I was your bosse's client or a random drinker in a bar I would gently pat you, say 'aw bless' and thus you'd undermine everything you're trying to achieve by actually possessing a business card.

My dh has them out of necessity, he hates them, he''l hand them out only if that's honestly the easiest way, and 9 times out of ten its not. Sorry YABU and naff and ever so slightly sad.

DeSelby · 22/08/2011 18:39

Congratulations on your new job!
I agree that only name, role and contact details should be on the business card, there is no need for you to put your qualifications.

ghostofstalbans · 22/08/2011 18:42

mine would say

ghostofstalbans
O Level Art

Grin
weejimmykrankie · 23/08/2011 01:00

Without meaning to belittle your position, isn't your role to facilitate contact with your boss? Therefore, aren't most people who contact you actually looking for her/him, so wouldn't it make sense to put "executive assistant to Joe Bloggs"?

The girl before you who started not putting job titles on business cards was an idiot, no wonder she has "moved on". That's the whole point of them.

As an aside, here in Hong Kong business cards are extremely important and are swapped without fail every time you meet anyone new. You must hand it over and receive with two hands and, upon receipt, make a big show of studying it carefully. Fully agree with the poster who pointed out that women end up looking awkward due to the lack of breast pockets- I am forever dropping piles of the buggers at work drinks parties. I have also on occasion given someone else's card to a new person instead of my own. I have so many of other people's that I have taken to scribbling notes on the back - it's a bit like a diary - found one the other day "beard, yellow teeth, wife knows a lot about where to buy curtains".

nickschick · 23/08/2011 01:03

Id think your card was fab Ghostofstalbums if only for the honesty GrinSmile

mine would read nickschick - full of shitGrin

Original poster
LaLaLaLayla · 23/08/2011 03:41

As an aside, here in Hong Kong business cards are extremely important and are swapped without fail every time you meet anyone new.

It's the same out here in the Gulf.

OP posts:
milkmilklemonade · 23/08/2011 04:20

Layla, where are you? I am in Gulf as well. I agree, business cards are essential here. I find particularly French and Americans always ask for a card before they ask your name> (generalisation based on 6 years in oil company)