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U can save it 4 the chat room

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On MSN, Martha Brockenbrough asks: "Does IM Make U Dum?"

I've received e-mail resume submissions from people where I swear I was hearing from Prince (hey some of you are my age and know what I'm talking about, right?). As Martha explains, the appropriateness of "Internet-speak" is contextual. This should never happen (but it does):

Heather,

Plz find my resume attached 4 U 2 review.

I've found myself becoming comfortable with the occasional emoticon, despite my initial dislike of them (too cutesy...though Dave Barry makes them funny here). I really can't get beyond  : ) and ; ). They actually help people like me who have been told they are "too direct" in e-mail to soften it up a bit. ; ) Besides, it would sound weird to say "I am winking at you now" at work. I'm just saying.

But when letters or numbers are substituted for perfectly good words? And when the purpose of the communication is to introduce yourself as a job prospect? I wouldn't advise it.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    September 06, 2005
    hi heather,
    sometimes it's not just the chat room, sometimes it's the SMS/Text phenomenon. I've seen scores of emails with very lengthy treatises using abbreviated word phrases normally used in SMS/Text. The weird part is that I do understand it and I don't blink anymore .... :)
  • Anonymous
    September 06, 2005
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    September 06, 2005
    Pageman...I have to admit that I have not yet explored text messaging (I have a thing about being avail 24x7...not good for my work/life balance). But yep, you are right...it's creeping into other areas!

    Paul- oh yes, the humor resumes. Guess that person was trying to over state his case! I have a few of those stuck in my mind as well! ANything with stickers on it got my attention ; )
  • Anonymous
    September 06, 2005
    On a related note, someone here forwarded my boss a resume for a Recruiter that had (and I am not kidding) an exclamation point after every single sentence in her cover e-mail. ("I'm so excited about Aquent!", "Can't wait to hear from you!").

    Like emoticons, it's just a being a little too familiar with a prospective employer.

    By the way, Susie, my boss was urged to meet this woman and she hired the woman the next day (and she is about as far from an exclamation point abuser as you could imagine).
  • Anonymous
    September 06, 2005
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    September 07, 2005
    liek omg!!!111 u got my rez i thot u wud hire me!!!!1111 lolol wats up?? :P

    plz I wud b gr8 4 microsoft lol u hav to hire me!!!!1111shiftone

    lolz.
  • Anonymous
    September 08, 2005
    Scott...that's not too far off!
  • Anonymous
    March 21, 2007
    hi looking for a free chat room