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How to Address a Cover Letter...

How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager

5 min read · Updated on November 24, 2021

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

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

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

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

When you know the hiring manager's name

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Acceptable options in lieu of a name

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

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

Some good examples include:

Dear Head of Design

Hello IT Department

Dear Accounting Manager

To Company ABC Recruiter/Hiring Professional

Hello Marketing Hiring Team

Dear Customer Support Hiring Group

Dear Human Resources

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

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

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

Never leave the greeting blank

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

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

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

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

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

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How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024

Yes, how you address your cover letter matters.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s up Hiring Manager
Hi there Hiring Team

Then you say goodbye to the job.

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

That’s what we’re about to teach you:

Who Am I Addressing My Cover Letter To?

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

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

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

Addressing a Cover Letter With a Name

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

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

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

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

Addressing someone with a title

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

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

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

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

Here are a few examples to give you an idea:

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

Dear Dr. Leonard,

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

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

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

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

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

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

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

Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team

Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Staff

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

Dear Hiring Manager,

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

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

How to Format the Company’s Address

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

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

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

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

It should look something like this on your cover letter:

When You Can’t Find the Company’s Address

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

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

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

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

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

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

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

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

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

Here’ what we mean by that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

Who to Address a Cover Letter To?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The critical aspect is to do a lot of research .

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

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

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

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

How to Address a Cover letter Without a Name?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Imagine this,

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

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

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

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

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

How to Use Professional Titles When Addressing a Cover Letter?

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

"Dear Doctor Taylor,"

Or you can use the abbreviated form like this:

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

Also Read: How long should a cover letter be?

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

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

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

Call the Company

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

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

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

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

Network With People Working With Prospective Employer

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

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

It is easier than you think.

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

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

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

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

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

Read the Job Description Carefully

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

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

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

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

Find Out Who Will Become Your Superior or Manager

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

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

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

Do an Online Search

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

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

How to Address a Email Cover Letter?

We live in a digital age now.

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

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

1. Subject Line of Email Cover Letter

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

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

Here is an example cover letter subject line :

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

2. Address the Cover Letter in the Correct Way

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

"Dear Mr. Doe,"

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

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

How to Address a Cover Letter for Internal Position?

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

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

What Not to Do When Addressing a Cover Letter

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

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

Do Not Address the Cover Letter to the Recruiter

" Recruiters do not read cover letters. "

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

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

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

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

Spelling the Hiring Manager or Company Name Wrong

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

Do Not Start With a Bland Greeting

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

Example of a Cover Letter Address Format

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How to address a cover letter to a large company.

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

Dear Finance Department
Dear Marketing Team
Dear Customer Service Department

Can I get creative with my cover letter address?

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

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

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

Should a cover letter address the company location?

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

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

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

"Pine Bluff, AR"

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

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

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

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

"Jr. Data Analyst."

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

"Data Scientist"

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

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

How to write the intro to a cover letter?

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

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

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

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How to address a cover letter | with examples

The way you start your cover letter counts.

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

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

CV templates

Address the hiring manager or recruiter directly

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

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

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

How to find the recruiter or hiring manager’s name

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

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

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

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

For example, the advert might say something like:

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

Usually, this person manages that job vacancy.

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

Company website

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then hit the blue “Show results” button.

And examine the profiles that come up.

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

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

Contact info

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

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

This sits under their profile picture and headline.

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

About section

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

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

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

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

Here’s how you’d do this:

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

What if you can’t find a name?

Addressing cover letter if you can't find a name

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

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

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

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

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

How to write a cover letter email subject line

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

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

Avoid using generic subject lines, such as:

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

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

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

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

You could say something like:

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

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

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

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

How not to address a cover letter

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

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

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

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

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Perfect Cover Letter Salutations: Start Strong

11 min read · Updated on April 24, 2024

Greet your future employer professionally with these cover letter salutations

Cover letters – some recruiters love them; some recruiters hate them. Unfortunately, you'll rarely know which type of recruiter you're contacting, so the safest bet is always to send one, just in case.

The aim of a cover letter is to make the reader want to find out more about you, so in this article, we're looking at starting strong.

Which are the best cover letter salutations to make a great first impression?

What is a cover letter salutation?

When we say “salutation,” we mean the opening line of the letter where you greet the person you're writing to. For example, when you write to thank your aunt for the jumper she knitted for Christmas, you might use “Dear Aunt Betty” as your salutation. These days, the salutation may refer to the opening of an email as much as to the opening of a handwritten or printed letter.

While cover letter salutations generally refer to the opening line of your epistle, some people also refer to the sign-off as a salutation as well, so we'll look at that at the end of the article.

Considerations when choosing cover letter salutations

A cover letter is a formal business document that you use to try to make yourself more memorable. Remember, though, you want to be remembered for the right reasons and not the wrong ones!

Starting your letter “Yo!” or “Hey” doesn't convey the impression of a competent professional who knows the unspoken rules of office writing etiquette.

While not everyone is a natural writer, relying instead on personality, speech, and body language, cover letters depend very much on the written word. In fact, a cover letter, along with your resume, is part of your personal sales brochure. You need to choose the right words to sell yourself effectively.

Stick to these guidelines, and you can't go far wrong.

Keep it formal and professional

Your tone should be aligned with the tone you'd use when speaking to a teacher, religious leader, or grandma, not the tone you'd use with your mates or kid brother. This is the first impression you'll make on your potential employer, so it's important to show that you can communicate professionally , with respect, and in line with workplace norms.

Personalize wherever possible

Bonus points if you know, or can find out, the name of the person who will be reading the letter. If you can address them by name, you're instantly showing that you've made the effort, done your research, and have taken the time to write a personalized letter rather than firing the same one off to multiple vacancies.

Always use a salutation

Even if you can't find out the recipient's name, never leave the greeting line blank. It conveys the impression of someone who lacks attention to detail or is just plain lazy. Not a great impression to create on someone you need to impress!

This doesn't just apply to the cover letter salutation but to the entire document. Punctuation is important as it enables your reader to accurately interpret your meaning. Use capital letters for names and add a comma after the salutation. Get a trusted friend or family member to check over your letter when it's written to help you give it the polish it needs.

Options for cover letter salutations

Let's take a look at some different salutations you could use on your cover letter.

Dear Mr Donnelly

Addressing the hiring manager by name is the ideal option. If it's not given in the job posting or provided by the person connecting you, it's fine to resort to good old Google. You may find their name on the company website or be able to track them down on LinkedIn. It's also perfectly acceptable to contact the company directly and ask them who you should address your application to.

If you're lucky enough to know the name of the hiring manager, you should always use it in the cover letter salutation. Bear these considerations in mind, though:

Double and triple check the spelling – even the most common names sometimes have unconventional spellings

Default to “Mr,” “Mrs,” or “Miss” plus their surname and use the generic “Ms” if you're not sure whether “Mrs” or “Miss” would be most appropriate

Reflect the gender-neutral title “Mx” if that's what you find online or on the job advert

Dear Doctor Foster

If the recipient has a professional title, it's recommended you use that instead of “Mr,” “Mrs,” or “Miss.” Examples could include “Dear Professor Dumbledore,” “Dear General Eisenhower,” or “Dear Doctor House.”

While the formal “Dear Ms Farrell” is the preferred and most formal option, if you only have the hiring manager's first name, it's perfectly acceptable to use it to open the letter. Again, check the spelling. A slightly less formal salutation here isn't a reason to take a less formal tone throughout the rest of the letter, however. This is a suitable salutation for a job application email, as you can get away with a slightly more relaxed approach in an email.

Dear HR team

If you need a greeting for a cover letter to an unknown recipient, this is a popular option. It's not ideal, but your letter is likely to be forwarded to the right department at least. If you can't find the name of the hiring manager, this is a viable Plan B.

Dear hiring manager

This is an alternative cover letter greeting when you have no name available. It's better than leaving a blank space, but it's far from warm and personal. Additionally, your letter may not find its way to the right person if the company has different teams hiring for different roles. Try to avoid this unless you've run out of other options.

Dear Sir / Madam

This cover letter salutation is falling out of favor. It's not just impersonal; it doesn't even address a specific team or department. Still, it's better than an overly casual greeting or a blank space.

How NOT to address a cover letter

As we've already said, there are some greetings that are just too informal to use as cover letter salutations. There are others, however, that tread a very fine line. We'd advise avoiding these openings, as they're either too colloquial or too stuffy.

To whom it may concern

We're not in the 19th century anymore. Trim your whiskers and relegate this stuffy greeting to history, it's too impersonal even for the most uptight offices.

Using “dear” on its own, with no name or further greeting attached, gives the wrong vibe. It sounds like a combination of your old aunt, someone unfamiliar with the English language, and someone who's forgotten to fill in a blank on their template. Literally, anything is better than nothing after the word “dear.”

Hi, hello, hi there!

While these cover letter salutations certainly aren't stuffy or over-formal, they fall too far in the other direction. They're friendly and casual but too much for an initial introduction. Save these for the interview.

Expert tip: Read this article to find out more about cover letter mistakes to avoid: 10 of the Worst Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Cover letter closing salutations

How you end is just as important as how you begin. After all, you want to end on a high! Before you come to an abrupt end, you'll want to do both of these things:

Thank the reader for their time and consideration

Add a call to action, for example, directing them to look at your resume or give you a call

Cover letter salutations to close

You've started strong and used the body of the email to convince the hiring manager that you're the ideal candidate for the role. Now, it's time to choose your sign-off.

Yours sincerely, yours truly

These two phrases should be your go-to sign-offs for a formal business letter. If you've started your letter with the recipient's name, choose sincerely; otherwise, choose truly.

Best regards, kind regards, regards

These are all acceptable closing phrases but better suited to an email than a full letter. They veer towards the casual and aren't generally considered the best letter-writing etiquette.

Respectfully

This is a polite way of signing off a letter, although not especially conventional or formal. While it's better than no closing at all, it would be wiser to choose a more formal option.

How NOT to sign off a cover letter

Just as there are ways not to start a cover letter, there are ways not to sign off.

Well, it's polite but way too informal. “Thank you” would be better, but a line within the body of the letter saying that you appreciate the time they take to consider your application would be best.

Just no. You're not taking leave of a friend you've just dropped in on; you're addressing your potential future employer. A more formal and respectful tone is needed.

However you choose to end your cover letter, remember to finish with your name – and leave space above to sign it if you intend to print it out.

Cover letter examples

Below you'll find two cover letter examples with strong salutations, one a traditional letter and one an email, that you can use for inspiration.

Traditional cover letter example

Dear Ms Searle,

Re: Sales Manager vacancy

Having seen your advertisement for a Sales Manager on LinkedIn, I would like to outline my professional experience and strong track record. I believe I can make a very significant contribution to Acme Corp.

In addition to extensive experience in a sales environment, I also have a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and a proven ability to meet targets. As you will see from my enclosed resume, I am a natural people person, communicating effectively with a diverse range of people and demonstrating excellent negotiation and influencing skills. My leadership abilities mean that I am able to successfully engage and motivate teams – my current team has surpassed its Q1 targets by 23%.

I am driven, ambitious, and keen to progress my career in a growing and innovative business such as Acme Corp. I am confident that my strong work ethic, combined with my sales results and integrity, will enable me to play a key role in your success.

Please do not hesitate to call me at 555-555-5555 so we can arrange an interview to discuss my application in greater depth. I appreciate your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Email cover letter example

Dear Liz,

Re: Assistant Security Manager vacancy (ref: 12345)

Having read your advertisement for an Assistant Security Manager with interest, I am writing to outline my extensive professional experience. I believe that I possess the talents necessary to make a positive contribution to your hotel.

I have a comprehensive understanding of security and a commitment to exceptional service. As a Police Officer, I led teams of up to 6 personnel, overseeing security patrols and managing performance. Colleagues would recommend me for my ability to build and motivate teams to achieve exceptionally high standards and positive outcomes.

As a manager, I take pride in providing training and development opportunities across the team to improve individual skill levels and ensure the achievement of organizational objectives.

The position at Acme Hotel is particularly appealing to me as I believe it will make the best possible use of my security and leadership skills whilst providing opportunities for further development.

Please do not hesitate to call me at 555-555-5555 so we can arrange an interview to discuss my application in greater depth. I appreciate your consideration of my application and look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Choose the right cover letter salutations to set the right tone

As you can see, there are several options for opening and closing a cover letter. Make sure you choose one that is professional, has the right amount of formality, and shows you understand corporate communication.

At TopResume, we create impactful resumes that land jobs. If you need help with your cover letter, we can do that, too! Why not contact us for a strong start on your journey towards a new career?

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20 Examples Of How To Address a Cover Letter to an Unknown Recipient

Introduction.

Imagine sending out dozens of job applications, only to realize that you've been addressing your cover letters incorrectly. As it turns out, addressing a cover letter to an unknown recipient can be a tricky task. In this comprehensive guide, we'll provide strategies for finding the right name, using job titles as an alternative, formatting the letter, avoiding common mistakes, leveraging professional networking, and understanding the importance of personalization. By following our advice, you can increase your chances of landing that job interview and making a great first impression.

Finding the Right Name

Before you give up on finding the recipient's name, consider these research strategies:

Check the job post for a specific name. Sometimes, the name of the hiring manager or contact person is listed in the job posting. Read the post carefully to see if a name is mentioned.

Search the company website for a company directory or listing of key personnel. Many organizations have a "Meet Our Team" or "About Us" section that introduces their staff members. Look for someone with a relevant title, such as "Hiring Manager" or "Human Resources Director."

Call the company directly and ask for the appropriate contact person. If you're unable to find the name online, consider calling the company and asking for the name of the person responsible for hiring for the position you're applying for. This approach can be particularly effective for smaller organizations.

Utilize professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to find the recipient. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job seekers. Try searching for employees at the company with relevant titles, then check their profiles for clues about their role in the hiring process. You can learn more about how to find the name of the hiring manager using LinkedIn in this helpful article.

Personalize your cover letter. Addressing your cover letter to a specific individual shows that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position. This extra effort can make a big difference in how your application is perceived by the recipient.

Using a Job Title

If you're unable to find the recipient's name, consider using a job title or department head as an alternative:

Address the letter to the job title of the reader. For example, you might write "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Human Resources Director." This approach is more specific and professional than using a generic greeting like "To Whom It May Concern."

Consider addressing the letter to the head of the department where you're applying to work. If you know the department your job falls under, try addressing your cover letter to the department head, such as "Dear Marketing Director" or "Dear IT Manager."

Explain why using a job title or department head can still demonstrate professionalism and personalization. Although it's not as ideal as using a specific name, addressing your letter to a relevant job title shows that you've put some thought into your application and have a clear understanding of the company's structure.

Provide examples of different job titles to use as salutations. You can find a list of different job titles to use as salutations in this resource.

Discuss the potential impact of using job titles on the success of the job application. While using a job title may not guarantee success, it can increase your chances of making a favorable impression. A personalized salutation indicates that you're genuinely interested in the position and have taken the time to research the company.

Formatting the Letter

When addressing a cover letter to an unknown recipient, follow these formatting tips:

Always use "Dear" to start the address. This is a professional and respectful way to begin a cover letter.

Use a gender-neutral title (such as Ms.) if the recipient's gender is unknown. If you're unsure of the recipient's gender, it's better to use a neutral title like "Ms." rather than making assumptions.

For non-gender-specific names, use the recipient's full name. If you can't determine the recipient's gender based on their name, address the letter using their full name, such as "Dear Taylor Smith."

Maintain a professional tone even when the name is unknown. Even if you don't know the recipient's name, it's crucial to keep your language and tone professional throughout your cover letter.

Provide examples of well-formatted cover letter salutations.

While it's always best to try and find the name of the hiring manager or recruiter, there may be times when you just can't find that information. Don't let it deter you. Below are 20 examples of how you can address your cover letter when the recipient is unknown:

1. Dear Hiring Manager, 2. To the Recruitment Team, 3. Dear Human Resources Team, 4. Attention Hiring Committee, 5. Dear [Job Title] Hiring Team, 6. To the [Company Name] Team, 7. Dear [Company Name] Recruiter, 8. To Whom It May Concern, 9. Dear Hiring Authority, 10. Attention [Company Name] Hiring Professionals, 11. Dear Talent Acquisition Team, 12. Hello [Company Name] Selection Panel, 13. Dear Recruitment Advisor, 14. To the [Industry] Professionals at [Company Name], 15. Attention [Company Name] Talent Scouts, 16. Dear Hiring Advocate, 17. To the Selection Committee for [Job Title], 18. Dear [Company Name] Staffing Team, 19. Attention [Job Title] Recruitment Panel, 20. Dear [Company Name] Hiring Panel,

Remember, the goal is to be as respectful and professional as possible in your salutation. Even if you don't know the recipient's name, demonstrating courtesy in your greeting will set a positive tone for the rest of your cover letter.

Also, avoid overly casual greetings like 'Hello' or 'Hi there,' which might seem unprofessional, and stay clear of outdated phrases such as 'Dear Sir or Madam.' Instead, opt for more modern, inclusive alternatives. Be sure to follow your greeting with a comma or a colon, then leave a space before starting the body of your letter.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

When addressing a cover letter to an unknown recipient, it's essential to avoid these common mistakes:

Using generic greetings like "To Whom It May Concern." This phrase is outdated and impersonal, and using it can make your application seem generic and unprofessional. Instead, try to find a specific name or use a job title, as discussed in previous sections.

Using incorrect titles or making assumptions about the recipient's gender. Making assumptions about someone's gender or using an inappropriate title can potentially offend the recipient and hurt your chances of landing an interview. Stick to gender-neutral titles or use the recipient's full name when in doubt.

Addressing the letter to the wrong department or job title. Be sure to double-check that you're addressing your letter to the appropriate person or department. Sending your application to the wrong person can result in your application being overlooked or discarded.

Failing to proofread the cover letter for errors, even in the salutation. Typos and other errors can make a poor impression on the recipient. Be sure to proofread your entire cover letter, including the salutation, before submitting it.

Provide examples of mistakes that could hurt the applicant's chances of landing an interview. Some examples of common errors include misspelling the recipient's name, using an informal greeting (such as "Hey"), or addressing the letter to an unrelated department (e.g., "Dear Accounting Manager" when applying for a marketing position).

Utilizing Professional Networking

Leveraging your professional network can be an effective way to find the name of the recipient for your cover letter:

Use platforms like LinkedIn to research the company and its employees. As mentioned earlier, LinkedIn is a valuable resource for job seekers. You can use the platform to find employees with relevant titles, learn more about the company culture, and even discover mutual connections who might be able to provide an introduction or additional information.

Connect with current employees or alumni of the company. Networking with people who work at the company or have worked there in the past can give you valuable insights into the hiring process and help you identify the appropriate contact person for your cover letter.

Search for the appropriate contact person within your professional network. Use your connections to find people who work at the company you're applying to, and ask if they know who the hiring manager for your desired position is.

Networking can help job seekers get noticed by potential employers. Building relationships with people at the company can increase your chances of getting noticed and potentially even lead to a referral. Learn more about how networking can help job seekers get noticed by potential employers in this article.

Offer examples of successful job seekers who found the recipient's name through networking. For instance, this cover letter that landed a job seeker a role at LinkedIn is a great example of how personalizing your cover letter and leveraging your network can help you stand out.

Importance of Personalization

Personalizing your cover letter can make a significant difference in the success of your job application:

Discuss the impact of personalization on the reader's impression of the applicant. A personalized cover letter demonstrates that you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the position, which can make a positive impression on the recipient.

Provide statistics on the success rate of personalized cover letters compared to generic ones. According to resume statistics , candidates with typos in their cover letters or resumes are 58% more likely to be dismissed, while those who do not include specific employment dates are 27% more likely to be dismissed.

Offer expert opinions on the importance of addressing cover letters to specific individuals. Many career experts agree that addressing cover letters to specific individuals can increase your chances of landing an interview.

Explain how personalization demonstrates research skills and genuine interest in the company. Taking the time to research the recipient and tailor your cover letter to the specific position and company shows that you're not only a thorough and detail-oriented candidate, but also genuinely interested in the opportunity.

Share anecdotes of successful job seekers who personalized their cover letters and landed interviews. For example, one job seeker found the recipient's name through LinkedIn and personalized his cover letter , which helped him land an interview and ultimately secure the position.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In summary, addressing a cover letter to an unknown recipient can be challenging, but by following our tips and strategies, you can make a strong impression on potential employers. Remember to:

Research the recipient's name or use a relevant job title.
Personalize your cover letter to demonstrate genuine interest in the position.
Maintain a professional tone and formatting throughout your cover letter.
Avoid common mistakes that can hurt your chances of landing an interview.
Leverage your professional network to find the appropriate contact person.

By applying these tips to your job search, you'll increase your chances of success and make a lasting impression on potential employers. Good luck with your job applications!

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Recruiter Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to score a job as a Recruiter?

You're going to need an awesome cover letter. This guide is your one-stop-shop for writing a job-winning Recruiter cover letter using our proven strategies, skills, templates, and examples.

All of the content in this guide is based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers (just like you!) who went on to land offers at the world's best companies.

If you want to maximize your chances of landing that Recruiter role, I recommend reading this piece from top to bottom. But if you're just looking for something specific, here's what's included in this guide:

What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Recruiter Cover Letter
The Best Skills To Include On A Recruiter Cover Letter

How To Address A Recruiter Cover Letter

3 Recruiter Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Recruiter Cover Letter Templates

3 tips for writing a job-winning recruiter cover letter.

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Recruiter Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

What do companies look for when they're hiring a Recruiter?

Companies want Recruiters with strong interpersonal and communication skills who can effectively connect with candidates and accurately represent the company's culture and values. They also love professionals with keen eye for talent and that are proficient with recruitment tools and technologies.

Your cover letter should show the company that your personality and your experience encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Recruiter cover letter:

Properly address your letter: Begin your letter by addressing the hiring manager or team. Don't forget to state the specific Recruiter job you are interested in!
Express your understanding of the company: Clearly articulate that you are well-familiarized with the company's products and the market, and tie this up with your skills, demonstrating how they align with their needs.
Highlight your skills: Showcase your most relevant skills for the role, such as Hiring, Communication, and HR, as well as proficiency with specific recruiting tools, software, and technologies.
Tailor your cover letter for the job description: Emphasize your experience to meet the job requirements listed in the description.
Be concise and clear: Your cover letter should be short and easy to read. Keep it to one page and focus on the good stuff!
End with a call to action: Close with an effective call to action, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity and inviting further discussion on how you can contribute to the company's success.
Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App or Grammarly to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these, so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Recruiter Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role, and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Recruiter Keywords

The first is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a Recruiter cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of real Recruiter job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

Communication
Talent Acquisition
Organization
Work Independently
Team Member

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your cover letter is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Here's how it works:

Open a copy of your updated Recruiter cover letter
Open a copy of your target Recruiter job description
In the widget below, paste the job description and hit scan!

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant to the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

If you're ready to check it out, grab your target job description and run your first scan here:

To start, paste your target job description (or multiple job descriptions) into the box below:

Scan to help you identify keywords and skills within your target job description.

Scanning...

If you're more of a visual learner, here's a video walking through this whole process so you can follow along:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Hiring Manager's Name

The first, and best, is by including the hiring manager's name. Let's say that you discovered the hiring manager's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

Example of Starting A Cover Letter With The Hiring Manager's Name

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Company]

If you don't have the hiring manager's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying for a Product Marketing Manager role at Discovery Education, you might start your cover letter like this:

Example of Starting A Cover Letter With The Team & Company

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Recruiter Cover Letter Examples For 2024

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds who are all applying for Recruiter roles:

Recruiter Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Recruiter Cover Letter Example #1 - Traditional Background

Recruiter Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from a background as an Administrative Support Specialist to a Recruiter role. This cover letter demonstrates how the author identifies and communicates their transferable skills:

Recruiter Cover Letter Example #2 - Non-Traditional Background

Recruiter Cover Letter Example #3: Recruiter With A Career Gap

Our third example highlights a candidate with a career gap. Here is what their cover letter might look like:

Recruiter Cover Letter Example #3 - Career Gap

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Recruiter cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

Just click any of the templates below to start building your cover letter using proven, recruiter-approved templates:

Free Job-Winning Cover Letter Templates, Have AI Write Yours in Less Than 2 Minutes .

Choose a cover letter template below to get started:.

Great Choice! Now, how do you want to write your cover letter?

Let AI write your unique cover letter using our proven templates.

Or use our templates to write your own from scratch.

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use CoverBuild.io To Write Your Cover Letter In <2 Minutes

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

Head to CoverBuild.io
Select the “2 Minutes” option to have AI write your cover letter
Select a template for your cover letter, then follow the 3 step process for sharing info about your experience and the target job with CoverBuild's AI
Click “Generate My Cover Letter” and watch the tool write a unique cover letter that's personalized to your experience and your target job!

To make it even easier, you can select a cover letter template from the widget below to get started:

If you'd like to see the process in action, here's a video walking through all of the steps above:

Note: I do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste any AI-generated content and submit your application. You should always review, revise, and personalize the content yourself before applying.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a hiring manager, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible for building applications to help achieve company goals.”

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

The accuracy of the predictive models you've developed
The sales increase you've helped drive with data analysis
The operational costs you helped reduce

These outcomes will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

Quality Impacts Perceived Value - Car Example

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Recruiter cover letter:

Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
Use ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each role you apply to
Start your cover letter with a personalized greeting for the hiring manager or team name
Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
Compare the draft of your cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
Use a tool like Hemingway App or Grammarly to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Recruiter interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taken care of, be sure to check out our guide on writing a job-winning Recruiter resume (with examples!).

Paula Martins

Paula is Cultivated Culture's amazing Editor and Content Manager. Her background is in journalism and she's transitioned from roles in education, to tech, to finance, and more. She blends her journalism background with her job search experience to share advice aimed at helping people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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The 1 Surprising Detail You Need to Remove from Your Resume Now

W hen it comes to writing a resume, there is no shortage of advice out there. The problem is that if you ask 100 different people how to write the perfect resume, you will get 100 different answers.

For example, one person may insist that you include an objective statement, while the next may insist that you remove it. Or you may be told that “it depends,” which isn’t exactly helpful either.

Well, I’m here to tell you about yet another “resume rule” that you should follow that might be surprising. I had never questioned it before, and I’ve helped thousands of people write resumes.

What is this one surprising thing you should remove from your resume?

It’s your home address.

Yup! Even your contact information (which seems like the most straightforward part of writing a resume) might need a little more attention than you thought.

But like most resume advice, whether you should include your address or not “depends.”

Let’s look at the reasons for and against adding your address to your resume.

Why You Should Remove Your Address From Your Resume

First, here are the reasons you should keep your address off of your resume.

1. Your Address is Private Information

Protecting your privacy matters, especially online, where hackers are trying to collect your personal information and data to scam you or steal your identity.

When you apply for a job online, you are sharing a lot about yourself. This can put you at risk of identity theft and threaten your safety, especially if you are a vulnerable person or are in a vulnerable position.

The major job sites like Indeed and Monster aren’t always safe either, as there have been complaints about fraudulent job postings on both.

If you’re unsure about the site’s security or at all hesitant to share your address, don’t share it. Your safety and peace of mind come first.

2. You Might Be Discriminated Against

Let’s face it. Sadly, there is a lot of stereotyping, bias, and discrimination in the world. And while it is illegal to discriminate during the hiring process, it still happens all the time, whether intentional or not.

Every city or town has its “rich” neighborhoods and its “bad” neighborhoods, which have more crime, low property values, and judgment about the people who live there.

If you live in one of these “bad” areas, a hiring manager might make a negative association about you and either reject your application based solely on these assumptions or look for other reasons to reject it.

This is wrong and shouldn’t happen. A recruiter should know better and have systems in place to help prevent it.

But we all have biases. And sometimes, we aren’t even aware that we have them. (Not that that’s a good excuse.)

And of course, some people will knowingly discriminate against an applicant based on things like their address, name, or level of education.

How Do You Prove Discrimination?

Discrimination is, unfortunately, easy to get away with. It’s virtually impossible to prove without concrete evidence or a confession from the employer.

No one will tell you that you didn’t get the job because you were discriminated against. Most places won’t give you any explanation at all as to why you were not the successful candidate, let alone the candid truth.

If you suspect you were discriminated against, you would need to hire a lawyer and sue the company. (Who can afford that?!) And then prove that the ONLY possible reason you were passed over for the job was because of discrimination. Trying to prove that there wasn’t a single other applicant who was even slightly more qualified than you would be impossible.

3. It’s Out-Dated

Many years ago, employers used your mailing address to mail you the relevant documents and correspondence needed during the hiring process. Nowadays, everything is sent over email instead.

Most online applications will require you to include your address as part of your profile. So, from a practical standpoint, including your address on your resume is redundant.

4. It’s a Waste of Space

Your resume has only 6 seconds to pass the glance test . Your name and contact information are typically one of the first things a recruiter will notice, as it’s right there front and center.

Of course, you want them to remember your name, but I doubt you want them to remember what street you live on. There are much more important details about your skills, experience, and accomplishments that you want to be remembered for.

From a formatting perspective, removing your full address can keep your resume to one page and make it more visually appealing and scannable.

5. You’re Relocating

If you are willing to move for a job or are already planning to move and are applying for jobs in the new city, including your current physical address on your resume might mean it ends up in the trash.

Some companies are reluctant to hire people from out of town because hiring someone local is typically faster and less expensive. A local candidate can usually start working much sooner and won’t ask for relocation costs.

Hiring someone moving specifically for the job can also be considered a risk. What if they don’t like living in the new city? How long will they stay before they look to move again?

6. Employers Don’t Need It (Yet)

An employer doesn’t actually need your address when you’re applying for a job. They won’t need it until they have interviewed you, are seriously interested in making a job offer, and want to run a background check . They will ask you for it when they need it.

Why You Should Include Your Address on Your Resume

There are also circumstances where including your address can help you and not hurt your chances. Here are some of the reasons you might decide to keep your address on your resume.

1. You Live Near-By

Do you live close to the office or place of business? If so, including your home address could be considered favorable. The assumption is that you’ll be more punctual and focused at work and will be less stressed than those with a longer commute.

2. You Live in a “Good” Neighborhood

Positive discrimination also exists. It may not be fair, but if a potential employer sees that you live in a good neighborhood, they might be more impressed.

3. There is a Strong Sense of Community Around the Job

After graduation, I landed my first job because I grew up in the area and understood the community’s needs. I heard that this is what the manager said set my job application apart from the rest. They were looking for someone local with strong community ties and didn’t want someone who didn’t know the region.

4. Employers Expect To See It

Leaving information off your resume can raise questions for hiring managers. Are you trying to hide something? Do you not pay attention to detail? Are you the type of person who’s going to “break the rules” or not be able to follow simple instructions?

Yes, many assumptions are happening here, but traditionally speaking, people expect resumes to look a certain way.

5. You Don’t Want an Incomplete Application

If the company is using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen applicants (which most do), your address might be set up as a way to filter resumes. So, there is a chance that you are accidentally screening yourself out of the running by leaving it off.

Unfortunately, predicting what keywords or criteria a company will use is impossible. However, there are other options (which are covered next).

You also don’t know their internal application process. I realize this might sound ridiculous, but if the company has a record-keeping system that requires an address to create a file for you, they may skip over your resume and cover letter because they can’t add you to their system.

Examples of How to (Safely) Include Your Address on Your Resume

Your resume has to have some contact information on it, and most online applications will require you to put something in the address field. So, what are your options for doing this safely without risking being rejected for the job?

1. Use Your City & State

One of the most straightforward solutions is to exclude your full street address and list the city and state (or province) where you live.

Example: Jane Doe – Toronto, Ontario

2. Use Your City, State & Zip Code

Adding your zip code (or postal code) can help narrow down the area you live within your city, but it doesn’t explicitly tell anywhere where your house is.

Example: Jane Doe – Seattle, WA 98109

3. Use Your Region

If these options don’t work for you, consider using your region instead. It gives hiring managers a general idea of where you live without being too specific.

Example: John Doe – Upstate New York

4. Relocating to City & State

If you are relocating, you probably don’t have an address yet to include. In that case, you should include the city and state you’re relocating to, along with the date you anticipate moving. It’s up to you if you want to add your current address or not.

You should also mention this in your cover letter and let potential employers know what your relocating plan is to clarify any questions they may have.

Example: John Doe – Relocating to New York, NY in October 2024

Example: Jane Doe – Seattle, WA 98109 / Relocating to New York, NY in October 2024

5. No Address or Location

Lastly, if you choose not to disclose your location at all, be sure to include a phone number and email address where an employer can reach you.

Example: John Doe – Phone (555) 555-5555 / Email: [email protected]

20 Reasons Why Getting a Job Has Nothing to Do With Your Qualifications

Should you include your address on your resume.

Deciding whether or not to include your address on your resume seems like one of the last things job seekers should have to fret about. But if you have privacy concerns, there are suitable options to use that don’t involve disclosing your home address.

What do you think? Do you use your full home address on your resume or one of the variations mentioned?

Employers Can’t Find Enough People To Fill These 20 Jobs

The 1 Surprising Detail You Need to Remove from Your Resume Now

Protect your data

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.

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.

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 .

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:

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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COMMENTS

How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager
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 ...
How to Address a Cover Letter (With Examples)
The headline on the image says, "Cover letter format" A woman sits at a table writing on a piece of paper. There's a simple cover letter represented by lines. On one side of the cover letter, there are labels for the sections of the cover letter. The labels are: 1. Date and contact information 2. Salutation/greeting 3. First, introduce yourself 4.
How to Address Your Cover Letter in 2023
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 ...
How To Address a Cover Letter
For example, 'Dear Austen Myers' is acceptable and considered a professional way to address a cover letter. If you know their gender and wish to use a title in the address, use either 'Ms.' or 'Mr.' to avoid inaccurately describing the recipient's marital status. For example, you'd write 'Dear Ms. Myers' rather than 'Dear ...
How to Address and End a Cover Letter: 25 Examples & Tips
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 ...
How to Address a Cover Letter (and Who to Address)
Here are the most common ways to address a cover letter without a name: To Whom It May Concern. Dear Human Resources Director. Dear Hiring Manager. Dear Recruitment Manager. Additionally, if you want to add a personal touch, address your cover letter to your prospective department or manager.
How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024 (with Examples)
There's a right and wrong way to address a cover letter. Way #1: The employer thinks, "This applicant's got a brain.". Way #2: She thinks, "Yuck. Another dud.". It's not rocket science. Just pick the right salutation and the right address cover letter format. In this guide, you'll learn: Who to address a cover letter to.
How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024
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.
How to address a cover letter (With examples)
Properly addressing your cover letter is a straightforward process. If you follow these simple steps, you should be able to address your cover letter correctly: 1. Examine the job description to find out the name of the recruitment manager. The first thing you should do when addressing your cover letter is to refer to the job description.
How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024: Complete Guide
Using a person's name in direct communication helps to establish a connection. So it's no wonder you should use it in the cover letter address! Start with Dear + recipient's first name or their first and last name. Use honorific titles such as Mr. or Ms. only if you're 100% certain of the recipient's gender identity.
How to Address a Cover Letter: A 2022 Guide with 10+ Examples
And if your cover letter does not have a subject line, it will not show in the hiring manager's list. Here is an example cover letter subject line : Subject line: Job Application for Video Editor Position, Ref: Hanna Moore. 2. Address the Cover Letter in the Correct Way.
How To Write a Cover Letter to a Recruiter (With Template)
When writing a cover letter to a recruiter, follow these nine steps to ensure you include all crucial information: 1. Include your name and address. When writing your recruitment cover letter, begin with your full name. On the next line, include your mailing or physical address. You can also add your contact details, such as an email address ...
How to Write a Cover Letter to a Recruiter
In a cover letter to a recruiter, be sure to include the following five pieces of information: All contact information, including your phone number, address, and email. Why you're in the market for a new job and what you are looking for. Job titles and industries that interest you. Your salary expectations.
How to Address a Cover Letter: Tips + Examples for Every Type
A cover letter is a formal document, and so it should be addressed as such. The most professional way to do this is with "Dear.". For example: Dear Mr. Miller, Dear Ms. Jones, Dear Dr. Lopez, If you don't know the person's gender or preferred pronouns, you can use their first name. For example: "Dear James Miller.".
How to Address a Cover Letter (2024 Examples)
Adding titles when addressing a cover letter. It is acceptable to use a title and the recipient's surname when addressing a cover letter. You could write "Dear Mr Nelson" instead of "Dear Chris Nelson.". You might do this if you do not know your recipient's first name. Call females Ms, unless you know they prefer Miss or Mrs.
How to address a cover letter + 11 examples [Get noticed]
When you're reading a job advert, you'll sometimes find the name and email address of the person you need to get in touch with directly in the ad. Look out for the section that says "For enquiries" or "Contact person". For example, the advert might say something like: "For more info, please contact Susan Wright at susan-wright ...
How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name
Address your letter to "Dear Hiring Manager.". This works as a last resort, as will the salutation "Dear Hiring Team.". Reserve these greetings for when you have no idea who the recipient of the letter will be. Whatever you do, don't skip writing a cover letter just because you can't find the name of the right person.
How To Address a Cover Letter Without a Name in 5 Steps
Here are five steps on how to address a cover letter without a name: 1. Remain gender neutral. The first step to addressing a cover letter without a name is to use gender-neutral identifiers. Deepti Sharma spent several years in the corporate world before following her entrepreneurial spirit and starting her business as a human resources (HR ...
Perfect Cover Letter Salutations: Start Strong
Perfect Cover Letter Salutations: Start Strong. 11 min read · Updated on April 24, 2024. Jen David. Greet your future employer professionally with these cover letter salutations. Cover letters - some recruiters love them; some recruiters hate them. Unfortunately, you'll rarely know which type of recruiter you're contacting, so the safest bet ...
20 Examples Of How To Address a Cover Letter to an Unknown Recipient
While it's always best to try and find the name of the hiring manager or recruiter, there may be times when you just can't find that information. Don't let it deter you. Below are 20 examples of how you can address your cover letter when the recipient is unknown: 1. Dear Hiring Manager, 2.
How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager
Here's a guide on how to address a cover letter to a recruiter or hiring manager: Use a formal salutation: Begin your cover letter with a professional salutation. If you know the name of the ...
Should cover letter etc. be addressed to recruiter?
0. You should address it to the potential employer either to them directly if you know there name or.. When writing a letter to persons unknown just address the cover letter to "To Whom it may concern" or being realy realy formal "Dear Sirs". And remember its Yours faithfully or Yours Truly at the end of a latter you don't know the recipient of ...
Recruiter Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)
Recruiter Cover Letter Example #3: Recruiter With A Career Gap. Our third example highlights a candidate with a career gap. Here is what their cover letter might look like: The 8 Best Recruiter Cover Letter Templates. At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Recruiter cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers.
The Short Cover Letter: What to Include & Why (with Examples)
Must-haves in your short cover letter. Each cover letter you write must be unique, tailored for the company and position. Include keywords from the job ad, which can be helpful if the recruiter is using applicant tracking software. Make the letter skimmable by writing concise, focused paragraphs, and be sure to include at least one achievement ...
Cover Letters 101: Should You Address Your Letter 'To Whom It ...
If "To Whom It May Concern" isn't cutting it, try these more personal options. They show you're paying attention and you care: "Dear Hiring Manager,". "Dear [Department] Team ...
How to write a science graduate cover letter (With example)
Let's explore the common elements of a professional cover letter. Contact information and correct recipient Include your full name, current address, email and telephone number at the top of your letter to make it easy for the recruiter to reach out to you. Whenever possible, address the letter to a specific person.
The 1 Surprising Detail You Need to Remove from Your Resume Now
There are much more important details about your skills, experience, and accomplishments that you want to be remembered for. From a formatting perspective, removing your full address can keep your ...
How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager
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 ...
How To Write a Junior Accountant Cover Letter (With Example)
Here is a cover letter example for a junior accountant: Marcus Ong Beng Chin. Singapore. (65) 9555 5555. [email protected] 4 March 2024 Mr. Robert Chan. Wavewood Accounting Dear Mr Chan, I am writing to express my interest in the junior accountant position at Wavewood Accounting. As a professional accountant with 2 years of experience, I am ...

How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager

When you know the hiring manager's name

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

Acceptable options in lieu of a name

Never leave the greeting blank

Recommended Reading:

Related Articles:

Career Advice Newsletter

How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024

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

Who Am I Addressing My Cover Letter To?

Addressing a Cover Letter With a Name

Addressing someone with a title

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

How to Format the Company’s Address

When You Can’t Find the Company’s Address

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Who to Address a Cover Letter To?

How to Address a Cover letter Without a Name?

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

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

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

How to Use Professional Titles When Addressing a Cover Letter?

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

Call the Company

Network With People Working With Prospective Employer

Read the Job Description Carefully

Find Out Who Will Become Your Superior or Manager

Do an Online Search

How to Address a Email Cover Letter?

1. Subject Line of Email Cover Letter

2. Address the Cover Letter in the Correct Way

How to Address a Cover Letter for Internal Position?

What Not to Do When Addressing a Cover Letter

Do Not Address the Cover Letter to the Recruiter

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

Spelling the Hiring Manager or Company Name Wrong

Do Not Start With a Bland Greeting

Example of a Cover Letter Address Format

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get creative with my cover letter address?

Should a cover letter address the company location?

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

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

How to write the intro to a cover letter?

Key Takeaways

Subscribe to Free Resume Writing Blog by Hiration

Is Your Resume ATS Friendly To Get Shortlisted?

How to address a cover letter | with examples

Address the hiring manager or recruiter directly

How to find the recruiter or hiring manager’s name

Company website

Contact info

About section

What if you can’t find a name?

How to write a cover letter email subject line

How not to address a cover letter

Perfect Cover Letter Salutations: Start Strong

What is a cover letter salutation?

Considerations when choosing cover letter salutations

Keep it formal and professional

Personalize wherever possible

Always use a salutation

Options for cover letter salutations

Dear Mr Donnelly

Dear Doctor Foster

Dear HR team

Dear hiring manager

Dear Sir / Madam

How NOT to address a cover letter

To whom it may concern

Hi, hello, hi there!

Cover letter closing salutations

Cover letter salutations to close

Yours sincerely, yours truly

Best regards, kind regards, regards

Respectfully

How NOT to sign off a cover letter

Cover letter examples