Quick answer
'Dear Human Resources' addresses the HR department as a whole rather than a specific person. It is grammatically correct but impersonal — similar to writing 'Dear Accounting Department' on an invoice. Use it only when the application instructions explicitly direct correspondence to HR with no named contact. In most cases, 'Dear Human Resources Manager,' 'Dear HR Manager,' or the recruiter's actual name is stronger. HR teams route applications internally; a department-level salutation gives no one individual ownership of your file.
When “Dear Human Resources” is acceptable
Use when the job posting says 'submit to Human Resources,' the company is a small organization without dedicated recruiters, or you are applying for an internal HR-adjacent role where HR genuinely owns the decision. Government and public-sector applications sometimes require addressing HR formally.
When to avoid this salutation
Skip when a recruiter or hiring manager is identifiable — which is the case for most corporate postings. Also avoid in direct emails; HR@company.com inboxes are often unmonitored or auto-sorted. 'Dear Human Resources' in a cold email to a hiring manager's team shows you sent it to the wrong place.
Why addressing someone by name works better
HR shared inboxes receive hundreds of identical 'Dear Human Resources' letters. Individual recruiters triage their own req queues — when you name them, your application lands in their mental stack instead of a generic folder. Hiring managers almost never read letters addressed to 'Human Resources' because those letters were not written for them. If your goal is to reach the decision-maker, the salutation must reflect that intent from the first word.
How to find the recipient's name
Find the HR business partner for the department
At larger companies, HR Business Partners (HRBPs) support specific departments. Search LinkedIn for '[Company] HR Business Partner [Department]' to find the person who liaises with the team that is hiring.
Check the application confirmation email
Portal confirmations often come from a named recruiter or HR coordinator. That name belongs in your cover letter salutation — not a department label.
Identify the hiring manager for direct outreach
If HR is just processing paperwork, go around the queue. DearHiringManager.io maps job URLs to the likely hiring manager so you can address the person who actually needs the role filled.
Example openings for your cover letter
Dear Human Resources,
Please accept my application for the Administrative Assistant position (Ref: AA-2026-04). I have five years of executive support experience in professional services and hold advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 and Salesforce.Dear Rachel Kim,
I am applying for the People Operations Specialist role listed on your careers site. My SHRM-CP certification and experience implementing BambooHR at a 300-person startup align with the responsibilities you described.FAQ
Is 'Dear HR' acceptable?
'Dear HR' is informal and best avoided in cover letters. 'Dear Human Resources' or 'Dear HR Manager' maintains professional tone. Naming a person is always preferred.
Should I send my cover letter to hr@company.com?
Only if the posting instructs you to. Otherwise, use the application portal or email the identified recruiter or hiring manager directly.
Do HR staff forward letters to hiring managers?
They may attach your cover letter to the ATS record, but hiring managers often review resumes without reading cover letters. Direct outreach to the hiring manager is more reliable for getting your pitch read.
What about 'Dear Human Resources Department'?
It is redundant — 'Dear Human Resources' already implies the department. Keep the salutation concise.
Related cover letter guides
- Dear HR Manager in a cover letter
- Dear Recruiting Manager in a cover letter
- Dear Hiring Manager in a cover letter
- To Whom It May Concern in a cover letter
- Dear Recruitment Manager in a cover letter
- No name available in a cover letter
- Unknown recipient name in a cover letter
- Dear Talent Acquisition in a cover letter
From our job search guides
- How to Find an HR Email Address at Any Company
- How to Find an HR Email Address on LinkedIn (3 Methods)
- How to Find Any Hiring Manager's Email Address (In 60 Seconds)
Already applied and heard nothing back? See our follow-up guide after applying.
Try it free — 1 lookup per day
Paste any job URL on DearHiringManager.io to find the hiring manager's name and verified work email — so your next cover letter opens with a real name instead of a generic greeting.