How to Address a Cover Letter (When You Don't Know the Name)
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How to Address a Cover Letter (2026 Guide)
Part of our Cover Letter Hub — Complete guides for writing winning cover letters.
🚨 The First Impression Test: Using "To Whom It May Concern" is the professional equivalent of saying "Hey you."
It signals that you didn't look for a name, or you used a generic template.
👉 Our Generator picks the right greeting for you
Or scan your resume + generate a personalized letter that matches your profile.
Addressing your cover letter correctly is your first chance to gain "likability points." It shows you did your homework.
The Hierarchy of Greetings (Best to Worst)
Always try to find a name first. Check LinkedIn, the company "About Us" page, or the email address in the job posting.
| Rank | Greeting Strategy | Example | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Gold) | Specific Name | "Dear Sarah," / "Dear Mr. Chen," | Shows you researched. Personal connection. |
| 2 (Silver) | Role Title | "Dear Hiring Manager," / "Dear Senior Recruiter," | Safe, professional, and accurate. |
| 3 (Bronze) | Team Name | "Dear Design Team," / "Dear [Company] Team," | Inclusive and friendly. Updates the old "Dear Sir/Madam". |
| 4 (Fail) | Generic | "To Whom It May Concern," | Cold. Outdated. Robot-like. |
3 Ways to Find the Hiring Manager's Name
- LinkedIn Detective Work: Search for "[Company Name] + [Department] Manager" or "Talent Acquisition [Company Name]".
- The Email Trick: If the application email is
j.smith@company.com, you know the name is J. Smith. - The Job Description: sometimes the name is hidden at the very bottom.
How to Address "Unknown" Recipients
If you absolutely cannot find a name after 5 minutes of looking, stop. Do not waste an hour. Use a professional fallback.
The "Safe" List:
- "Dear Hiring Manager," (Classic, safe)
- "Dear [Department] Lead," (e.g., "Dear Customer Success Lead")
- "Dear [Company] Recruitment Team,"
The "Do Not Use" List:
- "Dear Sir or Madam" (Antiquated, ignores non-binary)
- "To Whom It May Concern" (Impersonal)
- "Hi," (Too casual for a first touch)
💡 Tech Tip: If applying to a startup? "Hi [Name]" might actually prove you fit the culture. If applying to a Bank? Stick to "Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]".
Context matters. Our Cover Letter Generator lets you select a "Tone" (Formal vs. Enthusiastic) to automatically adjust your greeting.
Ready to Start?
Don't let a name block you from applying. Pick a professional option and move to the important part: The content.