Your online presence should match who you are in real life. How you present yourself – and to whom – can make a difference. Email messages to faculty, mentors, and potential employers should be brief and professional.
Here are some tips that will help you make a good impression:
- Include a useful subject line – A title like “meeting” will not be helpful for people who receive dozens of emails per day.
- Use a greeting at the beginning – You can’t go wrong with “Hello” or “Dear [their name].” Default to a formal title (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Dr.) unless you are already on a first-name basis.
- AVOID ALL CAPS! – Unless you really are intending to shout….
- Double-check attachments – Are they attached? Are they titled appropriately?
- Develop an email signature – Use something that includes more information about you, such as a link to your online profile or portfolio.
Taking time to present yourself and communicate carefully will help you make good first impressions, both online and in person.