How to Address a Cover Letter

Tap to Read ➤ Arjun Kulkarni

A cover letter is a letter you write to introduce yourself to any organization when applying for a position. Since, it is decidedly a formal letter, a lot of people ask about the right way to address concerned authorities in such a communication.

A cover letter is vital document when it comes to applying for a position. So, whether you want to introduce yourself to an employer, to a college, or to a school, it is important that you know exactly how to write it. And to write it, the first and the very important part is to address it in a right manner.

Ways of Addressing

While addressing a cover letter, one has to be formal and courteous at the same time. It is not a personal letter and hence the person cannot be addressed that way. A lot of people also face problem of whom to address it to, especially when the recipient is not known.

When you Know the Name

In case you do happen to know the name of the person you are writing the letter to, you may address him/her with the name. Let's assume that name of the person is Mr. Jones, then you will address the letter as 'Respected Mr. Jones'. One can also make use of the word 'dear', e.g., 'Dear Mr. Jones'. These days it is customary to use 'dear' in the salutation.

When you don't Know the Name

This is one of the most commonly asked questions. The common solution for this problem is to write 'To Whomsoever It May Concern'. However, addressing someone this way is often considered as disrespectful or lacking in the courteousness that a cover letter demands.

Hence, it is better to use "Respected Sir/Ma'am" or "Dear Sir/Ma'am". This phrase also has the necessary respectfulness to go with it, without the ambiguity of gender.

When you Know the Designation

If you are addressing it to someone wherein you know only the designation of the concerned person, or you saw it in the ad, for example 'all cover letters to be addressed to the Hiring Manager', you are supposed to address it as:

To, The Hiring Manager The Company Name or simply as Respected Hiring Manager.

To a Recruiter

A recruiter always acts as an intermediary between the company and the job applicants. It is the job of the recruiter to scout for the talent that a company needs and deliver it on the doorstep of the company. Addressing a recruiter is no different from addressing anyone else, all you have to do is write the name or the designation or both.