Is Your Email Address Holding You Back?

Does your email address make a good first impression? Does it look like one of these: pugsareprecious, ihatemondays or even starbucksrocks? If so, you could be causing potential employers or college recruiters to hit the delete key before they even see what you have to say.

Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression? Well that counts as much in email “introductions” as it does in face-to-face meetings. When an email pops into an inbox, the first thing the receiver sees is your email address, so make certain it’s a professional image your address is projecting. You don’t want to have a door close before you even had a chance to get a foot in, do you?

Why not choose your name for your email address? If you have a popular name (like John Smith) try to hyphenate it, use a middle initial or put your first name, add a period and then your last name (example, john.smith). If for some reason you don’t want to have your whole name in your email address put your first name and then a hint of what you do. Are you a writer or a chef? Try something like this: medicalwriter or chef.john. Addresses like these let the recipient know “who” you are while announcing your talent in a professional way.

If you have your own business or a website, check to see if the site host that you use offers email addresses with your business name attached. Some of the free services even offer a paid email version where you can get an address that incorporates your name, such as [email protected]. Depending on what type work you are seeking, this might be a way to go.

Look at your email address with an objective eye. Does it show a potential employer or college recruiter that you are a serious individual? Would it make a stranger take pause even if they weren’t sure exactly whyand possibly pass you over for a face-to-face?

While it’s true that all of your success doesn’t hinge on your email address, why let a “bad” one close a door before you’ve had a chance to prove yourself. You can’t make a good first impression if your email address doesn’t make the potential employer even read your resume or application. Making good first impressions count…even in email addresses.

Robbi Hess is an American Educational Guidance Center staff writer. She has written articles on subjects which include online degree programs, financial aid, online colleges, and changing careers.

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