While this is a bit more generic, it still demonstrates you understand the team with which you’d be working. 3rd Best Option: Address the department that is hiring. Unsure about the name of the department head? Go to the next step. The website directory or contact information may yield the best results. By addressing the department head, you’ll show you’ve made some effort to figure out to whom you should direct your letter.Īgain sometimes this information will be explicitly stated in the job description or otherwise obvious. For example, while the head of the sales department might not actually be the one hiring, they are likely in charge of whoever is - even if indirectly. 2nd Best Option: Address the head of the department that is hiring.įor many jobs, it is clear which department the job falls under. If not, move to the next level of the hierarchy. Only use the name if you’re certain you have it right. Some companies purposely don’t list a staff directory and make it difficult to find this kind of information. If their name is gender-neutral, you can start by writing “Dear. Similarly, be careful not to misgender the person.
#TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN ALTERNATIVE FULL#
Smith.” Unless you’ve had a conversation with the person or know them personally, do not start with “Hi Jen.” They may prefer their full name or some other nickname and simply using the first name suggests a familiarity that may put them off. If you have a name, always air towards a more formal salutation like “Dear Ms. You may not get anywhere but you don’t have to give your name either. You can try calling and asking for the name of the person hiring for your role. If you’re running out of luck, you may be able to find a company phone number. More often than not though, the most you’ll find is something like “this role reports to the Director of Communications.” If so, go to the company website and see if you can find a staff directory or try LinkedIn or Twitter. In the best-case scenario, the name of the person hiring is listed somewhere in the job description. Instead of using “To Whom It May Concern,” use the name of the person who is hiring. Best Option: Address the name of the person who is hiring. Give your best effort to follow these guidelines so you can stand out from the crowd. At the bottom, is a general salutation to the hiring manager. At the top is the name of the person who is hiring. Think of it as a funnel starting with the most specific option down to the least specific, depending on what information you can find. When considering the cover letter salutation, there is a hierarchy of options you should follow. Otherwise, there are several ways to show you’ve done your homework and avoid the dreaded “To Whom It May Concern.” There is a hierarchy to the cover letter salutation. Ideally, you want to find the name of the person you should address. With the proliferation of social media and robust company websites, it’s not difficult to find information about a particular role or department. If you don’t take the time to do a little research upfront, it will show the hiring manager you’re not that invested in the role, even if you say otherwise. According to Indeed, a well-crafted cover letter “can explain irregularities in your employment, short-term positions, and even incomplete degrees.” Be thoughtful about what you include and most importantly, do not resort to a generic template- especially one that starts by addressing “To Whom It May Concern.” Make sure it adds something new or different about you that’s not conveyed in your resume. Writing a strong cover letter doesn’t have to be overly complicated, but you do want to follow a few important points.
Don’t skip this important step of the application process just because you can. Most roles receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, So it’s critical that you stand out – and one way to do that is through your cover letter.Ī well-written, customized cover letter shows potential employers you’re enthusiastic about the position and have taken time to think about why you are particularly suited for the job. While it may be tempting to simply upload a pre-saved resume and click submit, it’s important to customize your application to every job. With the ease of ‘one-click to submit’ job applications on sites like LinkedIn and Indeed, job seekers can apply to multiple jobs in minutes. In some ways, applying for jobs has never been easier.