Networking Tip: Your Email Address

If you’re using your personal email address for the job search.   STOP!!   You’ll have to admit, there are some really strange email addresses, and every time you send your resume or any email online, your brand is coming across.   Does that brand accurately reflect your level of professionalism?  

I recently saw an email address laxbill47@mail.com.   If you didn’t know that Bill was into Lacrosse, you might just think he’s too lazy to work.   And maybe he’s 47 or was born in 1947.   (snowleopard@mail.com is another one I recently came across.  How can I take you seriously with that email?)  Either way, you never know the perception you’re leaving with the person on the receiving end.  Why risk it?  The email you use should be firstlast@domain.com or first.last@domain.com.   NEVER use the family email as your job search email. 

And while I’m at it, let me mention a few other things that ruin your branding.

The From Line.  This shows me who the email is from before I ever look at it.  The other day, I received an email from “Mike”.  This works if you’re Cher or Madonna, but not if you’re Mike. Do you have any idea how many Mikes I know?  I don’t know if this is my good friend Mike, my distant friend Mike or the hundreds of other Mikes I know in between.  Depending on the subject line, I might just delete it without looking at the email – because it may just be from Spammer Mike.  And I don’t like him at all.

Your Signature Line.  This gives me your contact information at the bottom of each email.  The information here should be exactly what’s on your business card (see Blog Post: When was the last time you received a letter?).  So often, people don’t include their email in this area…and it drives me nuts.  Because when I’m copying/pasting your contact info to the person you want to be introduced to, you make me go through an extra step. Thanks a lot.  You’re now a drain on my time.  No more intros for you!

Your Phone Number.  While you’re updating your resume with your new email, go ahead and only list only one phone number (versus both home and cell).  Which phone number should you list?  I don’t really care.  What I do care about is where and how you answer that phone.  If you’re like most of us and answer your cell phone anywhere and everywhere (like that woman did in the restroom the other day…what was she thinking?  I think the call could’ve waited.), then it’s probably best to NOT put that number on your resume.  Use the phone that you will always answer in a quiet, professional setting.  And make sure you have a professional message…“Bill here, leave a message”…is just like saying “Hire me and I will wear cutoffs and flip flops every day” (which may be okay at some companies, but not BEFORE you get the job!).

Don’t let your lack of personal branding knock you out of the running.  And if you think it won’t.   Guess what.   It probably already did.