Using email has become such a normal part of the job search process that many job seekers have become quite comfortable with it—in some case too comfortable.  When sending off resumes, cover letters and following up with employers and recruiters, email is a timesaver but also can become the mine that blows your chances at landing the job.  Below are a few tips on making sure that your email etiquette is up to par before you send your next electronic communication.

1. Make sure that you utilize the proper salutation and name for your email recipient. Unless the recipient has made it clear that they want to be addressed by their first name, it may be safer to address them formally using Mr. or Ms. before their last name. Don’t forget to double check the spelling of their name.
2. Make sure that your email’s introduction is concise and to the point. Many email programs allow the recipient to read the first few lines of a communication before opening it, so making those first few lines enticing could mean the difference between your email being read and languishing in their inbox. 
3. Make sure that you double check spelling before sending out the email. But don’t depend solely on the computer’s spell check system; sometimes it will overlook typos which are real words. For example, if you type “your” instead of “you’re” or “to” instead of “too.”
4. Avoid using caps, bold lettering, excessive punctuation, emoticons and “text-speak” in your email. While using these things is okay in informal emails, you want to keep emails related to your job search as professional as possible.