E-mail Etiquette
E-mail can often be your first - and
possibly, your only point of contact with other people. Practicing
good business etiquette on the Web can make a difference between hearing
back from an employer or not when applying for that perfect job.
"Think of your e-mail as a
serious communication tool, not an excuse to forget about being
professional, courteous or friendly," says Rohn Everson, Human
Resources manager at Maintainer, Sheldon. "Sometimes, even
thoughtless little things can completely destroy what otherwise is a
professional message."
What message does an e-mail address
like bigman@xyz456.com, hotbunny@abc123.com, singlebabe@123.com
send, he asks? Those addresses are not professional, and could be
considered demeaning and insensitive. Most businesses don't want
to convey that type of image, and applicants with these types of
addresses will probably not be considered for employment.
Bryan Kooi, Human Resources manager
at MEDTEC, Orange City agrees.
"I receive a lot of resumes via
e-mail. I see some very questionable e-mail addresses that make me
wonder about the ethics, morality, and overall professionalism of the
applicant," says Kooi.
Always provide a personal name if
your mail system allows it - a personal name attached to your address
identifies you better than your address can on its own, advises Everson.
For example, RobertAnderson@abc123.com conveys the sender as a
professional person to be taken seriously a lot more than boblovesbeer@abc123.com
"Use a sensible personal name:
'Guess who' or other such phrases are annoying as personal names and
hinder the recipient's quick identification of you and your
message," says Everson.
Matt Ricke, a Sioux City-based
manager with Manpower, considers questionable e-mail address as a
"red flag - a reason not to hire someone."
He advises people to select a simple
address, not one loaded with letters and numbers, and definitely not
something odd or off the wall. He understands that some people
consider their e-mail address as a personal expression, but offers this
cautionary advice to job seekers:
"If that's their image, they
have to understand the consequences of those choices." And
sometimes, he says, the consequence is not getting the job.
Our society needs proper etiquette
now more than ever, Everson believes.
"Good manners maintain
consideration and kindness in our busy lives. Knowledge of good
manners can lead to success in life. Appropriate conduct can make
or break business deals, or determine the outcome of a job interview and
promote good relations," says Everson.
The bottom line, according to all
three managers, is to be professional. Your e-mail address is a
direct reflection of you, your image and your values.
