How Do You Write A Cover Letter To Whom It May Concern?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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When addressing a “To Whom It May Concern,” the entire phrase

is typically capitalized, then followed by a colon

: To Whom It May Concern: Leave a space after it, then start the first paragraph of the letter.

What is the correct way to write to whom it may concern?

Here's a tip: Always format “To Whom It May Concern”

with a capital letter at the beginning of each word

. Follow it with a colon. Double-space before you begin the body of your letter.

Is it OK to put to whom it may concern on a cover letter?


Never use “To Whom it May Concern

” or “Dear or Sir or Madam”—nothing could be more generic (not to mention archaic). Your letter could be the first opportunity you have to make an impression on the hiring manager, so make sure you show that you did your company research.

How do you address a cover letter without a name?

  1. Dear Hiring Manager.
  2. Dear Sir/Madam.
  3. Dear Human Resources Director.
  4. To Whom It May Concern.
  5. Dear [company name] Recruiter.

How do you write a cover letter if you don't know the hiring manager?

  1. Dear Hiring Manager.
  2. Dear Sir/Madam.
  3. Dear Human Resources Director.
  4. To Whom It May Concern.
  5. Dear [company name] Recruiter.

Is it rude to write to whom it may concern?

“To whom it may concern” works well in cases where you don't know the name of your recipient(s) and want to come across as respectful, but in other contexts,

it is not the most appropriate choice

; and in some moments, it's not an appropriate choice at all.

What is the proper greeting for a cover letter?

The most professional salutation for a cover letter is

“Dear.”

Even an email cover letter should start with “Dear,” followed by the hiring manager's name and a colon or comma.

Is Dear hiring manager appropriate?

This generic salutation is appropriate in most situations and is more professional than beginning your cover letter with ‘Hello' or ‘Hi There. ‘ ‘Dear Hiring Manager' is

especially appropriate when you don't know the name of the recipient and have done your part in trying to find it

.

What if you don't know who to address your cover letter to?

The most common ways to address a cover letter when you don't know the name of the hiring manager include:

Dear Hiring Manager

.

Dear Sir/Madam

.

Dear Human Resources Director

.

What can I use instead of dear in a letter?

  1. Dear [First Name] …
  2. Hello, [Insert Team Name] …
  3. Hello, [Insert Company Name] …
  4. To Whom It May Concern. …
  5. Hi There. …
  6. Good Morning. …
  7. Dear Customer Service Team.

Is To Whom It May Concern still appropriate?

“To Whom It May Concern” is

an outdated

, though still sometimes used, letter greeting, and there are now better options for starting a letter. … When other options don't work for your correspondence, it's acceptable to start a letter with “To Whom It May Concern.”

How do you start a formal letter?

  1. Most formal letters will start with ‘Dear' before the name of the person that you are writing to:
  2. ‘Dear Ms Brown,' or ‘Dear Brian Smith,'
  3. You can choose to use first name and surname, or title and surname. …
  4. ‘Dear Sir/Madam,'
  5. Remember to add the comma.

How do you start and end a cover letter?

  1. Sign off with your full name and add your basic contact information in the footer.
  2. Select an appropriate formal closing: Best regards, Sincerely, or Thank you.
  3. End your cover letter on a high note. …
  4. Offer value to the manager in your cover letter ending.

Should you introduce yourself in a cover letter?


Yes, you should introduce yourself in a cover letter

. Introduce yourself by stating your name, the position you're applying for, and how you found it. … While there are some other cover letter opening strategies, introducing yourself by name is the most professional way to begin a traditional cover letter.

How do you begin a cover letter?

  1. Convey enthusiasm for the company. …
  2. Highlight a mutual connection. …
  3. Lead with an impressive accomplishment. …
  4. Bring up something newsworthy. …
  5. Express passion for what you do. …
  6. Tell a creative story. …
  7. Start with a belief statement.

What do you say in a message to a hiring manager?

  1. Lead with something in common or how you found them. …
  2. Respect their time by getting to the point fast. …
  3. Show your value. …
  4. Establish credibility. …
  5. Talk about how you can help them solve their problems or reach their goals.
Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.