Never Underestimate The Importance of a First Impression

  • Published on:
    March 14, 2018
  • Reading time by:
    3 minutes

Email Etiquette – The Do’s and Dont’s of Professional & Networking Emails

Never underestimate the importance of a first impression – because it lasts! Despite the numerous channels available to people to connect, email remains one of the most commonly used professional communication tools.

Whether you’re interacting with hiring managers, current employers, or colleagues, you’ll want to be as polished as possible in your messages.

Below are some Do’s and Don’ts on how to put your best virtual foot forward every time you hit “send”:

Do

  • Spell check. Spell checking should be obvious, but you would be shocked by how many people send emails with spelling errors.  Additionally, use a program (such as Grammarly, which is easily installed on your computer, iPhone, etc.) to make sure that you are not making grammatical errors. To avoid inadvertently sending an unfinished email, add your recipient’s email address after you compose and edit your message.
  • Keep it simple and organized. To present your thoughts efficiently, organize your email into an introduction, body, and closing.  This allows recipients to scan your email and determine the main purpose, which busy professionals will appreciate.  Limiting yourself to just one main question or point per email will also make the email easier to understand and more manageable for the recipient to process and respond to.
  • Follow up. Especially if you’re applying for jobs, following up will set you apart from the dozens who don’t.
  • Have a mutual contact introduce you if you can. Cold emailing is hard. If you share a mutual contact with the person you want to email, see if they could contact the recipient to make an introduction.

Don’t

  • Be informal. People are often turned off by informal emails because it implies a lack of effort on the sender’s part. Accordingly, there are some emails you likely want to write from your computer rather than your phone.
  • Delay your response. Reply promptly to serious messages. If you need more than 24 hours to collect information or make a decision, send a brief response explaining the delay.
  • Email on the weekend. Even if you are working over the weekend, depending on your work circumstances, it is better to save a draft of the email and send it during the week.  Doing so will lessen the chance that your email will get buried come Monday morning. It may also inconvenience the recipient to receive an email over the weekend that they know they could have handled on Monday.
  • Follow up too often. I recommend the following: follow up five business days after your initial email, then one week after that. Then move on because you do not want to waste your own time or imply that you do not respect the recipient’s time.

Though the world has become more informal due to rapid technological advances, email etiquette is not dead, and your emails carry a lot of weight.  Adopting these Do’s and Don’ts will go a long way in ensuring you maintain professional respect and positive relations with your recipients, which will assist you for years to come.

Christine Falco

You might also enjoy..

7 Ways to Seize the Moment When Starting a New Career

After weighing things out and making the necessary preparations, it may finally be time to start a new career—perhaps in a field you’ve always dreamed of entering or in a position that allows you more personal and professional growth than the career you had before. This is also perhaps your best chance to acquire new skills and talents or build con
The Only 10 Financial Habits That Make You Wealthy

The Only 10 Financial Habits That Make You Wealthy

In the pursuit of financial security and abundance, there are countless strategies and tips circulating in the world of personal finance. However, amidst the myriad of advice, some fundamental habits stand out as essential for building true wealth. For women, in particular, mastering these habits can pave the way to financial independence and prosp
Mastering the Art of Negotiating Your Worth

Mastering the Art of Negotiating Your Worth

Negotiating salary is a pivotal yet often challenging aspect of professional life. Whether entering a new job, seeking a promotion, or aiming to increase earnings, mastering the art of negotiating your worth is crucial. This comprehensive guide provides strategies and additional tips to navigate salary discussions effectively, ensuring a fair and s

Join the discussion!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *