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Setting up an email account that is specifically used for your job search is always a good idea.  A professional email address will keep your personal mail separate from your professional mail.  Therefore important emails from potential employers are less likely to get lost in the shuffle.  Do NOT use your work email address, with your current employer, for job searching or networking. Many companies monitor email communications and you may violate your employers’ email regulations by searching for jobs while at work.

Free Email Accounts

There are many choices in free web-based email services.  Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail are a few to choose from.  With any of these options, you can check your email from any computer and/or smartphone so that you can stay on top of your job search.

Choosing An E-mail Address

When setting up your email address, be sure to choose a professional, appropriate name that will be acceptable for your potential employers.  Something such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com would be a great choice as opposed to cutiepiemommy@yahoo.com

Email Format

When you’re sending an inquiry about a job or applying for a job, it’s important to format your email as professionally as you would any other business letter.

Subject Line

If you forget to include a subject line there is a good chance your email will not even be opened.

Salutation

If you have a contact person, address your email to Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name. If you don’t, address your email to Dear Hiring Manager. If you would like, you can exclude a salutation and simply start with the first paragraph of your message.

Body

When you’re applying for a job via email, copy and paste your cover letter into the email message or write your cover letter in the body of an email message. Be sure to send your resume as an attachment, send your resume as a PDF or a Word document.

Be sure to create an email signature and to include it with every message you send. Include your full name, your email address, and your phone number in your email signature so it is easy to find how to contact you.