You’ve heard it before — all it can take to lose consideration for a job is one small mistake. Usually people think those mistakes come in the form of grammatical errors in resumes or answering a question poorly during an interview. We often forget about the more subtle nuances of the job application process, such as phone etiquette and email correspondence.
We all know that first impressions count — a lot. That’s why each and every small step of the application process from start to finish is so important. While email issues may not be enough to derail your application, they certainly can, and in combination with other missteps, your chances significantly decrease.
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We’re not just talking grammar here. It goes without saying that you always need to review your professional emails, whether it’s going to a recruiter, hiring manager or headhunter. It’s a guarantee that any tiny mistake will be noticed, which affects their first impression of you. The email issues below are additional problems that you should be aware of and avoid when applying to jobs.
Have a professional email address name. Are you using a cutesy email address from when you set up your original email account 15 years ago? Sorry, but foxylady@yahoo.com isn’t going to earn you points in the job department. You may think it shows personality, but the eyebrows raised and laughs produced will outweigh that and you won’t get very far. Create an email address — even if you only use it for job applications — that is a clear reflection of your name. Even better, it makes you as a candidate easier to recall. You can still keep your “foxylady” email address, but don’t use it on your resume or when corresponding about a job.
Use only one email address. This applies to your resume as well as to correspondence. Only include one email address on your resume header. Make sure you check this email inbox regularly and can respond within 24 hours, barring an emergency. When corresponding with an employer or headhunter, only use this email account. If you start switching between accounts you run the risk of not being recognized. In addition, your emails may be filed with someone else’s application, because companies often use applicant tracking software that logs each email sent to and received from candidates.
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Do not use a combined email account. You may have a shared family email account. This should not be used for job applications. Even if you only use it for professional purposes, you should have your own email address separate from your family members and spouse.
Verify your actual name is in the display field. This may seem obvious, but there are frequently differences between the name in the resume and the display field. Check the “display name” field in your settings to ensure it displays your actual current name. It should not be your maiden name if you’ve taken your spouse’s name or something cutesy. When there’s a mismatch between the name on your resume and the name that pops up when someone receives your email, it creates confusion both with the recipient as well as with applicant tracking systems. How are they supposed to know what your actual name is if it’s different in two or three separate places?
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Signatures. First, make sure the name in your email signature matches your name in your resume and in the display field. A signature is meant to contain only your name and contact information. That’s it. Your professional signature should not include images, quotes, smiley faces or emojis. While you may think these things showcase your personality, they are extremely distracting and viewed as unprofessional by just about everyone. Do you want to be seen as unprofessional when you’re applying for jobs or once you’re on the job?
Follow these guidelines to maintain a positive first impression. For better or worse, small mistakes in your email etiquette can leave a negative imprint in the minds of hiring authorities. It’s important to avoid these missteps in order to stay in the running for jobs.
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