How to address a cover letter (when you don't know the name)
The hierarchy of greetings, from 'Dear Priya' to 'Dear Northwind team' — and what to always avoid.
3 min read Updated November 1, 2025
Getting the greeting right is small and free — and getting it wrong signals you didn't bother.
The hierarchy
- Best: 'Dear Priya Sharma,' — a named recipient.
- Next: 'Dear Hiring Manager,' — when you truly can't find a name.
- Also fine: 'Dear Northwind team,' — for startup/founder roles.
- Never: 'To Whom It May Concern' or 'Dear Sir or Madam'.
How to find the name
Search LinkedIn for 'Head of [department] at [company]'. Check the job posting for a listed contact. If the company is small, guess the founder or team lead — being wrong is fine, being lazy isn't.
FAQ
Should I address 'Ms.' or 'Mr.'?
Skip titles entirely — first + last name is safest. Avoids all gender assumption issues.
Put this into practice.
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