When email addresses speak volumes
Published: Sep 12, 2008
Singapore - Can unusual email addresses turn employers off? A study says unusual email addresses may play a part in moulding first impressions, but HR practitioners say recruiters should not be too quick to judge.
A recent finding by University of Leipzig's psychology department in Germany found candidates' email addresses play a part in helping make an impression on recruiters. In the study, 100 observers were asked to judge 599 email addresses such as "honey.bunny77@hotmail.de" on traits such as neuroticism, openness and agreeableness. Results showed people who had email addresses in "fantasy" names were considered more extraverted, while people with female-sounding emails were rated to be more neurotic.
Jonas Ang, senior HR director for APAC at Kelly Services says he notices young candidates and people who apply for junior positions are more likely to have unusual email addresses. These incidents are infrequent, occuring between 2 to 8% of the time, and it does not carry as much weight as "an unpresentable photo or a badly written cover letter".
Due to the high prevalence of internet communcication, Ang says some candidates may not realise how these email addresses may come across as inappropriate and unprofessional to prospective employers.
He warns HR peers that overlooking candidates with such email addresses will limit their recruitment search and takes on a myopic approach. Furthermore, Ang adds, cover letters, experience, qualifications and skills all play into a candidate's chance of being hired.
Still, it is better to be safe than sorry. Ang says the more senior the position, the more scrutiny candidates will be subjected to. As a rule of thumb, Ang advises candidates to use a "formal" personal email address, such as a real name or initials. "You wouldn't want to risk any chances even before they get to open your CV or read your cover letter," he adds.
A recent finding by University of Leipzig's psychology department in Germany found candidates' email addresses play a part in helping make an impression on recruiters. In the study, 100 observers were asked to judge 599 email addresses such as "honey.bunny77@hotmail.de" on traits such as neuroticism, openness and agreeableness. Results showed people who had email addresses in "fantasy" names were considered more extraverted, while people with female-sounding emails were rated to be more neurotic.
Jonas Ang, senior HR director for APAC at Kelly Services says he notices young candidates and people who apply for junior positions are more likely to have unusual email addresses. These incidents are infrequent, occuring between 2 to 8% of the time, and it does not carry as much weight as "an unpresentable photo or a badly written cover letter".
Due to the high prevalence of internet communcication, Ang says some candidates may not realise how these email addresses may come across as inappropriate and unprofessional to prospective employers.
He warns HR peers that overlooking candidates with such email addresses will limit their recruitment search and takes on a myopic approach. Furthermore, Ang adds, cover letters, experience, qualifications and skills all play into a candidate's chance of being hired.
Still, it is better to be safe than sorry. Ang says the more senior the position, the more scrutiny candidates will be subjected to. As a rule of thumb, Ang advises candidates to use a "formal" personal email address, such as a real name or initials. "You wouldn't want to risk any chances even before they get to open your CV or read your cover letter," he adds.
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