You have written the perfect cover letter. You are ready to send it. But then you realize: you have no idea who is actually going to read it.

How do you start the letter? Do you guess? Do you use a generic greeting? Getting the salutation wrong can make your application look lazy before the recruiter even reads the first sentence.

In this guide
  1. The worst possible greeting
  2. The 3 best alternatives
  3. How to find the hiring manager's name

The worst possible greeting

Let's get this out of the way immediately: Never use "To Whom It May Concern."

It is outdated, overly formal, and screams "I am sending this exact same letter to 50 different companies." It shows a lack of effort and personalization.

Similarly, avoid "Dear Sir or Madam." It is archaic and makes assumptions about the reader's gender.

The 3 best alternatives

If you have searched everywhere and simply cannot find a name, use one of these three professional alternatives.

1. Dear [Department] Hiring Manager

This is the gold standard. It is professional, accurate, and shows you know which department you are applying to.

  • Example: Dear Marketing Hiring Manager,
  • Example: Dear Engineering Hiring Manager,

2. Dear [Job Title] Search Committee

Use this if you are applying for an academic, non-profit, or highly senior role where multiple people will review your application.

  • Example: Dear Product Manager Search Committee,
  • Example: Dear Director of Sales Search Committee,

3. Dear [Company Name] Team

This works well for small startups or agencies where the culture is more casual and collaborative.

  • Example: Dear LuckyResume Team,

How to find the hiring manager's name

Before you settle for a generic greeting, spend 5 minutes trying to find the actual name. Addressing a cover letter to a specific person instantly puts you ahead of 90% of applicants.

Here is how to find it:

  1. Check the job description: Sometimes it's listed at the very bottom ("Please send resumes to Sarah...").
  2. Search LinkedIn: Go to the company's LinkedIn page, click "People," and search for titles like "Director of [Department]" or "VP of [Department]." If you are applying for a Junior Designer role, look for the Design Manager or Creative Director.
  3. Check the company's "About Us" page: Small and medium-sized companies often list their department heads on their website.

If you find a name, use it. Keep it professional: "Dear [First Name] [Last Name]," or "Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],".