Gear Up Your Email Image

Job seekers make “first impressions” in a variety of ways. As you search for your next career, your first impression is not limited to the handshake at the interview. Consider all of the impressions you make just getting to that first interview. Email Image: Most companies utilize online recruiting, whereby you view potential jobs online, and apply via the company website, often in conjunction with your personal email. Make sure that your email image is professional and doesn’t detract from your skills, abilities and credentials. Here are top 7 “Don’ts” and “Do’s” when it comes to your email image:

1. Don’t be cute, funny or risque in your email address name. Have a professional email address that includes your name. Make certain that when your email shows up in the potential employer’s inbox, the “from” name that you’ve chosen is your own. Applicants that have a goofy or inappropriate address are often put in the “no” pile by recruiters. DO have a professional email that you check often (Gmail seems to be the most popular these days).
2. Don’t use your work email address or phone number regarding other employment. If you would waste your current employer’s time and resources, conducting a new job search on their time and equipment, why would a new potential employer want to consider you?
3. DO conduct a professional job search on your own time.
4. Don’t share an email address with your spouse. For example, “scottnmary at yahoo.com“–is it Scott, or is it Mary? And why can’t they have their own email address? Job offers or discussions surrounding potential employment should be confidential, between the applicant and the company. An email address that appears to be going to multiple people raises a red flag–will others read confidential email first?
5. DO have your own email, and use it for job-seeker related correspondence.
6. Don’t clutter your email with graphics, colors, odd type fonts or cute little smiley faces. It is annoying, and also could be a problem for “spam” filters at your potential employer’s business. And, firewalls can block out these features. You won’t be considered if we can’t read your email.
7. DO use Microsoft Word or another plain text option, with simple formatting (preferably not text blocks, tables or columns).
8. Don’t forget your contact information in the email. Include your first and last name, phone number(s) and email address, to make it easy to contact you any number of ways.
9. DO include LinkedIn profile link, as well as phone, cell phone, email, address–multiple contact points are great.
10. Don’t use form letters–at least without proofreading and customizing for each opening. DO take the time to customize each letter for the position it is intended for.
11. Don’t forget to be polite and follow up on the status of your application. You may find the original email was never received. DO reference the original date, and even include a copy of the original email, with your polite inquiry.

Email is a way of life. Not only does it speed up the application process on your end, but potential employers can more efficiently consider a broader range of applicants. Consider your email communication as that “first online handshake,” something that can either impress or turn off a potential employer. Happy Job Hunting!