Netiquette


What is Netiquette?

Simply put, netiquette is internet etiquette. Netiquette refers to the basic rules and manners considered to be standard online behavior. Because we use email so often for informal communication, it's sometimes difficult to remember to use professionalism when writing emails to potential employers and other professional contacts. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the same rules of politeness and professionalism apply online as they do in the real world.


Email Do's and Don'ts

  • Type emails in a standard, commonly used font, such as Times, Tahoma, or Arial. Do not use colors or other text formatting. Text formatting (including bolding and underlining) is not readable by all email programs.

  • Never type emails in all caps - IT'S JUST LIKE SHOUTING! Use all caps in moderation, if necessary for emphasis. You can also surround a word with single asterisks, like *this*.

  • Use standard written English when corresponding with potential employers and other contacts. Writing an email is not an excuse to forget your grasp of correct grammar.

  • Use spell-check. If your email program does not have spell-check, type your email in a word processing program, spell check it, then paste it into your email program. Then proofread - do not depend on spell-check or grammar-check alone.

  • Use blank lines to separate paragraphs. Some email programs do not recognize tabs.
  • Do not use even common online abbreviations or acronyms (i.e. LOL, BTW, FYI, etc). Do not use smiley-faces or other letter/punctuation art.

  • Do not send attachments to employers unless requested by the employer. Some companies do not open unsolicited attachments for fear of viruses.

  • Do not send excessively large files to employers. Ask permission before sending anything larger than 30KB.

  • Use a descriptive subject line. You should indicate in the subject line that you are responding to a job posting, or requesting information about a position.

  • Just like when you send a cover letter to several companies, be sure to change the company name and any other company-specific information each time you send the same email.

  • Be concise. Just because you're not wasting paper does not mean it's okay to ramble. An employer who won't read a cover letter or resume that's longer than a page also will not read an email that's more than three paragraphs.



    • Check the OCD Virtual Library for resources on professionalism and professional writing. Some of the resources available include:

  • The Complete Business Etiquette Handbook

  • Business Writing Quick and Easy

  • Professional Impressions: Etiquette for Everyone, Every Day

  • The New Professional Image

  • Powerful Proofreading Skills

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