How to Address a Cover Letter

Your cover letter is one of your first chances to make a good impression on a potential employer. It's important to start off on the right foot by addressing your cover letter correctly.

Here are a few tips on how to address a cover letter:

• Use the hiring manager's name if you know it. This is the most professional way to address your cover letter. You can find the hiring manager's name on the company's website, LinkedIn, or by calling the company.

• If you don't know the hiring manager's name, you can address your cover letter to the department or team that you're applying to. For example, you could address your cover letter to "Human Resources" or "Sales Team." The key here is to be as specific as possible. The goal with your cover letter and all of your other personal marketing materials, i.e. resume, is to help you stand out. Do some research and use a greeting that will set you a part.

• Avoid using generic salutations like "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern." These salutations are impersonal and make you seem like you're not really interested in the job.

• “Dear” is a perfectly acceptable greeting. However, you can also use “Hello” or just the person’s name.

• Proofread your cover letter carefully before you send it. Make sure there are no errors in grammar or spelling.

Here are a few examples of how to address a cover letter:

• If you know the hiring manager's name:

Dear [Hiring Manager's First and Last Name],

Note: You can use Mr. or Ms. (never Mrs. or Miss), however prior to doing so be sure that you know the recipient’s preference. A little research on LinkedIn or Google might help. For example, LinkedIn may list their preferred pronouns on their profile. If you are not sure, feel free to drop the Mr. or Ms. and just use their name.

• If you don't know the hiring manager's name:

Dear [Department or Team Name],

• If you're applying to a government job:

Dear [Hiring Official's Title],

By following these tips, you can make sure that your cover letter is addressed correctly and professionally. This will help you make a good impression on a potential employer and increase your chances of getting the job.

Here are some additional tips for writing a cover letter:

• Keep your cover letter concise and to the point. Aim for 3/4 to 1 page at most.

• Highlight your skills and experience that are relevant to the job you're applying for.

• Use strong action verbs and specific examples to illustrate your skills and experience.

• Don’t repeat bullets from your resume. You can use the same experience, just be sure to word them differently to highlight different aspects of the project or as a teaser to entice the person reading the cover letter to read your resume.

By following these tips, you can write a cover letter that will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting the job you want.