Where are all the Jobs?: Etiquette Neglect: Communication Tips for Your Career

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Etiquette Neglect: Communication Tips for Your Career | Career Rocketeer

Link to Career Rocketeer - Career Search and Personal Branding Blog

Etiquette Neglect: Communication Tips for Your Career

Posted: 15 Aug 2011 03:30 AM PDT

Often a long, unsuccessful job search is a byproduct of Etiquette Neglect; easily to correct, common sense factors many job seekers don't give a second thought about. Here are a few examples that may affect you.
EMAIL ETIQUETTE
In most instances your email is the first point of contact with a prospective employer or new network contact. It also sets the tone for whether they perceive you in a positive or negative light. Employing proper email etiquette can be the difference between getting an interview, call back or network referral, or having the reader say Fuggetaboudit (that's Brooklynese) and then deleting your email thus relegating you as irrelevant.
Point # 1: Most job search emails are sent with an attachment, a resume and/or cover letter, and I can't remember how many times I opened an email and the aforementioned attachment was missing. Then I received another email shortly or up to 2 days thereafter with the attachment, and on occasion an apology. My advice to all of you is before you hit the send button double check to make sure the attachment is there and it is the right one. This is especially important if you have more than one version of your resume or you're sending a customized version.
Point # 2: Another common email mistake is the salutation. Use the person's last name if it is provided and not their first name i.e. Dear Mrs. Bowen rather than Dear Laura. If you don't know the person's name avoid using To Whom It May Concern or Dear Sir/Madam. Try Members of the Search Committee, or Good morning or Good afternoon.
Also use Respectfully or Sincerely as your closing, and by all means never-ever write Have a blessed day. I also suggest using an 18-20 pt Script font for your signature with a 10-12 pt Arial font in the email body.
Point #3: Now let's move on to the body. Your e-mail is a business tool not a means of communication between you and your best buds. It must be professional, courteous and to the point. Don't use slang or abbreviations, and make sure you spell check it before it is sent. There is no excuse for sloppiness and be aware that thoughtlessness can completely destroy what otherwise is a professional message.
Point #4: Last but not least is your email address. Some people work to develop a brand or persona with their email address. But what message does an email address like beachbumMB@yahoo.com or singleNlookin@sbc.net, or bmoc@ysu.edu send to an employer. I recently saw this quote from an HR manager who receives a high volume of emails from job seekers, "I see some very questionable email addresses that make me wonder about the ethics, morality, and overall professionalism of the applicant." Is he talking about you?
I suggest creating a dedicated email account to exclusively send and receive emails during your job search using a variation of your name like tombinder1@yahoo.com, or tbindernj@aol.com or tom_binder@gmail.com.
VOICE MAIL ETIQUETTE
Point #5: Just as your email address may leave a wrong or harmful impression so too can your voice mail message. I've heard and personally used entertaining and funny VM messages and I love hearing them when calling a friend or a casual acquaintance. However when you are expecting a perspective employer to call you it is prudent to keep your message on your mobile and home phone short and professional, or use the automated message.
Begin with your name and phone number so people will know if they misdialed, and keep it brief so as not to waste their time. Example: Hi this is Perry Newman at 718-332-6130. After the tone please leave a message with your call back number and I'll return your call promptly. Most important your voice should be upbeat and you should rerecord the message as many times as possible until you get it right. Also do not use music in the background.
There is also proper etiquette when you're leaving a message and here are some rules to remember on this end.
Point #6: Don't keep calling and hang up without leaving a message because most phones have caller ID.
Point #7: Don't block your caller ID because most people will not call back blocked numbers they don't know.
Point #8: Leave a message with a cheerful voice. If the machine allows you to preview a message and rerecord it use this option and rerecord your message until you are fully satisfied with how the message sounds.
Point #9: Leave a clear and concise message including your full name and phone number/s and the purpose of the call.
Point #10: Speak at a pace that is not too fast or slow and make sure there is no noise in the background.
Point #11: Sound professional at all times and close by saying thank you.

Author:
Perry Newman, CPC CSMS is a nationally recognized executive resume writer, career coach, AIPC certified recruiter and SMMU certified social media strategist known for his ability to help his clients get results. You can view his sample resumes at http://www.perrynewman.com, and email him your resume at perry@perrynewman.com for FREE resume critique.