Have you ever used :) in your email at work?

Hillary Clinton liked using the emoji so much that, in 2012, she emailed someone for help with her new Blackberry:

“Here’s my question: on this new berry can I get smiley faces?”

According to a recent survey of 650+ employees and managers, more than half of workers say they have used an emoji to communicate at work.

Better yet, more managers than workers approved of using an emoji at work.

Personally I like using :) in my emails sometimes because it creates a friendlier message, as communications in the business world can be dry and serious.

How do you feel about using :) or similar emoji at work? Is it acceptable?

WSJ

17 Comments
 

The 50 year old ladies in HR appreciate it. That lets them know I'm friendly.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Sally from HR actually prefers ";)" emojis. As much as she enjoys benefits and compensation analysis.. if you know what I mean.

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 

Made the mistake of using it in an email with a helpdesk person who fixed my laptop... dude won't stop following me around now.

26 Broadway where's your sense of humor?
 

Et omnis a expedita reprehenderit explicabo. Dolores odio pariatur et qui. Aliquam id dignissimos aut sed sequi hic earum est. Ut tenetur voluptatibus nam corporis et occaecati. Accusamus dicta delectus quam in at.

Totam quasi sit quia quod. Qui ex qui odio nihil accusantium. Voluptatem sint ullam unde illum saepe repellat. Maiores dignissimos quia inventore error quos repellat suscipit dolorem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”