So, you have got the right job for you, and you want to write a good cover letter, but immediately you are experiencing a roadblock. How can you start with it? Should you write Ms. or Mr.? Do you want to add the first name? What if you are unable to find the hiring manager’s name?
Well, here are a few rules to follow for cover letter salutation recovery:
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Use the formal name in full form for salutation
Unless you are sure that the company you’re applying to has a casual culture, use the first and large name of the hiring manager and Mr. and Ms. Most letters often come with a “Dear” greeting, but the trend was dropped years ago, and people should only choose a “Hello” or a name to start with. What really matters here is the actual name. Do not use “To whom it may concern” or words like “Respected or Dear Sir or Mam”. Nothing can be more general than this.
Your cover letter is your first chance to make an impression on the hiring manager so ensure you do proper company research.
If you don’t know the hiring manager and are unsure about using “Mr.” or “Ms.” you can just drop the title.
Guess if you don’t know the hiring manager
Sometimes even after rigorous research, you don’t know who the hiring manager is, and it’s fine! If you can only get the list of company executives and you don’t know who the hiring manager is, you can use the HOD for the position you’re applying for. Obviously, no one will charge you for addressing someone higher up than needed. The approach is surely better than not using any name in the cover letter because it shows your effort in researching the department head.
Here are some ways to find the hiring manager’s name:
- Go through the job listing: It may have details about the recruiter or the hiring department. Check it out to get the hiring manager’s name.
- Check the company’s website: Some websites have the hiring manager’s name or HOD’s name. You can also check the LinkedIn profit of the company to get the name.
- Ask around: If you have friends working in the company, they may provide you with this info.
Be specific
So, if you still cannot find a name after your research, don’t worry! The company may have kept the name private for some reason. If this is the case, don’t use a name, but you can still be specific. Consider choosing Research Manager Committee or Senior Developer Hiring Manager that shows you have written this letter to someone specific.
Eventually, you want your cover letter to showcase your interest in the job. And to commence on the right note, you should ensure your salutation is right. Of course, your cover letter when you know the hiring manager is simple. So, make sure you make the best effort to find out the name.
