address a cover letter

How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024

Yes, how you address your cover letter matters.

After all, this is the first thing the recruiter reads when going through your cover letter, and yes, there is a right and wrong way to do it.

In this article, we’re going to teach you how to address your cover letter in such a way that you leave a positive impression on any recruiter!

How to address a cover letter to a recruiter? (Casual or formal)
What title to use when addressing the hiring manager
How to address a cover letter without a contact person/to a company
How to address a cover letter without an address
How to address a cover letter in an email

How to Address a Cover Letter To a Recruiter (Casual or Formal)?

As we already mentioned, the way you address your cover letter is important because it is the very first thing recruiters see upon opening your cover letter.

A well-formulated cover letter address means that you care enough to research the company (i.e. to find the hiring manager’s name and title) and that you show attention to detail.

As such, you should always put some research into who you’re addressing your cover letter to and do so in a formal way.

And yes, the formal part is important too. The recruiter isn’t your best friend - you want to maintain a sense of professionalism.

If this is how you address the recruiter in your cover letter:

What’s up Hiring Manager
Hi there Hiring Team

Then you say goodbye to the job.

Now, you’re probably wondering, how can I find out whom to address my cover letter to?

That’s what we’re about to teach you:

Who Am I Addressing My Cover Letter To?

Here are some tricks to find the full name of the hiring manager:

Check the job listing. The job listing may have information about the recruiter or the department doing the hiring. Make sure to read through the entire job listing, as it might not be at an entirely obvious place.
Check the company website. Some websites feature the names of the hiring managers or heads of departments that may go through your cover letter. Alternatively, LinkedIn is another place where you can look for this information.
Check the company’s LinkedIn. You can look up who works in the company you’re applying for on their LinkedIn page.
Ask around. Do you have friends that work for the company? They could provide you with valuable inside info.

To avoid making a bad impression, head over to our guide on cover letter mistakes to learn about what NOT to do when writing your cover letter.

Addressing a Cover Letter With a Name

By now, you have probably found the hiring manager’s full name and gender. With this information available, it’s best to address the hiring manager formally, as follows:

Dear Mr. Brown,
Dear Miss Fitzpatrick,
Dear Mrs. Lockhart,
Dear Ms. Walters,

If, for some reason, you are unsure about the person’s title, gender, marital status, or preferred pronouns, just address them using their entire name to avoid any mistakes. For example:

Dear Alex Brown,
Dear Blair Fitzpatrick,
Dear Jesse Lockhart,
Dear Madison Walters,

Addressing someone with a title

Now, if you found out that the hiring manager has a professional or academic title, then it’s more appropriate to address them using that title. If, for example, the hiring manager has a Ph.D., then it’s more respectful to address them as “Dr. Last Name,” instead of “Mr. Last Name.”

Here are some professional titles and how they’re abbreviated:

A professor is Prof.
A reverend is Rev.
A sergeant is Sgt.
Honorable is Hon.

If, however, you are uncertain about how a title is abbreviated, then avoid it altogether.

Here are a few examples to give you an idea:

Dear Prof. Welsch,
Dear Director Smith,
Dear Rev. Owen,

Dear Dr. Leonard,

When addressing women and you don’t know their marital status, always go with Ms., because it doesn’t comment on marital status. Some women prefer not to be addressed with Miss or Mrs. even when they’re married, so sticking with Ms. is the best choice.

Want to learn more cover letter tips ? Our guide has all you need to ace your cover letter!

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

It might happen that, no matter how hard you search, you can’t find the name of the hiring manager or department head that will read your cover letter.

In that case, you can address your cover letter to the department, faculty, or the company.

Dear Software Development Hiring Team,
Dear Customer Service Department Hiring Team,
Dear Head of the Literature Faculty,
Dear Director of Marketing,
Dear Human Resources Recruitment Team,

Alternatively, if you don’t have enough information either about the department or the team, you can opt for addressing the cover letter directly to the company’s hiring staff, as follows:

Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team

Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Staff

If all else fails (meaning, you don’t know the name of the department head or even the exact department, in addition to the recruiter) then you can use one of the good, old-fashioned:

Dear Hiring Manager,

...but NOT the impersonal and way outdated “To whom it may concern” and “Dear Sir/Madam.”

Starting a cover letter can be challenging. Our guide can show you how to start a cover letter that will get you results from the get-go.

How to Format the Company’s Address

Before you reach the salutation, you have to make sure that the header with the recipient’s contact information is formatted correctly.

It might not be the deciding point of whether you’ll secure an interview or not, but it will cost you points if it’s off.

So, the first thing you want to do is add your name and surname on the upper left side of the cover letter. Underneath, you should write your professional title (if applicable), your email , and your phone number .

Now, after you’ve also added the date, you should leave one more space and add the recipient’s contact information and, most importantly, the company’s address.

It should look something like this on your cover letter:

When You Can’t Find the Company’s Address

Some companies might have several addresses listed (as per their branches, for example), or even none at all.

Since an application that doesn’t have an address line could end up lost or misplaced, make sure you do one of the following before skipping the company’s address completely:

Check all your resources, (pretty much like when you were looking for the hiring manager’s name) to find the company’s address.
Use the company’s headquarter address. This is sometimes easier to find, especially if the company has several branches.
Use the P.O. Box number for the company. This is not as specific as an actual address line, but if all else fails, it’s still something.

Frequently, you’ll be asked to submit your job application (including your cover letter) electronically, or by email. In those cases, you can skip the address line altogether.

Here’s how you’d go about addressing a cover letter in an email.

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

If you’re sending your job application through email, chances are you’ll need to format your cover letter in the body of the email, or as an attachment along with your resume.

First and foremost when you’re addressing a cover letter in an email is the subject line, which should be between 6-10 words long.

Considering that hiring managers receive countless emails daily, you want to make sure that yours is a job application immediately. And the way to do that is straight through the subject line, which should indicate exactly the position you’re applying for and your name so that it’s easier to find through the recruiter’s swarmed mailbox.

Here’ what we mean by that:

Subject Line: John Doe - Software Development Job Application
Subject Line: John Doe - Job Application for Marketing Manager Position
Subject Line: John Doe - Stock Manager Job Application

Afterward, if you’re including your cover letter in the body of the email (as opposed to attaching it as a document), begin by using a salutation, add space, and start your letter.

If someone referred you for the position, make sure to mention that in the subject line of your email as well as in your opening paragraph.

So, let’s see how all the above plays out in practice:

Subject Line: John Doe - Carl Jacob’s Referral for Software Developer

I was very glad that Mr. Jacobs, a long-time partner at your firm who also happens to be my mentor from college, referred me for the Software Developer position.

Do you want your style, personality, and overall personal brand to shine through your application? With Novorésumé, you can match your cover letter with your resume to make a lasting impression!

Key Takeaways

And that’s all there is when it comes to addressing a cover letter! You should feel much more confident in doing so by now.

Either way, let’s go over the main points we covered throughout the article:

Your cover letter address should be formal and well-researched. Don’t address the hiring manager with “hey,” “what’s up,” “hi there,” or even the old-fashioned “Dear Sir/Madam” and “To Whom It May Concern.”
Always try to find the hiring manager’s full name and professional title through the company’s website, LinkedIn, by calling, or by asking someone who works there.
If you know the hiring manager’s name, go with “Dear Mr./Miss Last Name,” but if you’re unsure about their gender, marital status, or preferred pronoun, just address them using their full name.
If the recruiter has a professional or academic title, it’s more appropriate to address them using their title.
If you can’t find the contact person’s name, then address the department, faculty, or company (i.e. Dear Microsoft Hiring Team , or Dear Software Development Recruitment Team ).

How to Address a Cover Letter

The beginning of a cover letter typically includes a salutation to the person who will be reading it—most likely the hiring manager. This important first line, written in the proper format, makes a positive first impression and can help you land an interview with a potential employer.

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Cover Letter Address Template

Download a free cover letter address template in MS Word format.

Cover Letter Address Template:

[Full Name]

[Email Address]

[Contact Number]

[LinkedIn Profile/website link]

[Name of the Company or Institution receiving your cover letter]

[Subject Line]

[Cover letter body.]

[Insert name]

A step-by-step guide to addressing a cover letter.

How to address the hiring manager.

Find the name of the hiring manager..

While it's important to address the hiring manager directly in your cover letter, oftentimes a job ad won't mention a contact person, especially if it's advertised through a recruiter. Fortunately, you can often find out who the hiring manager or head of the department is with a quick internet search. If all else fails, use "Dear Hiring Manager."

Address hiring managers by name if possible.

Always address the hiring manager directly by using Mr. or Ms. followed by their last name. Furthermore, using Ms. instead of Miss or Mrs. will avoid offending a female hiring manager, particularly if you don't know her marital status.

For example:

"Dear Mr. Smith"

"Dear Ms. Smith"

If you're unsure about the gender of the hiring manager, use both their first and last names.

"Dear Taylor Smith"

"Dear Jordan Newton"

Use the correct title.

Generally, using a professional title conveys respect and should always be used when the hiring manager has one, such as Doctor, Professor, Sergeant, Reverend, etc. You can shorten the title for brevity.

"Dear Dr. Smith"

"Dear Prof. Einstein"

"Dear Sgt. Newton"

"Dear Rev. Parker"

Address unknown hiring managers by their job title.

When you don't know the name of the hiring manager, the most acceptable salutation to use is "Dear Hiring Manager." Although you're not addressing someone directly, it still conveys professionalism and attention to detail. Avoid using the antiquated "To whom it may concern."

"Dear Customer Service Hiring Manager"

"Dear Sales Team Hiring Manager"

Note: Use a comma after your salutation, followed by a space and the body of your cover letter.

How to address an e-mail cover letter.

Include a subject line..

Hiring managers receive tons of emails so it's important to include a clear subject line indicating which job you are applying for.

Subject Line: Job application for sales manager position.

Address the hiring manager.

Start off the body of your email with the hiring manager's name or use a general salutation.

Dear Mr. Smith, OR Mr. Smith,

[Cover letter text...]

Include your name and contact details.

Lastly, sign off your email with your name, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile or website link.

Samantha Phillips

[email protected]

+09 012 029 9234

www.samanthaphillips.com

Common cover letter address mistakes:

Make sure that you've addressed your cover letter to the right person, and that their name is spelled correctly.
Do not use "Hello," "Hey," or "Hi," as this could come off as too informal.
Do not use outdated salutations like "Dear Sir," "Dear Madam," or "To Whom it may Concern."

Additional Resources.

Best Cover Letter Generators .
Best Cover Letter Tips .
Common Cover Letter Mistakes .
Best Resume Builder .
Skills to Put on a Resume .
Best Font for Resume .
How to Prepare for a Job Interview .

Common Cover Letter Mistakes

How do I address a cover letter?

Always address the hiring manager directly by name . If you don't know the hiring manager's name, do some research or use a general salutation.

How do I address a cover letter to a PHD (doctor)?

If the hiring manager has a professional title , always put the title in front of their name, e.g. "Dear Dr. Einstein."

How do I start a cover letter?

It's important to start a cover letter with a greeting or salutation .

What is a good cover letter address format?

Addressing the hiring manager by name shows professionalism and establishes a connection. If you don't know their name even after doing a Google search, use a general salutation like "Dear Hiring Manager."

How do you address a cover letter to an unknown recipient?

It's acceptable to use a general salutation like these:

"Dear Hiring Manager."
"Dear Sales Team Hiring Manager."
"Dear Customer Service Hiring Manager."
"Dear IT Department Hiring Manager."

What is a hiring manager, the 12 best cover letter tips for 2024, action verbs for resumes, cv vs. resume, how to write a cv.

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How to address a cover letter?

I'm sure that you had to create a cover letter at some point in your job search. And like most other job seekers, you probably came across this problem: "How to address a cover letter?"

Most of the time, you have no idea who is going to read the cover letter.

So, how to address a cover letter without a name?

Hiring managers get roughly 100-200 resumes every day. And, they are already under a lot of pressure to sort the resumes.

On top of that, if they get cover letters that do not have proper formatting and do not address the hiring manager in the cover letter header, mark my words; they will surely throw your resume away.

In a resume cover letter, minute details make or break your chance of being hired.

So, you need to make sure that you know how to address cover letter correctly.

Don't worry!

In this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about:

Who to address cover letter to?
How to address a cover letter without a name?
How to find out who to address a cover letter to?
How to address an email cover letter?
How to address a cover letter for internal position?
What should you not do when addressing a cover letter?
Example of Proper Cover letter address format?
Some common question about how to address cover letter

Who to Address a Cover Letter To?

Ideally, you need to address your cover letter to hiring managers , not the recruiters .

In many job postings, the name or email address of the hiring manager is given.

If you are lucky enough to find such job listings, then you are sorted. You can write a personalized cover letter addressing the hiring manager directly.

Unfortunately, not many job listing sites give the name and email address of the contact person.

Do not quit and send the cover letter without a name.

Go to the company website/about page and see if it has the list of staff.

That way, you can probably get the hiring manager's name or someone from the talent acquisition department to whom you need to address your cover letter.

The critical aspect is to do a lot of research .

Suppose you still don't find any name or contact information of anyone in the hiring department. In that case, you can also address your cover letter to someone in authority in other departments, such as the senior manager or the head of the department you are applying for.

It is a hundred times better to address your cover letter to someone in the organization than not addressing it at all.

At least, this way, they will understand that you are not throwing rocks in the dark. You have done your research and have good ideas about the organization.

Also Read: How to write a stellar cover letter in 2022?

How to Address a Cover letter Without a Name?

There are plenty of generic cover letter salutations you can use in your cover letter. These generic cover letter salutations eliminate the need to know the name of the contact person.

The only drawback is that you have no option to personalize your cover letter.

A survey conducted by Saddleback College has seen that only 8% of hiring managers are ok with a cover letter without name. But 92% of hiring managers prefer to have some address in the cover letter.

Dear Hiring Manager (40%)
Dear Sir/Madam (27%)
To Whom It May Concern (17%)
Dear Human Resources Director (6%)

However, we don't recommend you to use to whom it may concern in your cover letter address.

Instead, the best general salutation can be "Dear Hiring Manager."

If you want to personalize the address, you can address your cover letter to the specific department you are applying for. For example, "Dear Digital Marketing Department."

How to Address Cover Letter When You Don't Know Hiring Manager's Gender?

There will be times when you will find the gender-neutral name of the hiring manager. In that case, altogether avoid using gender-specific cover letter addresses. Instead, address with their both name and last name in the salutation like this:

Dear John Doe,
Dear Charlie Brown ,
Dear Taylor Paisley,

Hiration Pro Tip : In this type of gender-neutral name, you can search for the person on Linkedin to find out their gender. Alternatively, you can search on the company page or call the company reception to get more information about the hiring manager.

How to Address Cover Letter When You Know Hiring Manager's Gender?

If you know the hiring manager's gender, things will be much easier for you. For men, you can address the hiring manager with "Mr.," but things get a bit tricky for female hiring managers.

Imagine this,

You have addressed the hiring manager with "Miss.," and if she turns out to be married, it will not look good on your part. You definitely do not want to offend your hiring manager.

Instead of "Miss" or "Mrs.," use " Ms.," which does not focus on their marital status.

Dear. Ms. Moore,
Dear Miss Jane,
Dear Mrs. Black,

Should You Address the Hiring Manager With Only Their First Name?

If you know the hiring manager personally, only then can you use their first name to address the cover letter. Else, address the letter with their full name.

How to Use Professional Titles When Addressing a Cover Letter?

If the hiring manager has a professional or academic title, don't forget to address them by their title. You can write the full title like this:

"Dear Doctor Taylor,"

Or you can use the abbreviated form like this:

Dear Dr. Taylor ,
Dear Sgt. Park,
Dear Prof. Hoverman,
Dear Principal Fury,

Also Read: How long should a cover letter be?

How Do You Find Out Who to Address a Cover Letter To?

If you don't find the hiring manager's name and contact information on the job description, don't just leave it like that! Do some research and put some effort into finding the name and email id of the hiring manager.

It may take some extra effort, but it shows that you are interested in this job. This section will tell you everything you need to know about finding the hiring manager's name and to who you address a cover letter.

Call the Company

Calling the company to ask for a hiring manager's details is the best way to accurately determine the hiring manager's name and number.

Call the company desk
State who you are and why you are calling
Tell that you are applying for a job position and confirm who the hiring manager is for addressing in the cover letter.
Most of the time, the hiring manager will happily give you the information you need.

Tip : When taking their name, ask for the spelling of the hiring manager's name. You do not want to screw up the spelling.

If the company desk refuses to give information for any reason, don't worry; we have four other ways in our arsenal.

Network With People Working With Prospective Employer

The second best way to get the hiring manager's name and contact information is to connect with your prospective employer's employees.

This way, you can ask your connection to refer you to the hiring manager or ask for the hiring manager's contact information when a job becomes available.

It is easier than you think.

Just do a quick Linkedin search and see the employers active on Linkedin.

Now, slowly start engaging with the person you want to connect with.

After a couple of days, send them a personalized connection request and slowly build a rapport.

You do not want to ask right out for reference after introducing yourself. Instead, add some value to the conversation, and show genuine interest in them.

This process takes some time, but the connection you will make with these people will take you a long way in your professional journey.

Read the Job Description Carefully

It is a sad truth that most job seekers do not read the job description carefully. In this way, they miss vital information and potentially the hiring manager's contact name and details.

Most of the job descriptions contain the email address of the hiring manager at the end. And you can easily find the name of the contact person with the email address.

Most professional email ids contain the name of the person and the company name. For example, [email protected] has two parts- Judy.M and hiraiton.com.

And if you search on Google by the first part of the email address "Judy.M" and the company name, there is a high chance that you will find the Linkedin profile of the respective person. And you can get to know other information about them as well.

Find Out Who Will Become Your Superior or Manager

Many job descriptions include the details about the reporting manager. In such cases, you need to address your cover letter to the reporting manager.

You can find more information about the reporting manager by a quick Linkedin search with the reporting manager's job title and the company.

If the company is larger, there may be multiple individuals with the same job title. In that case, you can further narrow down your search by location.

Do an Online Search

Another easy way to search for the hiring manager is by simply doing a Google search. Google will show you the most relevant results for your search query. Example: See in this example how the first result itself answered your question.

Also Read: How to address a cover letter without name?

How to Address a Email Cover Letter?

We live in a digital age now.

Nowadays, most candidates send email cover letters to the hiring managers. And hiring managers get 100s of email cover letters daily.

To stand out from these 100s of email cover letters, you need to make sure your email cover address is perfect.

1. Subject Line of Email Cover Letter

The first thing the hiring manager will see is your email cover letter subject line. So, never leave the subject line blank.

Hiring managers sort the email cover letters by the job title. And if your cover letter does not have a subject line, it will not show in the hiring manager's list.

Here is an example cover letter subject line :

Subject line: Job Application for Video Editor Position, Ref: Hanna Moore

2. Address the Cover Letter in the Correct Way

The rules of a formal cover letter and an email cover letter salutation are similar. You can refer to the previous section of this blog to know more about it. Here is an example of an email cover letter address

"Dear Mr. Doe,"

Note : Recent trends have seen many job seekers do not include "Dear" in the salutation. You can do that too. There is nothing wrong with it.

Also Read: How to start a cover letter for maximum impact?

How to Address a Cover Letter for Internal Position?

If you address the cover letter to higher management or hiring manager, always use their name to address in the cover letter.

luckily, since it's an internal position, you can easily find the name of the person by asking your colleagues.

What Not to Do When Addressing a Cover Letter

Even if you did everything right on your resume and cover letter, starting it wrong may cost you a chance to get a call for an interview.

Let's see what you should not do when addressing a cover letter.

Do Not Address the Cover Letter to the Recruiter

" Recruiters do not read cover letters. "

Recruiters only sort the resumes by keywords and forward the same to the hiring managers.

This is the golden rule you need to keep in mind when addressing a cover letter. Always address the cover letter to the hiring manager.

Do Not Address the Cover Letter to an Ex. Hiring Manager

Company websites do not get updated regularly. If a hiring manager leaves the company, you may still find their name and contact information on the website or other third-party websites. So, be extra careful when addressing a cover letter.

Spelling the Hiring Manager or Company Name Wrong

Do not sabotage your first impression by making a spelling mistake on the hiring manager's name or the company name. It demonstrates a lack of attention to detail.

Do Not Start With a Bland Greeting

Avoid using to whom it may concern cover letter address. It is very generic and shows utter laziness on your part. It projects that you did not put much effort into writing the cover letter.

Example of a Cover Letter Address Format

Here is an example of a proper cover letter address format:

Frequently Asked Questions

How to address a cover letter to a large company.

If you have to address a cover letter to a large company, and you don't know the hiring manager's name, you can always address the cover letter to the department you are applying job to. For example:

Dear Finance Department
Dear Marketing Team
Dear Customer Service Department

Can I get creative with my cover letter address?

There is no restriction on being creative with addressing a cover letter. It is essential to research and understand who your audience is and if he/she will appreciate your creativity.

For example, if you do something creative with your cover letter salutation to apply in a creative field, it will get the hiring manager's attention.

On the other hand, if you apply for a technical position, you might hold off from showing your creativity on the cover letter address.

Should a cover letter address the company location?

It is a traditional practice to include the company address in the cover letter. Primary because it is a formal document, it would be better to add the company address before starting your cover letter.

Should a cover letter header include the candidate's address?

The candidate's address is an essential part of the cover letter. If not the whole address, at least City, Country should be mentioned in the cover letter. Example:

"Pine Bluff, AR"

This helps the hiring manager sort the candidates based on location.

Also, the Application Tracking Softwares sort the resumes and cover letters based on their locations. And if your location is not mentioned in the cover letter, it might get unnoticed by the ATS software.

Should a cover letter header, and resume header be the same?

Ideally, your cover letter header should be the name of the role you are applying for. And resume heading should be your current job title. For example, if you are currently working as a data analyst, your Resume headline should be something like:

"Jr. Data Analyst."

And you are applying for a Data Scientist position, then your cover letter heading should be,

"Data Scientist"

There is no hard and fast rule, but this is the approach we at Hiration follow, and it has been working for our clients.

You can also write the same heading for the cover letter and resume if you like. It has some added advantages. If the cover letter gets misplaced, it will be a lot easier to trace it back to the resume.

How to write the intro to a cover letter?

If you want to hook the hiring manager to read your cover letter, you need to write a professional intro explaining why you are applying and what role you are applying for.

You need to remember that hiring managers are often dealing with recruitment for more than one position. And it will help them if you specifically mention what role you are applying for.

Key Takeaways

With that, we have come to the end of this blog. By now, you should get all of your questions answered. But still, if you have any questions regarding how to address a cover letter and who to address a cover letter, let's go over the key takeaways of the blog:

Do not send the cover letter without addressing someone.
If you do not know who to address, call the company desk or go to LinkedIn to search the hiring manager's name.
If you do not know the name, you can address the cover letter with "Dear Hiring Manager,"
Alternatively, you can address the cover letter to the head of the department you are applying for. For example: "Dear Sr. Marketing Manager,"
Make sure to use accurate professional and academic titles with the name of hiring managers.
Do not use "To whom it may concern." It is old-fashioned and does not impress the hiring manager nowadays.

Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at [email protected] and we will make sure to reach out to you as soon as possible.

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How to address a cover letter | with examples

The way you start your cover letter counts.

It’s the first thing a hiring manager sees when they open your application so you need to make them excited to peek into your CV .

In our guide, we’ll show you the ropes on how to address your cover letter, and even teach you how to find the recruiter or hiring manager’s name for maximum impact.

CV templates

Address the hiring manager or recruiter directly

Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name to start building a rapport with them.

Something simple like, “Hi Lucy” will do the trick.

According to recent research , simply seeing your own name can trigger a strong response in the brain. So, be sure to do this, to captivate the recruiter’s attention.

How to find the recruiter or hiring manager’s name

You may be wondering, “How do I figure out their name?”

There are several ways to find out the name of the person handling the job opening, which we’ll look at below.

When you’re reading a job advert, you’ll sometimes find the name and email address of the person you need to get in touch with directly in the ad.

Look out for the section that says “For enquiries” or “Contact person”.

For example, the advert might say something like:

“For more info, please contact Susan Wright at [email protected].”

Usually, this person manages that job vacancy.

If you see this information, it’s your lucky day – job adverts are the simplest way to find the correct name.

Company website

If you can’t find the recruiter’s name on the job advert , and you’re applying for a job directly via a company, check out their website.

Keep an eye out for a “Who We Are” , “About Us” or “Our Team” section.

Here, you’ll usually be able to find the info about the people who work there, including the head of the department or hiring team connected to the position you’re applying for.

Look at the people’s profiles to get the one that fits your job’s department.

If you have trouble finding it directly, use the search bar on the company’s website and type in “Head of [Department Name]” or “HR Manager”.

You could also run a Google search for “[Company name] + team” for a quick way of finding an About Page for a particular team or department.

LinkedIn is one of the best ways to find a hiring manager or recruiter because millions of them are registered on the platform.

Firstly, ascertain the company that posted the position and the team it’s connected with from the information provided in the job advert.

When you know the department and organisation, head over to LinkedIn . Here, you can use the search bar to look for the company name, department or job title associated with the job opening.

Let’s say you’re applying for a marketing vacancy at Tesco. You can search for “Marketing Manager” in the search bar like this:

Once the search results appear, click the “People” filter button to narrow down your findings further so that you’re only seeing people (and not companies or groups).

Then make sure you choose your target company under “Current Company” – this ensures you only view people who are current employees.

You will need to type the name of the company into the text box like this:

Click on the name of the company you typed in. In this case, it’s “Tesco.”

Then hit the blue “Show results” button.

And examine the profiles that come up.

You’ll be able to find the person handling the job applications by looking for titles such as “recruitment manager” or “team leader” .

And once you view their profiles you may even be able to get hold of their phone number or email address.

Contact info

Here is how you can find a person’s email address via the contact details, if they have entered them.

Click on their profile then seek out the “Contact info” section.

This sits under their profile picture and headline.

If the user has made their contact info visible, you’ll see it here.

About section

Often, you can locate additional contact info, such as email addresses, in the “About” or “Summary” section of their profile.

To do this, scroll down to the user’s “About” section.

If the user has decided to include their email address, you’ll see it here.

If you can’t find an email, you can contact them directly through LinkedIn.

Here’s how you’d do this:

Send a connection request – Send the person a connection request and a message. When they accept your request, you’ll be able to write an accompanying message.
Use InMail – If this specific individual isn’t in your network, use the LinkedIn InMail. This is a premium feature which lets you send messages to LinkedIn members outside of your network – it’s useful but do. Of course, there is a fee to use this feature but it’s a useful tool.

What if you can’t find a name?

Addressing cover letter if you can't find a name

Don’t panic if you can’t find the name of the individual you’re trying to address. This will happen a lot during your job search .

In such cases, it’s absolutely fine to begin with a friendly “Hi.”

But don’t use expressions like “Dear Sir or Madam” – this sounds extremely outdated and aloof.

If you use the word “Hi”, this ensures your cover letter is more amicable and modern , even when you’re unsure of the person’s name.

This is a courteous and simple way to start if you have difficulty locating the specific hiring manager’s name.

How to write a cover letter email subject line

A recruiter’s inbox gets flooded with applications, so when you write your cover letter email , your initial goal is to entice them to read your email.

You must catch their attention with a compelling subject line and give a captivating reason for them to click on your message.

Avoid using generic subject lines, such as:

“Check This Out” – Subject lines like this sound spammy, and hiring managers may ignore it.
“Important” – Recruiters won’t know why your email is important – they might deem it clickbait.
“CV Attached” – This subject line doesn’t offer any context or engage the recruiter in any way at all.
“Hire Me” – This comes across as too blunt and provides no context.
“I Need a Job” – This sounds too direct and may sound a little too desperate.
“Looking for Work” – While you’re being upfront, this isn’t an engaging subject line.

Instead of including any of these generic subject lines, you must promote your selling points right off the bat.

For instance, use subject lines that highlight your skills and expertise in a concise, screen-friendly title.

Determine your main strengths as an applicant and invent a way to integrate them into your subject line.

You could say something like:

“Veteran Graphic Designer with a Portfolio of Projects”
“Registered Nurse with Intensive Care Unit Expertise”
“Committed Secondary School Teacher with 10 Years’ Classroom Expertise”
“Certified IT Professional with Experience in Network Security”

These subject lines are effective because they communicate key information and value to hiring managers clearly and concisely. Each tells the recruiter about your qualifications and expertise and is tailored to the specific job or field.

A recruiter is more likely to open an email from someone who can potentially meet their requirements.

A quick tip: Remember, subject lines have a limited amount of space – you’ll probably only be able to squeeze in between 30 and 35 characters.

How not to address a cover letter

When you’re addressing your cover letter , some things simply aren’t worth including. These old-fashioned or overly formal ways of starting a cover letter can make a negative first impression.

So, avoid the below phrases in your cover letter greeting:

“Dear Sir or Madam” – This is far too old-fashioned and doesn’t show much effort. It’s also fairly impersonal.
“What’s up, [Department Name]?” – This is excessively informal and will probably give hiring managers the wrong impression about you. It also doesn’t address the specific person.

Steer clear of these unimpressive ways to address your cover letter and plump for a more personal, engaging approach, like “Hi James” or “Hello Sarah”. Don’t forget, you need to get the perfect balance of friendliness and professionalism.

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Resume and Cover Letter
How to Address a Cover Letter...

How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager

5 min read · Updated on November 24, 2021

Knowing how to effectively address a cover letter makes you a very visible and appealing candidate.

Did you know that the cardinal rule of cover letters is personalization? It impresses a hiring manager or recruiter because it tells them you took time to research the specific information for the letter rather than sending a generic version.

What many people forget, however, is that the greeting or salutation in a cover letter must also be personalized with the hiring professional's first and last name whenever possible.

There are several effective ways to find the hiring manager's name for your greeting — and some acceptable back-up strategies when you can't. Either way, knowing how to address a cover letter effectively can prevent you from ending your hiring chances before they even begin.

When you know the hiring manager's name

More often than not, you'll be given the name of the hiring professional or the manager that you'll work for. Whoever it is, use their full name (first and last name) in the greeting.

If you cannot definitively tell the gender of the hiring person, do not use a gender-based title such as “Mr.” or “Ms.” in the greeting. Instead just use the person's full name.

For example, Alex Johnson could be male or female. To avoid a gender mistake, use Dear Alex Johnson, Hello Alex Johnson, or simply Alex Johnson .

However, professional titles such as “Professor” or “Dr.” are definitely acceptable as a cover letter salutation and should be used as a sign of respect. Be on the lookout for these and other titles to include.

How to find a hiring manager's name for your cover letter

If you're not given the name of the hiring manager, here are some effective ways to discover their name by using:

The job description: Check this document for the hiring manager's name. While it's not generally listed, you never know. If it's not obvious, there's also a trick to quickly discover an email in the job description that might contain the name; while in the document, press Ctrl +F or run Command + F and search for the @ symbol.

An email address: If you discover an email address, it may not have a full name but rather a first initial and last name or just a first name like [email protected] or [email protected] . A Google search combining the person's name as shown in the email and the company name might find you the person's full name.

A LinkedIn post: A name connected to the LinkedIn job posting is probably that of the hiring professional who posted it, so use that name in your greeting.

The supervisor's title: It's more likely that a job description will list who the new hire will report to — such as the director of accounting — without listing a name. In this case, there are several search options:

Search the company's website for listings of staff members by title.

Run an advanced LinkedIn or Google search for all directors of accounting at that specific company.

Check with your network for someone who might know the person's name or search the appropriate professional networking sites.

Contact the company by phone or email. Tell them you're applying for [job title] and want to address your cover letter to the right person.

In the end, this research can be the difference between making a great first impression and getting noticed for the position — or getting totally ignored by the hiring manager.

Acceptable options in lieu of a name

If you try the steps above and come up empty, there are still some alternative greeting options that will put you in a professional light.

The idea is to show that you've read the job description and tailored your greeting based on the company department where the job is located, the hiring manager's title, or the team with which you'll potentially work.

Some good examples include:

Dear Head of Design

Hello IT Department

Dear Accounting Manager

To Company ABC Recruiter/Hiring Professional

Hello Marketing Hiring Team

Dear Customer Support Hiring Group

Dear Human Resources

If you still can't find any specific name or department information, go with “Dear Hiring Manager.” It sounds professional and it's not gender-specific. In fact, a recent survey of over 2000 companies by Saddleback College showed that 40 percent preferred “Dear Hiring Manager” as the best greeting when a manager's name can't be found.

“Dear Sir or Madam” is another option that works because it's gender-neutral and respectful. However, it sounds a bit old-fashioned and may signal a hiring professional that you're an older worker or just not aware of other greeting options. It's perfectly acceptable, but the better choice is “Dear Hiring Manager.”

In the end, an actual name or any of the alternative examples will let you stand out from the crowd, so do your best to find and use those whenever you can.

Never leave the greeting blank

Whatever information you may or may not find, it's important to never leave your greeting line blank.

A blank greeting line can make you come across as lazy or rude, or imply that you simply don't understand how to write a cover letter — all of which will immediately put you out of contention for the job. There's no reason to leave the greeting blank when there are so many options that can be used effectively.

When you spend the time and effort to personalize your cover letter, you don't want to come across as “just another candidate” by using a generic greeting or no greeting at all.

A personalized greeting will impress any hiring professional, increasing the chance they'll read your entire cover letter — and ask you for an interview.

Not sure if your cover letter is cutting it? Our writers don't just help you with your resume .

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How to Address a Cover Letter When Applying for a Job

While addressing your cover letter may seem like a small part of your job application, your salutation may be the first thing an employer reads on your application. An appropriate opening can leave a good first impression and set the tone for a successful application that engages the interest of an employer. This article explains how to address a cover letter depending on the information available to you about the job you are applying for.

Who should you address a cover letter to?

While you may not be certain who will read your cover letter when applying for jobs, there are a few best practices for addressing a cover letter. Unless a job description includes information on a different person to send application materials to, you should address your cover letter to the hiring manager for the position. ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ is an appropriate greeting for situations when you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, but seeking out details about the team you would be working with shows that you have a strong interest in the company and pay attention to details.

Methods for finding the hiring manager’s name

The following methods can help you find the hiring manager’s name when applying for a new job:

Check the application materials

Sometimes a job posting or other application materials have the name and title of the person reviewing your application listed. Many companies include information about who to contact in order to streamline the job search process, so read the job listing carefully for any instruction on who to address your letter to. Look at email addresses or social media profiles linked to the posting and see if the hiring manager’s name is listed. If you previously communicated with someone at the company about your application, consider reaching out and asking who you should address your cover letter to.

Look at the company website

Some companies keep a list of key employees or even a full directory of their employees available on their website. They may have a separate careers page with information on a hiring manager, or you may be able to find the name of a human resources representative for your position. Look for who the managers are for the department are applying to work with and determine who would work most closely with your position. You can also search for the company online and find outside information on their hiring structure.

Call the business

You can call the front office of a company and ask for the name of the contact person for the position you are applying for. Be sure to call during business hours and be as specific as possible so that you get the name of the correct person. If you are still not able to confirm the name of a contact, the company will likely expect applicants to use the name of their hiring manager’s position or even leave off the greeting entirely.

How to address a cover letter

Use these steps as a guide toward addressing your cover letter:

1. First, verify your information

Once you have the name or title of the person receiving your cover letter, make sure that all of your information is accurate. Do a quick search to see if they have any honorifics such as Dr. or Prof. that you can include in your greeting Avoid using gendered language such as ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’ unless you have confirmed that they prefer to be addressed by that term.

2. Second, choose a salutation

Including a salutation is optional and based on personal preference. One option for beginning your cover letter is to simply list the name of the hiring manager followed by a comma. ‘Dear’ followed by their name and a comma is also a professional way to open your greeting. You should avoid less casual greetings such as ‘hey’ and ‘hello.’

3. Third, use a consistent format

When addressing your cover letter, use the same font and style as the rest of your application materials. Your greeting should be above the body of your letter and below a header that includes your name and contact information. Use consistent spacing before and after the greeting to make the letter easier to read for the hiring manager while devoting most of the page to the content of your letter.

4. Lastly, proofread

Every time you send out a cover letter, proofread every part of it including the address. Proofreading can help you avoid accidentally sending one company a cover letter with another company’s hiring manager listed in the greeting. Confirm the spelling of any names or titles and have another person check your work for typos. You should also make sure that you are using proper capitalization for their name and title.

Template for how to address a cover letter

Here is a brief template you can use when crafting a new cover letter or adding to an existing one:

[First name] [Last name] [Address] [City, State ZIP code] [Email] [Phone number]

Dear [Honorific]. [First name] [Last name],

Examples of how to address a cover letter

These are all examples of an acceptable greeting for a cover letter:

Dear Hiring Manager,
Dr. Alison Choudary,
Dear Human Resources Manager,
Dear Revolve Marketing Team,
Dear Prof. Rivera,
Dear Sierra,
Ms. Cleo Thet,

Regardless of whether you can find the name of the hiring manager or not, you can still include a professional greeting when addressing your cover letter. While the way you address your cover letter will not likely convince someone to hire you, a greeting with dated or unprofessional language can easily discourage a hiring manager from taking your application seriously. You can use only a first name or add a salutation and honorific depending on your preference.

Tips for addressing a cover letter

Use these tips to make sure your greeting is relevant and appropriate to the position:

Avoid phrases like ‘to whom it may concern’ or any other excessively formal language when possible.
Consider addressing the team you will be working with as a group if you do not have the name of your contact for the job.
If you have already communicated with the hiring manager, look at their email signature to see how they prefer to be addressed. For example, if the hiring manager signs their emails as ‘Mr. Dunlap,’ that is an indication that you should call him that as opposed to his full name.
When writing your cover letter or adapting it for a new position, make sure that every section including the greeting is professional and purposeful.

How To Address A Cover Letter (Step-By-Step Instructions)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Everything is set.

You have the skills, you’ve found the job and you are ready to apply. The only thing standing in your way is an ominously blank word document. The text cursor blinks relentlessly, mocking you.

You, however, are not one to be taken down by the annoying persistence of blinking mechanical devices. You take a deep break, stretch, and complete a brief, but effective, chair-based war dance.

You begin to write.

The first words you write will be the very first words a potential employer will read.

They are your introduction, a blast of information that will set the tone for your entire cover letter. They are important. Luckily, they are easily conquered.

What Is A Cover Letter?

Ok, so you know what a cover letter is.

(If you don’t, you might need a more in-depth look at what a cover letter is, so check out our article “How To Write a Cover Letter” )

But what else is a cover letter?

A cover letter is your friend.

This is your chance to get a potential employer’s attention, beyond the facts and details of your resume. It is an opportunity to show hiring managers that you did more than send fifty identical resumes out without carefully researching the organizations you are soliciting.

The best letters match the tone and culture of an organization. This starts with your very first few words – how you address the reader.

So having said all of that, you need to learn how to address a cover letter properly!

Addressing a Cover Letter: Why is it Important?

It is tempting to discount the importance of how you address your cover letters. Do so at your own peril!

The wrong choice can land your application squarely in the recycle bin.

Most employers receive more than 25 resumes for each position posted, while some receive hundreds. They are looking for that perfect fit, but they are also overwhelmed by choices.

Even seemingly small mistakes may see your submission culled from the flock.

They can, after all, only fully examine so many options over the course of a busy afternoon. Unless you’re applying to a large company with an independent human resources department, your reviewer has better things to do.

You need to get their attention, positively, from the very beginning.

Who To Address a Cover Letter To

Imagine you receive two cover letters.

Both applicants are qualified.
Both letters are well-written.

In fact, the only difference seems to be in their greeting. One person took the time to figure out where this letter was going and has addressed you by name. The other included a general greeting.

Who are you more likely to interview? Most hiring managers will, unsurprisingly, choose the candidate who included a personal greeting.

Y ou want to be that candidate!

How To Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

When you cannot address your cover letter to a specific person, the next best thing is a professional, generic greeting. Which one? A 2011 study conducted by Saddleback University provides some insight:

“ Dear Hiring Manager” Preferred by 40.5% of employers surveyed
“ To whom it may concern” Preferred by 27.4% of employers surveyed
“ Dear Sir/Madam” Preferred by 17.9 % of employers surveyed

Data Source: Saddleback University

Mistakes To Avoid When Addressing a Cover Letter

Grammar and punctuation are the biggest mistakes made when drafting a cover letter .
Be sure to use a colon in your greeting.
Also, avoid being too familiar! Though this may be appropriate, depending upon a company’s culture, it is more likely to come off as inappropriate. “Hi Bill” is seldom a good cover letter greeting.

Step By Step Instructions For Addressing a Cover Letter

STEP 1) Carefully read the job advertisement for mention of to whom you should address your cover letter . If the name of the hiring manager is listed, not using his or her name would show a lack of attention to detail and immediately earn you negative points.

STEP 2) If the name of the hiring committee is listed, but their gender is absent, visit the company’s website in search of a photograph or pronoun that will reveal the hiring manager’s gender . If in doubt, is is best to avoid gender pronouns altogether by using the person’s full name to address your cover letter.

STEP 3) Be sure to use the correct title. If you are applying to health care, academia or military fields this is especially important. Addressing a doctor or a colonel as “Mr.” is going to cost you .

STEP 4) If there is no name listed on the job advertisement, take to the internet for an answer. Visit the company website to see if you can decipher the most likely hiring manager for the position . If a personal email address was given, you should be able to match this email to its owner. If a general email was given, you may still be able to figure out who will read your letter.

STEP 5) When all else fails, consider a phone call to the main office. Skip this if the job advertisement specifically lists no calls. Otherwise, this is an extra step that is likely to get you noticed.

STEP 6) If you cannot address your cover letter to an actual person at the agency to which you are applying, then you will need to use a generic greeting.

STEP 7) Though there is some disagreement over cover letter greeting punctuation, the safest and most professional option is to use a colon. “Dear Hiring Manager:” is a good choice .

Putting it All Together

Armed with this new knowledge, you realize why the blinking text cursor has been mocking you: you weren’t quite ready to write those first few words.

Creating a compelling cover letter is about more than stream-of-consciousness prose flowing effortlessly from your fingers, through the keyboard, and into a word document. It requires knowledge, research and effort.

Now that you have the first requirement covered, there is probably an employer website you should be visiting. Good luck!

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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How to Address a Cover Letter. Who to Address?

How you address your cover letter is crucial because it’s the first thing the hiring managers see when they open it.

When your cover letter address is well-formulated, it shows that you’ve done your research and paid attention to detail.

So it’s always important to know:

How to address a cover letter and
who to address the cover letter to.

But who do you address a cover letter to when you don’t have the hiring manager’s full name, after long research? Which salutations are appropriate, even when you have a name?

This guide will show you expert tips on how to address a cover letter.

How to Address a Cover Letter. Who to Address?

Table of Contents

Why Is It Necessary to Address a Cover Letter?

Primarily, the cover letter address is the first thing the recipient sees when they open the cover letter. So, you’re more likely to get a positive impression from the hiring manager when you address your cover letter professionally and correctly.

This can increase your chances of landing more job interviews. A cover letter address also shows that you’re more detail-oriented and willing to do more research when needed. This holds true when the hiring manager’s name is included in the address.

It’ll also show your dedication to professionalism and help you make a good impression on the recipient. But before you learn how to address a cover letter correctly, you must know how to write a cover letter first.

Who Do You Address a Cover Letter To?

You should address the cover letter to the individual making the final hiring decision. The person can be the company’s owner, especially in a small business.

However, if the company size is from medium to big, you may address the cover letter to the department head or hiring manager. If you need to get in touch with a large, international company, you might want to try the regional or local manager first.

Address your cover letter to a specific person if you can. Your cover letter will have a higher impact on the recipient if you take the time to include this information.

Furthermore, it shows that you cared enough about the company to do some preliminary research. And that can make you seem more driven than other applicants.

How to Address a Cover Letter?

There are several ways to address cover letters, each method depending on the situation. So go through different scenarios in this section to know how and who to address the cover letter to.

When You Know the Recipient’s Name

Always use the recipient’s name instead of a generic address when writing a cover letter. When you do that, it establishes a personal connection with the recipient. It’s also an excellent way to show that you’ve taken the time to learn more about them.

Do your homework and look up the recipient’s name if you don’t already know it. For example, if you want to work in the sales department, you may find the sales manager’s name on the company website.
You should use the full name for cover letters where you don’t know the recipient’s gender but do know their full name. For example, a cover letter addressed to “Dear Elizabeth Morgan” is an appropriate and proper example of a professional salutation.
Use the appropriate title like ‘ Ms .’ or ‘Mr. ‘ if you know the person’s gender and want to include a title in the address. Otherwise, avoid using a title to avoid implying the recipient’s marital status. For example, to address someone as “ Ms. Morgan ” rather than “Mrs. Morgan,” you would use the former form of address.

When You Don’t Know the Recipient’s Name

You’d have to use a more general introduction for your cover letter if you can’t find the recipient’s name after several searches. It’s best to play it safe with a generic salutation in a cover letter since you won’t know the recipient’s gender or name.

It’s also the safest way to make a good impression on the hiring manager. If you don’t have a contact person’s name, you can use one of the following approaches to address your cover letter.

Remember that the list below is based on a survey of over 2,000 companies to find employers’ preferred greetings.

Dear Hiring Manager (40%)
To Whom It May Concern (17%)
Dear Sir/Madam (27%)
Dear Human Resources Director (6%)

It’s essential to ensure the right person will get your cover letter when you specify a title like “hiring manager” in the address. Use a more general greeting, like “ To whom it may concern ,” if you aren’t sure who will receive your letter.

If the Recipient Has an Academic or Professional Title

If you know the recipient’s name and academic or professional title, it’s ideal to use it. You can use it in place of ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’

For example, it would be more appropriate to address the recipient as “ Dear Prof. Adams ” rather than “Dear Ms. Adams.”

Here are some professional and academic titles and their abbreviations you can use in your cover letter address:

Professor (Prof.)
Doctor (Dr.)
Revered (Rev.)

How to Address an Email Cover Letter?

Hiring managers are flooded with emails daily. So it’s crucial to make it easy for them to scan your email and respond to it. You can do that through a well-written subject line and a signature with your contact information.

If you know the recipient’s name, use it. This will increase the likelihood that your letter will be read.

The Email Subject Line

Never send an email without a topic . Hiring managers are likely to dismiss or delete emails without opening them if they don’t contain a subject line. Instead, use a subject that makes your point immediately evident.

Make sure the recipient or hiring manager sees the job position you’re applying for by specifying it in your email’s subject line.

You should make it simple for them to determine the position you are applying for, especially if they’re hiring for multiple positions.

Addressing A Cover Letter: Some Helpful Tips

Addressing your cover letter correctly can get the recipient’s attention. It can also make your letter stand out, especially if you know the purpose of your cover letter.

Use these tips while addressing your cover letter:

Check the spelling

Ensure that you have the correct spelling by consulting with the company or looking it up online. Employers always appreciate it when candidates take the time to proofread their work for correct spelling and grammar.

In addition, it shows that you care about the smallest details, which is always a plus.

Verify the Contact Person

When making initial contact, it’s not always easy to tell if the person listed is the actual one. And it’s not always clear whether the contact information for an open position belongs to a recruiter or the hiring manager.

Maybe you saw the contact’s name in a long-forgotten social media post, and you have no idea if they still work for the company. Get in touch with the hiring company if you have any questions.

Check Your Address for Any Mistakes

Each time you apply anywhere, you’ll need to review your cover letter because its address will differ. First, verify that the date, company name, and address are all right. This ensures that your cover letter always looks professional.

Use the Correct Format and Font

Cover letters printed on paper should have 2.5-cm margins. Your address should be written in the same typeface as the remainder of your cover letter. The fonts Arial, Times New Roman, and Calibri are all excellent options.

Also, try using single spacing for your header to save valuable space.

The Best Way to Address the Recipient

You can use several different cover letter salutations to personalize your email. For example, write to Ms. or Mr. [Last Name] at the company if you have a recipient. If you aren’t sure who to email, find out if you can see the email recipient’s name.

If you’re having trouble finding the recipient’s name, you have two options:

skip the salutation altogether and jump right into the body of the letter
use a generic greeting.

Formatting the Salutation

If you’re writing an email, after choosing a salutation, place a comma after it. Then press the space button before writing the first paragraph.

How to Write the Body of the Email Letter?

The body of your cover letter should explain to the employer what position you’re applying for and why they should meet with you.

Carefully read the job description and highlight your skills and experience as a perfect fit for the position. Then, follow the employer’s guidelines while submitting your resume and cover letter by email.

Always put the same effort into your email cover letters as you would for other documents you send.

Include a mention of your resume attachment in the final paragraph if you have one. Thank the hiring manager or recipient for their time and consideration at the end of your cover letter.

Specify what steps you’ll take to follow up. For example, put a period at the end of the email and sign it with your name and email address.

To make it simple for hiring managers to get in touch with you, provide the following:

your full name,
phone number,
full address,
email address, and
URL to your LinkedIn profile in your email signature.

How to Find the Right Recipient For the Cover Letter Address?

You’ll have to do some research if you don’t know the recipient’s name. Below are some ways to find the contact person’s name:

Check Out the Company’s Websites

Check the company’s website, including its social media pages like LinkedIn , Twitter, or Reddit. You can use Google to fill in the blanks of what you know and see what it brings up.

For example, if you know the department’s name, try searching for “Head of Marketing for [Department]” and see what comes up.

If you know the person’s name but not their email or phone number, search for a term like “Mr. Adams, Marketing Head at [Company].” You’ll find a social media page or an email address if you’re lucky.

Reach Out to the Company

One of the simpler ways to find a recipient’s contact is just to call the company. Explain your reason for calling and ask them about the right person to send your cover letter to.

Check on LinkedIn

LinkedIn’s built-in and powerful search engine makes it an excellent resource for finding people. If you know the person’s name, you can use that. Otherwise, you can expand your search by including the company, location, or both.

You can send a message to the person if you find them by clicking the “Contact info” link.

If you don’t know someone’s name, you can look through the company’s employee directory to find out who works there.

If you can’t find the right person, try contacting someone in a related department. The two of you may share a common connection and may introduce yourself.

Also read : How to Upload Resume to LinkedIn

Final Thoughts

Cover letters should always be addressed to the hiring manager of the company. Always use the hiring manager’s full name to show respect, even if you’re applying to a more informal workplace. Titles like “ Mr. ” and “ Ms. ” are acceptable. Don’t use ‘Mrs.’ or ‘Miss.’

Also, even though you can include many email addresses in your cover letter, there are some you should avoid. For example, you shouldn’t use overly informal greetings like “Hi” or “Hello.”

The hiring manager may form a poor impression of you if you greet them in such a casual manner. It’s okay to use such a welcome in a casual email, but it’s not recommended in a formal setting like a job application.

Cover Letters 101: Should You Address Your Letter ‘To Whom It May Concern’?

W hen applying for jobs, the way you start your cover letter sets the tone for a good first impression. Many applicants wonder if they should stick with the old “To Whom It May Concern.” This phrase has been around for ages, but times have changed, and so have the expectations in the job market. Here’s why “To Whom It May Concern” might not be the best idea anymore and offers some smart alternatives to help your application catch an employer’s eye.

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Key Takeaways

“To Whom It May Concern” might be considered outdated and overly impersonal in today’s job market.
Personalizing your cover letter by addressing it to a specific person shows initiative and attention to detail.
There are several strategies to find the appropriate contact person if the job listing doesn’t provide a name.
Alternatives to “To Whom It May Concern” can help make a positive impression on your potential employer.
Tailoring your approach can enhance your career prospects and contribute to long-term wealth by increasing your chances of securing well-suited positions.

How To Make a Good Impression Beyond ‘To Whom It May Concern’

The job application process is your opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism, attention to detail and communication skills. Starting off on the right foot can have a positive impact on your career trajectory and, by extension, your long-term financial success. Here are some tips and alternatives to “To Whom It May Concern” that can help you make a lasting impression:

1. Do Your Homework

Before addressing your cover letter, take the time to research the company and find out who the hiring manager or the head of the department is. LinkedIn and the company’s website are excellent resources for this. Addressing the letter directly to this person shows that you’ve made an effort to understand the company and its team.

2. Use a Specific Job Title

If you cannot find a specific name, addressing the letter to a job title or department can still personalize your approach. For example, “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Human Resources Department” are preferable to the impersonal “To Whom It May Concern.”

3. Opt for a Warm Greeting

In cases where a direct name or title isn’t available, consider starting with a warm, yet professional greeting. “Dear Team at [Company Name]” can convey both respect and a personal touch.

4. When in Doubt, Ask

If the job listing provides a contact number or email for queries, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for the name of the hiring manager. This not only provides you with the correct name but also demonstrates your proactive nature.

Alternatives to ‘To Whom It May Concern’

If “To Whom It May Concern” isn’t cutting it, try these more personal options. They show you’re paying attention and you care:

“Dear Hiring Manager,”
“Dear [Department] Team,”
“Dear [Company Name] Team,”
“Greetings,”

Adding a personal touch right from the start can make your cover letter shine. After you’ve picked your opening, don’t forget to personalize the rest of your letter too.

When ‘To Whom It May Concern’ Is the Right Choice

There are few situations in job applications where “To Whom It May Concern” might still fit. This can happen when you’re applying to a large organization where the hiring team is not specified and you’ve exhausted all resources trying to find a certain contact.

It can also be relevant when submitting general inquiries to a company’s career department without applying for a specific role. In these cases, “To Whom It May Concern” can act as a formal and respectful way to address your cover letter, showing that you’ve made an effort to be professional in the absence of those details.

Make Small Changes To See Big Results

Taking the time to personalize your cover letter is more than a mere formality; it’s an investment in your career. By showing that you care about the details and are genuinely interested in the position, you’re more likely to capture the attention of potential employers. This not only increases your chances of landing an interview but also positions you as a strong candidate in a competitive job market.

Choosing a different opening for your cover letter is a simple change that can have big rewards. It can help you stand out and show you’re serious about the job. This can lead to interviews and, eventually, job offers. Landing a job that matches your skills and goals can really boost your happiness at work and your financial security. Choosing to skip “To Whom It May Concern” could be a small step toward a bigger, better career .

Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Cover Letters 101: Should You Address Your Letter ‘To Whom It May Concern’?

Letters to the Editor | Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for April 27, 2024

Letters to the Editor

District must address community concerns

The recent Marin IJ article sharing the Tam High Union School District’s new push for a bond to cover school improvements (“Tam Union district to seek lower cost Measure A bond option,” April 18) shows once again how the leadership fails to look inward when casting blame for the recent loss at the polls.

Comments from trustees citing voters “listening to lies” or that “aggressive opposition” was putting out “deceptive messaging” are disingenuous and ignore voters’ ability to take decisions in public elections. The reasons for failure of passage of Measure A have been cited over and over and have nothing to do with “misinformation.”

They include a perception of unfairness in the distribution of funds among schools and their constituents, a financial burden on seniors or low-income homeowners already paying multiple school taxes, poor polling efforts by Godbe Research (which appears to be getting a second polling contract using public funds) and, most important for me, failure to account for spending of $200 million of bonds issued since 2000 for improvement of facilities.

If THUSD expects another bond attempt to pass, it will not be because they simply lowered the price; it will be because they demonstrated and addressed community concerns and showed a little humility regarding the ask.

— Mike Blakeley, San Anselmo

Urgent renter ordinance in San Rafael goes too far

San Rafael has made commendable efforts to encourage more affordable housing. However, while well intentioned, the “urgency” ordinance just passed (“San Rafael OKs urgency law to halt evictions in Canal area,” April 18) goes too far.

It purposely raises the cost of remodeling and improving apartments to the point where it is no longer feasible to do so. The city now has more than two years to devise new regulations, essentially blocking all “health and safety” improvements of any significance for a very long time.

It should be mentioned that the buildings in the Canal are all 60 to 70 years old, built on an old marsh and at high risk for flood or earthquake damage. Intended for middle-income families, they use materials and designs from that era. Without remodeling, they are obsolete by current standards. The ability to renew is essential to keep the neighborhood from falling into disrepair. Such maintenance should be made easier, not harder.

There is a natural tension between gentrification and modernizing these buildings that needs to be managed. It is reasonable that a property owner who is investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve a building gets a return on that investment.

Landlords did not cause Marin’s housing crisis and should not be singled out to pay for the fallout that has resulted. This is a community problem. The solutions should come from the entire community, not just one small segment.

If this matter is urgent, as stated, the city should shorten the deadline to write new ordinances and should make an energetic effort to involve property owners in finding balanced solutions that everyone can live with. Both sides need a better understanding of the other’s needs to find equitable compromise.

— Roger A. Smith, San Rafael

Parents deserved to be found guilty in shooting

In his recent Another View commentary, columnist John Crisp questions whether Michigan parents James and Jennifer Crumbley should have been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after their 15-year-old son brought an automatic pistol to school and committed murder (“Blaming parents for school shootings won’t change obsession with guns,” April 18).

However, some of the unmentioned facts of the case are important to the decision. Days before the shooting, the Crumbleys bought Ethan, their young teen, the gun as an early Christmas present. They made no effort to securely store it.

When called to a school meeting over Ethan’s drawing of a picture of a gun, a wounded person and a message saying, “help me,” the Crumbleys refused to take Ethan home; they also failed to mention that Ethan had told them of his mental health struggles and did not tell school officials that they had bought him a gun. Not long after the school meeting, Ethan started shooting. He left four dead students and wounded seven others.

In Michigan, an involuntary-manslaughter verdict means that a person had no intention of killing another but, due to their careless or reckless actions, caused the death of a human being. That describes the Crumbleys.

Crisp is right that blaming parents won’t fix our nation’s gun obsession, but it is an important start. If parents were consistently found criminally responsible when their minor children have easy access to weapons and harm others, behavior would change.

Legal rules can change behavior and change minds. It may be a long process, but it is worth pursuing.

— Ruth Dell, Tiburon

Dropping prices would make wine more popular

I read recent coverage about a glut of wine causing problems for producers around the world. While it’s sad anytime people lose significant income, I must mention the inflated prices being charged for good wine these days.

The first thing the wineries need to do is dramatically reduce their prices so average wine lovers can afford to buy their products.

Wine prices have gone through the roof over the last five years, so it is partially the industry’s fault. They got drunk (pun intended) on their wealth during the good times. Now they need to think about what they did.

— Brent Zeller, San Rafael

Sausalito ferry stoppage could have been avoided

I am writing in response to the article published April 21 with the headline, “Sausalito ferry service suspended after pier problem.”

I cannot believe, after all those numerous and heated hearings at City Hall regarding the Sausalito Ferry landing dock’s future, that here we are with ferry runs suspended after problems at the dock.

— Sandra Macleod White, San Rafael

Acknowledging inflation would be good for Biden

If Joe Biden is the Democratic candidate, can he win the election in the face of our entrenched electoral college voting system? That’s the biggest question for Democrats in the 2024 election.

It is easy to visualize a similar situation to when Al Gore and Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but lost the election because they lost the “battleground” states.

There is no one easy answer about how to influence undecided voters to vote for Biden. A worthy suggestion, among others, is for Biden to make clear to all voters countrywide in vigorous and no uncertain terms that he knows all is not so well with the majority of hardworking people as they deal with continued high prices. Inflation impacts grocery items, utility bills and many less in-your-face expenses that keep families from having decent, nonexhausting and less anxiety-ridden lives.

Biden must strongly ensure us that he will always work hard for sorely needed systemic changes.

When Biden says that all is well with our economy because unemployment is down, he ignores what most Americans live with on a daily basis. His well-intentioned, very upbeat position does not resonate with so many people all over the country.

This modified message is humanistic, truly empathetic and practical. Let him know. It could be in keeping with what the president sincerely believes in his heart.

— Art Reiss, Greenbrae

More in Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor | Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for April 24, 2024

Letters to the Editor | Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for April 21, 2024

Letters to the Editor | Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for April 20, 2024

Letters to the Editor | Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for April 19, 2024

IMAGES

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COMMENTS

How to Address a Cover Letter (With Examples)
Make a positive first impression by addressing your cover letter to the right person. An appropriate salutation is specific and sets the tone for the rest of your cover letter, demonstrating your attention to detail and making your job application stand out. Below, you'll find tips on how to address a cover letter and examples to help you start a cover letter that will catch the hiring ...
How to Address Your Cover Letter in 2023
Learn the three rules for salutating your cover letter in 2023, from using a formal, full-name salutation to including a first name if you know it. Find out how to address the hiring manager, the head of the department, or the search committee if you don't know their names. Get tips on how to be specific and show your research.
How to Address a Cover Letter (and Who to Address)
Here are the most common ways to address a cover letter without a name: To Whom It May Concern. Dear Human Resources Director. Dear Hiring Manager. Dear Recruitment Manager. Additionally, if you want to add a personal touch, address your cover letter to your prospective department or manager.
How to Address a Cover Letter With Examples
Options for Addressing a Cover Letter . It's also possible that you'll do your research and still be unable to figure out to whom you are addressing your letter. In that case, it's better to be safe and use a generic greeting. It's also acceptable to start a letter without a greeting and start with the first paragraph of your letter.
How To Address a Cover Letter
For example, 'Dear Austen Myers' is acceptable and considered a professional way to address a cover letter. If you know their gender and wish to use a title in the address, use either 'Ms.' or 'Mr.' to avoid inaccurately describing the recipient's marital status. For example, you'd write 'Dear Ms. Myers' rather than 'Dear ...
How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024 (with Examples)
Here's how to address a cover letter—. There's a right and wrong way. Way #1: The employer thinks, "This applicant's got a brain.". Way #2: She thinks, "Yuck. Another dud.". It's not rocket science. Just pick the right salutation and the right address cover letter format. In this guide, you'll learn: Who to address a cover ...
How to Address a Cover Letter: Tips + Examples for Every Type
A cover letter is a formal document, and so it should be addressed as such. The most professional way to do this is with "Dear.". For example: Dear Mr. Miller, Dear Ms. Jones, Dear Dr. Lopez, If you don't know the person's gender or preferred pronouns, you can use their first name. For example: "Dear James Miller.".
How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024
Here's how you'd go about addressing a cover letter in an email. How to Address an Email Cover Letter. If you're sending your job application through email, chances are you'll need to format your cover letter in the body of the email, or as an attachment along with your resume. First and foremost when you're addressing a cover letter ...
How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024: Complete Guide
Addressing a cover letter with "Hello" or "Hi" is a tad too informal for many companies. 2. Using Dear Sir or Madam. WRONG. Dear Sir or Madam, Don't use Dear Sir or Madam even if you're not sure who to address a cover letter to. It's a very outdated phrase, and it will make you look lazy.
How To Address A Cover Letter (With Examples)
In the body. The first line of your email should address the recipient, which differs slightly from paper cover letters. In cover letters, you usually add a header that includes your name and contact information, the date, and the recipient's name and contact information. After addressing the recipient, you can add your full cover letter in the ...
How to Address a Cover Letter: A Complete Guide
For example: Dear Walter Suárez, Dear Priya Hamid, If you are confident of the person's gender, you can use "Mr." or "Ms." Avoid using "Mrs." or "Miss" unless you know their marital status or preferred title. Follow their title with their last name. For example: Dear Mr. Suárez, Dear Ms. Hamid,
How to Address a Cover Letter
Common cover letter address mistakes: Make sure that you've addressed your cover letter to the right person, and that their name is spelled correctly. Do not use "Hello," "Hey," or "Hi," as this could come off as too informal. Do not use outdated salutations like "Dear Sir," "Dear Madam," or "To Whom it may Concern."
How to Address a Cover Letter: A 2022 Guide with 10+ Examples
And if your cover letter does not have a subject line, it will not show in the hiring manager's list. Here is an example cover letter subject line : Subject line: Job Application for Video Editor Position, Ref: Hanna Moore. 2. Address the Cover Letter in the Correct Way.
How to address a cover letter + 11 examples [Get noticed]
When you're reading a job advert, you'll sometimes find the name and email address of the person you need to get in touch with directly in the ad. Look out for the section that says "For enquiries" or "Contact person". For example, the advert might say something like: "For more info, please contact Susan Wright at susan-wright ...
How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager
Instead just use the person's full name. For example, Alex Johnson could be male or female. To avoid a gender mistake, use Dear Alex Johnson, Hello Alex Johnson, or simply Alex Johnson. However, professional titles such as "Professor" or "Dr." are definitely acceptable as a cover letter salutation and should be used as a sign of respect.
How to Address a Cover Letter
2. Second, choose a salutation. Including a salutation is optional and based on personal preference. One option for beginning your cover letter is to simply list the name of the hiring manager followed by a comma. 'Dear' followed by their name and a comma is also a professional way to open your greeting. You should avoid less casual ...
How To Address A Cover Letter (Step-By-Step Instructions)
STEP 1) Carefully read the job advertisement for mention of to whom you should address your cover letter. If the name of the hiring manager is listed, not using his or her name would show a lack of attention to detail and immediately earn you negative points. STEP 2) If the name of the hiring committee is listed, but their gender is absent ...
How to Address a Cover Letter. Who to Address?
Cover letters should always be addressed to the hiring manager of the company. Always use the hiring manager's full name to show respect, even if you're applying to a more informal workplace. Titles like " Mr. " and " Ms. " are acceptable. Don't use 'Mrs.' or 'Miss.'.
Cover Letters 101: Should You Address Your Letter 'To Whom It ...
Before addressing your cover letter, take the time to research the company and find out who the hiring manager or the head of the department is. LinkedIn and the company's website are excellent ...
How to Write an HVAC Technician Cover Letter (With Examples)
Cover letter sample for an HVAC technician To help you learn more about cover letters, here is a sample cover letter for an HVAC technician role: Charles Ferris Sydney, NSW 0491 578 888 [email protected] 14 March 2024 Mr Bob Richardson Wavewood Ltd Dear Bob Richardson, As a certified and experienced HVAC technician, I was thrilled to see your recent job posting for this role on Indeed.
Call for experts: Building an Innovation Ecosystem for Public Health in
The TAG's expertise will be instrumental in addressing the European Region's pressing health challenges, seizing opportunities for innovation to enhance service delivery, drive policy development, and bolster overall public health impact. ... A cover letter, indicating your motivation to apply and how you satisfy the selection criteria. Please ...
Marin IJ Readers' Forum for April 27, 2024
District must address community concerns The recent Marin IJ article sharing the Tam High Union School District's new push for a bond to cover school improvements ("Tam Union district to seek ...

How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024

How to Address a Cover Letter To a Recruiter (Casual or Formal)?

Who Am I Addressing My Cover Letter To?

Addressing a Cover Letter With a Name

Addressing someone with a title

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

How to Format the Company’s Address

When You Can’t Find the Company’s Address

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

How to Address a Cover Letter

Cover Letter Address Template

Cover Letter Address Template:

How to address the hiring manager.

Address hiring managers by name if possible.

Use the correct title.

Address unknown hiring managers by their job title.

How to address an e-mail cover letter.

Address the hiring manager.

Include your name and contact details.

Common cover letter address mistakes:

Additional Resources.

How do I address a cover letter?

How do I address a cover letter to a PHD (doctor)?

How do I start a cover letter?

What is a good cover letter address format?

How do you address a cover letter to an unknown recipient?

Related Articles:

Who to Address a Cover Letter To?

How to Address a Cover letter Without a Name?

How to Address Cover Letter When You Don't Know Hiring Manager's Gender?

How to Address Cover Letter When You Know Hiring Manager's Gender?

Should You Address the Hiring Manager With Only Their First Name?

How to Use Professional Titles When Addressing a Cover Letter?

How Do You Find Out Who to Address a Cover Letter To?

Call the Company

Network With People Working With Prospective Employer

Read the Job Description Carefully

Find Out Who Will Become Your Superior or Manager

Do an Online Search

How to Address a Email Cover Letter?

1. Subject Line of Email Cover Letter

2. Address the Cover Letter in the Correct Way

How to Address a Cover Letter for Internal Position?

What Not to Do When Addressing a Cover Letter

Do Not Address the Cover Letter to the Recruiter

Do Not Address the Cover Letter to an Ex. Hiring Manager

Spelling the Hiring Manager or Company Name Wrong

Do Not Start With a Bland Greeting

Example of a Cover Letter Address Format

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get creative with my cover letter address?

Should a cover letter address the company location?

Should a cover letter header include the candidate's address?

Should a cover letter header, and resume header be the same?

How to write the intro to a cover letter?

Key Takeaways

Subscribe to Free Resume Writing Blog by Hiration

Is Your Resume ATS Friendly To Get Shortlisted?

How to address a cover letter | with examples

Address the hiring manager or recruiter directly

How to find the recruiter or hiring manager’s name

Company website

Contact info

About section

What if you can’t find a name?

How to write a cover letter email subject line

How not to address a cover letter

How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager

When you know the hiring manager's name

How to find a hiring manager's name for your cover letter

Acceptable options in lieu of a name

Never leave the greeting blank

Recommended Reading:

Related Articles:

Career Advice Newsletter

How to Address a Cover Letter When Applying for a Job

Who should you address a cover letter to?

Methods for finding the hiring manager’s name

Check the application materials