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First Impressions Matter

A student composing an email on his laptop in Paccar Hall.

Photo: Dennis Wise

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.

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