Email Addresses
We know you all know by now not to have an email address which suggests something other than a professional image when you're looking for a new job. (You did know that, right? No 'Fridaysareonlygoodfordrinking@hotmail.com' on your resume please.)
I was writing @ replies on twitter, when I realized not everyone knows the next step of professional personal email addresses: no complicated number/letter combinations, which are common on twitter. No M1ke6453@hotmail.com. The harder the address is to type, the more likely the typist is to make a mistake. If they make a mistake, you might not get the invitation to interview that they are sending.
The most appropriate email address for job hunters is firstnamesurname@provider.com. That's it. Have multiple email address and keep your personal and employment lives separate. Yes, it's a bit more work to check them, but it's better than not getting an email which offered you your dream job.
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I absolutely agree with this!
This is excellent advice. I will add that I don't think your email address should tell me anything about your personal life at all, even if it is quite innocuous (eg shutterbug@provider.com), even if it is very positive (eg charityvolunteer@provider.com)! It's just a distraction from your main message and it looks unprofessional.
However, in the real world of getting email addresses, it can be hard to get firstnamelastname, as those names are usually snatched up early, so look for a reasonable alternative, go as close as you can while keeping it clear, simple and grown-up. Try to avoid numbers, but if you've GOT to add a number, make it short and don't make it your age, year of birth or anything else that may distract someone emailling you.
I don't know whether I serve as an example or a horrible warning about what can go wrong with email addresses - a bit of both.
My email address collection (imagining for a moment that my name is Mercury Blue, so these are not my real addresses, just mimics!) includes -
If you can't get your firstnamelastname combination and need to look for a "reasonable alternative", be wary of just adding in your middle initial, as they are easy to "lose". I know an awful lot about mercuryrblue@gmail.com, some of it highly confidential, simply because her email is misaddressed so often (confusing as she has a son the same age as mine who plays the same sport - just half a planet away!). I also get a lot of email for mercuryoblue@gmail.com.
Checking a lot of email addresses is not really a problem, as there's quite a number of programs that allow you to have multiple accounts - eg Outlook. It's also got the benefit that if I am somewhere where I only have webmail access, I can check the IMPORTANT stuff (mercblue) quickly without having to wade through personal email, lists, spam or my various doppelganger's emails.
firstname@surname.tld as an alternative?
I've had countless E-mail addresses since 1988, starting with "ruucry::hooft" and "hooft@hutruu54.bitnet". First, the address used to change whenever the organisation where I worked would get a new computer. Later the address would change because I changed service providers or because the service provider decided to change their name. At some point I decided that getting my own domain and using firstname@surname.tld would solve the problem once and for all. I am still very happy with that decision. I'm now seeing this style frequently in resumes of the programmers applying with my organisation as well. Obviously, it has become more difficult for people with common surnames....
Some non-techy people that are not aware of the fact that you can actually buy your own domain name can be confused, but I've never seen that problem in a professional environment.
Email Addresses
Professionalism also extends to outgoing messages on voicemail. If you're right out of college, perhaps you need to review your message. Would you want a recruiter hearing your message? The tone you want is "professional," not "party."
Spend some time and make a professional message. Practice reading it so that your voice sounds confident. This may be the first time a recruiter hears your voice after reading your resume.
I recall, more than once, being impressed by someone's resume and calling them only to hear a totally unprofessional voice message.
It's competitive enough out here. Don't shoot yourself in the foot, er, throat.
Thank you for commenting!
@Mecuryblue - thank you for a well thought out and helpful response. Having a fairly unusual name, I've never had a problem getting firstnamelastname, but of course, you're right, for some people that will be more difficult. Your warning about middle initials is helpful - thank you for sharing.
@Rwwh Thanks Rob - I thought suggesting your own domain was a step too far, but it was also suggested on our facebook page, so maybe I underestimated our audience! Thank you for sharing.
@Glennr - Been there, heard that! You're right, a professional image goes further than just your email address and often people don't go far enough in thinking about all the points of contact with a potential employer. Thank you for sharing.
Wendii