Cover letter salutations

Not sure how to open your cover letter? Each guide below covers one greeting — when it works, when to avoid it, and what to write instead of a generic line.

• "Dear Recruitment Manager" — Correct, but Rarely the Best Choice

  Correct grammar, uncommon in U.S. hiring — prefer a name.

• "Dear Human Resources" — Department vs Decision-Maker

  Fine for HR-led process — weak for selling your candidacy.

• "Dear Recruiter" — When the Recruiter Owns the Thread

  Use when a named recruiter owns the posting — not as a default.

• "Hello Hiring Manager" — Casual Tone, Limited Use

  Too casual for most roles — stick with Dear.

• "Dear Recruitment Team" — Team Salutations Explained

  OK for portal-only apps — add a named outreach when possible.

• "Dear Hiring Personnel" — Dated Wording

  Avoid — use Dear Hiring Manager or a name.

• "Dear Sir or Madam" — Outdated for Most U.S. Jobs

  Outdated in U.S. corporate hiring — use Dear Hiring Manager.

• "Dear Hiring Committee" — For Academic Searches

  Standard in academia — wrong for most industry jobs.

• "Attn: Hiring Manager" — Routing Line, Not a Greeting

  Use Attn: for routing — Dear for the actual greeting.