The 3 Rules of Addressing Your Cover Letter in 2022
Hot jobs on the muse.

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,
- Sam Little,
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.
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Home Cover Letter Help How to Address a Cover Letter
How to Address a Cover Letter (and Who to Address)

Addressing your cover letter directly to the hiring manager is the best way to start it. No matter how you format your cover letter , begin it with a personalized greeting so the hiring manager sees you’ve researched the company.

Knowing how to address a cover letter properly is the first step toward starting your cover letter . Not only that, but finding out the right person to address shows initiative and that you’ve researched the position thoroughly. Taking the time to find out who to address a cover letter to and how to address them appropriately will make a positive impression on the hiring manager.
Who to address a cover letter to
You should address a cover letter to the hiring manager of the job you’re applying for, or the HR manager of the company. A basic cover letter salutation (or greeting) uses the hiring manager’s first and last name and includes a “Mr.”, “Ms.”, or other relevant professional title before their name.
But you’ll often find yourself in situations where there’s no personal contact information in the job post or if you’re cold emailing for a job, you’re unsure of who to contact. Either way, you’ll need to address your letter the right way, and addressing the hiring manager is the safest way to do so.
How to find out who to address a cover letter to
In many cases, the hiring manager’s name will be mentioned in the job description. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name in the job description, make the effort to find their name elsewhere. It’s worth the extra work, so use the following sources to help you find the hiring manager’s name:
- The company website : See if you can locate the hiring manager on the “About Us” or “Company Directory” page of the company’s website.
- LinkedIn : Browse the company’s LinkedIn page and use filters such as position title, location, and personal names to find out who heads the hiring team.
- Google search : A targeted Google search can help you uncover the name of the hiring manager. Simply insert the company website and relevant title into Google in the following format: site:resumegenius.com “position title”
- Contact the company : If you’re still unable to find the hiring manager’s name, call or email the company and ask for the contact person’s name (and direct email address if you don’t have it already). Explain that you’re applying for a position and you’d like to address your cover letter to someone responsible for filling that position.
Addressing your cover letter to the hiring manager directly allows you to quickly establish a personal connection and shows you’ve done your research. A cover letter addressed to the right person and tailored to the company you’re applying for is more likely to get noticed than a generic cover letter sent to multiple companies.
This is why it’s so crucial to address a cover letter the right way.
How to address a cover letter without a name
If you’ve exhausted all your options and still can’t find the hiring manager’s name, or you’re not positive it’s the right name and don’t want to risk addressing the wrong person, it’s better to be on the safe side.
So don’t worry, there are plenty of options you can try if the hiring manager’s name is unknown. 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. For example, “Dear Customer Service Department,”.
How to address a cover letter with a name

Even when you have the hiring manager’s name, there are still a few different ways to address your cover letter.
Use the right salutation
First thing’s first: you need to use the proper salutation. Usually, “Dear” followed by the hiring manager’s name is perfect because it’s traditional and professional.
However, “Hello” is also acceptable if you’re applying to a job with a casual office culture or you know the hiring manager personally.
Use their academic, professional, or gendered title
In some cases, it might be unclear what title to use when addressing the hiring manager.
If the hiring manager has a gender-neutral name, it’s best not to assume their gender and risk making a mistake. In this situation, simply avoid gender-specific titles such as “Mr.” and “Ms.” in your greeting.
Instead, do either of the following to make your cover letter salutation gender-neutral:
- Write out their first and last names in full (e.g. Jordan Reeves)
- Use the gender-neutral pronoun “ Mx. “, in the case that the hiring manager explicitly wants to be addressed this way
When you address a cover letter to a hiring manager with a professional or academic title (like Doctor or Professor), include their title in your salutation. You can write out the full title or use an abbreviation. For example, “Reverend” and “Rev.” are both fine.
Here are some examples of a few different ways to address your cover letter:
- Dear Sam Jones,
- Dear Mx. Lopez,
- Dear Ms. Patel,
- Dear Prof. Tsai,
The only time it’s acceptable to address the hiring manager with only their first name (for example, “Dear Mollie,”) is if you’re writing a cover letter for an internal position or promotion in the same company, and you already know the hiring manager.
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Written by Dominique Vatin
Dominique is a Content Writer at Resume Genius, where she enjoys crafting content to better equip job seekers. She graduated from Yonsei GSIS in Korea with a Master's... more
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How to Address a Cover Letter in 2023

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 ).
Related Readings:
- Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2023
- Entry-Level Cover Letter
- Cover Letter for Internship
- How to Write a Cover Letter in 2023

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- Cover Letter
How to Address a Cover Letter (And Who Should It Be To?)

As seen in:
Could the address on a cover letter affect your chances to land the interview? You bet it can! Hiring managers have hundreds of cover letters and resumes to read, and a generic “to whom it may concern” instead of an actual name equals an instant no-go.
If you want the recruiter to feel good about you from word #1, you'll need to learn how to address a cover letter.
This guide will show you:
- How to address a cover letter without a name.
- The #1 way to address a cover letter.
- Who to address a cover letter to (with four great tricks to learn their name).
- The top 4 cover letter address mistakes.
Here's an example cover letter made with our fast online cover letter tool. Want to write your introduction letter fast? See 20+ cover letter templates and create your cover letter here .
Create your cover letter now

Sample cover letter for a resume— See more cover letter examples here .
That example of who to address a cover letter to without a name will start your relationship off right. Now let me show you several ways to do it perfectly.
Learn how to keep it short and on point too. See our guides: Short Cover Letter Examples for a Speedy Job Application and C over Letter Header Examples
How to Address a Cover Letter with No Name
Imagine you're reading emails.
Sounds fun already, right?
One starts, "Dear esteemed gentleman of high regard." To make things worse, your name is Nancy.
Of course you won't do anything that silly in a business letter. But if you don't know how to address a cover letter without a name, you may sound almost as tin-eared.
The first and easiest way to address a cover letter without a contact?
Leave the salutation off and start with the first paragraph.
Addressing a Cover Letter with No Salutation
Agilium's commitment to employee development is well known...
Why does that work for addressing a cover letter to unknown? It avoids the chance to make things worse .
Addressing a Cover Letter with "Dear Hiring Manager"
Dear Hiring Manager,
That's another way to start a cover letter introduction right if you don't know the hiring manager's name. In fact, 40% of managers prefer " Dear Hiring Manager " to any other cover letter salutation .
Is it perfect? No. But it's invisible. It lets the manager get on to the important info in your letter, like why your resume is so amazing.
For the best way to address a cover letter with no name, you'll need specifics.
I'll show you a career-saving way to do that next.
Pro Tip: Should you use "dear" in a cover letter address? It's common and accepted. If you don't like it, leave it off and just say, "Hiring Manager,".
Want to save time and have your professional job application ready in minutes? Here are a sample cover letter and a matching resume made with our resume and cover letter builder. Start by picking the right resume template , then make a matching cover letter.

Resume and a sample cover letter for a job application. See all our resume templates matching your cover letter here .
Ready to move past the "who do you address a cover letter to" question? Need great tips and advice to write the whole thing? See our guides: " How to Write a Cover Letter [Complete Guide With Examples] " and " Are Cover Letters Necessary ?"
The BEST Way to Address a Cover Letter with No Name
"This applicant clearly has a brain."
What if I gave you a button, and by pushing it, you could make the hiring manager say the words above?
If you just want to know how to address your letter without a name, the examples above will work.
To convey high competence from the beginning, use specifics. Like this:
Who to Address a Cover Letter To [The Best Way]
Address your cover letter to the hiring manager, even if the letter will go through a recruiter.
Here are five examples of how to address someone in a cover letter when you don't know their name.
- Dear Project Manager Hiring Team,
- Dear Sales Associate Hiring Manager,
- To the Customer Service Search Committee,
- To the Computer Science Recruitment Team,
- Dear Software Team Hiring Manager,
Pow. There's a switch somewhere in the hiring manager's head, and it just flipped to "Pay Attention."
Why do those examples for how to address a cover letter work?
They show you're not just scattershooting resumes from a potato gun. You actually have some idea what's going on within the company.
Pro Tip: Knowing the hiring manager's name is the best tip for addressing a cover letter. I'll show you six fantastic tricks up next.
Want to move past how to address a cover letter and on to the first paragraph? See this guide: " How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide [20+ Examples] "
How to Find the Hiring Manager's Name without a Detective
You addressed your cover letter with "Dear Hiring Manager." The manager pictured a mouthbreather. She folded your resume into a little triangle and flicked it at the trash.
Well, that probably won't happen.
Still, if you're looking for how to address a cover letter in the best way possible, it's with a name.
You know that, but you're not Miss Marple. You don't have time to show the manager's picture around a bunch of coffee shops.
So, do these things:
How to Find Out Who to Address a Cover Letter To
Don't create a generic letter address until you've tried these tips to find a name:
Double check the job posting. Make absolutely sure the name's not in it. If it is and you miss it, you'll have enough egg on your face to make a double omelet.
Examine the email address in the job description. If it's [email protected] , do a Google search for "p fudderman" and "amible.com." Chances are, you'll find your manager's full name.
Check LinkedIn. Job offers on LinkedIn often identify the one who did the posting. Also, look at the company page or do a LinkedIn company search.
Check the Company Website. Try to find the head of the department on the company's staff page.
Ask friends. You can use LinkedIn to check if you've got contacts at the company. A Facebook shout-out may work too. If you're six degrees from Kevin Bacon, you're probably even closer to the hiring manager.
Call. If all else fails, call the receptionist and ask who the contact person is.
Use a Title in Your Address
If the hiring manager has a title like Dr., Professor, Reverend, or Captain, use that in place of a first name. She'll notice the respect and it'll give her a good feeling.
- Dear Dr. Steuben,
- Dear Professor Onion,
Pro Tip: Still can't find the hiring manager's name? Don't panic. Just use one of our excellent tips above for how to address a cover letter without a name.
Finished your cover letter and need to close it? See our guide: " How To End A Cover Letter [Complete Guide With Examples] "
How to Address a Cover Letter with Ms. or Mrs.
Picture a pencil.
It's full of bite marks.
You put them there because you're not sure whether to use "Miss" or "Mrs."
Mmm. Graphite.
Is she married? Isn't she? You don't want to insult her.
Gender rules can make it hard to know who to address a cover letter to.
The good news is, "Ms." works great, and doesn't comment on marital status.
Don't use "Miss" or "Mrs." unless you know the manager prefers them.
You can also use the first name, or the first and last together.
- Dear Karen Passalacqua,
- Dear Karen,
Pro Tip: Don't know the recruiter's gender? Names like Pat and Adrian can be tricky. A glance at a LinkedIn profile photo can clear up the confusion. Or use both names.
Need to know how to address a general cover letter? See this guide: How to Write a Letter of Interest [Complete Guide & 15+ Examples]
What's the Proper Cover Letter Address Format?
Visualize the ultimate success:
You got the job. You're earning a fat paycheck. Your quality of life would make Mark Zuckerberg jealous.
Is it because you used the right cover letter format?
Knowing how to address a cover letter with the proper format is just a way to sidestep looking sloppy.
But doing that will help you get the interview.
Write your name and address in the upper left.
After a line space, write the date.
After one more space, write the hiring manager's address.
Add one more space and then the salutation.
Barrett Miller, IT Professional
3367 Jewell Road
Minneapolis, MN 55415
IT Hiring Manager
Ideonix, Inc.
341 Lodgeville Road
Dear IT Hiring Manager,
I've been interested in Ideonix since...
How to Write a Cover Letter Email Address
Need to know how to address a cover letter when sending an electronic cover letter?
If you're formatting an email, start with a 6-10 word subject line.
Use a salutation, add a line space, then begin your letter.
Subject Line: Job Application for Nursing Position, Referred by Gregory Torres
Dear Dr. Appleton,
When Mr. Torres told me about the opening...
For emails, use that cover letter address format without the address of the company.
Pro Tip: There's a trend for modern job applicants to leave out "Dear." There's nothing wrong with doing that. It all comes down to preference.
Want to know how to format the rest of your cover letter? See this guide: " Cover Letter Formats: A Complete How-To Guide [10+ Examples] "
How NOT to Address a Cover Letter [Mistakes]
Will you sink your chance to land the interview if you don't know how to address a cover letter?
Probably not.
But addressing a letter incorrectly sets the wrong tone. It can make the hiring manager doubt you. And that can hurt your chances.
Avoid these addressing mistakes:
Addressing a cover letter with "Hello" or "Hi" comes off too informal. It sends a message that you don't quite grasp the rules.
The exclamation point is a bonus no-no.
Don't use "Dear Sir or Madam" when you don't know who to address a cover letter to. Not unless you're applying for a position back in 1895.
"To Whom it May Concern" in a cover letter salutation may seem old fashioned or even archaic. Some managers (about 25%) claim they like the "To Whom it May Concern" cover letter address. The trouble is, the other 75% don't.
That last example looks fine at first. But the hiring manager might not be in HR. She might be the head of Accounting, or the company CEO.
If you know the HR director is handling the talent search, you probably know her name. Use that instead.
Pro Tip: Be rigorous with spell-checking. Nothing shows you don't know how to address a cover letter like botching the manager's name.
Writing a cover letter for an internship position? See our guide: " How to Write a Cover Letter For an Internship [+20 Examples] "
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
Knowing how to address a cover letter is the first step to starting off on the right foot.
Keep these points in mind:
- The best tip when you don't know who to address a cover letter to? Learn the name. LinkedIn, Google, and the company receptionist can help.
- To address a cover letter without a name, use some variation of, "Dear Software Team Hiring Manager." You can also use, "Dear Hiring Manager" if the addressee really is unknown.
- Remember that "To Whom It May Concern" is an old-fashioned salutation for cover letters. It also feels very impersonal.
- Use titles like Dr., Professor, Captain, Reverend, Ms., or Mr. when you can.
Want to know more about how to address a cover letter? Maybe you found the best way to address a cover letter? Do you think to whom it may concern cover letters are a thing of the past? Give us a shout in the comments! We love to help!

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To Whom it May Concern? How to Address and End a Cover Letter
We’ve put together a few tips to help you personalize your cover letter, whether you know the hiring manager’s name or not.

In our modern age of personalization, To Whom It May Concern is both an antiquated and detached way to address a cover letter . It may also imply that you haven’t researched the company or that you assume the letter can be read by anyone. Below, we’ve put together a few tips to help you personalize your cover letter , whether you know the hiring manager’s name or not.
When it comes to addressing a cover letter, advice columns frequently spotlight these two pitfalls:
- Mistake 1 : Failing to address your cover letter to a specific person
- Mistake 2 : Addressing a cover letter to the wrong person
Most job postings don’t specify who will be reading your cover letter. This puts job seekers in a tricky situation. Fixing the first mistake could cause you to make the second. So what’s the best way to replace “To Whom It May Concern” on your cover letter?
Get instant feedback on your cover letter with Jobscan’s cover letter optimization tool. See it in action .
3 Key Tips for Addressing Your Cover Letter
1) don’t address your cover letter to the recruiter.
For many job openings, the first person you need to impress is a corporate recruiter. That doesn’t mean you should address your cover letter to them.
“Recruiters do not read cover letters,” a long-time healthcare recruiter told Jobscan . “Bottom line.”
That might be an overstatement — most don’t, some do — but many recruiters would admit that they aren’t the intended audience of a cover letter. “It’s mostly for the hiring manager,” said a recruiter in the non-profit industry. “For us [recruiters], it’s just an extra step in an already elongated process.”
The healthcare recruiter agreed: “If you’re sending it straight to a hiring manager who’s looking at a much lower number of applicants, they might actually read that.”
2) Search for the Hiring Manager’s Name
The best way to personalize your cover letter is to address the hiring manager by name. However, it can be difficult to identify the hiring manager, and your educated guess could cause you to address your cover letter to the wrong person. Here are some tips for finding the hiring manager.
Search the Company Website
Few job postings list the hiring manager by name but many will tell you the position to which you’d be reporting.

With this information, a little detective work can reveal the name of the hiring manager.
Start off by browsing the company’s website. Look for an about page, company directory, or contact page. These pages are frequently linked at the very bottom of the website. Companies that feature employees on their about page make it much easier to figure out who will be reading your cover letter.

You can also try searching the website. If the website doesn’t have a built-in search bar, use this syntax in Google:
“[position you’ll be reporting to]” site:company website

This will reveal hard-to-find about pages or other mentions of the position in the company’s blog posts, press releases, and other pages.
Search LinkedIn
If a company doesn’t list the hiring manager on their website, LinkedIn is your next best resource.
Start off by searching for the company page on LinkedIn. Once you’re on the company’s LinkedIn page, click “See all X employees on LinkedIn” near the top.

Depending on the company size, you can either browse all positions or narrow your results by adding search terms to the search bar (e.g. “Marketing Manager”) and utilizing the “Current companies” filters on the right side of the screen.

Search for the “reports to” position from the job listing. If it wasn’t provided in the listing, search for keywords related to your prospective department (e.g. “marketing”). If the company uses an intuitive corporate hierarchy you should be able to determine who will be reading the cover letter.
Contact the Company Directly
There is nothing wrong with calling or emailing the company to ask for the name of the hiring manager. Be polite and honest with the administrative assistant or customer service representative. Explain that you’re about to apply for a job and you’d like to know who you should address in your cover letter.
If they aren’t able to provide an answer or transfer you to someone who knows, let it go. The last thing you need is word getting back to the hiring manager that you were pushy with one of their colleagues.
3) Use a More Personalized “To Whom it May Concern” Alternative
You can still personalize your cover letter, even when you don’t know the identity of the hiring manager. Instead of “To Whom It May Concern,” which casts a wide net and is specific to no one, try addressing your cover letter to one specific person.
The most generic version of this is:
Dear Hiring Manager,
But job seekers can often be more specific. Take a look at these examples:
Dear Customer Experience Manager,
Dear Customer Experience Hiring Team Manager,
Some other alternatives include addressing your cover letter to an entire department:
- Dear Engineering Department,
Dear Engineering Team,
OR addressing the entire team:
Hi Jobscan Team,
Dear Jobscan Team,
As with many aspects of the job application process, demonstrating that you put in some extra effort can make a difference. Doing some research before addressing a cover letter contributes to a positive first impression.
8 cover letter salutation examples
Here are eight standard cover letter openings you can choose from. Select the one that best suits the energy of the company you’re applying to and use either a specific name or department depending on the information you have available.
- Hi Mr. Smith,
- Hello Jobscan Team,
- Dear Ms. Whittaker and Team,
- Good morning, Mr. Kennedy
- Good afternoon, Louise,
- To the Jobscan hiring manager,

How to end a cover letter
Just as important as beginning your cover letter is ensuring you end it on a strong note. Your cover letter ending should not be underestimated in its ability to help you move forward in the hiring process. After making your case in the previous paragraphs, you need to end your cover letter with a strong call to action to entice the recruiter to invite you for a job interview.
Madeline Mann , an HR leader in the technology industry and creator of Self Made Millennial , says that while no conclusion will save a bad cover letter, it can distinguish you from another good candidate.
It’s all about enthusiasm, according to Madeline. “Companies want people who want them,” she says. If you can draw to the company’s values and show how interested in working with them you are, that’s a substantial advantage. You want to create a lasting impression by incorporating that enthusiasm in your cover letter ending.
“Companies want people who want them” – Madeline mann
A good conclusion, in fact, should reflect the rest of your cover letter.
Set up the end of your cover letter with a strategic middle section
If you want your cover letter ending to be effective, you first need to build momentum. Most recruiters and career coaches agree that by the time you get to the end of your cover letter, it needs to possess the following three elements:
- It tells a story about yourself
- It shows your value concretely
- It calls the recruiter to action
Julia Reiter, a career coach based in Toronto, suggests that you lead up to your cover letter ending by showing that you understand the company’s current challenges and are equipped to solve them. This will make your cover letter call to action all the more effective.
Although the job description will give you information about what the company is looking to accomplish, it will not help you distinguish yourself from other applicants. Show the company you are willing to go the extra mile by researching the key industry challenges and the particular issues they might be facing (beyond the obvious ones).
For example, you can read articles from industry-related publications and get acquainted with the numbers and statistics about the particular business areas your company is engaged in. By being aware of the particular issues they are facing, you can more easily make your skillset and experiences relevant.
When you talk about your past experiences and accomplishments , make sure you mention the problems the company is facing. For example, if you are applying for a customer success manager position at a Software-as-a-Service company, a relevant issue might be high churn rates.
Instead of writing something like “my experience in customer success makes me confident I will be a great addition to your team,” write something like “When I worked at XYZ company, I was able to reduce the churn rate by 30%. With this experience and my deep knowledge of B2B consumer psychology, I am prepared to ensure we have one of the lowest churn rates in XYZ industry.”
End your letter with a call to action
You may be tempted to write that “I’m looking forward to hearing from you” for your cover letter ending. That isn’t a call to action. For Madeline, the end of a cover letter serves to give one last push and show interest and enthusiasm in a way that stands out.
Likewise, Julia says, “now that the company knows you are aware of their current challenges and are equipped to solve those challenges for them, don’t leave them hanging. Tell them how they can make your skills and experiences a reality on their team. What number can they reach you at for an interview?”
How do you conclude a cover letter? Here are 3 examples
- “I’m excited to have the opportunity to talk about how I could join your team in its quest for XYZ value. I’m particularly thrilled about XYZ project and would love to know how I can contribute to it.
- “I am keen on meeting with you to see what I can contribute to XYZ company as it moves on in its journey to XYZ goal. I am available at your convenience for a phone call or in-person meeting.”
- “I would love to get your thoughts on what I mentioned. I am happy to hop on a phone call at your earliest convenience to discuss how I can help XYZ company with XYZ issue.”
Mistakes to avoid when ending a cover letter
The mistakes people make when they end their cover letter are often the same ones they made earlier in the piece. However, they can be particularly detrimental to your chances of landing an interview if they constitute the final impression a recruiter has of you.
When ending a cover letter, avoid:
Making it about yourself instead of the company: use sentence constructions that make the recruiter see how the company is going to benefit from hiring you. For example, try to use “you” or “we” instead of “I.”
Sounding generic or robotic: we’ve all seen these cover letters that end with the same plain paragraph. If you write one of those, the last impression you’re giving is not different from those given by all other applicants.
Selling yourself short: the conclusion is your last chance to show off the value you can bring to the company. Emphasize it and use it as a segue into your call to action.
How to end a cover letter with the appropriate salutations
Always remember that recruiters review hundreds of applications for each position. When you are competing with that many candidates, the slightest mistake will disqualify you immediately Although you may not think too much of the salutations, they can hurt your chance of landing an interview.
Make sure your salutations are formal and polite. You should be respectful not only by indicating your appreciation of the recruiter’s time but also by being concise. Do not overdo your salutations and do not employ informal greetings. “Sincerely,” “Thank you for your consideration,” “kind regards,” are all safe options.
When ending your cover letter, you want to balance confidence, respect, and appreciation.
17 cover letter ending examples
Depending on the energy of the business you are applying to, and your own personality, select one of the following 17 cover letter closing options.
- Best wishes,
- Sincere thanks,
- Many thanks,
- Thanks in advance,
- Thank you for your consideration,
- Thank you for your time,
- Respectfully,
- Sincerely,
- Sincerely yours,
- Yours truly,
- Kind regards,
- With best regards,
- Looking forward to speaking with you,
- With gratitude,
One Final Important note: Cover letters aren’t what they say they are
Cover letters don’t introduce your resume, they supplement it.
In order to get your cover letter into the hands of a hiring manager who cares, your resume has to get past the recruiter and, in many cases, the applicant tracking system they’re using.
Try analyzing your resume below to receive instant optimization tips and recruiter insights from Jobscan so that the time you spend crafting your cover letter isn’t a waste.
The keyword analysis also shows exactly what to focus on in your cover letter.
Jobscan Premium (one month free) even has a cover letter scan feature.
Editor’s Note: A section of this article was originally written in a separate blog post by Léandre Larouche on June 9, 2020. It has been updated and combined with this article as of June 10, 2021.

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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 .
- 10 Best Cover Letter Tips for 2020 .
- 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."
Related Articles:
Hiring managers: how to contact them and make an impression, 10 best cover letter tips for 2023, action verbs for resumes, cv vs. resume, how to write a cv.
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How to Address a Cover Letter With Examples
Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts.
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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.
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How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter

A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you submit when applying to a job, along with your resume. As a piece of persuasive writing, your cover letter will aim to convey to the employer why you’re a great candidate for the role.
Cover letters … the 3-minute version
What is the purpose of a cover letter?
With your cover letter, you’ll aim to:
- Highlight your qualifications: You’ll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer’s needs for a specific position.
- Showcase your motivation: You’ll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization.
- Reflect your voice and written communication skills: You’ll give the employer a sense of your personality and writing style.
How do I write a cover letter?
Before writing, research the employer.
Learn enough about the organization to articulate why you are a strong fit for that firm. Here are some things you can do:
- Review the firm’s website and LinkedIn page.
- Speak with current or previous employees.
- Read articles and social media for current news.
Analyze the job description
Look for skills, duties, and qualifications of the job so you can design your letter to match these as much as possible.
Reflect on your experience and motivation
Identify skills and personal qualities you have developed which will be useful in this role. Ask yourself:
- What attracts you about this role/company/industry?
- What have you have done in classes, projects, work experiences, internships, volunteer, activities, travel, etc., that is similar to the duties required of the job?
Writing Your Cover Letter: Format and Structure
- Keep cover letters short—three or four paragraphs and less than one page.
- Use the active voice, keeping your tone positive and professional. Avoid beginning too many sentences with “I”.
- Read your cover letter aloud to catch repetitious words and typos. Make sure that the grammar, sentence structure and spelling are correct.
- When applying online, upload your cover letter as a PDF file, unless another format is specified. When sending your resume and cover letter by email you may write a short note or paste your cover letter in the body of your email (without the address header) and also attach the PDF file.
- Address your letter to the specific individual who can hire you, if this is known. If the name is not included in the job description, address the letter to Dear Hiring Manager or to the title mentioned in the job description.
- List your contact information at the top of the page either in the same format as your resume or on the top left or right margin as shown in the samples.
- your contact information
- employer’s name, title and address
- a greeting (addressed to Ms., Mr., or Dr. with the employer’s last name)
- cover letter content
- your signature or typed name
Writing Your Cover Letter: Content
Your cover letter should answer who, what, when, where and why you are applying for the opportunity.
Introduction : State the position for which you are applying, where you found out about the job, who you are and why you are interested in/qualified for this job and company in particular. If you spoke with someone in the company or were referred by a connection ask if you can include that person’s name and mention your conversation.
Body : The body of the cover letter may be one or two paragraphs. Highlight your qualifications and emphasize your strengths which are most relevant to the industry, organization, and position. Be specific. Use 2-3 examples of your work or academic experience to communicate your motivation and how your skills and experience prepared you for the job. Structure your letter based on relevance not chronology. Explain how you will be valuable to the employer. Do not discuss or apologize if you feel you lack experience or accomplishments.
Conclusion : Thank the reader and reaffirm your interest in the position or organization. Keep your tone positive and enthusiastic. Your cover letter should be specific to the firm and explain why you would be a good fit to work there.
Check out our example of how to structure your cover letter content .
Checking Your Work
Use our Cover Letter Checklist to make sure your format and content is in line with best practices.
When should I write a cover letter?
Not all jobs require cover letters. So, how do you decide whether to submit one?
Pro-Tip: If you’re applying to several similar opportunities, creating a draft cover letter in advance, geared toward that type of opportunity, can be a helpful way to save time in your actual application process.
Submit a Cover Letter when…
- the posting explicitly requests that you do so
- you’re applying to an opportunity at a mission-driven organization
- you think that doing so could provide important information to the employer that they wouldn’t get from your resume
Consider Submitting a Cover Letter when…
- it’s marked “optional” in an application, and you have the bandwidth to do so
- you have content that you can easily recycle or repurpose into a tailored cover letter
No Need to Submit a Cover Letter when…
- a posting specifically tells you not to submit one
- there’s no way to submit one in an application portal, and doing so would require a serious workaround
Related Resources
Sample cover letters.
These sample cover letters will help you get started and give you an idea of what to include in your own letters!
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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
If you don't know to whom you should address your cover letter, do some research to find the hiring manager's name . Addressing a specific
You should address a cover letter to the hiring manager of the job you're applying for, or the HR manager of the company. A basic cover
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
To address a cover letter without a name, use some variation of, "Dear Software Team Hiring Manager." You can also use, "Dear Hiring Manager" if
For many job openings, the first person you need to impress is a corporate recruiter. That doesn't mean you should address your cover letter to
It's always preferable to address your cover letter using the recipient's name rather than using a generic address. Using the recipient's name
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
How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person · Dear Sir/Madam (27%) · To Whom It May Concern (17%) · Dear Human Resources Director (6%)
A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you submit when applying to a job, along with your resume.