How to Use Signatures in a Job Search Email

Finding a job these days is all about knowing how to market yourself online. You need to know how to attach your resume and how to include links to websites and blogs if you want to stay ahead of the competition. Just because the job search has gone digital doesn't mean that you have to set aside good grammar and proper business style. Give your online job search a professional look with personalized email signatures.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Email account

1. Sign up for a free email account from popular providers like Hotmail, Yahoo!! or Gmail. Create a separate email account for your job search efforts. Be sure to create a user name that is easy to identify, such as your full name or your name and a professional tag.

2. Log onto your email account using your user name and password. Consider changing your password every 6 months to secure your privacy.

3. Search for "Options" under "Tools" or "Settings" and click on the tab or highlighted link.

4. Locate the "Signatures" tab and left-click on it.

5. Enter the text for your job search signature. Keep in mind that signatures should be no longer than 5 or 6 lines at the most. Include a link to your personal website or blog if appropriate. Consider adding a link to outside websites if they feature your published writings or graphic designs.

6. Customize signatures by choosing a font style and size. Keep in mind that most job search correspondence is created in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial fonts.

7. Save your changes to confirm the settings for your signatures.

8. Create additional signatures for volunteer work or job searches in different fields such as music and IT.

9. Proofread your message before you send it. You might have a great looking signature, but the body of the email had better be error-free as well.

10. Update your signature if you change career goals, relocate or get a new cell phone. Make sure that you use the most current contact information with every resume and cover letter you send.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep signatures short. Include essential information, such as your name, address, phone number and email address.
• Don't use all caps in your signature. It's the same as yelling your name!
• Avoid any phrases that require the reader to interpret your tone. Sarcasm and irony don't translate in emails unless you know the subtleties of the sender's personality.