You look up one day and realize that you have been thrown back into the job market.  Suit (and tie) ready?  Check.  Updated resume available electronically and printed on nice sturdy 100% cotton paper where you can actually see the fibers?  Check.

So you’re prepared.  However, have you checked the professionalism of your e-mail address? 

Maybe the e-mail address is a small priority to some in the grand scheme of things since there are so many other concerns when prepping for candidacy.  You have to follow up with your references, update descriptions of previous work history, spell check your resume and application, and most importantly, find jobs that interest you so that you can utilize all of this preparation.  These areas are extremely important and all require your personal attention, however, you do not want to risk ruining your entire professional package by using an e-mail address that does not reflect you as a professional, for instance, an address that simultaneously shows your love of ice skating…and bacon.

When recruiters nationwide are polled, inappropriate e-mail addresses always arise as a hot topic.  While an unprofessional e-mail (i.e. ihrtpoodles@xxx.com) will not necessarily keep you from being considered for a position, you do not want to risk making a negative first impression when your resume lands in front of the recruiter or hiring manager.  It is too much of a distraction, especially in a market that is saturated with other individuals that have the same goal – to find suitable employment.

E-mail addresses are free, so you have the opportunity to create as many as you want.  Companies have also made it easier to join your personal and professional accounts (i.e. Gmail imports your Yahoo mail), so you will not have to worry about missing messages or maintaining multiple accounts.  My advice would be to use your name – it would be difficult to find anything more professional than that.  If your name is shared by others (if you noticed, I am a “Smith”, so I consider myself an expert in this area), you can use a mixture of letters and numbers to make your address unique (martaysmith1112@xxx.com). 

So the next time you update your resume, check your e-mail address to ensure it is appropriate.  Your career will thank you for it.