A Guide to Setting Up Your Email Signature for University

First impressions can shape how someone thinks of you forever. When reaching out to someone new, it’s crucial to make the best impression possible. Often, some of your initial interactions will be through email. Whereas the actual content of your emails will differ every time, something that remains constant is your email signature. You can use your signature to convey a large amount of information that will be relevant to all the people you’re messaging, including other students, your professors, potential employers, and recruiting managers for internships.

1. Start with Your Basic Information

If you check the emails you’ve received from professionals, you’ll notice that most of their signatures include basic information like their full name and phone number. You should emulate this in your own email signature.

2. State Key Academic Details

Make it obvious that you’re a student by providing your academic details in your signature. This will also mean you can avoid including the information in the body of your emails — unless it’s important to be explicit. You should mention the name of your school, the year you expect to graduate, and your major and minor.

3. Name the Positions You Hold

Show that you’re using your time at university to gain experience beyond academics by listing your involvement in campus organizations. This is especially useful if you hold an elected position, but just being a member of a club in a field related to what you want to work in is also relevant. In addition, include any volunteer or internship positions — past and current. In all the above, just write the title and name of the organization.

4. Include Links to Social Media

If you want recipients to be aware of other ways to contact you, it’s worth adding links to your social media profiles. Choose just those where you make posts related to your academics or future career, such as LinkedIn and Twitter.

5. Link to Your Personal Website

If you have a personal website, such as a blog or online portfolio, make sure to include a link to it in your email signature. However, make sure to mention the website within your message as well if you specifically want the recipient to check it out.

6. Find a Fitting Quote

You may like to end your email signature with a quote that expresses who you are or your values. When choosing a quote, think about what you want people reading your emails to know about you or how you want to present yourself. Good choices are inspirational, meaningful, or insightful, such as from great leaders, thinkers, or experts in your field.

Armed with the perfect email signature, you’re prepared to start networking. As well as classes and clubs, a great place to network with other students (who could become great contacts in the future) is at your student housing. Foundry 1805 offers an off-campus alternative to OTU residence with onsite laundry, a large parking lot, and free WiFi. Contact us to secure the room of your choice before they’re all sold out.