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How do you write a cover letter when the employers don't identify themselves.

by Jamie S
(Coal Township, PA, US)

I was recently laid off from my last job and I already have a good resume made and I know how to write a cover letter.


The problem is most of the job descriptions I've read online don't mention the name of the company or tell you who to make the cover letter to but most of these employers prefer you to add a cover letter with your resume.

I was reading where most employers don't like when you send a cover letter to "Whom it may concern" or "dear employer, sir or m'am".

How can you write a cover letter when you have no way of knowing who the employer is until they call you for an interview? If a company requests a cover letter with the resume shouldn't it be the employers responsibility to at least include in their "how to apply for this job" requirements to at least include a name of a person to write the cover letter to or at least the name of the company?

I guess I'm wondering if in these cases if it's OK to address your cover letter to "whom it may concern"?

ANSWER: Hi Jamie... You make some good points. Seems a bit of a Catch-22 to require you to get personal but then fail to provide the needed contact info. There's only so much you can do.

I'd probably go with an address slightly warmer than the old-fashioned "to whom it may concern". How about something like "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Recruiter"?

To your success,
Kathi

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