One of the most important things to do before going on vacation or being out of the office is to set up an automatic absence assistant, also known as Out of Office (OOO) e-mail. This ensures that people who send you an e-mail know that you won’t be there for a while and when you will be back back. In this article, we will show you how to set up an Out of Office message in different email clients.
Outlook
If you use Outlook, follow these steps to set up an Out of Office message: 1. Click “File” in the top menu bar and select “Automatic Replies” (in some versions of Outlook, this may be called “Out of Office”). 2. Select “I am currently out of the office” and enter the start and end date of your absence. 3. Enter an appropriate message for your Out of Office message, such as when you will be back and whether you will still check emails during your absence. 4. Click “OK” to save your settings.
Gmail
If you use Gmail, follow these steps to set up an Out of Office message: 1. Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of your Gmail inbox and select “Settings.” 2. Scroll down to the “Auto reply” section and select “Auto reply on.” 3. Enter the start and end date of your absence and enter an appropriate message for your Out of Office message. 4. Click “Save” to save your settings. save.
Apple Mail
If you use Apple Mail, follow these steps to set up an Out of Office message: 1. Click “Mail” in the top menu bar and select “Preferences.” 2. Click on the “Rules” tab and select “Add Rule”. 3. Enter an appropriate name for your rule, such as “Out of Office.” 4. Set the condition to “Any message.” 5. Enter the action as “Send reply”. 6. Enter your Out of Office message and set the start and end dates of your absence. 7. Click “OK” to save your settings.
Tips for drafting an Out of Office message
- Keep it concise: people don’t feel like reading long messages. - Be specific: tell people when you’ll be back and if you’ll be checking any emails check during your absence. - Refer people: if you have colleagues who can help the recipient in your absence, refer them to them. - Include important contact information: if it is urgent and someone needs to reach you, give the number of a colleague or a phone number where you can be reached. - Adapt your language: tailor your language to the recipient of your Out of Office message and do not use technical jargon or incomprehensible terms. - Use humor: if it fits with your organization’s culture, a little humor in your Out of Office message can’t hurt and can make people have a positive impression of you. ensure that people get a positive impression of you.
When do you set up an Out of Office message?
Setting an Out of Office message is important not only when you are going on vacation, but also when you are absent for other reasons, such as an extended illness or a family reunion. By setting up an Out of Office message, you show that you are professional and reliable, as you notify people of your absence and reassure them that you will answer their emails as soon as possible.