Email Etiquette: match the tone of who you received the original email from
Sending an email seems like such a mundane thing, but sometimes it can send the completely wrong impression. An ill-written email can lead to a very bad first impression for both job seekers and employers. I wouldn’t want to work with an employer that sent a grammatically incorrect email with spelling errors and typos, and I wouldn’t want to work with an employee that did the same. First things first, if you’ve read my blogs before, you know I’m a big supporter ofGrammarly. Grammarly is a FREE Google Chrome extension, that also works with Microsoft Office, that will check not only your spelling but your grammar and word usage as well. From missing commas to effect vs affect to misspelled words, it truly is a peer editor in an extension. Secondly to this, if you are sending an email back to someone, I always suggest matching the tone that they have just set with their email. If they were joking and playful, you can be joking and playful back, if they seem to be all business, send your email as if it’s dressed in a 3 piece suit and carrying a briefcase. Matching the tone of the previous sender’s email will help make sure that you don’t come off as inappropriate and is an easy measure of how far to go in terms of “unprofessional.” Depending on who I’m sending an email to, I air more on the playful side, using exclamation points and smiley faces, but whenever I am emailing someone for the first time I leave all of the playfulness out and try to remain completely professional.
What are you favorite email tips? We’d love to hear them!