You\u2019ve just seen a listing for your dream job. You read the job description and realize you\u2019re more than qualified, so you quickly begin your application. You carefully upload your resume and start drafting a cover letter\u2014only to realize you don\u2019t know who to address it to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baffled, you double-check the job description, but the name of the hiring manager isn\u2019t listed. So, what do you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below, we go over a few steps you can take to address your cover letter when you don\u2019t have a name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conduct an online search to find the name of the hiring manager. Tools like LinkedIn can be great for this. You can search a company\u2019s LinkedIn profile<\/a> to find the name of the person in that position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if you know the job ad says you\u2019d report to the senior software engineer, you could use the company\u2019s LinkedIn page to search for employees that hold that title. Then, once you find the name, address that person in the cover letter<\/a> (make sure to double-check the spelling!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you absolutely can\u2019t find their name, focus instead on the position the person holds<\/strong>. For example, if you\u2019re reporting to the content manager, you might <\/strong>try \u201cDear Content Manager\u201d or \u201cDear Content Team\u201d when addressing your cover letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve tried the first three steps with absolutely no luck, it\u2019s OK to use \u201cDear Hiring Manager.\u201d If you have a name or title, that is preferable to something more generic. But using \u201cDear Hiring Manager\u201d in your cover letter will suffice when all else fails<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some common cover letter mistakes<\/a> that can be costly for job seekers. Even if you don\u2019t know who the hiring manager is, avoid using \u201cTo Whom It May Concern,\u201d as this is too vague<\/strong>. At the same time, \u201cDear sir or madam\u201d is too formal (in addition, some people may not identify with these personal pronouns<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, avoid time-specific greetings. \u201cGood morning\u201d or \u201cGood evening\u201d aren\u2019t considered a best practice for cover letters, since you have no idea when the hiring manager will be reading them. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFocus on Their Position<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Last Resort<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Avoid These Common Mistakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Address Your Cover Letter to the Right Person<\/h2>\n\n\n\n