If you’ve ever written a cover letter, you’ve probably wondered: “Can I write To Whom It May Concern?” The answer is yes! However, it’s important to keep in mind that this phrase isn’t as formal as Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Sir/Madam.
It’s also worth noting that some hiring managers might not mind if you don’t use their names at all, but it’s generally better to spend less time researching and more time crafting an excellent resume and cover letter that will get your foot in the door for an interview. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how best to address an unknown reader on a cover letter.
| Takeaways |
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| “To Whom It May Concern” is a salutation used in a cover letter when the writer does not know the name of the recipient. |
| “To Whom It May Concern” should be used as a last resort when other options, such as researching the company or asking for the name of the hiring manager, are not available. |
| It’s best to address a cover letter to a specific person if possible, rather than using “To Whom It May Concern.” |
| “To Whom It May Concern” can be used in other types of professional correspondence, but it’s important to consider whether it’s the appropriate salutation for the specific situation. |
| Including a salutation in a cover letter adds a personal touch and is generally recommended, but it may not always be necessary. |
How Do I Write To Whom It May Concern?
To whom it may concern is a formal salutation and can be used in place of Dear Sir or Madam, depending on the situation.
If you are writing an important letter to an unknown person and don’t know their name, then use To Whom It May Concern. This shows that you have done your research and put care into the letter.
In these cases, it’s important to include the date at the top of your cover letter, as well as contact information including your phone number/email address so that whoever opens your letter can easily get in touch with you if necessary.
Although some employers may not require cover letters, having a well-crafted one can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. Check out our career advice on why cover letters are necessary to learn more about the importance of this essential job application component.
What Can I Use Instead Of To Whom It May Concern?
If you’re having trouble fitting your cover letter to a specific person, consider using one of the following alternatives:
- Dear Sir or Madam
- Dear Hiring Manager
- Dear Recruiter
- Dear Human Resources (if you’re applying to a large company)
- Dear Hiring Committee (if you’re applying to an organization that will review applications together)
You can also be more general and write “Dear Team Leader” or “Dear Team”. If you don’t know who will be reading your application, it never hurts to address it as if everyone in the building will see it. This may not always work but it at least shows that you’re trying!
And if nothing else, remember: friends are always great people with whom to make connections.
How Do You Start A Cover Letter With No Name?
If you can, use the hiring manager’s name. This is the best option as it shows that you were paying attention during your research and have some personal knowledge of them.
If not, use the company name. This is also a good option because it shows that you did some research on the company itself, even if they don’t have a hiring manager listed anywhere online (which will often be true).
If neither of those options works out for you and they don’t give any information about who to address your cover letter to on their website or in other materials like job postings or press releases, try using only their job title instead: “To Whom It May Concern.”
Should You Say To Whom It May Concern?
When writing a cover letter, it’s important to avoid the use of “to whom it may concern.” This phrase is appropriate only when you are addressing an unknown person with no information about them (e.g., “To Whom It May Concern: I am applying for the position of [job title].”).
When writing a cover letter for an open job posting, use as much detail as possible about who will be reading your application. You can do this by including:
- The hiring manager’s name and title;
- The hiring manager’s company name;
- The hiring manager’s company address; and/or
- The hiring manager’s email address
How Do You Address Multiple People In A Salutation?
When addressing multiple people in a salutation, you may want to include Mr., Ms., or Mrs. before their names if they have a title such as Mr., Mrs., Dr., or Professor. For example:
Dear Madam/Sir and Mrs./Miss/Ms./Professor Lastname,
If all of your recipients have the same title, it’s acceptable to omit that part of their name altogether. In this case, you would simply write them as “Dear Firstname Lastname”.
If more than two people are being addressed by name and/or title (e.g., Dear Firstname Lastname and Miss Smith), then you should use commas to separate them (e.g., Dear Firstname Lastname, Miss Smith).
Knowing when to write a formal letter is essential in today’s professional world. Our article on what is a formal letter and when should you write one will provide you with the necessary context to write professional letters for various occasions.
Should You Say Dear In A Cover Letter?
Dear is a formal salutation that you should be using in your cover letter if you want to make a good impression. Dear is also an appropriate salutation for business letters and emails, so you mustn’t use this word too often or in an informal context.
What Is A Professional Salutation?
In a professional setting, you should always use a formal salutation. This means that your letter should begin with “Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs.” or “To Whom It May Concern.” You can also include the name of the person who is receiving your letter as well (if known).
If you’re writing to someone in the business world and they’re not specifically mentioned on their business card or LinkedIn profile, then it’s acceptable to use their first name instead of their title: “Dear John” or “Dear Jane,” etc., but only if these terms are used throughout most parts of this letter as well; otherwise keep things formal!
What Is The Best Way To End A Cover Letter?
When you’re writing a cover letter, it’s important to use the right closing. This is your last chance to make an impression on the person reading your application and determine whether or not they’ll call you in for an interview. To do this effectively, you’ll need to understand what makes a good cover letter closing.
A good way to end your cover letter is by thanking the reader for their time and consideration. If they are not already aware of what position you are applying for, this is also a good place to include that information so that they can better direct their response toward whatever needs may be addressed by hiring someone with those qualifications.
You may want to remind them that all materials have been submitted with care and professionalism before ending on an upbeat note such as “I look forward” followed by another friendly statement like “to speaking” or “to working.”
When writing a cover letter, addressing it to the right person is crucial. Our article on can you use ‘To Whom It May Concern’ in a cover letter discusses the proper use of this salutation and provides alternatives for addressing your cover letter correctly.
Is Dear All Right To Start A Letter?
Dear is fine to start a letter, but not an email. In the days before email, when business correspondence was conducted by mail (and snail mail at that), you were expected to address your letter with Dear.
It was a signifier that you were writing to someone dear to you either as a friend or family member, but more likely as someone who had helped you out in some way previously.
So if there’s already an established relationship between yourself and the recipient of your letter, Dear is an appropriate and common formality for addressing them. However, if this isn’t true if you don’t know the person personally or have never met him before then To Whom It May Concern is better suited for addressing him/her formally on paper or digitally (email).
How Do You End A Letter To Whom It May Concern?
Once you have worked out who you are writing to, and have decided on the type of letter, it is time to close.
There are many different ways that you can end a letter To Whom It May Concern. You will want to use one that is professional and appropriate for the situation. Here are some common closings:
- Sincerely yours (or Yours sincerely)
- Regards (or Best regards)
- Warmest regards
It’s also worth considering whether or not there is anyone else involved in your application process with whom they should be made aware of this communication. If so, consider adding “Please forward this message” or similar wording at the end of your cover letter To Whom It May Concern before signing off with your name and contact details
What Can I Say Instead Of Sincerely In A Letter?
If you’re writing to whom it may concern, it’s important to remember that the recipient of your letter is someone who is not familiar with you. You can’t simply say “sincerely yours,” as this implies that the recipient knows and trusts you already. Instead, use a more formal salutation such as “Dear Sir” or “Madam.”
If you’re writing to someone who has never met or heard of you before, they don’t know why they should care about your feelings or interests.
In this situation, saying something like “I am interested in working for your company because” is much better than saying “Sincerely yours,” since it gives them some background information about what they might be getting into by hiring you.
The opening of a cover letter can set the tone for the entire application, so it’s essential to get it right. Our article on can you start a cover letter with ‘Dear’ provides tips and advice on how to write a compelling opening for your cover letter.
Can I Use Dear In A Formal Email?
Dear is a formal salutation for personal correspondence. It’s also an informal salutation that you can use when writing to someone close to you, like a relative or friend.
The word dear is too casual to be used in a business letter or email. You should always use the term “To Whom It May Concern” instead of dear because it gives the reader your contact information without making assumptions about their relationship with you.
Can I Use Regards In A Formal Email?
You can use regards in a formal email, but it depends on the context. If you’re writing to reference a job description or a company’s website, for example, then it’s appropriate to use this more informal salutation.
However, if you’re writing an email for business purposes (and not just introducing yourself), then using regards is probably not going to be a good idea. It might come across as too casual and could hurt your chances with your prospective employer.
If you have any doubts about whether or not it’s okay to use regards in your cover letter or resume template emails, then the best thing to do is check with those involved in hiring at each particular company before sending them out!
Transitioning to a new field can be daunting, but crafting a well-written cover letter can make a significant difference. Our guide on how to write a cover letter when changing fields offers tips and insights on how to frame your previous experience to show how it relates to the new role you’re applying for.
While Some Hiring Managers Might Not Mind, It’s Generally Better To Spend Time Researching For The Hiring Manager’s Name
When you’re sending out your cover letter and resume, it’s a good idea to research the hiring manager’s name. While some hiring managers might not mind, it’s generally better to spend time researching the hiring manager’s name. There are two ways that you can do this:
Using the company name or position title:
You can use Researching the Employer section of our website to find out what company is hiring and then use their name in both your cover letter and resume.
For example, if XYZ Company is looking to hire an administrative assistant, you could look up their website (www.xyzcompany.com) and search on “[your city] job” or “[your city] jobs”. This will bring up pages with listings of available positions at XYZ Company.
If none of these listings have any contact information except “apply online”, look up employees on LinkedIn who work at XYZ Company who might be able to give you more details about how they receive resumes and applications from potential employees like yourself!
You could also try calling them directly if there isn’t anyone listed on LinkedIn whose email address matches the format given above (firstname@xyzcompany).
Conclusion
While writing ‘to whom it may concern may be a quick solution to starting a cover letter, it’s better to spend the time researching the hiring manager’s name.
This will allow you to tailor your cover letter specifically for them and make it more likely that they’ll read your application in full. When writing your cover letter, always make sure that you address any relevant keywords or phrases from the job description so that you can emphasize how well-suited you are for this position!
Further Reading
If you’re looking for more information on the topic of using “To Whom It May Concern” in cover letters, check out these resources:
Resume Genius offers a guide on how to properly use this salutation in cover letters.
Glassdoor provides insights and tips on when and how to use “To Whom It May Concern” in cover letters.
Indeed offers advice on when and how to use this salutation in different professional situations.
FAQs
What is “To Whom It May Concern” used for in a cover letter?
“To Whom It May Concern” is a salutation used in a cover letter when the writer does not know the name of the recipient. It’s often used as a last resort when other options, such as researching the company or asking for the name of the hiring manager, are not available.
Is “To Whom It May Concern” an appropriate salutation for all cover letters?
No, “To Whom It May Concern” is not appropriate for all cover letters. If possible, it’s best to address the cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager or HR representative.
Can “To Whom It May Concern” be used in other types of professional correspondence?
Yes, “To Whom It May Concern” can be used in other types of professional correspondence, such as letters of recommendation or inquiries to a company. However, it’s important to consider whether it’s the appropriate salutation for the specific situation.
What are some alternatives to “To Whom It May Concern” in a cover letter?
Some alternatives to “To Whom It May Concern” include “Dear Hiring Manager,” “Dear Recruiter,” or “Dear [company name] Team.” It’s also possible to address the cover letter to a specific person if their name is available.
Is it always necessary to use a salutation in a cover letter?
No, it’s not always necessary to use a salutation in a cover letter. In some cases, such as when applying for a job through an online application system, a salutation may not be required. However, it’s generally best to include a salutation to add a personal touch to the cover letter.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.