Help with my cover letter?

Question

So im writing a cover letter to attach to my resume, but i dont know who the employer is and there is no way to figure out his/her name.

So how do i start the letter?

Dear _______?

could i write "to whom it may concern"? That doesnt seem right at all but im really confused....

Answer 1

If at all possible, try to find the name of a person to address your cover letter. You may be able to locate the contact person’s information through the company’s website and/or by telephoning the company directly for the appropriate person to address your cover letter and resume.  Follow the link below to read the lists of Do's and Don'ts if you are still unable to find a name.

http://www.ns.msu.edu/acrc/quick_guides/...

Answer 2

write sir or madam

Answer 3

How can you possibly apply for a job when you don't know who the employer is?? When you find out the company name, you can call up the company and ask the name of the person who should receive your letter and resume. Putting the name of the correct person shows you are able to do basic research and are not so lazy as to write "To Whom It May Concern." Many people are in fact that lazy, but your properly addressed letter will put you head and shoulders above the other job candidates.

Answer 4

It is highly recommended that you try your darnest to find an actual name.  You could call the front desk and pass yourself as a college student who is doing a thesis on (fill in the specialty of the company) and would like to send a questionnaire to someone in the (fill in the blank) department.  Would you please give me the name of the person in charge of that department so that I may send him or her the questionnaire?

Depending on your salesmanship and phone personality, this should work 9 out of 10 times.  Please don't send to "To whom it may concern."  You'd be better off sending the resume via their web site under "Careers."

Have fun

Answer 5

Attn:  Human Resource Personnel

Answer 6

Honestly, "to whom it may concern" is the most appropriate and proper way to put it.  That's the way I would tell my students to do it and that the way it's supposed to be done if you don't know the name.  

I'm a high school english teacher, so I'm positive about it!

Good luck!

Answer 7

Don't start out Dear, say something like

"To Whom it may concern" is just fine or "To the Operations Director in charge of New Hires" will work too.  When you make your cover letter, it should be generic, so that it can go anywhere, so don't worry about the names of the businesses.  The object is to submit as many resumes as quickly as possible so that you can get a job.  The only time the business name really comes into play is if you're mailing your resume and then the name goes on the envelope.  You're overthing, so calm down, relax, present your best self in the cover letter and resume and worry about when you get that interview for the job, 'cause that's next.

Answer 8

Dear Manager,   or Dear Hiring Manager or Dear HR Director.  If you don't know the title try Dear Sir or Madam.

Answer 9

Dear Sir or Madam:   (is what was recommended by my college english professor & still sounds beautiful & totally appropriate to me. )  It's respectful & formal; exactly how a job seeker needs to sound.

Oh, and the closing should not be "Sincerely" or "Yours truly;"  "Best Regards" ..... it should be "Very truly yours" which is one of the most formal closings & recommended for business correspondence when you are unfamiliar with the addressee..

When in doubt, always go the conventional route when it comes to your job/livelihood, as you're probably dealing with individuals in their 30s-50s who were raised conventionally..

Answer 10

"To Whom it May Concern" is acceptable.  Alternative - "Dear Sir or Madam".  I used to work in human resources and we received resume cover letters addressed this way all the time.  Make sure your cover letter is brief and to the point.