How to Address a Cover Letter—20+ Examples & 3 Easy Steps

Here’s how to address cover letters—

There’s a right and wrong way.

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 (1) the right salutation and (2) the right address cover letter format.

In this guide:

• Who to address a cover letter to.
• How to address a cover letter with no name.
• Addressing a cover letter—format + examples.
• How to dodge the worst cover letter address mistakes.

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Here’s how to address cover letters with no name:

How to Address Cover Letters Sample

That’s addressing a cover letter to unknown.

Need more how to address cover letters samples? Want the proper address format on a cover letter for CVs?

That’s next.

1. How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name

To address a cover letter without a name, you can use some variation of 'Dear Marketing Team Hiring Manager' or 'Dear Hiring Manager'. However, it is always better to find someone to address. If you don't find the name of the hiring manager, you can address it to the head of the department for the position you’re applying for.

Imagine you’re reading cover letters.

One starts, Dear sir or madam.

Trash can, right?

Of course you won’t do that.

But if you don’t know how to address a cover letter with no name, you’ll look just as bad.

How to Address Cover Letters With No Name—Examples

Who to address cover letters to if unknown:

Perfect.

Why do those addressing a cover letter examples work?

They’re not generic. They show you’re not spraying CVs at a million jobs.

Don’t like them?

Use Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Recruiter. You can even drop the cover letter greeting and start with the first paragraph.

Expert Hint: Any of those examples works for how to address cover letters without names. But learn the name. You’ll get attention, and it’s easy in 2024. That’s next.

2. How to Find Out Who to Address a Cover Letter To

“This one’s no dummy.”

What if you could make the hiring manager say that?

You can.

Just use their name.

But who do you address a cover letter to? In the XXI century, it’s easy to find.

Who Should I Address My Cover Letter To?

There are a few ways you can learn who to address your cover letter to:

• Check the job posting. If the name’s there and you don’t use it, hello trash can.
• Read the email address. If it’s hhennequin@treblefrinchet.com, search “h hennequin” and “treblefrinchet.com.” You’ll likely find the name.
• Check the company website. Many companies list department heads under about us.
• Call the company. Ask the admin assistant who to address a cover letter to.
• Look on LinkedIn. Search the company name + manager job titles.
• Ask your network. See if a contact on LinkedIn or Facebook works there.

Still can’t find the name for addressing a cover letter?

Ditch the cover letter salutation and start with your first paragraph.

Expert Hint: Avoid Hello, Hi, Dear Sir or Madam, and To Whom It May Concern letters. They come off lazy and spammy.

3. Duck These Blunders in Addressing a Cover Letter

“Dear Mrs. Bisonnette,”

Hey, my name’s Jim!

Avoid these common, deadly how to address cover letters bear traps:

• Double-check the gender. Are you writing to a gender-neutral name like Ari, Jules, or Pat? Peek at the LinkedIn profile pic for gender clues.
• Use Ms.—not Miss or Mrs. Ms works whether she’s married or single.
• Use titles. If it’s Dr., Rev, Prof, or Sgt they’ll appreciate the respect.
• Drop the last name only if they drop it first—in their response to you.
• Spell check. Don’t make employers think you’re sloppy.

Expert Hint: If you don’t like Dear Hiring Manager cover letters, drop the “Dear.” Employers are used to it, but you can start with, “Hiring Manager,”.

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4. Cover Letter Address Format

It’s easy.

Here’s how to start cover letters with good presentation:

For specifics, see the addressing a cover letter example up top.

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

Use these tips for addressing a cover letter email:

• Subject Line: 5-10 words—“Job Application for” + position you’re applying to.
• Start with a cover letter salutation like Dear Dr. Manzanilla,
• Put your name, email address, and phone number at the end.

Expert Hint: Did someone tell you about the job? Add her to your email cover letter subject line. Example: Job Application for Engineering Position—Referred by Karen Sheng.

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Key Points:

Here’s a recap of how to address cover letters:

• Who do you address a cover letter to? Use the hiring manager’s name. To find it, check the job posting, LinkedIn, and company website.
• How to address a cover letter with no name: Use Dear [XYZ] Hiring Manager. Example: Dear Sales Team Hiring Manager.
• Avoid obvious mistakes. Check spelling, gender, and titles. Use Ms. instead of Miss or Mrs.
• When emailing cover letters and CVs, write a subject line with “Application for” + job title. Start with “Dear.” Save contact info for the end.

Got more questions on how to address cover letters? Still confused on how addressing cover letters works? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.

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