Some people might regard e-mail names such as “freak_a_leak69,” and “2thug4u” as creative and unique expressions of individuality, but in the eyes of potential employers, they might get your resume a one-way ticket to the trash can. Students and young adults might have a tendency to go a little over the top. Fashion and hairstyles have already seemingly been pushed to the limit. Now, many students are trying to set themselves apart by creating colorful, unique e-mail names.
Jodi Richardson, a freshman biology major at Howard University, whose online name is “fluffy_face,” explained that she acquired the moniker from a relative. “That was my nephew’s nickname,” she said. “I thought it was cute, so I used it.” Richardson said that she has only one e-mail account, and on resumes and job applications she gives out her “fluffy_face” address to prospective employers. “I’ve used it on pretty much everything,” she said, though she knows “it doesn’t sound as professional as it could.” To her knowledge, the name has yet to keep her from getting a job. In some ways, she said, she believes it works to her advantage. “It’s a good conversation starter,” she said.
Walter Pearson, president of Webcast Resume, a company founded at Howard to assist students in applying to potential employers, said he wholeheartedly disagreed. “If it is sexyhotmama@ . . ., it shows that the student really doesn’t understand business decorum,” he said. “It’s what we call an eliminator.” Pearson named a popular free e-mail provider and suggested that students use it .