How to Address a Cover Letter When You Don't Know the Name (2026 Guide)

Why Your Cover Letter Greeting Actually Matters

I used to think the greeting on a cover letter didn't matter. "They'll skip right to the content, right?" Wrong. After reviewing hundreds of cover letters as a career coach, I can tell you that hiring managers notice the greeting—especially when it's lazy or outdated.

A personalized greeting shows you did your homework. A generic one suggests you mass-applied without care. Let me show you exactly how to get this right, even when you have no idea who's reading your letter.

The truth is, addressing your cover letter properly isn't about perfection. It's about showing effort and professionalism. And yes, there are smart ways to find the hiring manager's name when it's not obvious. For comprehensive job search strategies, see our career pitch mastery guide.

The Best Way to Address a Cover Letter in 2026

When You Know the Hiring Manager's Name

This is ideal. Use:

"Dear [First Name Last Name],"

Example:

• "Dear Sarah Martinez,"
• "Dear Dr. James Wilson," (if they have a doctorate)

NOT:

• "Dear Ms. Martinez," (assumes marital status—avoid unless you're 100% sure of preference)
• "Dear Sarah," (too casual for a first contact)

Why this works: It's professional, respectful, and gender-neutral. You don't need to guess pronouns or titles.

When You Don't Know the Hiring Manager's Name

Use one of these modern, professional alternatives:

Avoid these outdated options:

The safest, most versatile option in 2026? "Dear Hiring Manager." It's specific enough to feel intentional but broad enough to never be wrong.

How to Find the Hiring Manager's Name (Detective Strategies)

You shouldn't spend hours hunting for a name, but a quick 5-10 minute search can pay off. Here's my process:

Strategy 1: Check the Job Posting Carefully

Sometimes the hiring manager's name is right there in the job description. Look for:

If it's there, use it. Easy win.

Strategy 2: LinkedIn Sleuthing

This is my go-to method:

1. Go to the company's LinkedIn page
2. Click "People" in the left sidebar
3. Use the search filters to narrow by department (e.g., "Marketing," "Engineering")
4. Look for titles like "Hiring Manager," "Recruiter," "[Department] Manager," or "VP of [Department]"

If you find someone who looks like they'd hire for this role, use their name. Even if it's not 100% accurate, it shows initiative.

Strategy 3: Company Website Investigation

Check:

If the company has a small team (less than 50 people), you can often find the exact person responsible for hiring.

Strategy 4: The Direct Call or Email

This is bold but effective:

Call the company's main line:

"Hi, I'm applying for the [Job Title] position posted on [Platform]. Could you tell me who the hiring manager is for that role? I want to address my cover letter properly."

Most receptionists will either give you the name or transfer you to HR. Be polite, brief, and professional.

Email the general HR address:

"Subject: Hiring Manager for [Job Title] Position

Hi,

I'm applying for the [Job Title] role and would like to address my cover letter appropriately. Could you please share the name of the hiring manager for this position?

Thank you!

[Your Name]"

Strategy 5: When to Stop Searching

If you've spent 10 minutes and haven't found a name, stop. Your time is better spent on the content of your cover letter. Use "Dear Hiring Manager" and move on.

Hiring managers care far more about the substance of your letter than whether you found their name.

Industry-Specific Cover Letter Greetings

Tech Startups and Casual Companies

For companies with casual cultures (check the job posting tone, Glassdoor reviews, or website language), you can use:

• "Hi [First Name],"
• "Hello [Team Name] Team,"

Example:

"Hi Jordan,

I'm excited to apply for the Full-Stack Developer role at [Startup]. I've been following your work on [Product] since your Series A announcement..."

This works for companies like Spotify, Airbnb, or small tech startups where "Dear" feels too formal.

Traditional Industries (Finance, Law, Healthcare)

Stick with formal greetings:

• "Dear [First Name Last Name],"
• "Dear Hiring Manager,"

Example:

"Dear Dr. Rebecca Lawson,

I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Financial Analyst position at Goldman Sachs..."

When in doubt, err on the side of formality. You can't go wrong being slightly too professional.

Academic and Research Positions

Use titles if applicable:

• "Dear Dr. [Last Name]," (if they have a Ph.D.)
• "Dear Professor [Last Name]," (if they're faculty)
• "Dear Search Committee," (if it's a faculty search)

Example:

"Dear Dr. Martinez,

I am applying for the Assistant Professor position in the Department of Environmental Science..."

Academic job searches are formal. When in doubt, use titles.

Common Cover Letter Addressing Mistakes

Mistake 1: Misspelling the Hiring Manager's Name

If you use a name, triple-check the spelling. A misspelled name is worse than no name at all.

Wrong:

"Dear Sarah Martines," (when it's Martinez)

This tells the hiring manager you didn't care enough to get it right. If you're unsure of spelling, default to "Dear Hiring Manager."

Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Gender Title

Avoid assumptions:

Instead, use the full name with no title:

This is respectful, modern, and avoids embarrassing mistakes.

Mistake 3: Being Too Casual

Even at startups, your first contact should be professional. Avoid:

You can be warm and personable without being overly casual. Save the "Hey!" for after you're hired.

Mistake 4: Addressing It to the CEO

Unless the CEO explicitly posted the job or it's a 5-person startup, don't address your cover letter to the CEO. It suggests you didn't research who actually handles hiring.

Instead:

For more tips on tailoring your application, read our guide on writing your first job resume as a new graduate.

What If You Address It to the Wrong Person?

Relax. It happens. Here's the reality:

If you address it to someone in the general ballpark (same department, same company), it's fine. Your cover letter will get forwarded to the right person.

If you address it to someone completely unrelated (wrong company, wrong role), that's a problem. This suggests you copied and pasted without proofreading—an instant rejection.

The safest move: When in doubt, use "Dear Hiring Manager." It's impossible to get wrong.

Should You Ever Skip the Greeting Entirely?

In some online application systems, your cover letter is pasted into a text box with no formatting. In these cases:

Example (for text-box applications):

"I'm applying for the Digital Marketing Manager role at [Company]. With 5 years of experience leading content strategies that increased organic traffic by 200%, I'm confident I can drive measurable growth for your team..."

No "Dear Hiring Manager" needed. Just jump in. The system is designed for this.

Formatting Your Cover Letter Greeting

Proper Format

[Your Name]
[Your Contact Info]
[Date]

[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address] (optional in 2026)

Dear [Name],

[Opening paragraph...]

Simplified Modern Format (Recommended)

[Your Name]
[Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn]

[Date]

Dear [Name] / Dear Hiring Manager,

[Opening paragraph...]

Most cover letters in 2026 skip the full company address block. It's cleaner and takes up less space.

Advanced Tips: When You Have Multiple Hiring Contacts

Sometimes a job posting lists multiple contacts (e.g., a recruiter AND a hiring manager). In this case:

Option 1: Address it to the more senior person (hiring manager over recruiter).

Example:

"Dear Jordan Lee," (Hiring Manager)

Option 2: Address it to both:

"Dear Jordan Lee and Alex Martinez,"

Option 3: Use a neutral greeting and mention both in the opening line:

"Dear Hiring Team,

I'm writing to express my interest in the Marketing Manager role, as posted by Jordan Lee and Alex Martinez on LinkedIn..."

All three work. Pick whichever feels most natural.

International Cover Letters: Cultural Considerations

If you're applying to companies outside your home country, greetings vary:

United States / Canada: "Dear [First Name Last Name]," or "Dear Hiring Manager,"

United Kingdom / Australia: Similar to US, but slightly more formal. "Dear Mr/Ms [Last Name]," is still common, especially in traditional industries.

Germany / Austria: Very formal. Use "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren," (Dear Sir or Madam) if you don't know the name, or "Sehr geehrte/r Herr/Frau [Last Name]," if you do.

Japan: Extremely formal. Research cultural norms or consult a native speaker. Greetings in Japanese business letters follow strict conventions.

General rule: When applying internationally, research the country's business etiquette. A quick Google search ("cover letter greeting in [Country]") will save you from embarrassing mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to address a cover letter when you don't know the name?

Use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Department] Team" (e.g., "Dear Marketing Team"). These are professional, specific, and widely accepted in 2026. Avoid outdated phrases like "To Whom It May Concern."

Is it OK to use "To Whom It May Concern" in a cover letter?

No. "To Whom It May Concern" is outdated and impersonal. Use "Dear Hiring Manager" or research the hiring manager's name instead for a more modern, professional approach.

Should I use "Dear Sir or Madam" on a cover letter?

Avoid "Dear Sir or Madam"—it's formal to the point of being stiff and assumes a gender binary. Use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Team Name] Team" instead.

How do I find the hiring manager's name for my cover letter?

Check the job posting, search LinkedIn for the department head, look at the company's About/Team page, or call the company's main line and politely ask. If you can't find it after 10 minutes of searching, use "Dear Hiring Manager."

Can I start a cover letter with "Hi" or "Hello"?

Only for startups or very casual company cultures (check the job posting tone). For most traditional industries, stick with "Dear [Name]" or "Dear Hiring Manager" for professionalism.

What if I address my cover letter to the wrong person?

It's better to address it to a specific person (even if slightly wrong) than to use a generic greeting. If you're unsure, default to "Dear Hiring Manager"—it's safe and professional.

Final Thoughts

Addressing your cover letter properly is easier than you think. If you know the hiring manager's name, use it. If you don't, "Dear Hiring Manager" is your fail-safe option.

Spend 5-10 minutes trying to find the name using LinkedIn, the company website, or a quick call. If you come up empty, don't stress. Move on and focus on writing a killer opening paragraph that grabs attention.

Remember: hiring managers care far more about the substance of your cover letter than the greeting. Get the greeting right, then nail the content. That's what gets you the interview.

Now go address that cover letter and hit send.