6/6/10 - Your Email Address
What your email address tell others is very important.
When looking for a new opportunity, it is a good idea to have a separate email account just for the job search.
You want to have a Yahoo, Ymail, Gmail, Hotmail, etc. account.
You do NOT want to have a Sbcglobal.net, Att.net, Verizon.net, Swbell.net email account.
WHY?
Once you have a Yahoo, Gmail etc. account, you get to keep it for Life (or as long as you live...which ever comes first).
You can check it anywhere you have a internet connection. You may move and not live in the Sbcglobal.net area any more. You may switch providers from Earthlink.net to Comcast.net. When you switch, you lose the old email account. Then, how will your old connections find you?
Also, Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc. has a very good spam feature. You still need to check the folder, but when you mark something spam, you help everyone using that program. (Be sure to mark something "Not Spam" if it is not to help everyone.)
Your email account name should be YOUR name.
Have a professional sounding email address (you may have to search for it, but it is worth it.) Some good examples are
Do NOT use a joint account like
If you want the joint email account, use it for family, church, friends, but for your career search, have your own personal email.
Always check your career email (EVEN WHEN YOU GET A JOB)
What if a networking buddy wants to get hold of you with a great lead?
What if someone you interviewed with in the past want to get hold of you? They may be ready to offer you the best opportunity of your life!
See these past Career Tip-Of-The-Week posts about emails:
1) Check your spam folder - click here
2) Make it easy to be contacted - click here