Making Etiquette Easy: Email Signatures

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Email signatures- how you sign off at the bottom of an email is intended to wrap up the message in a polite and thoughtful way. For the most part, it should go relatively unnoticed. But like many of you, I've found myself uncomfortable finishing emails in ways that seem too formal, far too casual, or just plain odd.

Since many of us wear different hats (boss, coworker, volunteer, parent, etc.), you'll want to be sure to use the right signature for the right situation. Here are some overall guidelines:

• Be Consistent: Abruptly changing your email signature to an individual or client can signal a change in emotion. For example, if you've been signing off with, "Looking forward to hearing from you," a change to "Thanks" can be seen as a brush-off. Try to keep the flow with the same signature.
• Think before you Send: Email signatures are mostly common sense. For example, you wouldn't want to send a complaint email ending in "Warmly." Make sure the signature is appropriate for the message.
• Superior Signatures: If you're emailing your boss or a superior, an attitude of gratitude is always appropriate. Opt for "Thank you" or "Thanks very much."
• Resume Sign-offs: If you're trying to secure a job, the basic signatures we all know and love work best. Use "Sincerely yours" or "Truly yours" to establish your loyalty.
• Non-Professional Signatures: With other parents, coaches, volunteers or committee members outside of work, the best signature to use is "Best" or "All the Best."
• Acquaintance Signatures: If you know someone, but not that well, or if you've dissolved a friendship/relationship, a polite and transparent "Warmly" or "Kindly" works well. If there is an ongoing conflict, "Respectfully yours" is a politically correct way to go.
• Family: This is the only category where "Love" is acceptable (and kisses, etc.).

When in doubt, you can always use the tried and true, "Kind Regards" to sign off any email. It may come off a bit formal to some, but as I've learned through life, I'd rather be 'too dressed up' than not.