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How do you format a cover letter when the recipient is unknown?
To address a cover letter without a name, use some variation of, “Dear Software Team Hiring Manager.” You can also use, “Dear Hiring Manager” if the addressee really is unknown. Remember that “To Whom It May Concern” is an old-fashioned salutation for cover letters. It also feels very impersonal.
How do you address a letter to an unknown person?
To Whom It May Concern Alternatives – How to Address a Letter When You Don’t Know Who Will Read It. If you need to reach out to someone but don’t know their name, what do you do? Well, the answer used to be, “To Whom It May Concern.”
How do you address an unknown employer in a cover letter?

If your only option is addressing your cover letter to an unnamed employer, consider these introductions:
- To Whom it May Concern.
- Dear Sir/Madam.
- Attention: (Department Name) Hiring Manager.
- Attention: Human resources director.
How do you address a cover letter to an unknown gender?
How to Address a Cover Letter for a Non-Gender-Specific Name. If you do have a name but aren’t sure of the person’s gender, one option is to include both the first name and the last name in your salutation, without a title that reveals gender: Dear Sydney Doe. Dear Taylor Smith.
How do you write a formal letter without knowing their name?
Very formal (for official business letters) To Whom It May Concern: Use only when you do not know to whom you must address the letter, for example, when writing to an institution. Dear Sir/Madam, Use when writing to a position without having a named contact.

How do you start a letter to an unknown person in English?
If the name of the intended recipient is unknown, acceptable salutations are: Dear Sir or Madam (If the gender of the reader is unknown).
How do you start a cover letter with no name?
“If the hiring manager’s name is nowhere to be found and the company is unwilling to give you his or her name, you should use ‘Dear Hiring Team’ in your cover letter salutation,” she says. “By addressing your cover letter to the hiring team, you increase your chances of getting it in front of the right pair of eyes.”
What to say instead of to whom it may concern?
“To Whom It May Concern” alternatives
- “Dear [First Name]” or “Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr./Professor] [Last Name]” Be aware of your use of pronouns.
- “Dear [Job Title]”
- “Dear [Team or Department]”
- “Greetings,” “Hello” or “Hi there”
How do you address someone in a cover letter?
If you know the hiring manager’s name, go with “Dear Mr./Miss Last Name,” but if you’re unsure about their gender, marital status, or preferred pronoun, just address them using their full name. If the recruiter has a professional or academic title, it’s more appropriate to address them using their title.
How do I start my cover letter?
The opening paragraph of your cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and make them want to read your cover letter. Some tips to write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph include being direct, starting with a strong belief statement, or leading with a relevant achievement.
How do you start a letter with no name?
Dear Sir/Madam, Use when writing to a position without having a named contact.
What can I use instead of dear in a cover letter?
How To Start a Cover Letter Greeting
- Use “Hello,” or “Dear,” followed by their first and last name.
- Include their title if possible.
- If you don’t know their name, you can still make it specific.
How do you start a professional letter without dear?
Here are a few good alternatives:
- “Hello, [Insert team name]”
- “Hello, [Insert company name]”
- “Dear, Hiring Manager”
- “Dear, [First name]”
- “To Whom it May Concern”
- “Hello”
- “Hi there”
- “I hope this email finds you well”