Cover Letter Salutation: 10+ Examples Of Greetings - Resume Genius

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How to Write a Cover Letter Salutation: With Greeting Examples

Written By Leora Joy JonesCareer Expert & Content Writer+1 more

Reviewed By Samuel JohnsSenior Content Editor & Certified Professional Resume Writer

Leora Joy Jones

Career Expert & Content Writer

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You want to start your cover letter with a professional salutation. We’ll show you how to make a good first impression by correctly addressing the hiring manager in your cover letter salutation.

Build My Cover Letter NowNovember 27, 2024 An image showing the salutation on a cover letter

Table of Contents Table of Contents

How to Write a Cover Letter Salutation: With Greeting Examples
- 1. Use a header
- 2. Choose the best salutation
- Cover letter greeting template
- Salutations to avoid

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A thoughtful opening sets the tone of your cover letter, so it’s important to consider how to make a great first impression with your cover letter’s salutation.

We’ll show you the specifics plus several cover letter greeting examples so you start your own letter off smoothly.

Build My Cover LetterOur cover letter builder can make you a cover letter in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.

Your header is where you add your name, job title you’re applying for, and your personal information so the hiring manager can easily contact you. Check to make sure all of the information above your salutation is correct and follows the proper cover letter format, as in this example:

Lily PerezCreative Copywriter(235) 799-8465 | Chicago, [email protected] | linkedin/lily_perez_______________________________________________

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If you’re not sure how to format your cover letter, take a look at our wide range of cover letter samples.

2. Choose the best salutation for the hiring manager

Leave a blank space above and below the salutation, separating it from the header and the body of the letter.

The most professional salutation for every cover letter is “Dear.” Even an email cover letter should start with “Dear.”

Here’s how you should address the hiring manager in any situation:

When you don’t know the hiring manager’s name

If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, try looking on the company website, LinkedIn, or Google.

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, you can still write an effective salutation for your cover letter. Use information that is specific to the job opening to address your cover letter without a name, such as job title and department:

Dear Client Services Manager,
Dear Vice President of Business Development,
Dear Sales & Marketing Director,
Dear Hiring Manager,
Dear Human Resources Team,

When you know the hiring manager’s name

Using the hiring manager’s name in your cover letter salutation increases your chances of being invited for an interview, because it shows them you took the time to find their name.

You can use their full name, otherwise use Mr. or Ms. unless the job posting or company website shows another preference. Some hiring managers may use Mx. as a gender-neutral title, so be sure to follow their preferences if stated.

Dear Mr. Tsai,
Dear Ms. Rodriguez,
Dear Eli Watson,
Dear Mx. Sanders,

Finally, if the hiring manager has an academic or professional title, use this in your cover letter greeting to show you’ve done your research:

Dear Dr. Al-Bassam,
Dear Lieutenant Pritchard,
Dear Professor Lin,
Dear Assoc. Prof. Barker,
Dear Pres. Jardyn,

When their gender is unknown

While it’s best to use titles in your cover letter salutation, gender-ambiguous names (such as Kerry) make this difficult. In these cases, your salutation should include their full name:

Dear Cameron Hill,
Dear Jay MacBride,
Dear Taylor O’Malley,
Dear Blake Liverly,

Regardless of gender, never address a hiring manager by their first name only — unless you already know the person. Unless your cover letter is written to fill an internal position “Dear Jeff” may be seen as disrespectful.

Cover letter greeting template

Here is a copy-and-paste cover letter greeting you can paste into your own word processor.

Lily PerezCreative Copywriter(235) 799-8465 | Chicago, [email protected] | linkedin/lily_perez_______________________________________________

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]

(xxx) xxx-xxxx

[email protected]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Last Name],

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Cover letter salutations to avoid

There are certain cover letter greetings you should avoid because they’re too old-fashioned, impersonal, or casual.

Dear Sir or Madam,
To Whom it May Concern,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Hey/Hello,
Greetings,

Don’t forget to end your cover letter professionally. Write “Sincerely,” followed by a blank line, and then your name.

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Written by

Leora Joy Jones

Leora Joy Jones is a multidisciplinary creative who writes career content for job seekers. She is passionate about empowering people to invest in personal development. From recent graduates to career changers to DIY freelancers, she aims to cheerlead her readers to make informed choices. Born in the USA and raised in South Africa, Leora now lives and works in Taiwan. She has a BFA in Fine Arts, an MA in Art Curation, and over 10 years experience writing and editing words on many topics. Connect with her on LinkedIn.