Topic 1.4: A professional email address and phone manner
Akhona Eland October 19, 2026
In this lesson: You will set up a professional email address and learn how to answer employer calls, so your first impression is a good one.
Before an employer meets you, they meet your email address and the way you answer the phone. Both should say “this person is serious”.
Your email address
An address like sexybaby2004@… or bigboss.dlamini@… can get your application ignored before anyone reads it. Create a free Gmail or Outlook address that uses your name, for example:
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thandi.mokoena@gmail.com
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tmokoena.jobs@gmail.com
Use this address only for job hunting so important replies do not get lost among promotions. Check it every day — including the spam folder.
Your phone
Employers usually phone to invite you to an interview. If they cannot reach you, they move on to the next person.
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Keep your phone charged and on, and keep some airtime for returning calls
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Answer unknown numbers politely: “Hello, Thandi speaking”
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If you cannot talk (in a taxi, in a noisy place), say so politely and ask when you can call back
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Set up a short, clear voicemail greeting: “Hi, you have reached Thandi Mokoena. Please leave a message and I will call you back.”
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Keep a pen and paper close, or a notes app, to write down the name, company, date, time and address
Your WhatsApp and social media
Recruiters do look. Use a neutral profile photo on WhatsApp, and check that your public Facebook, TikTok and Instagram posts would not embarrass you in front of a manager.
Key takeaways
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Use a simple email address with your name, only for job hunting, and check it daily (including spam).
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Keep your phone charged, answer unknown numbers politely and record a short voicemail greeting.
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Recruiters may look at your WhatsApp photo and public social media — keep them neutral.
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