Obviously, almost all of today’s job searching and communication is done through the internet. While job boards like Indeed, Monster and CareerBuilder make it easier to find relevant jobs and facilitate easy communication with employers, this has resulted in a new set of rules concerning email etiquette. It’s very important to communicate your professionalism through your email correspondence. Failing to do so could jeopardize your chances of getting the position before the hiring manager even has the opportunity to look at your resume. But email etiquette is more than just monitoring what you type. Keep these etiquette tips in mind while writing and sending emails. This can help save you from unintentionally eliminating yourself from the candidate pool.
- All of your important contact information should be included in your email signature at the conclusion of your email. Be sure to include your full name, email address and phone number. You may also include your mailing address.
- Emails should not be one long paragraph of words. Formatting should mirror that of a typical business letter. Use clearly defined paragraphs with spaces between, and be sure to proofread for misspellings, typos and grammatical errors before clicking send.
- Hiring managers don’t have time to read long emails from job candidates. While including all relevant and important information, your emails should be direct and to the point. Remember, most hiring managers use email services such as Outlook, which show a preview (usually the first three inches) of the email before it is opened. Focus on including all relevant and important information in those first three inches.
- Don’t share your email account with a sibling or spouse. Employers are not impressed when they see they’ve received an email from “jimmyanddiane@dontdothis.com.”
- Always include a subject line in your email. The subject line is like the title of a book – it should summarize the reason for the email, as well as draw people in and encourage them to open it to learn more about what’s inside. Failing to put anything in the subject line or having a generic subject won’t provoke the recipient to look any further.
- Your email should look as professional as the content you include. To show professionalism in your email, use an easy to read 10 to 12 point font such as Arial. Also keep in mind that words in all capital letters or a bold font should not be used to indicate enthusiasm or importance, because that is generally viewed as unprofessional. Another thing to avoid when formatting your email is the use of “stationary”; emails that have background images or include cute pictures do not communicate that you are a serious candidate.
- Do not mass email your resume and cover letter to several employers. Don’t use the Bcc option either. Your resume and cover letter should be tailored to each position and employer in order to increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
- Lastly, make sure that the email account from which you are communicating is appropriate. Using your current work email address or an email address that gives you a negative image (sexykittenlovesvodka@donthireme.com) will immediately ruin any chances you had of being considered as a serious candidate.
You’ve worked hard to build your resume and put a lot of effort into finding the right job for you. Don’t let simple mistakes in judgment negate your efforts.
Written by Katie Fidler
Investing in a Lifetime of Success,
Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.