Your cover letter's opening line tells a hiring manager a lot about the effort behind your application.
If it starts with "Dear Sir or Madam," that first impression may already be working against you.
Here's what to write instead, with examples of what works and what doesn't.
Should I use "Dear Sir or Madam" on my cover letter?
No. "Dear Sir or Madam" is widely considered outdated in modern job applications.
It signals that you haven't researched who you're writing to, which can make your cover letter feel generic before a hiring manager has read a single sentence about you.
There are better options available in almost every situation.
The phrase has roots in formal letter-writing conventions that go back centuries.
In today's job market, where candidates are expected to show genuine interest in a role and the company behind it, a catch-all greeting works against you.
It also assumes gender in a way that many readers find exclusionary, and that alone is reason enough to retire it.
Here is how the same opening reads with and without it:
What not to write
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position advertised on your website.
What to write instead
Dear Ms. Carter,
I am writing to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position at Bright & Co. I'm particularly drawn to the company's recent work in sustainable packaging.
The second version takes up the same space and it shows you did your homework.
What are some alternatives to "Dear Sir or Madam"?
The best alternatives are specific, targeted, and gender-neutral.
If you know the hiring manager's name, use it.
If you don't, address the role, team, or department instead.
The table below covers the most common situations you'll face when addressing a cover letter.
| Situation | Recommended greeting |
|---|---|
| You know the hiring manager's name | Dear [First Name Last Name] |
| You know their title but not their name | Dear Hiring Manager |
| Applying to a specific team | Dear [Department] Hiring Team |
| You know the job title of your reviewer | Dear [Job Title] |
| Addressing a search committee | Dear Search Committee |
| No information available | Dear Hiring Manager |
"Dear Hiring Manager" is the most reliable fallback, as it is direct, gender-neutral, and clearly aimed at the right person.
Avoid "To Whom It May Concern" on a cover letter, it carries the same catch-all quality as "Dear Sir or Madam" and implies your letter could go to anyone.
Both are worth leaving behind.
What can I say instead of "Dear Sir or Madam" when you know the role?
When you know the role or department but not the hiring manager's name, address the function rather than a generic person.
This shows you understand the structure of the company and where your application is headed.
Some practical options:
- Dear Marketing Hiring Manager
- Dear Engineering Hiring Team
- Dear Human Resources Department
- Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team
- Dear Search Committee
These work particularly well when applying to larger organizations where your application may pass through several people.
They are specific enough to feel considered without crossing into informality.
Pair one with a strong opening line that shows you understand the role, and the salutation becomes part of a cohesive, well-researched first impression rather than just a formality.
Failure to tailor a job application to the specific hiring circumstance is a leading reason for recruiters to eliminate you from the candidate pool. Yet, 54% of job applicants do not customize their resume, or presumably their cover letter either.
How do I start a letter without using "Dear"?
"Dear" remains the standard opening for a cover letter, and in most cases it is the right choice.
Some industries and company cultures, however, accept a slightly less formal approach.
If you are applying to a creative agency, a startup, or a company whose job posting itself uses a casual tone, these alternatives are reasonable:
- Hello [First Name Last Name]
- Hi [First Name] (only where the company's own communications clearly support this)
- Good morning [Hiring Manager's Name]
The job posting is your best guide.
If it is warm and conversational, a lighter greeting may work in your favor.
But if it is structured and formal, stay with "Dear."
When in doubt, formality is the safer direction because a hiring manager will never reject an application for being too polished.
One thing to avoid entirely is dropping the greeting altogether and opening straight with your first sentence.
This format reads as incomplete and creates a poor impression before the hiring manager has reached your actual content.
How to start a cover letter without a name
Not having a name is common, and it is not a reason to fall back on "Dear Sir or Madam."
A targeted greeting based on role or team will always read better than a vague one, even when a name is unavailable.
Your best options:
- Dear Hiring Manager (strongest all-purpose choice)
- Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team
- Dear [Department] Team
- Dear Recruiter
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee
Where possible, make the greeting specific to the role.
"Dear Software Engineering Hiring Team" reads more deliberately than "Dear Hiring Team" alone.
It tells the reader that you know where your application is going, which matters when hiring managers are moving quickly through a pile of submissions.
How do I find a hiring manager's name?
Finding the right name takes a few minutes, but the effort pays off.
Research shows that 26% of hiring managers say being addressed by name makes a meaningful difference to how they receive an application.
Here is where to look:
- The job posting itself: Some listings name the contact person directly, either in the body of the ad or within the application instructions. Read the full posting before looking elsewhere.
- LinkedIn: Search the company name and filter by department or role. Look for people with titles like "Talent Acquisition," "HR Manager," or the name of the team you are applying to join.
- The company website: The "About," "Team," or "Contact" pages often list department heads and HR contacts by name.
- Call the company: It is entirely reasonable to contact the main line and ask who cover letters for a specific role should be addressed to. Most receptionists are happy to help.
If you have tried all of the above and still cannot find a name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is the right call.
A well-written letter addressed to a hiring manager will always outperform a poorly written one that happens to have a name at the top.
The same care that goes into your salutation should run through how you start your cover letter and how you structure it overall; both shape the impression your application makes before an interview is even considered.
Key takeaways
- "Dear Sir or Madam" is outdated, assumes gender, and signals a lack of research. Avoid it on cover letters.
- If you know the hiring manager's name, use it. "Dear [First Name Last Name]" is always the strongest opening.
- When a name is unavailable, "Dear Hiring Manager" is the right fallback, specific, neutral, and widely accepted.
- Role or department-based greetings such as "Dear Engineering Hiring Team" work well when applying to larger organizations.
- "To Whom It May Concern" is not an upgrade. It carries the same impersonal quality and belongs in general correspondence, not job applications.
- LinkedIn, the company website, and a quick phone call are the fastest ways to find a hiring manager's name before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
The FAQs below answers the most common questions about cover letter salutations.
Is "Dear Sir or Madam" ever acceptable on a cover letter?
Rarely. In almost every situation, a more specific alternative exists.
"Dear Hiring Manager" is the right fallback when a name cannot be found, and role or department-based greetings work well for larger organizations.
The phrase is best avoided in modern job applications.
Is "To Whom It May Concern" better than "Dear Sir or Madam"?
No. Both signal a lack of research and neither is suited to a cover letter.
"To Whom It May Concern" belongs in general correspondence, reference letters or formal complaints, where a specific recipient genuinely cannot be identified.
On a cover letter, "Dear Hiring Manager" is the appropriate choice.
Should I use the hiring manager's first name or full name?
Use their full name when the formality level is unclear: "Dear Jordan Smith."
In a clearly casual company culture, first name alone works: "Dear Jordan."
The full name is always appropriate and is the safer choice when you are unsure.
