Email Bloopers

• Writing a generic cover email and listing lots of companies in the 'to,' 'cc,' or 'bcc' line. If the employer's email filter doesn't spot you as a spammer, the hiring manager will.

• Using funny wallpaper as a backsplash for your text. It's funny – but not in the ha-ha way.

• Using emoticons. The only reaction they will get is a big >:( .

• Forgetting to attach your resume when you've been asked to send it as an attachment –

• OR sending your resume as an attachment when you've been specifically asked not to send email attachments.

• Asking questions about the company and the job before providing any information to the employer. Just because emails CAN be an informal channel of communication doesn't mean THIS is an informal contact.

• Using an off-color, juvenile, suggestive, creepy, and/or plain old weird email address as your return contact. Would you want "barelylegal" working for you?

• Setting up an email account for your job search and then forgetting to check it for new messages.

• Giving an email address as your means of contact, but using a spam filter that rejects employers' messages.