Using your work email for your online work search is unprofessional and unwise. So is accessing your personal email from work. That’s why it’s a good idea to set up an email account specifically for work search.
- Job search websites and networking sites usually require you to sign in with a user name and an email address.
- You need an email address when you apply directly to employer websites.
Setting up a free email account
You can set up a free email account through the following service providers:
Be sure you read and understand the user rules and privacy policy before you sign up.
If you’re using a shared computer, choose the most secure option. This is one that requires you to sign in with a username and password.
Naming your email account
Use your own name, if it’s available. If your name is not available, try a variation. For example, use your last name first, mix up your initials or add underscores or periods between the parts of your name.
Avoid adding numbers to your username. Numbers can be confusing. For example, Carr57 could be mistaken for Carr51 and both could be mistaken for a birthdate.
Make sure your account name sounds professional. For example, kulac.exp.plumber@workmail.ca presents an appropriate image, while kulac.yeah.flames@workmail.ca does not.
Using email for work search
The email you send when you’re searching for work is business correspondence. It can be more casual than a formal business letter, but it should still look and sound professional.
- Proofread your work search email carefully. Friends may overlook misspelled words and incomplete sentences. Potential employers do not.
- Do not use online acronyms such as TTFN or LOL in any business email.
- Do not use text messaging language or emoticons (smileys and typed symbols).
- Clearly identify the content in the subject line of your email so it doesn’t get mistaken for spam or junk email.