Faux Pas: Def. — A social blunder.
I recently posed this question as a Linked In discussion item. The response was overwhelming with very well thought out answers that were not duplicative but built on each other. I wanted to share the information I received. (For Linked In members the entire collection of answers can be found in the Closed Answers section under the Answers tab.)
Generally, most felt that an AOL email address should not be an issue. Some stated it was not. This feeling was strong among those with AOL addresses. Some responders noted they had had an AOL address for years; it was known to their social network and to change it would create unnecessary burdens or issues. Notice I said “should not be.” That is because while most thought it shouldn’t be, many recognized or thought it was anyway.
Some had strong feelings about AOL and referred to it as AO-Hell. These responders felt utilization of an AOL address shouted “newbie,” portraying a lack of technology sophistication. Many of those with this feeling did point out that this view was more prominent in the internet technology (IT) and e-commerce fields. There was strong consensus that AOL email use should definitely be avoided in those occupations.
A couple of responders told of outplace service companies and recruiting firms advising against using an AOL address. Some actual recruiters responded by indicating that the job seeker’s actual abilities, experience, qualifications were important and not that individual’s email address. These recruiters and others pointed out what a calamity it would be if a job seeker should lose an opportunity because they choose an AOL address.
Some felt stronger and thought the whole discussion was indicative of the society we have become; one of labels, the wrong side of the railroad tracks, etc.
A few responders thought for other reasons or advantages that individuals should have a separate and exclusive email address for use in their job search. They felt a job search exclusive address made it easier to manage the effort. And they reasoned if you were going to get a new email address for your job search, why not just avoid the issue and get something other than AOL. Better yet, some suggested, was having your own web page or site.
Two responders pointed out that while it may not be a faux pas for individuals to use an AOL address, it was a real negative for a company or business to utilize any email provider. They thought that the utilization of AOL and other email services gave a perception that the company was small, not progressive, just a mom and pop shop. They suggested companies should have their own website with their own domain name.
While there was disagreement about AOL after the @, there was universal agreement that what comes before the @ is critical. A person’s name should be professional, nothing suggestive, funny, ludicrous or cutesy. A combination of one’s first and last name was felt to be best. Something like firstname.lastname@emailserviceprovider was consensus.
Some other good points that responders made:
This is a U.S. issue. In the rest of the world, AOL is still a prominent email provider and it does not have any negativity associated with its utilization.
Secondly, that AOL could be a hindrance for a job seeker since AOL excellent spam filters might classify mail from recruiters and others searching for them as spam.
Bottom line. The left side of the @ is important. Use a professional name; some combination of your first and last name. The right side of the @ shouldn’t be important. But it may be and most certainly is in the IT world. It makes some sense to just avoid the whole issue, whether ridiculous or not, whether necessary or not, and get an email provider other than AOL for your job search. You can keep AOL for personal use. But in this job market of stiff competition, why let something as simple as an email address negatively impact your job search efforts.
Signing off . . . yoakumjames@gmail.com
