| Professionalism is absolutely important, even more | | | | Filters, spam blockers, and many other forms of |
| so when you are job hunting. The written word is | | | | automated software often delete important |
| considered to be a reflection of the writer's | | | | messages. Don't rely on e-mail as your only |
| personality, and you certainly do not want to | | | | means of communication. For formal purposes, |
| come across as being unprofessional. | | | | such as thanking an interviewer or following-up, |
| Choose your e-mail address carefully | | | | consider using snail mail as well. |
| How often do I come across e-mail addresses | | | | Generic subject lines |
| with user names like "cooldude" or "callme". If you | | | | Most job seekers use subject lines, such as "hello," |
| wish to retain a certain identity for your personal | | | | "application," "help," etc. Remember, hiring |
| messages, by all means do so, but try to choose | | | | managers are inundated with hundreds of |
| a different e-mail address for professional and job | | | | messages. Make your subject line compelling (and |
| search purposes. Professional exchanges -- even if | | | | clear) enough to warrant immediate attention. |
| conducted via e-mail -- are meant to be | | | | Don't forget to sign your name |
| professional, not "cool." | | | | My biggest turnoff is an e-mail that is not signed |
| Avoid abbreviations | | | | with a name. I was once recruiting candidates for |
| Don't substitute a thank you with "TY." Individuals | | | | a very important project. Over 400 e-mails had |
| tend to interpret abbreviations differently; some | | | | arrived in response to my ad in the New York |
| may not even understand what you are trying to | | | | Times. 80% of these messages were not signed |
| say. | | | | with a name. For goodness sake, if you ever |
| Emoticons | | | | follow-up with me, how am I supposed to trace |
| In the interest of professionalism, refrain from | | | | you on the basis of an e-mail address alone? Don't |
| using cute smileys and other emoticons. | | | | assume the hiring manager is going to search the |
| Internet lingo | | | | pile of resumes to trace your e-mail address. |
| A devastating effect of message boards, chats, | | | | If you don't like to sign your name with every |
| and instant messaging is the widespread use of | | | | message, consider creating an automated |
| Internet jargons in important e-mails. Some | | | | signature (most providers offer one). |
| writers have a tendency to load e-mail messages | | | | Check your e-mail regularly |
| with alphabets like LOL (laughing out loud), BRB | | | | Some job seekers have a tendency to check |
| (be right back), and what not. Remember, you | | | | e-mails once a week or even once a month. |
| are not chatting with potential employers, you are | | | | Remember, there are hundreds of candidates |
| communicating with them professionally. | | | | vying for the same position. If you are not quick |
| Don't write novels | | | | enough to respond, someone else will grab the |
| Hiring managers are very busy people; avoid | | | | opportunity. Try to check your e-mail several |
| writing excessively lengthy e-mails. Learn to | | | | times a day -- at least once every day. |
| convey your thoughts in a concise, yet effective | | | | Forgetting to reference |
| manner. | | | | Since hiring managers communicate with hundreds |
| Proofread | | | | of individuals, it may be a good idea to reference |
| Don't send out any message before proofreading | | | | your conversation to a previous communication, |
| it carefully. | | | | conversation, letter, etc. Don't assume you are |
| Miscommunications | | | | the only one; make it easier for them to |
| Since an e-mail is generally read in the writer's | | | | recognize you. |
| absence, it often lends itself to misinterpretations, | | | | With the widespread usage of e-mails, it has |
| misunderstandings, and miscommunications. | | | | become more important than ever to follow basic |
| Choose the tone of your e-mail very carefully and | | | | e-mail etiquette. Being conservative and |
| read through the message several times before | | | | professional is often the best approach, the one |
| hitting "send." | | | | that works in most situations. |
| Don't rely on e-mail alone | | | | |