Names are pretty important, right? I mean, we all have one. So, why is it that the past few weeks I’ve been hearing stories of names being butchered, titles being dropped, and nick names being used when speaking with professionals? Whether you’re applying for a job, working with someone, speaking with a professor, or just networking, it is extremely important to address someone correctly. Below are three tips to remember when addressing a professional.
1. Get it right the first timeÂ
It doesn’t matter who you’re connecting with or why, get their name right! Take the time to double-check their name and the spelling. You never know if someone has a unique spelling or has recently married. If their name is Jacqueline, don’t call her Jenny. First off, her name isn’t Jenny. Secondly, you most likely do not know her well enough to address her by her first name. They should not have to take the time to correct you on their name. Think about how upset people get when a Starbucks barista spells their name wrong on their venti pumpkin spice latte. This isn’t coffee we’re talking about here, it’s business! Our names represent who we are. It’s a piece of our personal brand. Show that you are aware of their brand.
2. Â No Nicknames
My name is Rebecca. Many people call me Becca. However, no one and I mean NO ONE calls me Becky. So, when a person contacted me for my assistance and started the message with “Hi Becky”, I didn’t jump the gun to help. Like I said above, you really shouldn’t be on a first name basis let using a nickname, unless they’ve told you to refer to them as such. These people are not your best friends and they surely don’t want you acting like it. Using a nickname can be degrading of their position. Also, It gives off the sense that you aren’t taking the situation seriously.
3. Don’t forget the title
Mr. Mrs. Miss. Use one. If they have a PhD, you need to refer to them as Doctor. Be respectful of all their hard work. If you show your respect, they’ll show respect back.
In the end, do your research, be professional, and be respectful. The two seconds it takes to double-check their name, can go much further than if you addressed them wrong.
Rebecca Potzner 
Reblogged this on Life As A Walking Contradiction.
I thought this was a very interesting and useful article. When addressing professionals, it is extremely important that you address them correctly. You must get the name right, have a title, and never call them by their nickname. If you don’t address them correctly, they most likely won’t even give you the time of day. Everyone wants to be addressed in an organized professional manner, so professionalism is extremely important.
You’re right! There’s a good chance they won’t give you the time of day, because you really didn’t give them your time.
I like the statement “our names represent who we are” which is completely true and I know many of us become annoyed when someone mispronounces, forget, or mix up our name with a nickname. This is a great post overall!
I agree. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
I one hundred percent agree with this! I’m only just graduating and getting into the field, but I’ve already started not giving people the time of day when they get my name wrong because I feel disrespected. It’s one thing to spell it wrong when there are so many different spellings (which still isn’t acceptable, but a little more understandable) but when people think mackenzie is my last name and I clearly put it first, I feel like its not that hard to understand, or at the very least ask.