Adventure Nannies Blog

What Your Digital Communication Style Says About You

In the midst of a job search, you can expect that every aspect of your publicly visible persona will play a role in how recruiters and prospective employers perceive you. From email and texts to voicemail and social media, each interaction contributes to the overall impression you’re sharing for those that are just getting to know you. Now that so many hiring decisions are made remotely and many interviews are conducted online, these digital first impressions are more vital than ever. We want to support you as you embark on your job search, so we’re sharing some tips and best practices for digital communication below to help you put your best foot forward with each email, text, voicemail, and dm!

 

 

1. Use a clear, concise subject line/opening sentence

Show your recipient clearly what the message will cover. Many people will decide whether/when they will open an email or dm depending on the subject or the first line. For folks who receive hundreds of messages a day, a subject line that is clear and to the point makes it easier for them to sort through their inbox and decide what communications to prioritize. If you are communicating via social media, text, or voicemail, be sure to use a clear and concise opening line as well. Avoid shorthand and abbreviations!

 

 

 

 

2. Proofread every message you send

Make sure there are no grammatical errors! We recommend using a program like Grammarly to double-check the spelling, grammar, syntax, and tone. Have you spelled the recipient’s name correctly? Are there spelling errors? Are you using direct, clarifying sentence structures, correct capitalization, and punctuation? Ignoring these details compromises your professionalism and distracts the recipient from the content of your message. Missing these key points can even be perceived as a lack of attention to detail! Shorthand and abbreviations communicate a level of casual familiarity that is not appropriate for professional emails, particularly in a job search.

 

 

 

 

3. Write your message before entering the recipient’s name

We’ve all experienced the horror of inadvertently hitting “send” too soon, so be sure to write the contents of your message whether via email, text, or dm, and proofread it before entering your recipient’s name. This can quickly be done by writing your message in the notes app on your phone and then copying/pasting it into the program you’re utilizing to send the message.

 

 

 

 

4. Double check you have the correct recipient

In all digital communication, be sure you’re sending the intended content to the right people. There are so many moving pieces when you’re navigating a job hunt, especially when you’re working with multiple agencies and applying for several jobs at a time, but it’s never a good look to send something to the wrong individual. If you receive a message where the sender copied/CC-ed other people on the email, be sure to reply-all to make sure that all appropriate parties remain looped into the conversation.

 

 

 

 

5. Reply to all digital communication promptly

In a professional environment, it is typical to expect a reply to any digital communication within 24 hours of receipt, and if the sender reached out via text, a swifter reply is often expected. Acknowledging that you received the message but will get back to the sender at a later time is a reasonable alternative to ignoring or avoiding certain messages, especially if the communications (email/text/voicemail/dm) are related to your current job search.

 

 

 

 

6. Use the appropriate level of formality

This is a huge area of opportunity for many people seeking employment. Remember that the recruitment team or hiring parents are getting to know you based on each interaction with you, communicating in a professional manner goes a long way in establishing an effective working relationship. Regardless of the platform being used for the communication (email/text/voicemail/dm), it is essential that you utilize a formal communication style that does not include shorthand, abbreviations, or emojis.

 

 

 

 

7. Keep digital communications brief and to the point

No one wants to read an enormous wall of text, and everyone appreciates concise, clear communication. If what you wish to share requires a longer message, prioritize platforms intended for long-form communication such as email vs. text/voicemail/dm. If your message is approaching multiple paragraphs, go back to the editing drawing board and see where you can simplify the message. Keep in mind that you can always follow up on the matter during a phone call, which may be preferred by all parties depending on the situation.

 

 

 

 

In summary, the style with which you communicate digitally in every interaction tells the recipient so much about your attention to detail, professionalism, and critical thinking. When you are communicating with recruiters and hiring families be sure to prioritize clarity, awareness of your tone, and a more formal style. Searching for your next great adventure can be challenging, and we are here to support you throughout this process and help you land the job of your dreams.


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