How do you address a cover letter when you don't know the hiring manager's name?

A bit of research may help you to find the name of the Hiring Manager. First check the company website. If that doesn’t provide the answer, go to LinkedIn. You can look up the name of the company and then select “people”. If that still doesn't work, do an advanced LinkedIn search providing the name of the company, and select “all filters”. On the right, you can choose “current company” and then add title “ hiring manager”. If all else fails, write: Dear (company name) Hiring Manager.

If you're unable to find the name of the hiring manager, use a professional salutation like "Dear Hiring Committee" or "Dear Hiring Panel." Avoid using old school greetings like like "To whom it may Concern" or "Dear Sir" or "Dear Madam."

Don't take a-one-size-fits-all approach to writing your cover letter. If you are responding to a detailed job posting, address the specifics noted in the ad. Think of a job posting as an employer's shopping list. What kind of skills, experience and education are they referencing as requirements? Address these specifics in your letter and include some of your noteworthy career achievements quantified by metrics. A customized cover letter can help you stand apart from your competition because most of your competitors are sending all employers the same letter. A cover letter that's specific increases your chances of receiving serious consideration for the position you are targeting.

Your cover letter is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd. If your cover letter could be written by anybody, for any position, it is not helping you. Remember that. Start with an engaging WOW first sentence, clearly drawing in the audience. The cover letter is where you can tell a story, showcasing both why you are great for this job, (and really think about how YOU are different from every other candidate) as well as your knowledge of the company you are applying to. Make it stand out. Don’t just say that you are excited to apply to a company that is in alignment with your values. Paint the picture.

A resume and cover letter are, in essence, marketing documents and just like any marketing campaign they should both display a consistent "brand". In other words, use the same same design format, colour, and font across your entire career portfolio - resume, cover letter, bio, reference page, and thank you letter.

If proofreading isn't one of your strengths, forward your resume and cover letter to someone else prior to submitting to an employer. Don't rely on automated systems to proofread especially when it's so easy to make one small mistake but still type an accurately spelled word. Examples: from / form, manage / mange

Sometimes, there is only the option for 1 attachment when applying to a job. No worries. Save your document as a pdf, with your cover letter as page 1 and your resume as pages 2 and 3. Never pass up on the opportunity to leave a great impression and stand out from the 100s of other applicants.

Sometimes the road less traveled can offer the greatest impact. For example, most recruiters no longer request a cover letter. This knowledge could be expressed from more than 1 perspective. Your time could be spent drafting a document that will have little to no views. You could also look at it as a place to shine since most people will decide not to do one. Either way, the point is to find ways to stand out that may not put you in the long line with other potential candidates. Cover letters can help you stand out or give you another way to share who you are and what you have to offer.

Consider this: -Don't write a cover letter. -They often do not get read. -Your time is much better used building relationships and earning referrals.