December 5, 2016

Guess What? Your Email Address Matters.

One of the first things that people see about you when you are applying for jobs is your email address. It might be eye opening to think that your email address is actually where you make your first impression, but it’s true. Your email address matters.

We all know that email addresses come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your email address is ridiculously inappropriate or boringly professional, it makes an impact on how people perceive you. Recruiters will take notice of your email and it can either help your job search or it can hinder your chances of getting hired. Take a good long look at your email address. Is it professional? Or is it time to consider other email options?

Why You Need A Professional Email Signature

Anytime you send an email, your address is visible. If a recruiter sees an email from [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected], which job candidate do you think they are going to take more seriously? (These email addresses are made up and are not meant to be real.)

No one is going to just hand you a professional email address. Here are a few general rules about how to pick a professional email address:

Choose The Right Email Server – Use a recognizable email provider like gmail.com, yahoo.com, or even aol.com when you create a professional email address.
Think Long Term – Find an email address that you can use for a long time. Is it appropriate for all ages and all opportunities? Can you use it now and in the future?
Keep It Simple – Email isn’t the place to push your personal agenda. Avoid any taboo topics or personal opinions. Don’t go overboard with symbols or numbers. Keep your email address plain and simple.
Avoid Typos – Before you create an email address, make sure that everything is spelled exactly right. Typos can lead to problems. Be sure to triple check that your email address is exactly how you want it.
Spam Free – Boring emails are often the best way to go. Avoid any phrases in your email or questionable hosts. This way you’re email will be less likely to end up lost in spam.
Bonus Pro Tip – Tap into your personal brand and personal website to create an email address using your own website’s domain name. An example is something like, [email protected]. People will definitely respect that.

When picking a professional email address, take a step back and put yourself in a recruiter’s or a client’s shoes. How are they going to view you via your email address? When trying to choose an email address, the best game plan is to go with your name and a recognizable email host.

Email Sign Offs Are More Important Than You Realize

What it comes down to is that your email address matters. As a job seeker, you need an email address that doesn’t raise any red flags. It’s your responsibility to create a professional email address that you can stick with for the long term. And don’t forget to check it regularly!