how to write a cover letter for unspecified job

Dear Sir or Madam Dear Hiring Manager Dear Talent Acquisition Team Dear [Company Name] HR Department Dear [Company name] Hiring Manager Dear Human Resources Manager Dear Human Resources Department Dear [Company Name] Recruiter Dear [Department Name] Hiring Manager Dear [Department Name] Hiring Team

By using these greetings to address your cover letters, you will avoid major problems. For example, all of the above greetings don’t assume a specific gender, can be used regardless of honorific the person may hold, and are professional.

They also don’t sound like you are writing to your grandmother about your vacation. These greetings will look professional and well put together, making them an excellent start to any cover letter.

We recommend always being as specific as you possibly can. For example, if you know your cover letter will be read by the hiring manager for the marketing team, use “Dear Marketing Hiring Manager” instead of just “Dear Hiring Manager.”

Also, don’t assume someone from human resources will be the hiring manager unless your research indicates that’s the case. While reaching out to HR might be the best way to find the name of your cover letter recipient, there’s no guarantee that that person works in HR.

Here are some things you should try to avoid when addressing a cover letter to an unknown recipient:

Assuming the person is a certain gender. If in doubt, just use their full name. For example, instead of saying, “Dear Ms. Hopkins,” you’d say, “Dear Alex Hopkins.”

Assuming the person’s marital status. Avoid using the titles of “Miss” or “Mrs.” before someone’s name before you know for sure what they prefer. Instead, use “Ms.” or simply stick to their full name.

Addressing the reader as if you were addressing a friend. Your cover letter can be friendly, but it should still be professional, erring on the side of formal. Using words like “hi,” and “hello,” or using exclamation marks is simply too casual and familiar for a cover letter.

Not addressing the reader at all. Not including a greeting is just as bad as using the wrong one.

Not only does it look like you didn’t put in any effort at all to find out who you’re writing to, but it also looks like you just copied and pasted your cover letter for multiple applications, which hiring managers do not want to see.

Here are some examples of how not to address a cover letter:

Good Morning

To Whom It May Concern

Dear Mrs. Smith

Hi Sebastian!

Hey Sales Team

When applying for jobs, one of the most important things you can do is find a way to make sure your name, face, or correspondence matches up with your application.

So when hiring managers sort through a pile of sometimes hundreds of applicants, they can say, “Oh yeah, this person contacted us the other day and seemed great and professional — let’s see what their application looks like.”

Now, this doesn’t mean that calling the HR department of the place you are applying to 24/7 is a good idea. You don’t want to seem needy or impatient. But you can still show that you are genuinely interested in the position by attempting to find out who will read your cover letter.

Making an effort to find out who the recipient of your cover letter will go to, especially if that information is easily available, shows that you have a real interest in the position. You are willing to take an extra few minutes to do some digging to make sure your application stands out.

There are a few ways to go about finding who you should address your cover letter to.

Check the job listing. One simple way is to look at the application and double-check that the hiring manager’s name isn’t on the main listing. Sometimes the information isn’t on the application, but rather on the job listing. If it isn’t there you will then have to start doing a little bit more investigative work.

Check LinkedIn. You can check on LinkedIn and on the company’s website to find the hiring manager’s name. If nothing shows up, then you will have to start contacting someone at the company to find out.

Contact the company. Now, this does not mean you should contact some random person at the company who lists the company’s name on their profile. Find the contact information for the HR department, for someone who works in HR, or for the head of the department you are trying to work in and ask them if they know the name of the hiring manager for your application.

Sometimes, they will not give this information, simply so that the hiring manager can stay anonymous and not get a billion emails from applicants. This situation is more likely to happen with massive companies like Google or Apple.

If they give you a name, use it. If they don’t, then you will have to then move on to the next step of figuring out how to address a cover letter to an unknown recipient.

Here are some tips for addressing a cover letter :

Attempt to find out who your cover letter will be read by.

Use the person’s title (Dr./Ms./Prof./etc.); use Ms., not Miss.

For non-gender-specific names, use the recipient’s full name.

Always use “Dear” to start your address

If you cannot find the name of the hiring manager/ reader , use a generic greeting to address your cover letter.

Be as specific with your generic greeting as you can be.

Make sure your greeting sounds professional and appropriate for the position.

Remember that cover letters should be short and tailored for each individual job.

When emailing your cover letter , make sure the subject line is clear and direct. Identify the job you’re applying for and yourself so that the recipient knows who you are and what you want right away.

After your greeting, let the reader know what position you’re applying for.

Then, get into the body of your letter by highlighting your most impressive key skills , qualifications, and professional experience. Let the reader know what value you’ll bring to the new job. Also, emphasize your enthusiasm for the specific company.

Use a call-to-action like “I look forward to hearing from you.” Finish by thanking the reader for their time and consideration and sign off with a proper email closing and signature.

Dear Sales Team Hiring Manager, As a fan of XYZ Inc.’s impressive technology products, I was ecstatic to see an opening for a Junior Sales Representative . After reading the job description, I am confident that I’m the right person for the job. With 4 years of experience selling cloud computing products and services, I would bring a unique perspective to the role. In my current role as a Sales Representative at ABC Corp., I’ve created technology presentations for all my clients, driving interest in new product sales and subscriptions by 84% year-over-year. Additionally, I’ve reduced the cost of customer acquisition by over 15% and consistently topped sales quotas by over 20% since starting at ABC. I know XYZ has amazing products and services that I would be honored to promote and sell. With my background in cloud computing, I would be able to hit the ground running and communicate your product’s benefits to customers. Please contact me if you have any further questions about my application or resume. I look forward to speaking with the Sales Team more about the role in an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Malia Freeman [email protected] 555-777-9999

Who do I address my cover letter to if there is no contact name?

Address your cover letter to “Hiring Manager” or “[Department Name] Hiring Manager.” Always do whatever you can to try to find the name of the person you’re addressing, but if you can’t, address it to the generic position or team you’re trying to get in contact with.

Is To Whom It May Concern rude?

Yes, To Whom It May Concern is rude. Not everyone will agree that it’s rude, but many people do find it rude, or at least impersonal and lazy on a cover letter, so it’s best to avoid this greeting

Is it OK to use Dear Hiring Manager?

Yes, it is okay to use Dear Hiring Manager as a cover letter greeting.

Who is the best person to address a cover letter to?

The best person to address a cover letter to would be the hiring manager. This should be their first and last name if you know it, but “dear hiring manager” is acceptable if you are unsure of their name. If you are using their name, make sure to include titles such as “Ms.” or “Mr.” infront of their name.

If you are applying for a job and writing a cover letter, make sure you take the time to look over all the details in the cover letter. Not taking the time to look for the recipient of a cover letter or using a professional greeting will look lazy. Your greeting is a small part of the cover letter. However, it’s one of the most important pieces because it’s the first thing the hiring managers will read. Using an appropriate generic greeting will set the tone for your cover letter, making you sound professional and willing to put in the effort to make your cover letter flawless. Now that you know how to address a cover letter if the reader is the recipient is unknown, check out our other articles about cover letters and the job application process.

Applying for jobs can be stressful and tedious, but taking the time to learn tips on how to improve your application will help put you one step closer to landing your dream job .

Mypath Blog – No Name? No Company Address? Here’s How to Address Your Cover Letter

Who To Address Cover Letter To If Unknown

Vimari Roman Career Strategist Coach Be Productive Coaching

My recommendation is to always send a customized cover letter when applying for any job and when in doubt, address your letter to the hiring team using “Dear Hiring Team.” In most cases the application will end up on a recruiter’s or an HR Business Partner’s desk, and if they like your cover letter and resume, then they will pass it on to the hiring manager or the hiring team. By addressing your letter to the “team” you’ve got everyone covered and they will all feel as if the letter was written directly to them.

Expert Tip To Find Contact Infoformation

Sally Mikhail Founder of Recruit Petra LLC

Use LinkedIn to find out who to address your cover letter to you with a search of company personnel on the company careers page . However, if you are sending out a cover letter to an unknown hiring influence, you can address it to “Dear Hiring Team” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”

Who To Address Cover Letter To If Unknown Tip

Chelsea Jay Certified Resume Writer and Career Coach

Make sure that you review the company’s “About Me” or “Staff” to view their leaders which often lists direct managers, HR professionals, and executive leadership staff. If you know what department you’ll be working for, I recommend addressing the leader of that department. If the website is for a larger organization and does not list individual staff, I recommend utilizing LinkedIn. You can do a quick company search and find employees who are currently working there. You may even find the original posting with the hiring manager’s name attached.

If you cannot find the hiring manager’s name based on the posting, I recommend taking time to learn more about the specific department you’ll be working in. For example, if you discover that you’ll be working in the Communications department, the next step would be to learn about the specific team you’ll be part of. If you find out that it is the Public Affairs team, I encourage you to address “Public Affairs Team” at the beginning of your cover letter.

If you’re up for a bolder approach that is sure to get attention, address someone on the executive leadership team. I recommend addressing the President or Vice President of the organization (they should be easy to find since they are often the “face” of the organization). Of course, address them with a salutation along with their first name, last name, and title. In the beginning of the cover letter make sure to distinguish what department and position you are applying for. For example, Dear Mr. John Smith, President.

As an applicant, your goal is to stand out and showcase that you are informed and willing to go the extra mile (by doing research!).

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Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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General Cover Letter That Isn't Generic (Sample for Any Job)

As seen in:

A general cover letter , also known as a generic cover letter, is an all-purpose, universal document particularly useful when you apply for multiple positions or when you're going to a job fair. A good general cover letter highlights your relevant skills and experience and sums up the key points of your resume.

You’re a scroll away from it. But here’s the twist—we’ll show you how to write a general cover letter that doesn’t feel generic or copy-pasted.

This guide will show you:

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Generic Cover Letter for a Resume— See more cover letter examples here .

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General Cover Letter That’s Not Generic: Free Samples (2023)

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

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Example #1: experienced general cover letter sample, text version, example #2: entry-level general cover letter sample, example #3: email generic cover letter sample, 2. use general cover letter templates—but don’t submit one, 3. create and use a master cover letter, was it interesting here are similar articles.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job That Doesn’t Exist…Yet

After spending weeks in front of a screen, sifting through countless job posts that are almost-but-not-quite perfect, you may be wondering if this approach to the job search is the only approach. After all, you know what you do best, and you know exactly how you’d like to spend your days contributing to your dream company. You may even have a list of the specific companies you’d like to work for. But if these companies aren’t advertising openings that fit your description, what options do you have? Should you simply wait patiently for the right opportunity to come along? Should you settle for something close but not ideal and just use the position as a placeholder until you find something better?

Close up shot of female typing on laptop

Either of these options might work, but consider a third choice: Create the position that’s perfect for you, and then convince your dream employers to bring you on board, even if the position you describe doesn’t actually exist.

This may sound crazy, but it happens all the time, and countless fulfilling careers are launched this way. Smart employers—especially for growing companies and start-ups that thrive on flexibility and innovation—love hiring employees who come to them with these types of out-of-nowhere pitches. But only if applicants can make a compelling case. And it all starts with a great cover letter. Try these tips.

1. Before you write, think

Put yourself in the position of your target employer. And ask yourself two questions: What does this company need? And what does this specific manager want? Finding answers to these questions might require a little research. Start with a visit to the company website and figure out how the skills and contributions you’re pitching will mesh perfectly with this company’s existing goals and deficiencies.

2. As you write, focus entirely on your reader

Never wander off into a discussion of your own requirements, interests, and demands. You can worry about those later. When you’re learning how to write a cover letter for a cold contact like this, you’ll need to focus solely on your audience just to get them to read beyond the first sentence (and then the second, and then the third, and so on).

3. Be very, very clear about what you’re offering and how it can help your employer

Any hint of confusion will bring the reading process to an end. So from the first sentence to the last, keep things simple. Even if you have to oversimplify. For example, if your network management skills or cyber security background can help this employer, go easy on the IT jargon as you explain this. Speak in accessible terms that break the existing problem and the obvious solution (hiring you!) into manageable pieces.

4. Generate a sense of energy, urgency, and optimism

Whatever you can offer, make it clear that your audience will be better off with you on board. And the sooner they act, the sooner they’ll be glad they made this move.

5. Keep your objectives in mind

Your goal with a cold cover letter is not a job offer. It’s a chance for an in-person interview. If you can convince this employer to sit across a table from you for thirty minutes, that’s when you’ll really make your case. If all goes well, your cover letter can help you score this invitation.

A Polished Resume Can Seal the Deal

Of course, no matter how brilliant your introductory letter may be, you won’t get far without an equally brilliant resume. Attach a resume that can back up your cover letter with quantifiable facts and a proven track record. Visit MyPerfectResume for formatting help, writing tips, and professional guidance.

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MyPerfectResume Staff Writer

At MyPerfectResume, we are passionate about two things: sharing our knowledge about the workforce and providing exceptional tools to help jobseekers get ahead. Thanks to our well-rounded assemblage of experts, we offer industry-specific resume and cover letter writing tips and career advice for almost every job. MyPerfectResume culls detailed advice…

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COMMENTS

How to Write a Job Application Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter is essential when applying for jobs. This is the perfect way to express how your specific skills are relevant to the open position. Wow your future employer with this simple cover letter example format.
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Job seekers must write job application letters, otherwise known as cover letters, which include the applicant’s contact information, a salutation, the body of the letter and a closure, according to Alison Doyle for About.com.
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What to include in a cover letter for an unadvertised job · A header with your contact information as well as the employer's · A professional
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1. Begin with a professional heading · 2. Open with a salutation · 3. Summarize your career · 4. Highlight your qualities · 5. Close with a thank
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If you know the company is hiring but hasn't advertised the position, write a traditional cover letter expressing your interest in the open
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The introductory portion of your cover letter should indicate the type of job you're applying for, where you heard about the company and why you think you'd be
Cover letter when no job is advertised
introduces you; explains why you're writing to the business · links this research to your own experience, values, interests or goals ; school work
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The 7 sentence cover letter to use when you apply for unadvertised jobs · Start with why you are writing to them · Tell them why you want to work
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Cold Cover Letters · Know Yourself: You are contacting a company that hasn't asked to be contacted. So what do you offer? · Research the Employer: Find out as
Who To Address Cover Letter To If Unknown (With Examples)
Summary. When the hiring managers name is unknow, try to be as specific as possible by using their job title or company name such as “dear
General Cover Letter That Isn't Generic (Sample for Any Job)
Use a template provided above and adjust it. · Start with “Dear” and the name of the hiring manager (“Dear Hiring Manager” is a last resort.)
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Start with a good generic cover letter template. · Make general cover letters personal with details from the job ad. · List your specific achievements that fit
Write a Cover Letter for a Job That Doesn't Exist…Yet
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job That Doesn't Exist…Yet · 1. Before you write, think · 2. As you write, focus entirely on your reader · 3. Be very, very clear