Huffington Magazine Issue 20 | Page 103

Exit eWISE My name is pretty common, and my gmail address is my first and last name followed by several numbers. (All combinations of my names, initials, etc were already taken.) A friend thinks that numbers in an email address looks unprofessional and could hurt me when I am looking for work. Is that true or is it better to at least have an email address that includes your name, even if it has numbers?  — M.B. Q Depends on how many numbers your email address requires, but please keep your full name in there rather than calling yourself something less descriptive, at best. FirstnameLastname followed by the lowest number possible—exclusing zeros as they can be mistaken for O’s—is pretty standard, and understandable considering you have a common name. If you want to highlight the industry you’re in or what you do, you could also try something like [email protected]. Or stick the name of your city or “mail” in the address. You can also set up your own domain or claim your name on a smaller webmail service and run it through gmail. Just avoid putting your birth year in there as that doesn’t age well. ENOUGH ALREADY totally over. Things we’re $4 bottled water Racist Halloween costumes Extreme weightloss shows Binders full of women memes FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: GETTY IMAGES/BRAND X; TRAE PATTON/NBC/NBCU PHOTO BANK VIA GETTY IMAGES; GETTY IMAGES; GILBERT CARRASQUILLO/GETTY IMAGES; GETTY IMAGES/FLICKR RM A Have a question about electronic etiquette? Email [email protected]. Infused vodka Election polls Octomom Lumberjack beards HUFFINGTON 10.28.12