Which Email Address Looks Most Professional?

Email addresses are incredibly important because you will use your email account usually at least once a day. There are lots of reasons why you might need to use an email address, including to order things online, to sign up for gaming accounts, and most importantly to apply for jobs. 

Depending on the reason for using your email address, you may require it to look more professional.

When you are ordering from an online retailer, it is okay to use the email address that you set up on a whim when you were in your early teens, even if that email address is funkygirl123@hotmail.com.

But when you are applying for a job, an email address like this simply won’t do. 

Believe it or not, but employers actually look at the email addresses that applicants use when considering potential employees.

So, if you are applying for a job, it is important to use a professional email address (not the spam email address that you use when ordering clothes). 

But which email address looks most professional? Keep on reading to find out! 

What Is An Email Address?

First things first, let’s take a look at what an email address is. Well, unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably heard of an email address. In fact, you probably already have one attributed to you.

To do pretty much anything in the online world, you have to have an email address. But what is it exactly?

Well, an email address is an address that is linked to a personal email box.

When emails are sent to the email address in question, they will be sent to the personal email box connected to that email address, and they will only be accessible to the person who has the login details for that email address. 

Email addresses are standardized, and they will usually be formatted with 2 parts: a local part, and a domain. The local part will usually consist of your name, or a mixture of name and numbers.

Whereas the domain will consist of your email address host. Some popular email address hosts Gmail, Outlook, and iCloud. 

Why Is It Important For An Email Address To Look Professional?

So, by now, you will have a good understanding of what an email address is, but you might still be wondering why it is important for your email address to look professional. Well, in some cases, it isn’t.

As we have said, it is totally fine to use your cringy teenage email when ordering things online and communicating with friends. But, when it comes to work matters, then it is important to be professional. 

Now-a-days, the majority of job applications are completed online. Whether it be by emailing your CV to an employer, or by using an online jobs platform, like Indeed, you will need to use an email address when applying.

In both situations, one of the first things that potential employers will learn about you is your email address, and you know what they say about first impressions. 

If you use an email address that includes a nickname, or even a mixture of numbers, you might be viewed less favorably by potential employers. Especially if that email address includes inappropriate words.

So, for your best chances at being offered a job, it is very important that your email address looks professional. The same goes for email addresses that you use in a professional capacity.

Which Email Address Looks Most Professional?

So, in short, it is incredibly important that your email address looks professional if you plan on using it to apply for jobs, or for any professional correspondence. But, which email address looks most professional? Let’s take a look. 

There are 2 things that you need to consider when looking for a professional email address. As we mentioned earlier, they are the local part and the domain. 

In terms of making an email address look professional with the domain, it is a good idea to go for a reputable domain.

If you are using your email address to apply for new jobs, then it is a good idea to go with a host, such as Google or Outlook, because potential employers will know that these email addresses are reputable. 

Alternatively, if you are looking to set up a professional email address to use on behalf of your company, it is a good idea to set up a totally unique domain that reflects your company name.

But, the most important part of a professional email address is the local part. This is the part where an email address can quickly look unprofessional. As we have said, it is best to avoid nicknames, and inappropriate words when choosing a professional email address.

A lot of employers also find the use of numbers to be unprofessional. So, when you are choosing a professional email address, it is best to just stick with your name, or initials where possible. 

Tips For Choosing A Professional Email Address

Now that we have covered why having a professional email address is important, and what email addresses are the most professional, let’s take a look at some tips for choosing a professional email address. 

Here are some great things to bear in mind when setting up a professional email address:

• Keep it Short – Try to keep your email address as short as possible. If you are using your full name, but you have a long first name and a long surname, consider using initials to keep your email address short, sharp, and memorable. 
• Separate Words – If you are using your full name, consider using periods (.) or underscores (_) to separate the different words, and keep your email address easy to read. 
• Avoid Numbers – Numbers are usually associated with free email providers, try to avoid numbers to make your email address as professional as possible.

Summary

In short, the most professional email addresses will simply consist of your name, and a reputable domain (unless you are setting up a professional email with your new company’s name as the domain). They will avoid numbers, and definitely won’t include nicknames or inappropriate phrases. 

In this guide, we have covered everything you need to know about making your email address look professional. So, to find out more, check out the guide above. 

Thanks for reading!