Email Addresses

[Resume Writer]

Hi Everyone,

I have written about this before, but I think it might need to be repeated.

I cannot tell you how many people want to use "cute" or "creative" email addresses on their resume.

I spoke yesterday with an HR Manager who said that the first thing they do when they see these kind of email addresses is toss the resume in the round file. While we can sit and argue all day about how unfair it is, that will do nothing to help your chances.

This HR Manager was not in the aviation field, however, human nature is human nature.

While it is perfectly fine to have individuality with your friends and family, it is not alright to have it in an employment situation. It speaks to the hiring people that you are unprofessional.

When selecting an email address that is strictly used for employment related purposes, follow these simple rules:

• Use your first name, or first initials and your last name.
• If you have a common first and last name, select some numbers to put at the end. However, do not use your age or year of birth, as these may work against you.
• You can get free email addresses at Yahoo or Hotmail, so utilize them. However, make sure your spam filter is set so that you can receive email from employers.
• Do not use this account for anything except employment applications. Also, do not create a personal profile on the account. That will decrease the likelihood of spam.

These are just some simple rules to follow and help you to avoid any unnecessary "trashing" of your resume!

Kathy

 

[TCAS]

Thanks Kathy,

You made some great points that need to be repeated from time to time.

 

[BritishGuy]

As silly as this sounds, I always make sure to use a professional email address on my resume. Just one question though - and I guess it's open to anyone to answer. My email address is: firstname.lastinitial@virgin.net (obviously it's not first name (dot) last initial......but I'm sure you know what I mean). The 'VIRGIN' part of it doesn't make it unprofessinal does it?? It's actually with the Virgin company that that email is held, but I've had a few friends in the past make a joke saying it's 'firstname.lastinitial@virgin.NOT' not sure if I'm make a bigger deal out of this or not. I don't think it makes the make or break difference, but I guess thats only my own opinion.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Gotta disagree with this one to a point. My email address is notable in that it is my: nickname-followed-by-my-favorite-hobby@xyz.com And you bet, they noticed it at each interview as it's right there on the top of my resume. At almost every interview I had, it was commented on and therefore led to easy questions for me to answer in that I was asked about how I got my nickname and also asked about that particular hobby. It made it easy for them to get more of a snapshot of my personality and to a small extent some sense of humor. I viewed it as a plus in each of my 5 successful airline interviews (2 regional, 1 jet operator, 1 national and 1 Major). Sure, you can go conservative and keep it to your name, but I found that I could use my "cute" email address to my advantage. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Resume Writer]

Gotta disagree with this one to a point. My email address is notable in that it is my: nickname-followed-by-my-favorite-hobby@xyz.com And you bet, they noticed it at each interview as it's right there on the top of my resume. At almost every interview I had, it was commented on and therefore led to easy questions for me to answer in that I was asked about how I got my nickname and also asked about that particular hobby. It made it easy for them to get more of a snapshot of my personality and to a small extent some sense of humor. I viewed it as a plus in each of my 5 successful airline interviews (2 regional, 1 jet operator, 1 national and 1 Major). Sure, you can go conservative and keep it to your name, but I found that I could use my "cute" email address to my advantage. Your mileage may vary.

Hugh,

While there are some exceptions to the rule, I say take the conservative approach. It will never work against you.

I had a woman seriously who wanted to use "bootylicious" on her resume. Oh, she probably would have gotten interviews, but probably out of the "curiosity" factor!

Kathy

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I had a woman seriously who wanted to use "bootylicious" on her resume.

Yeaaahhhhh, I'm thinking that one's not gonna work to her advantage. That is, unless she's applying for a job at the Spearmint Rhino....

 

[Resume Writer]

As silly as this sounds, I always make sure to use a professional email address on my resume. Just one question though - and I guess it's open to anyone to answer. My email address is: firstname.lastinitial@virgin.net (obviously it's not first name (dot) last initial......but I'm sure you know what I mean). The 'VIRGIN' part of it doesn't make it unprofessinal does it?? It's actually with the Virgin company that that email is held, but I've had a few friends in the past make a joke saying it's 'firstname.lastinitial@virgin.NOT' not sure if I'm make a bigger deal out of this or not. I don't think it makes the make or break difference, but I guess thats only my own opinion.

Do you work for Virgin? If so, I would take it off and get another email address provider such as hotmail or yahoo. I always instruct my clients not to use their current company email address or phone number, as a potential employer may think you will search for work on their time. Further, most companies have policies against receiving other than work related email on their server.

In any event, I would still change the email address, whether you work for them or not. Just set up an account at a free provider only for employment related purposes.

Kathy