Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Now, I'm Legit.

It used to be that after meetings when it was time for the business card exchange, I would lie and say that I just ran out of my business cards and my new cards were on the way. And during interviews for interns, I would do the same thing. When I was traveling and someone asked for my card, I used a different excuse: I forgot them.

The truth is that assistants and coordinators aren't supposed to get business card.

And what was I supposed to these people? "Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Important Businessman, I'm not important enough to be given business cards" or "I'll write my info down on this paper for you, Ms. Potential Intern." I definitely don't want my interns thinking I'm not important.

Shortly before the new year, I built up the courage to ask my boss if I could have business cards. I walked into her office with my serious Working Girl face and said I had a few things to talk to her about. The first was that I wanted to work on a specific project (which is not TBD because the project may or may be happening) the second and third that were that I wanted business cards and a Blackberry.

Today, I got the business cards. When I asked for them my boss said "Just order them. You should have them." Now, I feel so legit. They are cute and colorful with my name on them and I love them. It's amazing that a little card can make me a little bit more important. Now, instead of running as fast and my heels can take me out of the conference room, I'll trade business cards with the rest of 'em. 

...I'm still waiting on the Blackberry.


(not what my business cards look like, just a fun example I found here)

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats! Kudos to you for having the balls to ask for them. Now you're a legitimate "Working Girl." ;)

Anonymous said...

Yay for business cards! I felt the exact same way when I finally got my own, except since I received them I find that their most frequent use is to try to win free lunches.

● C E L I N A ● said...

Oh Congrats that I exciting. I have lame business cards with the department info, as I am not YET important enough to warrant my own.

One day, One day

Anonymous said...

Too legit to quit.

Living Dees Life said...

I've always thought that in my various positions that I should have a business card via the company but was never given my own, just a stock company card i could jot my name and # down on when needed. i also used the excuse of "i ran out and thier on order"...

ps, I gave you both an award today :-)

the ghost overground said...

CONGRATS! I recently got my own business cards, granted I didn't get to pick mine out...so they are kind of boring...but still...AWESOME!

Pinked said...

Haha, hey..congrats, I know the feeling. Lol, I was so excited about being selected for my job..that two days into it I started I asking for my business card...not realising they give them 'after' the probabtion period. I insisted so much, theygave me mine in a month. And till then I used to dash out of meetings too, just so no one asks for my card!

Anonymous said...

Congrats. You are somebody now! I cannot wait until I have my own business cards.

I'll probably put one of them in a memory box or something so I can remember what I felt that day. haha

Anonymous said...

oooh congrats! now how's the blackberry acquisition going for you?!

Sunny said...

Congrats!

Sandy said...

Congrats!!

... and what did she say about the Blackberry??

Guessing, no, or you´d said something about it as well..

Western Mass Mama said...

Yea! Business Cards rock! Its so much fun to have them. But I have to ask... did you get the blackberry??

Anonymous said...

Congrats! Yay for asking for what you want :)

Gina said...

When I started a new job, I was given business cards and I was so excited...and they aren't even cute! Congrats! Have fun giving out the cards. :)

Western Mass Mama said...

Oops! I missed it - you're still waiting for it. Still exciting!

Cal said...

I know exactly how that feels! Now you just have to dig up a cute little holder for your business cards...that brings you up another rung in the ladder of legitimacy in the work place!

Amy said...

congrats on the sweeeet bsns card girl! I think it's ridiculous when some employees are not given them...it makes you feel very unprofessional and mostly un important!

Just M said...

Ughhh I have both. You can have my blackberry. I'll send it to you. Of course, you will have to answer my e-mail from our corporate office that is 4 hours behind us and some of those people work until 9 their time.

Congrats on the business cards!

Anonymous said...

I know how it feels, I work in a man orientated world... plumbing. When I used to work at job sites, everyone would ask if i knew what I was doing, once they say me work they'd shut right up! Now I work in a office with aboout 10 other guys too. So I asked for cards right away to make sure people knew I wasn't some stupid girl just to file and look nice. It took longer then expected but once I got them people noticed that I wasn't just a "gal" I was a smart girl too.

Ps. I just found your site... loving it!

S. said...

I was stoked when I first got business cards, it makes me feel all important.

Downbeat said...

Congrats on the business cards! That's a good strategy: going into boss lady's office and letting her know what you want. You never know until you've asked.

Mishi said...

aThat's so exciting! I'm definitely not "legit" in that sense. The only business cards I have are the blank kind that have the company name on them...and not much else. Certainly not my name. Anyways, congrats!

(Is it just me, or are business cards like the grown-up version of pogs?)

Anonymous said...

Yeah! That's fantastic! I'd be scared to ask for the Blackberry so kudo's to you on that one.

The Avid Reader said...

In my current position I 100% don't need business cards... especially since I may soon be working from home, please god. But this one is so cute I'm almost tempted to order some anyway! :)

Jennifer said...

Congrats on your business cards. I definitely felt more official once I got mine!

E said...

Congrats! It's amazing the diffence a little piece of paper with our name on it can make :)

Anonymous said...

congrats! exciting!