Looking For A Job? Get A New Email

By the time you become a serious job seeker, you quickly realize that using an old email from high school or college, like "Sk8rBoy18" or "CutieGurl143," doesn’t exactly make the best impression on a resume.

Using your name as an email address is the simplest and most professional approach. For example, [email protected]. If your name is common, you can add a number, such as JohnWDoe1, or even use initials like J.W.Doe.

While there are plenty of free email services available, like Gmail or Yahoo, consider having one dedicated solely to job applications. This way, you can easily keep track of important emails without sorting through other messages. After you land the job, you can switch to a different email for work-related communication.

In case you didn’t know, many companies monitor their employees' email usage. So, never use your current job’s email address for job searching—it wouldn’t look good if your boss discovers you're using company resources to find a new job.

Email Etiquette

When sending job-related emails—whether inquiring about a position, sending your resume, or following up on an application—make sure to follow proper email etiquette.

Here are our top tips:

• Address your email to a specific person, if possible. This helps ensure your email doesn’t get lost in a sea of forwards or, worse, ignored.

• Be clear in the subject line. A blank subject line is a fast track to the spam folder. Include the position and the purpose of your email, such as "Store Manager Position - Follow-up on John W. Doe’s Resume."

• Use simple, everyday fonts in black. While flashy fonts or colors might grab attention, they can be hard to read and look unprofessional. Stick with 10- or 12-point font size for clarity.

• Keep it brief. HR professionals sift through hundreds of emails daily, so they skim. Be polite, but get straight to the point.

• Double-check your spelling! Need we say more?

Stay organized by making folders and keeping copies of every email you send. Organization can be the key to landing your next job.

First Impressions Matter

Your email address and the way you communicate through emails say a lot about you before you even speak, so make sure they leave a positive impression!

Mike Cioffi is the founder of Talent Traction. You can reach him directly at [email protected] if you have any questions about this article.