Cover letters are often a job candidate’s least favorite part of the application process. Having to put together a coherent letter that sells you without coming across as arrogant is a delicate walk, and what makes it even more daunting is that, in many cases, the name of the person you’re addressing is a big fat question mark.
At a time when so many things about applying for a job have changed, it’s amazing that the problem of addressing cover letters is one that still prevails. So what do you do in that situation? You have three options:
1. Figure out the hiring manager’s name
Yes — the most obvious answer is, in this case, the first step you should take when trying to find the name of a hiring manager. It’s easier now than it once was to find the name of the person you should be addressing. Do a search on LinkedIn to see if you can whittle down your options, check out the company’s website, or even reach out to the company itself by phone or email to see if you can figure out the name of the appropriate hiring manager. If you can’t find the exact person, aim a bit higher — no hiring manager will be turned off by the fact that you addressed their boss.
2. Use a modern generic greeting
In cases where you cannot find the direct name of the person to whom you should be addressing your cover letter, opt for a generic greeting instead. “To Whom It May Concern” is still used pretty often, though it feels a bit out of date these days. In fact, just 27% of employers said they prefer that greeting, according to a survey by Saddleback College. The most preferable option, according to 40% of employers, was “Dear Hiring Manager.” The least popular option was “Dear Sir/Madam” (17%).
Related: Relocating for Work? How to Meet People in a New City
3. Don’t use any greeting at all
One of the more controversial takes on how to address a cover letter is that, in cases where you can’t find a person’s name, you shouldn’t use any greeting at all. At a time when many job applications are in the form of online fields, some experts say it’s ok to start a cover letter with the first paragraph instead of a formal greeting. We wouldn’t recommend doing this in a letter that you have to attach or print (letters still look weird without it). But in a web application, doing so can help you avoid a lot of headaches.
Related: 5 Secrets of the Best LinkedIn Users
A word of assurance…
We know the dread that comes with cover letters, and there’s some good news on the horizon: there may soon come a time where cover letters are completely obsolete. That seems to be the way things are trending, anyway: Data shows that 47% of job seekers didn’t submit one at all with their most recent application, and only 26 percent of recruiters now “consider cover letters important.”
In the meantime, make sure you’re putting your best foot forward. Make every sentence count — a throwaway line about you being a team player without any examples to back it up isn’t going to win anyone over. Have a friend read through your finished product; you may think you have a perfectly readable letter but pay attention to their comments and criticisms. Be sure to personalize your letter in whatever way possible; while you may not be able to address the letter to a certain person, you can speak to specific aspects of the company within your letter. To a hiring manager, showing you’ve done your research will be far more valuable than anything else.
