Your E-mail – Your Image

One of the first things people do that look at your e-mail address is build an image of you. In today’s competitive environment in which we live in, one of the best things you can do for yourself is give a good first impression. This holds true for a job interview, for an email you send to people that you want to take you seriously, and even for Facebook. It is therefore important to know this; if you are someone who has a funky email address such as “PartyAnimal85”, consider creating a new one so people don’t receive an email from “PartyAnimal” asking them to accept a press release on your company.

Kenneth C. Wisnefski, Founder and CEO of WebiMax.com, says “E-mail addresses are a reflection of the person since it is how they wish to be known in the online community. Therefore, I strongly feel an email address promotes an image of who you are. When speaking at conferences and workshops, I often ask people ‘if you were to introduce yourself with your e-mail address, what image would that speak of you”? This is especially true for resumes and job interviews. Ask yourself, as an interviewer, would you want to consider someone for a management position that identifies themselves to the online community as a “Party Animal”?

There are some great (and simple) options if you are in the market for a new e-mail address. Industry standard is FirstName.LastName. In an age where everyone now has multiple email addresses, this option may be taken. Add some numbers to the end of the email address to make it specific to you. This is the safest and most professional way for people in the online community to take you seriously. First impressions count.

So if you are one of those reading this blog asking yourself “perhaps I should ditch that old college e-mail address”, consider doing so. In an age of first impressions, it is imperative for us to put our best foot forward.