How To Address a Cover Letter with No Name
You’re nearly done with your application, but just before you hit send, you realize there’s a problem: How do you address a cover letter without the name of the hiring manager? You don’t want to make a bad first impression, and you don’t want your application to be misplaced. Fortunately, there are a few ways around this.
Addressing a Cover Letter with No Name
Writing a cover letter is a formal interaction, so it’s best to address it to a specific person. But if you don’t know the name of the hiring manager or recruiter, here’s what you can do:
- Do some light research: Before sending your cover letter without a name, try checking the company’s website for hiring managers, HR contacts, or recruiters. LinkedIn and Glassdoor’s interview reviews section can also be helpful. For smaller companies, you might even try emailing the organization to ask who to address the letter to.
- Keep it professional: If your research turns up empty, address the letter to a job title rather than a person. For example, use “Dear Hiring Manager at [Company Name]” or simply “Dear [Department] Team.”
Is it okay to use “To whom it may concern,”?
If you can’t find a title, “To whom it may concern,” is acceptable. However, since most hiring is done by a hiring manager who works for the organization or a recruiting agency, “Dear Hiring Manager,” is also an appropriate fallback.
Addressing a Cover Letter with No Company Address
While it’s unlikely you will be mailing a paper copy of your cover letter these days, including the company address in your cover letter still adds value and a level of professionalism. But what if the company has multiple locations or is fully remote? When you can’t find a specific address, here are a few strategies:
- Double-check for an address online. You may not have found it immediately, but a deeper dive can sometimes uncover results. Check the company’s contact page or look for a Google My Business listing. You can also reach out to the company’s local Chamber of Commerce or the Department of Revenue for location details.
- Use the address of the company headquarters. It shows professionalism and effort and is better than leaving the address blank. This approach makes sense for remote work, and for larger organizations where applications are passed through an HR department.
- Use their P.O. box number. If you can’t find a headquarters address, using a P.O. box number is the next best thing. Like with a headquarters address, it shows you made an effort.
- Leave it blank: If all else fails, leave it blank. Going without an address on your cover letter is not a grievous mistake. Hiring managers usually have more important things to worry about.
Find More Hiring Blogs on the MyPath Resources Page
There’s always more you can learn to set yourself on the path to career success. Check out our blogs below for more hiring resources.
- Describing Yourself in an Interview
- Transferable Job Skills to Show on a Resume
- How to Tackle the "Strengths and Weaknesses" Interview Question Like a Pro