Originally Posted by CDSmith

Here's an example of a recent ICQ encounter I had...

New contact adds me.
New contact messages me: "Hi"
Then nothing.
After 10 minutes I finally, because his nick looks kind of business-related, shoot him a message back: "Hi, sorry, I was waioting for you to say what you wanted. I assume this is business-related, yes?"
He replies: "I am a designer"
then nothing. No follow-up information, no pitch, nothing.
I reply: (after a few more minutes) "And.... sorry I was waiting for your pitch."

At this point I'm thinking if this guy is looking for work and he's doing this with all the people he contacts then he's going to be going hungry 'til he develops some presentation.

Anyway he finally says he's looking for work. I do all my own work but I tell him where to go to have better luck, he thanks me.

But wow, just wow. That initial contact was brutal. I hate to say it but even if I had some work available I doubt I'd ever hire someone who says "hi" and nothing else on first IM.

You just know a professional when you read it. Hey or hi, or my favorite, y0, just doesn't cut it.