Six common email mistakes which could cost you your job

Most of us are aware that beginning a work email with ‘Hey geezer’ probably won’t help us climb the corporate ladder.

But email mistakes can actually have far-reaching consequences, and it could start with something as innocent as putting an ‘x’ at the end of an email.

Here’s some of the absolute no-nos if you’re on work emai – and why experts think you shouldn’t do it.

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Asking, ‘Does this make sense?’

It’s quite tempting to ask this one, as it forces the person you’re talking to to confirm that they’ve understood you – but it sounds uncertain.

Harvard Business Review says that the phrase is largely meaningless – and robs the user of certainty and credibility.

Applying for a job online

Applying for a job online via your work email is about the worst thing you can do.

Not only does it put your current job at risk (as your boss may well see it), it can show potential employers that you’re cavalier about corporate computer policy.

Recruiter Monster found in a 2011 survey that 7% of employees spent 10 hours a week looking for work, while at work – a serious enough violation of company computer policies that you could put your job at risk.

If you’re going to do it, do it from home, on a computer you own yourself.

Signing off with a kiss

Adding an ‘x’ to the end of an email can send out completely the wrong signal, and it can actually have far more serious consequences.

A judge told Labour MP Jess Philips that her relationship with a disability claimant had crossed the line from professional to ‘friend’ – because of an ‘X’ at the end of an email.

A survey by WhatsYourPrice.com found that 55% of women and 60% of men who had an office affair said it had been sparked by ‘x’ at the end of work emails.

With trusted contacts, and actual friends, you’re probably safe – but with anyone else, be wary.

Forgetting to use a greeting

It’s easy to do when you just want to achieve things, but forgetting to add a greeting at the start of an email can come off as abrupt and over-demanding.

Whether it’s ‘Hello’ or ‘Good morning,’ a greeting makes an email immediately more friendly, according to Judith Kallos, author of ‘Email Etiquette Made Easy.

She told Business Insider, ‘Every single word you speak or type is about forming an impression and building your brand.’

Complaining about the boss

Don’t get into the habit of treating your work email address like you would a private one – because it isn’t private.

Always assume your boss is reading every email you send within a corporate system.

That means that complaining about your boss in an email is an incredibly bad idea.

Deborah Sweeney, CEO of MyCorporation.com says, ‘Email has become one of the quickest, and most surprising, reasons to be fired.

Having little ‘private’ digs at people

Blogger Danielle Renee says her favourite little dig to use in emails is the phrase, ‘Per my last email…’

Many of us rely on such little digs, including, ‘As you are aware,’ or ‘As previously discussed.’

But you never get to see the reaction to your emails, so it’s best to use such little ‘digs’ with extreme caution – or you could lose clients (or possibly, your job). .