The Overlooked Job Search Marketing Tool: Your Email Address
In a competitive job search, the little things can make a big difference and the way you introduce yourself is one of them. As one of the first things any recruiter or potential employer sees, your email address is s a powerful marketing tool that the smart job hunter doesn't miss. But for job hunters like binkypoo@yahoo.com, bigboy@hotmail.com and DDdoll@live.com it's a lost opportunity.
Now might be a good time to retire those college era addresses like binky, bigboy, and DDdoll, or at least restrict them exclusively to non-professional activities where they won't detract from your professional reputation.
Your ISP allows you to use a number of different e-mail addresses, so take advantage of this and add an e-mail account devoted exclusively to your job search and career management affairs. Create an email address that speaks to your professional identity, for example, SystemAnalyst@hotmail.com or TopAccountant@yahoo.com. A profession-focused email address acts as a headline that tells the recipient who is calling, and offers some idea of what the communication is about.
When names like TopAccountant@yahoo.com are already taken, you will be encouraged to accept something like topaccountant1367@yahoo.com. You can do better. Try adding your area code: TopAccountant516@yahoo.com, your zip code, TopAccountant11579@yahoo.com, combine them Top516Accountant11579@yahoo.com, or your town, TopAccountantSeaCliff@yahoo.com.
You might also try an address that is profession-specific, TopAccountantInsurance@yahoo.com and combinations of these, such as Top516AccountantInsurance@yahoo.com, which would tell a Long Island NY employer that you are a top accountant living in Nassau County. Each adds useful information to an employer in your local target market, but won't detract for someone outside of that market.
In a competitive job search, the little things can make a big difference and the way you introduce yourself is one of them.
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Martin Yate
Martin Yate, CPC, author of Knock 'em Dead: Secrets & Strategies for Success in an Uncertain World, is a New York Times and international bestseller of job search and career management books. He is the author of 11 job search and career management books published throughout the English speaking world and in over 50 foreign language editions. Over thirty years in career management, including stints as an international technology headhunter, head of HR for a publicly traded company and Director of Training and Development for an international employment services organization. For more information please visit http://www.knockemdead.com and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter.
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