How to address a cover letter
Use the hiring manager's name if you can find it: "Dear Ms. Patel," or "Dear Priya Patel,". If you cannot, "Dear Hiring Manager," is perfectly fine. Use the finder to get the right greeting for your case.
Dear Hiring Manager,
The standard when you cannot find a name.
Cover letter greetings, best to worst
| Greeting | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Dear Ms. Patel, | You know the name and are sure of the title |
| Dear Priya Patel, | You know the name but not the preferred title |
| Dear Marketing Team, | No name, but you know the team |
| Dear Hiring Manager, | No name after a real search: the safe default |
| Dear Recruiting Team, | Applying through a recruiter or HR inbox |
| Hello Priya, | Informal companies where you have already spoken |
| To Whom It May Concern: | Avoid: dated and impersonal |
| Dear Sir or Madam, | Avoid: dated and assumes gender |
Alternatives to "Dear Hiring Manager"
- Dear [Job Title] Hiring Manager, e.g. "Dear Customer Success Hiring Manager,"
- Dear [Department] Team, e.g. "Dear Engineering Team,"
- Dear [Company] Team, e.g. "Dear Northwind Team,"
- Dear Head of [Department], when the posting says who the role reports to
Whatever the greeting, the next line matters more. See cover letter opening lines, or let the generator write it: add the hiring manager's name and it will use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is "Dear Hiring Manager" OK?
Yes. When you cannot find a name after a genuine search, "Dear Hiring Manager," is the standard, safe choice and nobody will mark you down for it. A named greeting is better when you can find one.
Should I use "To Whom It May Concern"?
Avoid it. It reads as dated and impersonal. "Dear Hiring Manager," or "Dear [Department] Team," does the same job and sounds current.
Should I use Mr., Ms. or the first name?
Use the title and last name ("Dear Ms. Patel,") for a traditional industry, or the full name ("Dear Priya Patel,") when you are not sure of someone's title or pronouns. First name only suits casual start-up cultures where you have already been in touch.
What punctuation goes after the greeting?
A comma is standard in most letters ("Dear Ms. Patel,"). A colon ("Dear Ms. Patel:") is more formal and common in traditional US business letters. Either is correct; be consistent.
How do I find the hiring manager's name?
Check the job posting and the company's careers page, search LinkedIn for the team lead or recruiter for that role, look at the company's team page, or call reception and ask who manages hiring for the position.