“To Whom It May Concern” Is Out: Here’s What to Say Instead

“To Whom It May Concern” was once considered a formal way to address your cover letter, but today it comes across as outdated and impersonal.

In an era where a few minutes of research can usually reveal the name of the hiring manager or at least the right department, defaulting to “To Whom It May Concern” can make your application feel generic — and miss a valuable opportunity to connect with the reader.

Here are six professional alternatives you should be using instead:

6 ways to open your cover letter that aren’t “To Whom It May Concern”

Skip the generic greeting. These six alternatives show hiring managers you did your homework.

1. Dear/Hello [Full Name],

This is the gold standard for addressing a cover letter when you know the hiring manager’s name.

If the job posting lists a contact name or if you can find the hiring manager through the company’s website or LinkedIn, this is the greeting to use. “Dear Jordan Smith,” or “Hello Jordan Smith,” feels professional, direct, and immediately shows that you took the time to tailor your application.

2. Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs./Miss] [Last Name],

This slightly more formal variation is a safe, respectful choice, especially if you work in a more traditional industry.

For example, “Dear Mr. Johnson,” or “Dear Ms. Patel,” works well when you know the person’s last name but want to maintain a polished tone.

Just be sure to use the correct title, and when in doubt, default to Ms. rather than assuming Mrs. or Miss. Avoid using gendered titles altogether if you’re unsure of the person’s preferences, but otherwise this format shows professionalism and courtesy.

3. Dear [Job Title],

If you can’t find the right name, you can also refer to the reader by their job title:

Dear Office Manager,

This approach is professional and direct but still feels more tailored than a generic greeting. It shows that you’ve taken the time to consider who’s likely to be reading your application, even if you can’t track down their name.

4. Dear [Department] Head/Team,

If you’re unable to find a specific name but know which department the role falls under, you can address your cover letter to the department head or team:

Dear Accounting Department Head,

Dear Marketing Team,

This greeting shows that you’ve at least narrowed your focus and made an effort to address the right part of the organization. It’s more specific than “To Whom It May Concern” and signals that you understand the company’s structure and who might be making the hiring decision.

5. Dear Hiring Manager,

Sometimes you won’t be able to find any details about the hiring team online. In these cases, “Dear Hiring Manager,” is a safe and professional fallback.

6. Dear [Company or Department] Hiring Team,

When you want to keep your greeting professional but slightly more personable, addressing the collective hiring team can be a great choice:

Dear SEO Hiring Team,

Dear ABC Company Hiring Team,

This greeting acknowledges that multiple people may be involved in the hiring process. It’s especially useful when applying to larger organizations or departments where hiring decisions are often made collaboratively.