salutation on a cover letter

The 3 Rules of Addressing Your Cover Letter in 2023

You’ve finally sat down to write that cover letter (good for you!), but immediately you run into a roadblock: How do you even start the darn thing? Who do you address it to? Should you use Mr. or Ms.? Do you include a first name? And what if you’ve searched high and low, but can’t find the hiring manager’s name? 

Don’t fret! Follow these three rules for cover letter salutation salvation.

Rule #1: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager using a formal, full-name salutation (if possible).

For a cover letter, you should always default to addressing it to the hiring manager for the position you’re applying to. Unless you know for sure that the culture of the company is more casual, use the hiring manager’s first and last name. You can include a title, such as “Mr.” or “Ms.” (never Mrs. or Miss). But if you aren’t crystal clear on whether to use “Mr.” or “Ms.” and can’t find their pronouns with a little Google and social media searching (and you don’t have an easy way out with a “Dr.”), just drop the title. Omitting it is infinitely better than accidentally misgendering someone .

Most letters I see still use the “Dear” greeting, though I’ve seen a growing trend of people dropping it and starting with “Hello” or just the name. Any of these works. The most important part is having the actual name . Never use “ To Whom it May Concern ” or “Dear or Sir or Madam”—nothing could be more generic (not to mention archaic). Your cover letter could be the first opportunity you have to make an impression on the hiring manager, so make sure you show that you did your research .

For example, you can address your cover letter by saying:

• Dear Ms. Jacklyn O’Connell,
• Hello Mr. Kevin Chen,
• Dear Niko Adamos,
• Hello Jean Butler,
• Tiana Richards,

Rule #2: If you don’t know the hiring manager, guess.

Sometimes, even after hours of online searching ( try these tips ), you still might not be able to definitively figure out who exactly the hiring manager for the position you’re applying for is—and that’s OK.

If you can only find a list of the company’s executive team, use the head of the department for the position you’re applying for. In the end, no one will fault you for addressing the letter higher up than necessary. This approach is definitely better than not using a name in your cover letter, because it still shows the time and effort you took to find out who the department head is.

Rule #3: Be as specific as possible.

So you’ve done your due diligence and after an exhaustive search—nothing. You just can’t find a single name to address your cover letter to. If that’s the case, don’t worry. The company is likely privately held with no reason to share who its employees are—and, more importantly, is aware of this.

If this is the case and you don’t have a name to use, try to still be as specific as possible in your greeting. Consider using “Senior Analyst Hiring Manager” or “Research Manager Search Committee”—something that shows that you’ve written this letter with a particular audience in mind and aren’t just sending the same generic letter for every job opening.

For example:

• Dear Software Developer Search Committee,
• Hello XYZ Co Marketing Team,
• Dear Junior Accountant Hiring Manager,

Ultimately, you want your cover letter to convey your interest in the position. To start off on the right note, make your salutation as specific as possible—ideally with the name of the hiring manager. Of course, that can’t always happen, but as long as the effort is clearly made, you’ll be showing whoever reads your cover letter that you’ve put time into your application and are truly excited about the opportunity. 

Regina Borsellino contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job
• Cover Letters

How to Address a Cover Letter With Examples

Options for Addressing a Cover Letter

• Letter Without a Contact Person
• Non-Gender-Specific Names

What Title to Use

• Address an Email Cover Letter
• Review a Sample Cover Letter

Before You Send Your Letter

One of the trickiest parts of writing a cover letter comes at the very beginning. Much of the time, you won’t know exactly who will read your letter. How do you address your cover letter when you don’t have the contact person’s name and/or gender ?

First of all, try to find out the name of the contact person. Some employers will think poorly of an applicant who does not take the time to learn the hiring manager’s name. Also, take care not to assume that you know the gender of the recipient based on the name. Many names are gender-neutral, and some hiring managers may identify as a gender other than male or female.

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 .

You have a lot of options when addressing your letter. Learn more about the possibilities before you make your choice.

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

There are a variety of general cover letter salutations you can use to address your letter. These general cover letter salutations do not require you to know the name of the hiring manager.

In a survey of more than 2,000 companies, Saddleback College found that employers preferred the following greetings:  

• Dear Sir/Madam (27%)
• To Whom It May Concern  (17%)
• Dear Human Resources Director (6%)
• Leave it blank (8%)

Do keep in mind that terms like "To Whom It May Concern" may seem dated, so the best options may be either to use "Dear Hiring Manager" or not to include a greeting at all. Simply start with the first paragraph of your letter.

How to Address a Cover Letter for a Non-Gender-Specific Name

If you do have a name but aren't sure of the person's gender, one option is to include both the first name and the last name in your salutation, without a title that reveals gender:

• Dear Sydney Doe
• Dear Taylor Smith
• Dear Jamie Brown

With these types of gender-ambiguous names,  LinkedIn  can be a helpful resource. Since many people include a photo with their profile, a simple search of the person's name and company within LinkedIn could potentially turn up the contact's photograph.

Again, you can also check the company website or call the company’s administrative assistant to get more information as well.

Even if you know the name and gender of the person to whom you are writing, think carefully about what title you will use in your salutation.

For example, if the person is a doctor or holds a Ph.D., you might want to address your letter to “Dr. Lastname” rather than “Ms. Lastname” or “Mr. Lastname.” Other titles might be “Prof.,” “Rev.,” or “Sgt.,” among others.

When you address a letter to a female employer, use the title “Ms.” unless you know for certain that she prefers another title (such as “Miss” or “Mrs.”).

“Ms.” is a general title that does not denote marital status, so it works for any female employer.

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

Hiring managers get a lot of emails each day. Make it easy for them to scan your email and follow up by including a clear subject line and a signature with your contact information. It's important to address the email cover letter correctly, including the name of the person hiring for the position if you have a contact, to ensure that your letter gets noticed.

Subject Line of Email Message

Never leave the subject line blank. There is a good chance that if a hiring manager receives an email with no subject line, they’ll delete it without even bothering to open it, or it could end up in their spam mailbox. Instead, write a clear subject indicating your intentions.

List the job you are applying for in the  subject line of your email message , so the employer knows what job you are interested in. They may be hiring for multiple positions, and you will want them to identify the position you’re interested in easily.

How to Address the Contact Person

There are a variety of  cover letter salutations  you can use to address your email message. If you have a contact person at the company, address the letter to Ms. or Mr. Lastname. If you aren’t given a contact person, check to see if you can  determine the email recipient's name .

If you can’t find a contact person at the company, you can either leave off the salutation from your cover letter and  start with the first paragraph  of your letter or use a  general salutation .

How to Format the Salutation

Once you have chosen a salutation, follow it with a colon or comma, a space, and then start the first paragraph of your letter. For example:

Dear Hiring Manager:

First paragraph of the letter.

Body of Email Cover Letter

The body of your cover letter  lets the employer know what position you are applying for, and why the employer should select you for an interview. This is where you'll sell yourself as a candidate. Review the job posting and include examples of your attributes that closely match the ones they are looking for.

When you're sending an  email cover letter , it's important to follow the employer's instructions on how to submit your cover letter and resume.

Make sure that your email cover letters are as well-written as any other documents you send.

If you have attached your resume, mention this as part of your conclusion. Then finish your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow up. Include a closing, then list your name and your  email signature .

Your email signature should include your name, full address, phone number, email address, and  LinkedIn Profile URL  (if you have one) so it is easy for hiring managers to get in touch.

Firstname Lastname  Street Address  (optional) City, State Zip Code  Email  Phone  LinkedIn

Sample Cover Letter

This is a cover letter example. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Sample Cover Letter (Text Version)

Mary Garcia 12 Rogers Avenue Townville, New Hampshire 03060 555-555-5555 mary.garcia@email.com

February 17, 2021

Franklin Lee

CBI Industries 39 Main Street Townville, New Hampshire 03060

Dear Mr. Lee:

I was excited to see your ad for the operations assistant position in your Townville offices.

I have five years of experience as an operations assistant/associate. In my most recent role at ABC Corp., I fulfilled orders, resolved customer issues, ordered supplies, and prepared reports. In previous roles, I’ve done bookkeeping, data entry, and sales support. Basically, anything your department needs to run smoothly, I can do – and most likely, I already have experience doing it.

My other skills include:

• Strong communication skills, in person, in writing, and on the phone
• Excellent attention to detail and organization skills
• Top-notch customer service
• Experience in the industry and passion for the product
• Adept at all the usual professional software, including Microsoft Office Suite

I’ve included my resume for your review. Please contact me if you have questions or would like to schedule an interview. Thank you for your consideration.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Mary Garcia

Review Cover Letter Samples: It’s hard to write cover letters from scratch. To make life easier – and to make sure you don’t forget any of those pesky formatting rules —start by reviewing cover letter samples . Sending an email version instead? Look at a few examples of email cover letters to get started.

Customize Your Cover Letter: Why personalize your cover letter every time you apply for a job? Because even similar job titles have different requirements. The goal of a cover letter is to show the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for this particular job. Customizing your cover letter will help you emphasize your skills and experience and how they fit with the job requirements .

Spell-Check Names: Before sending your cover letter, make absolutely sure that you have spelled the hiring manager’s name correctly. That is the kind of small error that can cost you a job interview.

Carefully Proofread Your Letter: Whether you're sending an email or uploading or attaching a printable cover letter, it's important to make sure that your cover letter and resume are written as well as any other business correspondence. If you can, have a friend proofread before you hit send, to pick up any typos or grammatical errors.

Saddleback College. " Your Resume is Your 1st Interview ," Page 14. Accessed Feb. 17, 2021.

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

• 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 . 

Recommended Reading:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

5 Things to Say in Your Cover Letter If You Want to Get the Job

How To Write a Cover Letter (With Example)

Related Articles:

How to Create a Resume With No Education

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

See how your resume stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

Cover Letter Salutations: Examples & Tips

Avoid a Vague or Impersonal Salutation

Use a professional greeting, use the hiring manager’s name, be conscious of gender identity, use the hiring manager’s title, cover letter salutation examples.

When applying for a job, first impressions greatly influence how companies view you as a potential candidate. Although this is a subtle aspect of the cover letter, how you greet the hiring manager can significantly impact how your content is perceived. Throughout this guide, we’ll evaluate different salutations you can use to open your cover letter and why it’s important to perform research on the organization before sending out your job application.

Using a cold or impersonal salutation might give off the impression that you didn’t bother to conduct any research on the company before applying. For example, using “To Whom it May Concern” can potentially set the wrong tone for your cover letter. These are very subtle aspects that you might not normally think about, but they can make a major difference in how the hiring manager receives your content.

You should start your cover letter with a personalized salutation, but you should avoid appearing unprofessional. Avoid using greetings such as “Hello,” “Hi,” or “Hey There,” as this may be a red flag to prospective employers. Although you may be trying to create a more casual or lighter tone, using an unprofessional salutation is much more likely to have an adverse effect on your candidacy. Instead, you should always begin your cover letter with “Dear,” followed by either the hiring manager’s title or name.

If you can research the hiring manager’s name, you should use this in your salutation. Although this won’t always be possible, researching the name of the person reviewing your application will show prospective employers that you have a genuine interest in the role. It’ll also show that you’ve taken the time to learn about the company before sending out your resume and cover letter. If the hiring manager has a professional title, such as “Dr.” or “Prof.,” you can consider adding these.

One thing that’s very important here is to be careful about assuming gender identities. Certain names can be ambivalent, and assuming the wrong gender can harm your job application. Inclusion is important for the large majority of companies, and it’s important to be conscious of these nuances in your salutation. If you aren’t sure, you should omit “Mr.” or “Ms.” from the salutation. You should also avoid using “Mrs.” in almost every circumstance, as this could unintentionally be offensive to the hiring manager.

If you cannot find the hiring manager’s name, you can still personalize your cover letter by researching their title at the company. “Dear Hiring Manager” is fine if you can’t find this information. However, being able to say “Dear Senior IT Director” or “Dear Sales Manager” is better, as it shows that you care enough about the job opportunity to perform independent research on the organization. While these details are small, these subtle touches often make the difference in whether or not you stand out from other applicants during the hiring process.

Now that we’ve covered the core aspects of cover letter salutations, we’ll provide some examples to help you craft a strong opener for your document. It’s important to understand that unlike the resume, which you should keep objective, third-person, and impersonal at all times, the cover letter uses “I” statements. This allows you to showcase other aspects of who you are as a candidate, so you’ll want to capture the appropriate tone while remaining professional. Below, you’ll find some examples of cover letter salutations to enhance your next job application:

Mina Sayed Supervisor | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Windermere Rd., Seattle, WA 12345

January 1, 2022

Matthew Johnson Senior Operations Director Cadence Transportation Services (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Mr. Johnson,

As an operations manager with 10 years of experience, I’ve developed an expertise in identifying continuous improvement opportunities for large organizations. During my time with the Seattle Transport Company, I optimized route planning and labor capacity to improve on-time delivery to over 95%. I believe my fleet management experience would be valuable to your organization in the operations manager position.

Aliya Jackson  Registered Nurse | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 12345

January 1, 2021

Pat Martin Senior Nurse Manager San Diego Hospital (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Pat Martin,

As a Registered Nurse with five years of experience, I have a strong background in medical triage and patient-centered care. During my time with Palo Alto Hospital, I provided medical care in a facility with a 1:6 patient ratio while maintaining satisfaction ratings of 93% on monthly surveys. I am confident that my communication and leadership skills would make me a valuable asset to your team in the RN position at San Diego Hospital. 

Jasmine Brown Sales Supervisor | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia PA, 1234

Ms. Cynthia Roberts Director of Sales San Diego Hospital (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Cynthia Roberts,

With over eight years of experience as a sales supervisor, I’ve cultivated a proven track record of success driving account growth within the technology industry. During my time with Ascendence Technologies, I managed a team of 30+ account executives and sales representatives generating over $2M in annual sales. I also built a unique training program centered on strategic selling and consultative sales, which helped my team to achieve 160% of the yearly quota in 2021. I believe my sales expertise and team management capabilities would allow me to flourish in the sales manager position with your company.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

• How to Land Your Dream Job Learn More
• How to Organize Your Job Search Learn More
• How to Include References in Your Job Search Learn More
• The Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview Learn More

Essential Guides for Your Job Search

• Business Letter Formats Learn More
• How to List a Degree on a Resume Learn More
• How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume? Learn More
• How to Include Personal and Academic Projects on Your Resume Learn More

Eight Cover Letter Greetings for Every Situation

Published: May 26, 2021

When you’re trying to make a good first impression, a greeting is critical. Saying “Yo, what’s up” to your new employer will evoke a different, likely more negative reaction than, “Hello, it’s nice to meet you.” 

A cover letter greeting is just as important as your first in-person salutation. It’s a chance to demonstrate professionalism and even effort — for instance, addressing your hiring manager by first and last name shows you did your research. 

Here, we'll explore the best cover letter greetings you can use to ensure your cover letter is well-received.

Cover Letter Salutation and Greeting Examples

Sometimes job listings let you know who will be in charge of your application process, but sometimes they don’t. Let’s go over how to address your cover letters for either situation. Please note that it’s always important to capitalize the nouns for all of your greetings.

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [name of team or department you’re applying for a position in],
• Dear [company name] Recruiter,
• To the [name of team you are applying for a position in] Department,
• Dear [title of the person you would report to],
• Dear [position title] Hiring Manager,
• Dear [hiring manager, recruiter, or name of point of contact],
• Dear Human Resources Manager.

Below we’ll go over an example of how to start a cover letter greeting when you have the name of the hiring manager, recruiter, or point of contact for your application process.

How To Start a Cover Letter Greeting

1. use "hello," or "dear," followed by their first and last name..

If the job description includes the hiring manager's name, or if you've managed to figure it out through research (which we’ll cover below), an easy greeting uses a full name with a "Dear" or "Hello" before it. Additionally, this helps prevent the possibility of misgendering someone that can come from using “Dear Ms./Mr.”

2. Include their title if possible.

If you're writing to a hiring manager with a title like "Dr." or "Professor,” include it in your greeting. It will demonstrate a level of respect and that you’ve done your research. It’s also non-gender specific, again reducing the likelihood of misgendering. 

For instance, you might start your cover letter like this — "Dear Dr. Grace [Insert Last Name]."

3. If you don't know their name, you can still make it specific.

If you've done your research and can't find a specific person hiring for the role, it's likely because the company has a team assembled to delegate the hiring responsibilities. To address a letter to a team, figure out the department or group in which the role falls. Then, follow this formula — "Dear [Department] Hiring Team.”

For instance, if you're applying for a role within Customer Service, you might say, "Dear Customer Service Hiring Committee," or "Dear Customer Service Hiring Team." 

However, it’s worth putting in the effort to research who the hiring manager may be, as the information can sometimes be easy to find.

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name

A customized greeting goes a long way towards helping your cover letter stand out in a sea of "To Whom It May Concern." Let’s go over what you can do to uncover who the hiring manager or person responsible for the application process may be. 

Find Recruiters on Company Website

An easy way to try and find the direct responsible individual is by visiting the company website and looking for an “About Us” tab. Some businesses list names of people who work there, and you can browse through the list to see if you can find the recruiter for your position or relevant department.

Find Recruiters on LinkedIn

Some companies have such big teams that each department has its own recruiter or hiring manager. LinkedIn can come in handy here, as you can use the “People” tab to search for keywords like “hiring manager + department you’re applying to,” or “department you’re applying to + recruiter” to figure out who the direct responsible individual is for different departments. 

Find Recruiters on Twitter

Twitter is also a great social media tool for identifying recruiters or hiring managers. You can search through keywords related to the business you’re hoping to work for and browse through profiles to see what you can find. Most professionals using Twitter have some description of their job position in their bio, so you should be able to identify them when you see them. 

You can also search on Twitter for the position title you’re applying for to see if a recruiter has Tweeted a link on their profile. 

If you’ve done all your research and you can’t find a hiring manager to address your letter to, and you weren’t given a name in the application process, there are still some alternatives:

• Dear Hiring Manager
• Dear [name of team or department you’re applying for a position in]
• Dear [position title] Hiring Manager
• Dear Human Resources Manager

To Whom It May Concern is an often recommended option, but most would say that you shy away from it as it is considered a more outdated and less personalized greeting than others on this list. It would be safe to consider using it as a last resort option.

At the end of the day, when writing your cover letter , your ultimate goal is to make a good impression. If you’re able to find the name of the recruiter or hiring manager, use their name, but if not, any of the recommended greetings in this post will do.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

How to Write an Internship Cover Letter [Expert Advice & Examples]

How to Start a Cover Letter That Gets You Your Dream Job

The 46 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

General Cover Letter: 15 Cover Letter Templates to Perfect Your Next Job Application

Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2024?

Letter of Interest Tips, Templates & Examples [A 2023 Guide]

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Cover Letter

7 Expert Cover Letter Tips to Get the Job

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

How to Start a Cover Letter (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

When you’re writing a cover letter, nailing the opening is a must. Your cover letter introduction has to draw the hiring manager in, giving them a clear reason to keep reading. That’s why learning how to start a cover letter is so vital; it’s your doorway to success.

After all, more than eight-in-10 recruiters feel that an awesome cover letter is enough to land a candidate an interview even if their resume is only a partial fit for the job. Cool, right?

So, are you ready to make sure that your cover letter opening is everything it can be? Great! Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Cover Letter?

Alright, let’s begin with the basics. Before you can learn how to start a letter to the hiring manager, it’s helpful to know what a cover letter is in the first place.

We’ve actually taken several deep dives into the world of cover letters, including how to address a cover letter , the best cover letter format , how to end a cover letter , and a full overview of how to write a cover letter .

But the basic gist is that a cover letter is a written elevator pitch. It acts as an introduction to what you have to offer, with a bit more flavor than you can put in a resume.

In many cases, your cover letter is the absolute first impression you’ll make on a hiring manager. As they read, they get a feel for who you are, as well as what you bring to the table.

Do cover letters really matter that much? Yes, they do. Overall, 49 percent of hiring managers think that receiving a cover letter is important to the hiring process, which is a pretty good indication that they value them.

So, what are the parts of a cover letter? In most cases, a cover letter has:

• Contact Information
• Opening Paragraph
• Body Paragraphs
• Closing Paragraph
• Closing Sentiment

While that seems like a lot, it really isn’t. In most cases, you end up with about a page or so of content. After all, a cover letter isn’t an autobiography of your life; it’s a concise, tailored introduction to who you are as a professional.

Generally, when you’re trying to figure out how to start a cover letter, what you need to focus on are the salutation and the opening paragraph. Those are what make the first impression and usually play a big role in whether the hiring manager reads the whole thing or not.

You may want to dig a little deeper, making sure your opening line really packs a punch. But, really, that’s all part of creating a great opening paragraph, isn’t it? Just keep in mind that your leading sentence needs to be an attention-grabber, and you’re in good shape.

Now, is your cover letter opening more important than the rest of the letter? Well, yes and no. If your start to your letter isn’t strong, there’s a chance the hiring manager won’t finish reading it. That means a fantastic cover letter introduction is essential.

But the rest matters, too. In the end, you want your first impression to be a doozy. It’s just that, if you don’t nail the opening to your cover letter, the rest may never get a glance.

Common Mistakes When Starting a Cover Letter

Before we dive into how to start a cover letter, let’s talk about some cover letter introduction mistakes you want to avoid. After all, a misstep at this early stage can cost you the job, so you really need to make sure you get it right.

First, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is not tailoring the content to the position. When you write a cover letter, you are speaking to one particular hiring manager, not everyone who may ever want to hire you. If you don’t focus the content on that specific job, you might not connect with that hiring manager, causing them to move onto a different candidate.

Second, being too generic can come back to bite you. You want to stand out from the crowd, so you need to make sure your cover letter introduction feels a bit unique.

Third, choosing the wrong salutation – or not including one at all – can potentially lead to some trouble. If you go the wrong way, you may not connect with the hiring manager as well or could even offend them a bit. That’s no good.

Finally, spelling and grammar mistakes are a huge deal. They make it look like you lack attention to detail, and that isn’t going to win you any fans.

How to Start a Cover Letter

In many cases, figuring out how to start a letter for your job application is much easier if you take it one step at a time. It lets you tackle everything in succession and gives you a chance to focus on each critical part, increasing the odds that you’ll genuinely nail it.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to start a letter when you’re trying o land a job:

1. Choose the Right Salutation

The salutation in your cover letter opening serves as a greeting. It’s a chance to acknowledge the reader directly, even if just for a brief second.

Ideally, you want to address the hiring manager by name, using an approach like:

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr.] [First Name] [Last Name]

Now, you can potentially add one more option to the list: Mx. This is a relatively new gender-neutral addition that’s favored by people who consider themselves nonbinary.

Generally speaking, you should only use “Mx.” if you are completely, 100 percent certain that it’s the hiring manager’s preferred title. You don’t want to go with it simply because you don’t know the hiring manager’s gender. Why? Well, since it’s a newer option, not everyone is familiar with it, so some hiring managers might think it’s a typo.

Additionally, people may have a variety of opinions about “Mx.,” and not all of them are positive. Since it’s a bit controversial in certain circles, you could offend a hiring manager by using it if that isn’t what they prefer.

So, what do you do if you know the hiring manager’s name but not their gender or preferred title? Worst case, go with “Dear [First Name] [Last Name]” instead. It’s a bit less formal, but it may be better than getting the title wrong.

If you genuinely don’t know the hiring manager’s name – and can’t figure it out with some research – you can try:

• Dear [Job Title/Role] – Dear Hiring Manager, Dear Operations Manager, Dear VP of Sales, etc.
• Dear [Department] – Dear IT Department, Dear Marketing Department, etc.

Those aren’t as personal, but they can do the trick. They at least speak to a particular individual, making it clear that you had a certain recipient in mind. As a result, they are much better than more generic alternatives.

What about “To Whom It May Concern?” Well, we’ve taken a deep dive into how to use to whom it may concern . But, in most cases, that isn’t your best. It feels outdated, for one. Plus, it doesn’t have a particular reader in mind, which isn’t ideal.

The same goes for “Dear Sir or Madam.” Along with being generic and incredibly old-school, it’s also a bit awkward. Plus, it makes it seem like you didn’t even try to come up with something better, and that’s never good.

2. Nail the Opening Sentence

Your opening sentence in your cover letter is what really needs to draw the hiring manager in. As a result, you want to make sure that it packs a wallop.

Usually, you have a few options that can pull this off. First, if you know someone at the company who referred you to the position, you can try name-dropping. Many hiring managers favor direct referrals, so it’s alright to make that connection clear from the beginning.

Second, you can lead off with a relevant accomplishment. This one can get a little tricky to do well. You really have to relate it to something in the role, and that isn’t always easy to manage without using a sentence or so to build in some context.

Finally, you can focus on your excitement. Hiring managers like people who seem passionate about the opportunity, so this route could let you start your cover letter on a great note.

With all of these, you want to make sure the opening sentence taps on the position you’re trying to land. It’s smart to mention the job title, department, and company, as that ensures the hiring manager knows why you’re writing. If it doesn’t fit in the first sentence, then it needs to come in on the second.

3. Round Out the First Paragraph

Generally, your cover letter opening paragraph is going to be two or four sentences long. If you didn’t get it into your opening sentence, use your second one to mention the job opening. That way, the hiring manager understands exactly why you reached out.

After that, it’s time to tap on some relevant skills. Use the job ad to identify high-priority capabilities. Next, treat them like keywords, using the exact same words and phrases to increase your odds of looking like a great match (and getting past an automated screener).

4. Quantify the Details

Numbers stand out visually in a cover letter. They actually draw the eye, as they aren’t as widely used as letters and most forms of punctuation.

By quantifying a detail or two, you create visual interest. Plus, you’re giving the hiring manager some helpful context about what you’ve achieved, something that can make you look like a stronger candidate.

3 Cover Letter Starting Samples

Sometimes, nothing helps bring some tips to life like a handy example or three. If you want to make sure you understand how to start a cover letter or are looking for some samples that you can use as a template, here are three cover letter introduction examples, each representing a different approach.

1. When You Were Referred

Dear Mr. John Doe:

During my 6 years as a sales professional, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of amazing professionals, including Jane Smith, a member of your team who recommended I apply for the Account Manager opening at ABC Inc. In my last position, I managed a portfolio of 25 enterprise-level clients while also boosting sales by 15 percent year-over-year during my tenure. I believe that my penchant for strategic thinking, as well as my strong negotiation and communication skills, make me an exceptional fit for your position.

2. Leading with an Achievement

Dear IT Department:

Over the past 4 years, I’ve focused my career on the world of project management, recently earning by Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Additionally, I personally oversaw five $50k+ development projects concurrently, each of which was finished on time and within budget. I feel that my experience as a leader, as well as my expertise in risk assessment and cost management, makes me an ideal fit for the Project Manager position at XYZ Corp.

3. Going the Excitement Route

Dear Hiring Manager:

When I saw the administrative assistant opening at ABC Company, I immediately knew I wanted to apply. As an office assistant with 6 years of experience, I have honed many key skills you’re hoping to find, including scheduling, report writing, and customer service. Last year, among 50 nominated colleagues, I was even recognized as the Employee of the Year, largely because of my passion and dedication to my work, something that I would love to bring to ABC Company.

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, you should now understand how to start a cover letter off in the best way possible. Use all of the tips above, and turn to the cover letter opening samples to serve as guides. That way, you can create an introduction that captures the hiring manager’s attention and keeps them reading, giving you a chance to showcase even more about why you’re such an awesome candidate.

And as always, 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 .

Copyright © 2024 · TheInterviewguys.com · All Rights Reserved

• Our Products
• Case Studies
• Interview Questions
• Jobs Articles
• Members Login

Cover Letter Salutation That Entices the Recruiter to Learn More About You

In This Guide:

How to write the best cover letter salutation for maximum impact.

Cover letter salutation if you know the hiring manager's name

Why you should personalize your cover letter salutation

The absolute no-nos of cover letter salutations, cover letter salutation - takeaways.

Quick Answer: "To write an outstanding cover letter salutation, keep it formal yet polite. Start with ""Dear (name)"" if you know the name of the HR or hiring manager. Use ""Dear HR Team"" or ""Dear Hiring Manager"" if the recipient is unknown. Always personalize the salutation to establish a connection and avoid vague openings like ""To whom it may concern"" or ""Dear Sir/Madam."" Remember, personalization and a formal tone are key."

Have you ever been slightly annoyed when someone forgot your name at a party 2 minutes after you introduced yourself, even though you also sometimes forget the names of people whom you just met?

Guess what – recruiters feel the same when their name is under the job ad, yet they get another Cover letter starting with “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.

In this article, you will learn how to craft impressive Cover letters, which land on “soft” ears, as you know how to address your reader the right way.

Here’s what you will learn from our expert Career advisors:

• What is a great Cover letter greeting
• How to create a connection via personalization
• Ways to find the HR name
• How to avoid common pitfalls in your Cover letter salutation
• What opening lines you should stay away from

After nailing that attention-grabbing greeting, you can always get more free Enhancv tips with these Cover letter examples .

You are just a few minutes away from the insider secrets on how to “enter” and shine on the application “stage” with the perfect Cover letter salutation! Ready to dive in?

Upload & Check Your Resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

You only get 7 seconds to make an outstanding first impression. As the Cover letter is in fact a sales document, the first impression is as crucial as in a meeting. The only difference is that in a Cover letter you can’t rely on the power of your polished, presentable persona, charisma, voice, or non-verbal body language. The only tool you have at your disposal to achieve massive effect is the written words. So you better use it right.

“How can I do that?” - you'd ask. Not to worry, we've got your back, and it is actually easier than it looks. Driving lasting impressions and stirring up interest is going to be entirely in your hands with our blog , which is fully packed with valuable Career advice.

In reality, commanding others ‘attention “from the first read” and sentence boils down to two factors:

• Your Cover letter design
• Your Cover letter salutation

These two elements determine for a millisecond the first and sometimes overall impression from your Cover letter.

Attractive design will play totally in your favor, as it is common knowledge that before delving in or reading diagonally any document, we scan it holistically from a bird's eye. Only afterward, our view “falls” on certain “gestalts' – visual details. The main rule here is to make your document pleasant to look at with the right mix of fonts, colors, and overall formatting.

Same with the design, with the introduction, there are several important guidelines one needs to have in mind.

Keep it formal

While you definitely want to come across as a friendly and likable person, when it comes to choosing the opening line, it wouldn’t hurt to be aware that you are not chatting your friends with an offer to go to the movies.

Sticking to the formal, respectful tone that acknowledges the distance between you and your reader (HR and/or Hiring Manager) is your best bet here. Shortening the distance by interjecting informal salutations may actually do you a disservice and create the opposite effect to what you aim for.

Hence, steer clear away from any openings like:

Be polite in your cover letter greeting

Have you heard the expression “Cordiality goes a long way”? Some researchers state that although the salutation “ Dear ” is not too personal and is, in fact, just a formal expression; it typically makes recipients more open to the communication sender.

Whenever you are in doubt about the greeting of your Cover letter, always use “Dear (name)” – this is the golden standard of official business communication. You cannot get that wrong!

Speak like a human to another human

Now let's delve deeper into what can trip you off! Like anyone, HRs are human beings too with their personality and unique individuality. So, they highly value being communicated to like a human, not like being just another part of a depersonalized organization.

This is an important point for you to consider when you turn your Cover letter into a flawless masterpiece. Let's face it, no one really likes generic mails. So when you write your next great Cover letter, write it, with the crystal clear thought that it will be read by humans, not by machines.

Otherwise, you risk “sounding” disinterested, cold, withdrawn, or uninspired for the role in question. Plus, your candidature may be experienced by the receiver like lukewarm water, rather than like the hot stuff that it actually is.

On the contrary, when you address your Cover letter in a way that acknowledges the HRs on a more personal level, you win them at “Hello”! And the good news is that you can do that, no matter if you know the HRs name or not (and you cannot find it).

Let's cover those two scenarios, so you are prepared in all possible cases!

Cover letter salutation if you know the hiring manager's name

Know the name of the responsible recruiter for that job ad you've got your eye on?! Sweet! Lucky you! Then you have an ace, and you definitely have to use it!

Start your Cover letter with a formal, polite, yet personal greeting including the name of the HR or Hiring Manager.

A few things to keep in mind, though!

Make sure to do a preliminary check of the first and last name of the contact person!"!

If you proceed with a semi-formal greeting after your company research and you have identified that the organizational culture allows it (for example in a start-up), you can just address the person by their first name:

• Dear Antoana,

Those will do just fine!

Pay attention that the comma always comes after the name and not before it!)

However, if you go for the very formal communication style (for example for a Corporate or Governmental organization with a strict hierarchical structure), you d best use this format of salutation with the person s surname:

• Dear Mr. Salomez,
• Dear Mrs. Perruci,

When you use Mr., Mrs., and Ms. and the person has a first name from which you cannot identify their gender, do your proper Google research.

If that doesn’t retrieve any clear results either, it may be a good idea to check if you can identify the person on the company's website or on their social network channels (like LinkedIn). In case that also proves fruitless, it might be worth considering using the semi-formal format:

NB! It is not a common practice, but some hiring managers and applicants may use Mx. as a gender-neutral title. So note such versions:

• Dear Mx. Richardson,

If the contact person is a woman and you are not sure of her marital status, you can use a marital-neutral title Ms.

Dear Ms. Petrova,

Go calmly with the title Mrs. only when you know for sure that the woman you are addressing is married:

Dear Mrs. Todorova,

Cover letter salutation for an unknown recipient

Your first resort should be to at least try to find out the name of the HR.

So what if you've searched in the ad on the job board, on the company website, and on their socials, but in vain?! Take heart! In that case, it is totally acceptable if you get in touch with the company – either by phone or email, express interest in the job role and kindly ask whom from the HR team you should address your application. And voilà! Then you just apply the above rules!

If that also doesn’t work for whatever reason, there's a smart way out, but how you approach it – can make or break your Cover letter!

The best way is to address it to the whole HR department while avoiding generalizations like the plague.

Example of a good greeting :

• Dear HR Team,
• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear HR Professional,

Addressing the team still sounds professional and on point, without putting you in the treacherous waters of writing blurry, uncertain, generic Cover letter greetings like:

• Dear Sir or Madam

Moreover, career experts believe that by using Dear HR Team , your Cover letter is much more likely to be forwarded faster to the right contact in the organization.

Why exactly does personalization in the job application matter so much?

In the times of rapidly developing personal and professional branding industries, generic is no longer a virtue. The more differentiated image a company or a job applicant has, the more he or she will be perceived as a rare find.

If aside from a strong personal and professional persona, the candidate demonstrates a profound ability to connect, well – that makes him or her already an over-the-top Acer.

Here exactly comes the meaning of using wise personalization in your Cover letter to establish a connection with the HRs in two aspects:

• Personalization by revealing, without oversharing, some details and relevant hobbies you have, that represent you in a more social and friendly manner;
• Personalization by respecting your recipient’s identity and individuality via addressing them by their name.

On a side note, let us make a disclaimer here – the fact that you personalize your Cover letter and know the individual contact of the HR does not mean you should start spamming them with questions for the position on LinkedIn or via email.

Or else – you risk dimming the good impression you have already created by your eye-catcher Cover letter.

Now that you have aced the game of writing a great connector Cover letter, let's take a look at a shortlist of a NO-NO Salutation of Cover letters that are dead-end for your application:

• To whom it may concern

In this article, you learned that you need to:

• Harness both the power of Design and professional Salutation to attract the HR to read further;
• Keep a formal, polite, yet friendly tone that lets your personality shine, without over sharing;
• Write genuinely for humans;
• Always address the HR by their name, if it is mentioned in the job ad;
• Try to find the right contact person, if you tonight know it;
• Use “Dear (first name)” or “Dear (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Mx. surname)” - when in doubt about what tone you should keep;
• Use marital-neutral title Ms., if the HR is a woman and you are not sure if she is married or not; otherwise, you can go with Mrs.;
• Consider the gender-neutral title (Dear) Mx., in case you are not sure of the recipient's gender;
• Avoid at all costs the vague and impersonal “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”.

Did we get you turned on for crafting your very own stunning Cover letter?! Then check how you can do that with ease and class in our Cover letter help section!

Also keep an eye on our blog, as we regularly upload new articles to empower you to manage your career like a PRO.

• Cover Letter Guides

How To Include P&L Responsibility on Your Resume

How to explain employment gap on resume, get advice from an expert who’s seen more than 300,000 resumes, how to send a career fair follow-up email [samples included], 40+ resume tips and advice for 2024 [with expert insights] | enhancv, choosing the right resume adjectives.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

Resume Templates

Resume samples

Create and edit your resume online

Generate compelling resumes with our AI resume builder and secure employment quickly.

Write a cover letter

Cover Letter Examples

Cover Letter Samples

Create and edit your cover letter

Use our user-friendly tool to create the perfect cover letter.

Featured articles

• How to Write a Motivation Letter With Examples
• How to Write a Resume in 2024 That Gets Results
• Teamwork Skills on Your Resume: List and Examples
• What Are the Best Colors for Your Resume?

Latests articles

• How To Add a Promotion on LinkedIn: Steps and Example
• The Highest Paying Blue-Collar Jobs Offer Stability, While Nearly 300,000 Layoffs Are Blamed on AI
• How To Prepare Your Resume for a Promotion in 2024
• The Essential Guide To Giving Two Weeks’ Notice in 2024

Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

How to Address a Cover Letter

In a competitive job market it is crucial to make the best first impression you can. Small things like the  cover letter salutation  can make a big difference. Nailing the  cover letter opening  conveys professionalism and adds that  personal touch .

It is always best to try and  find out the name of the hirer  on the company website, by calling the company receptionist, or by looking on LinkedIn. If the name is readily available and you don’t use it, the hirer will think that you’ve rushed and haven’t taken the time to get the  cover letter greeting  right.

However, it is not always possible to find out the contact person’s name. In these cases, it can be difficult to know how to  address an email cover letter  and if you get it wrong, the danger is that your carefully constructed  professional resume  may never be viewed. The good news is that there are options for  how to open a cover letter  and it is not complicated.

How to start a cover letter

Ideally, you should have the  right person’s name . It is generally best to use ‘Dear’ followed by either ‘Mr’ or ‘Ms’ (unless you specifically know that a woman prefers ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’).

If you’re  not sure of a person’s gender  because they have a name which could be both, use their full name and leave off the salutation. If you know that someone is a qualified professor or doctor you should use the appropriate  letter salutations .

Cover letter salutation examples:

• Dear Ms. Jenkins
• Dear Mr. Washington
• Dear Dr. Brown
• Dear Professor Simon
• Taylor White

How to address a cover letter without a contact name

Many job postings  don’t include a contact name  and even with a bit of investigating you can’t find out who the hiring manager is. Sometimes companies prefer the  hiring manager to be anonymous  for various reasons.

In these cases, you can use general salutations for  addressing your cover letter . Many choose the classic cover-letter  ‘To whom it may concern’ . This is absolutely fine though a little old-fashioned, consider the company image and think whether it’s suitable or not. Here are some other  general salutations  you can use :

• Dear Hiring Manager
• Dear Company Name
• Dear Sir or Madam
• Dear HR Manager

Tips for writing a polished cover letter

Main body of the cover letter.

How long should a cover letter be?  Your cover letter  should be concise . It should let the employer know what position you’re applying for and what your main strengths are. It should not be as detailed as your resume but should  focus on a few key points . Read this guide on  what not to put in a cover letter .

Identify the most important requirements in the job posting and focus on these. Make sure you  follow the employer’s instructions  to the letter and proofread your cover letter numerous times before sending it.

Cover letter ending

In the  final paragraph of the cover letter , let the employer know that you’ve attached your resume (assuming you have). Thank them for their time and for considering you for the position. You can finish with the  closing line ‘Yours Sincerely’ , followed by your email signature.

Email signature

If you’ve taken time to  write a resume  which grabs the attention of the employer and have written a  polished cover letter , you’ll hopefully get through to  the interview stage . It would be a tragedy if the employer didn’t know how to contact you, so make this clear in your email signature. Make sure you include the following:

• Address (including city, state, and zip code)
• Cell number

You can also include any  social media links , such as LinkedIn, if it helps your application.

Email subject line

This is one of the  most common mistakes  that candidate’s make  and it looks sloppy. The hiring manager receives so many emails that they might not open an untitled email. Write a  clear email subject line  which includes the position you’re applying for.

Lastly,  remember to attach your resume ! If you forget, the hirer may send a polite email telling you to resend it, or they may not bother. Many candidates use a  resume builder  to create attractive, professional-looking resumes which stand out.

Write your cover letter

Introduce yourself to the recruiters using one of our professional templates.

Related Blog

Resume builder

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name: 5 Best Salutations

Cover letters can be a bit of an art form when they include the proper salutation to their recipient. Since you’re creating your own cover letter and don’t have a name to address it to, you might feel a little stuck.

Don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to still address your cover letter appropriately, even if you don’t have this information readily available.

Let’s take a look at five different ways on how to address a cover letter without a name.

Table of Contents

5 Popular Ways to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name

How long a cover letter should be is important somehow. What matters is that it is addressed directly to someone specific, such as Dear Mr. Jones or Dear Recruiter.

If there is no name in the email asking you to submit your cover letter, then try these five ways on how to address a cover letter without a name:

1. To the Hiring Manager

If you don’t know who will be reading your cover letter, it’s best to start with To the hiring manager and follow that up with a more personal introduction. These words should sound professional so that they’re easy for whoever is reading them to digest while they’re reviewing your resume/cover letter.

For example:

To the Hiring Manager: I am writing to you because I am interested in the position of __. I have seen that you are looking for candidates and my qualifications seem to be a good fit. I believe that I have what it takes to do this job well. Please find my CV attached for your review and consideration. Thank you so much for your time, and looking forward to your response. If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to contact me at __. I’m happy to answer any questions and provide additional information as needed.

2. Dear Hiring Manager

It is important to address the cover letter recipient with a formal greeting. And when making cover letters, the most commonly used term is Dear, which is often used before the recipient’s name.

Since this is a formal greeting, any titles that follow should use this style. If possible, avoid salutations that are gender specific. Also, avoid informal salutations, such as those that include the words Hi and Hello.

It is important that you specify what kind of work experience you have in the cover letter and why this job is right for you. Let the Hiring Manager know that they can reach out to you anytime during their application process if they want to talk more about it.

Lastly, make sure that you end your cover letter properly.

Dear Hiring Manager, I hope you’re having a great day! I’m writing in response to your recent posting. My name is __, and I’m excited about the possibility of working with you. I noticed that the company is looking for someone who has experience in __ , and I would love to share my qualifications with you. Feel free to contact me at _ so we can talk more about it. Thank you for your time, and have a great day!

3. Dear [Company Name]

There are a lot of reasons why you might not have a name in your cover letter. Maybe you’re applying for a job, and the company hasn’t been formally named yet, or maybe you’ve applied to an organization that doesn’t use names in their communications.

Whatever the reason, it can be tricky to address your cover letter without a name. But that doesn’t have to be a cause of headaches. In such a case, use Dear Company Name.

• Are Cover Letters Necessary?
• How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

This option is the best way to go if the company has already publicly announced its name. For example, you can say, “Dear Google”.

For example: Dear Google, I’m writing this cover letter to apply for the __ role. [Add career highlights and other relevant experiences.] Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions that you may have. Enjoy the rest of the day!

Hello is one of the most common ways to address a cover letter without a name. If you are making your cover letter formal, use Dear Hiring Manager, but if you are using a more casual tone, try something like Hello.

If you know who will be reviewing your application, it’s also appropriate to use their name in the salutation.

For example: Hello Hiring Manager, My name is __. I hope you’re doing well. I was reading your job listing and noticed that you’re looking for someone to fill the position of (job title). I’m very interested in this opportunity because __. Thank you for taking the time to read my cover letter, and I’d love to learn more about your company, so feel free to reach out if there’s anything else you need from me!

5. Dear Sir or Madam

Finding the right words when creating a cover letter you will send to an unknown person or company is always difficult. But there are many ways to address your cover letter that will have your potential employer reading it and considering you for the position. Dear Sir or Madam is just one example.

The use of Dear is typically seen as a more formal way to address your cover letter, and Sir or Madam is used when you don’t know the gender of the person reading your correspondence. When in doubt, stick with these two options for addressing a cover letter without knowing the recipient’s name.

However, this is only ideal if you know the gender of the hiring manager but don’t know their name. If you are not sure whether the hiring manager is he or she, consider using a gender-neutral salutation.

Dear Sir/Madam, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to apply for the __ position you recently posted on the __ job site. I am confident that my knowledge, skills, and experience would be an asset to your awesome team. I am enclosing my resume/CV for your consideration. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my letter and considering me for this opportunity.

Other Salutations to Use When You Don’t Have a Name

There are many different ways to start a cover letter , but if you don’t have the name of the person you are addressing, then it can be difficult to come up with a good opening.

The most common way to address someone in a cover letter is by using their title and last name. If this isn’t possible, there are other ways that you can use as well. One way is to start off with any of the salutations mentioned above. Another option is to start off with these options:

• Dear Hiring Committee
• Dear [Department Name] Hiring Team
• To the Recruiting Team
• Dear Recruiting Team
• Dear Human Resources Manager
• Dear [Title of the Person You Would Be Reporting to]
• Dear [Company Name] Recruiter
• Dear [Position Title] Recruiting Manager
• To the [Department Name of the Position You Are Applying for]
• Dear Hiring Manager or Interviewer
• Dear Hiring Manager of Company X
• Dear Person in Charge of Hiring

Tips to Find the Names of Employers and Hiring Managers

A cover letter may seem like a small part of the hiring process, but it has an enormous impact on whether or not your resume will even be opened by the company you’re applying to.

One way to ensure your cover letter isn’t ignored is by addressing it properly, which can be difficult if you don’t know to whom you’re writing it!

To help you figure out the name of the cover letter’s recipient , here are some tips:

Tip #1: Check the company’s website.

If you know the company’s name and they have a website with contact information, that’s usually the best place to start.

Tip #2: Review job listing sites.

If you’re applying through an online job application site like Indeed, then there will be an option to check to whom the cover letter will be sent. The job posting usually provides you with the names of employers or hiring managers.

Tip #3: Use LinkedIn.

The easiest way to find out the name of the Hiring Manager is to check LinkedIn. The job posting usually includes information about the Hiring Manager. Visit the profile, where it’ll list their current position as well as past positions on their profile page.

Tip #4: Check the job description.

Check the job description to find the name of potential hiring managers. Sometimes, it’s just there. All you need to do is read through the job posting.

Tip #5: Search social media.

You can probably find the names of recruiters on social media. See Facebook or Twitter for any information you can use in writing the cover letter.

How to Make the Perfect Cover Letter

When sending your cover letter without the name, you must be sure that you are addressing the person who is in charge of hiring. Avoid using To Whom It May Concern at all costs. If it is unavoidable, aim to get personal as soon as possible. If you’re emailing a large company, mention specific people you have spoken with over email or via social media in your letter.

To make the perfect cover letter , use an online cover letter maker. This is the best and easiest way to address your cover letter without knowing the name of the company.

The cover letter maker will have all of your information and personalize it for you. Plus, it will give tips on what to include in your cover letter. An online cover letter maker will walk you through each step and ensure that your cover letter looks professional.

You can also get help from other people who are reviewing cover letters if you need more advice on how to approach this. They will know everything about how these companies operate and be able to provide insight into what might work for them.

Final Thoughts

Writing a cover letter can seem like one of the most time-consuming and overwhelming parts of your job search, especially when you don’t know who the person you’re writing to is. However, cover letters are necessary.

If you don’t know the name of the person you’re writing to, that doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel and not write one at all, though. These five ways on how to address a cover letter without a name will ensure that your application still gets noticed.

10 thoughts on “ How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name: 5 Best Salutations ”

Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get anything done.

Great post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thank you!

I guess you can get some more tips from our complete guide “How to Write a Cover Letter” https://resumekit.com/blog/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/

Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m inspired! Very helpful info specifically the last section :) I deal with such information much. I used to be seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

Thank you so much!

I was able to find good information from your blog posts.

A round of applause for your post. Will read on…

Thanks for finally writing about > How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name (5 Salutations) mattress near Me

What’s up friends, its fantastic article on the topic of educationand entirely defined, keep it up all the time.

Thanks Tatiana, We will keep on moving :)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Resources > Unitemps Career Advice > Applying for a job > Cover letter tips > How to end a cover letter

How to end a cover letter

You’ve just wrapped up writing your cover letter for a job application. Now comes the tricky part—signing off. Ending a cover letter can feel challenging if it’s your first time writing one, and with so much information online about cover letters it often seems like there are specific rules or special etiquette to follow. At Unitemps, we have put together some quick, general guidelines that can help you write and close a professional and unique cover letter:

The end paragraph

• The ending paragraph serves as the conclusion to your cover letter: Use this section to clarify any points from your CV and to summarise why you would be a great fit for the role. It’s also a good opportunity to highlight some of your personal qualities. We’ve written one example below. 

I am confident that the skills I gained from previous positions have prepared me well for this opportunity. My customer service and retail sales experience make me a strong candidate for the advertised role, and I look forward to hearing from you. 

Final sentence

• Your final sentence should thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration. It’s also good practice to express your interest in moving forward to the next stage of the hiring process. We listed three examples below. 

Thank you for your time and consideration of my application.

Thank you for considering my application, I look forward to discussing my application further. 

Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. Thank you for your consideration.

Closing words

• When closing the letter, choose a friendly yet formal closing that feels professional. Please refer to three examples below: 

Example : 

Best wishes,

Kind regards,

Phrases to avoid

• Avoid phrases like “cheers,” “thanks a ton,” or “take care.” Instead, choose phrases such as “kind regards,” “best wishes,” or “best regards.” These phrases, while friendly, can sometimes come across as too informal in a business context. Instead, opt for more polished and professional closings, as stated above.

Is it yours sincerely or yours faithfully?

5. If you know the hiring manager’s name, close with “yours sincerely”; if not, use “yours faithfully,” followed by your first and last name.

For more advice about cover letters, check out the Unitemps cover letter template .

Last updated on 29 August 2024

Navigation:

• Work for us
• Candidate information hub
• Client information hub

Legal Information:

• Terms and conditions of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookie policy
• Gender pay gap reports
• Accessibility Statement

Parent Companies:

• Warwick Employment Group
• University of Warwick

Cover Letter for a Resume

What is a Cover Letter for a Resume? Everything You Need to Know

Published on July 31st, 2024

When you're applying for a job, one of the most important pieces of your application is the cover letter. But what is a cover letter for a resume? In simple terms, it's a personalized letter that accompanies your resume, offering a deeper insight into your qualifications, personality, and enthusiasm for the role. Understanding what a cover letter for a resume entails and how to craft an effective one can significantly boost your chances of landing the job.

What is a Cover Letter for a Resume?

A cover letter is a one-page document that introduces you to the hiring manager and provides a snapshot of your professional background. Unlike your resume, which lists your qualifications and experience in a structured format, a cover letter allows you to communicate your motivation for applying and explain how your skills align with the job requirements. 

So, what is a cover letter for a resume? It’s your opportunity to create a connection with the employer and make a memorable first impression.

Need help crafting your cover letter? Use our   Professional Cover Letter Generator to create tailored, professional cover letters in minutes.

Why is a Cover Letter Important?

You might wonder, “Why should I bother with a cover letter when my resume already lists my qualifications?” The answer lies in the personal touch that a cover letter offers. A resume can showcase your skills and experiences, but it’s the cover letter that gives you the chance to express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates by highlighting your personality, explaining gaps in your employment, or elaborating on your most relevant experiences.

Components of an Effective Cover Letter

Now that we’ve answered "What is a cover letter for a resume?" let's dive into the key components that make it effective:

• Header : Include your contact information and the date, followed by the employer’s contact details.
• Introduction : Start with a strong opening that grabs the reader’s attention. Mention the position you’re applying for and where you found the job listing.
• Body : This is where you make your case. Discuss your relevant skills, experiences, and why you’re a perfect fit for the role. Make sure to align your qualifications with the job description.
• Closing : Conclude with a call to action, such as expressing your desire for an interview and providing your contact information.

Not sure where to start? Check out our extensive collection of   Cover Letter Examples to find the perfect template that matches your job application.

Tips for Writing a Compelling Cover Letter

Crafting a compelling cover letter isn’t just about what you say, but how you say it. Here are some tips to help you write a standout cover letter:

• Be Concise : Keep your cover letter to one page and avoid rambling. Focus on the most relevant information.
• Customize for Each Job : Tailor your cover letter for each application. Mention the company name and specific role to show you’ve done your research.
• Show Enthusiasm : Let your passion for the role and the company shine through. Employers want to hire someone who genuinely wants the job.
• Use Action Verbs : Use strong, action-oriented language to describe your achievements and skills.
• Proofread : Typos and grammatical errors can make a bad impression. Always proofread your cover letter before sending it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most well-intentioned cover letters can fall flat if you make certain mistakes. Here’s what to avoid:

• Being Too Generic : A generic cover letter can come across as lazy or indifferent. Avoid using the same cover letter for multiple applications without customization.
• Rehashing Your Resume : Don’t simply repeat what’s on your resume. Use the cover letter to provide additional insights and context.
• Overloading with Information : Stick to relevant experiences and qualifications. Overloading your cover letter with too much information can overwhelm the reader.
• Using Clichés : Phrases like “hard worker” or “team player” are overused and vague. Be specific about your skills and how they relate to the job.

In conclusion, understanding what a cover letter for a resume is and how to write one effectively is crucial in today’s competitive job market. A cover letter complements your resume by offering a glimpse into your personality and your enthusiasm for the role. By carefully crafting each section of your cover letter and avoiding common pitfalls, you can create a compelling narrative that captures the employer’s attention and sets you on the path to securing an interview.

While a strong cover letter is essential, an outstanding resume is just as important. Consider using our AI Resume Builder to craft a professional, tailored resume that stands out to employers. Combined with a well-written cover letter, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job.

Frequently Asked Questions - What is a Cover Letter for a Resume

Do you really need a cover letter for a resume.

Yes, a cover letter is still considered a crucial part of the job application process. While some employers may not require one, a cover letter allows you to personalize your application, highlight your most relevant experiences, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role. It can give you an edge over other candidates who choose not to include one.

Is a cover letter important in a CV?

Yes, a cover letter is important when submitting a CV. It provides context to the information presented in your CV, allowing you to explain how your experience and skills align with the job you're applying for. A well-crafted cover letter can also address any gaps in your employment history or specific qualifications, making your application stronger.

What is more important, a resume or cover letter?

Both the resume and cover letter are important, but they serve different purposes. Your resume provides a structured overview of your work experience, skills, and qualifications, while the cover letter offers a narrative that connects your background to the specific job. In most cases, the resume will be the primary focus, but a strong cover letter can complement it by adding depth and personality to your application.

Are cover letters still necessary in 2024?

Yes, cover letters are still necessary in 2024. Despite the rise of digital applications and automated hiring processes, a cover letter remains a valuable tool for differentiating yourself from other candidates. It allows you to showcase your communication skills, explain your motivations, and make a strong case for why you’re the best fit for the role.

Soujanya Varada

As a technical content writer and social media strategist, Soujanya develops and manages strategies at HireQuotient. With strong technical background and years of experience in content management, she looks for opportunities to flourish in the digital space. Soujanya is also a dance fanatic and believes in spreading light!

Hire the best without stress

Never Miss The Updates

We cover all recruitment, talent analytics, L&D, DEI, pre-employment, candidate screening, and hiring tools. Join our force & subscribe now!

Stay On Top Of Everything In HR