๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ โ๐๐จ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐งโ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ?
It gets thrown into the dumpster or File 13!
โก๏ธ Cover letters addressed โ๐๐จ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐งโ are still making the rounds in job search circles, at a time when the availability of social media tools like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are making it easier to find the names of people inside a company.
โก๏ธ Now, in job search land, we know that some employers and recruiters are ambivalent about cover letters. Some want to see them; others donโt. But, if you are submitting one with your application (highly recommended), make sure itโs properly written and free from archaic or old-fashioned language.
โก๏ธ One executive I worked with sent his original set of documents to me. His cover letter was addressed as “To Whom It May Concern”. He told me he had not searched for a job in 19 years, so he wasnโt up to speed on the โunwritten rulesโ.
โก๏ธ A cover letter addressed as โTo Whom It May Concernโ, might very well not concern anyone, and gets deleted, ignored or sent to File 13.
โก๏ธ Addressing your cover letter in this manner could give the impression you are lazy, and did not take the time to conduct a brief research to find the name and title of the hiring manager.
โก๏ธ If a name is not given in the job posting, and you have tried to obtain a name without success, you may address the letter using one of these options: Dear Hiring Manager, Dear Search Committee, Dear Human Resources Officer, or Director of (fill in appropriate department or title).
โก๏ธ It is expected that you will address the letter to a specific person, most likely the individual who will make the hiring decision. People like to see their name in print, so when a name is included, they’ll be more inclined to open the letter.
โก๏ธ Third, companies are like people. They want to feel that they are special; that you spent time finding out who they are, where they are located and who should receive your application.
Use the above as a guide since they are not etched in stone.
And, by the way, “Dear Sir / Madam” is not a substitute for “To Whom It May Concern.
