Did I just ruin my chance?

Molly Malone · April 2011

I am kicking myself right now! I received an email this afternoon to setup an interview time. The interviewer's name is something like Mary Jane. I wrote back and used her last name instead of her first name. How bad is this? She hasn't written back. Maybe that is my answer. Any way to fix this or by replying again make me look even more foolish?

MarcyLT · April 2011

I'm confused, how did you use her last name. If she was Mary Jane Smith, did you say, "Hi Smith" or something like that. If so, I wouldn't call attention to it by sending another email. She may not have even noticed it.

Were you confirming the interview time? If she hasn't responded to confirm, I think you could drop her a second email tomorrow saying, "Hi Mary Jane, I just wanted to ensure we are still planning the interview for DATE TIME"

Molly Malone · April 2011

She has two first name. Her last name is Jane so I wrote Hi Last Name.

I think I'll do that. If I haven't heard back about the interview time, I'll write back with her correct name. I just can't believe I did that. This would be a great opportunity and to ruin my chances for something so stupid makes me sick.

MarcyLT · April 2011

Don't fret too much. We all make email mistakes, and anyone who has email knows that. If she noticed, she's probably not taking it as a note on your overall professionalism. If it makes you feel any better, I wrote the wrong company name on a cover letter and didn't realize it until after I GOT the job.

LindsaymR · April 2011

I wouldn't email her again bugging her. If anything maybe she'll think you forgot the Ms. part.

ILoveRedVino · April 2011

I have one of those names too, and I'm a recruiter. Don't worry. I 100 percent guarantee that it happens ALL THE TIME. It doesn't even phase me when people mistake my last name for my first. Maybe apologize when she responds, but seriously, don't worry about it.

amanjay · April 2011

LindsaymR:
I wouldn't email her again bugging her. If anything maybe she'll think you forgot the Ms. part.

This

honeydew01 · April 2011

MarcyLT:
Don't fret too much. We all make email mistakes, and anyone who has email knows that. If she noticed, she's probably not taking it as a note on your overall professionalism. If it makes you feel any better, I wrote the wrong company name on a cover letter and didn't realize it until after I GOT the job.

this is my nightmare that I've applied to a job I really like and have put in the wrong company name in the cover letter!!

honeydew01 · April 2011

OP, don't over think it. accidents like this happen. when she replies, and you are replying her back send a quick apology. Name accidents happen all the time. You have no idea how many times i've been called Mr. last name.

bnlchic03 · April 2011

I have a last name that's phonetically pronounced like a first name (even though it's not spelled like a last name) so this happens to me a LOT. Honestly, I don't even think you need to apologize. I do think it's a little weird in my case because my last name isn't spelled like a first name, but at the same time I just make subtle hints to correct it for future emails (signing my first name on the line before my email signature in the next reply, for example), and usually the replier fixes it. I've never had anyone apologize and that doesn't bother me, but everyone has always fixed it in the second reply. Honestly, if someone DID apologize, I think it would be weird that they were drawing attention to it. So just make sure you get it right next time, and until then don't worry - you're just overthinking.

JMay · April 2011

Sharing to make you feel better - I interviewed for a position and wrote my thank you letter sincerely but incorrectly to "Ms. Butkis". That was not her name, and the irony is just too much. Believe it or not, I was hired, and she even laughed with me about it later. Her name was close enough to the incorrect that I'm sure it had happened before. WIth a last name like "Jane", it can't have been the first time your interviewer has dealt with a mix-up. GL!

kellbell1919 · April 2011

I imagine she's used to it now. Unless the job would be for something involving extreme attention to editorial detail, I doubt its a big deal.

LastNameJane · April 2011

See my screenname. I can assure you that this happens all the time. Don't worry about it.

Did I just ruin my chance?

Re: Did I just ruin my chance?

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