How to Address a Female Whose Name Is Unknown in a Resume Letter

Always include a cover letter with your resume unless instructed otherwise.

Whether you get selected for a job interview depends heavily on how the recruiter perceives you based on your cover letter and resume. Mistakes on a cover letter often disqualify you from consideration. You must be careful when addressing someone whose name you don't know when writing a cover letter. The job advertisement or referral may help you find the name of the person to whom you send your information. If this is not the case, you must beware of using an incorrect salutation on your cover letter or you may insult the recruiter and not receive a call for an interview.

Instructions

1. Research the company to which you are sending your cover letter and resume. Not only does this help you personalize your cover letter and resume to the company's needs, but it also may reveal the name of your desired contact.

2. Contact the company, if you know the phone number, and ask for the name of the woman to whom you are sending your information. Use a formal salutation with the woman's full name when addressing this person, such as "Dear Ms. Jones." Use "Ms." as the courtesy title unless you know the woman prefers something else.

3. Generalize your greeting if you are unable to determine the female's name to whom you need to send your resume and cover letter. Salutations such as "To whom it may concern" and "Dear Hiring Manager" are acceptable.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use "Dear Madam" as it is outdated and may be found offensive. Using "Miss" or "Mrs." without knowing the name or marital status of the recipient is also inappropriate.

References

• Monster; The Cover Letter Basics; excerpted from "Your Next Move: Success Strategies for Midcareer Professionals"; Dan Finnigan and Marc Karasu; 2005
• Colorado State University: Writing@CSU; The Salutation

Resources

• Monster: Four Cover Letter Flubs to Avoid; Caroline Levchuck