What is the “To Whom It May Concern” Salutation?

"To whom it may concern" is a common salutation used in cover letters when you do not have the contact name for the hiring manager or recruiter. It is a formal way to address your letter to an unnamed recipient at the company.

The salutation “To whom it may concern” indicates that your letter is intended for anyone involved in the hiring process. This makes it more flexible if multiple people will review applications.

When to Use It

There are a few situations when using “To whom it may concern” is appropriate in a cover letter:

• The job listing does not specify a contact name. This is often the case for online job board postings.
• You contacted the company but could not get the name of the hiring manager.
• It is an unsolicited application. You found an interesting opening on the company website without a contact name.
• You will submit the application via a general email like info@company.com.
• You will mail or drop off your application on-site without knowing who will receive it.

Examples of Using “To Whom It May Concern”

Here are two examples of how to effectively use this salutation in a cover letter:

Example 1:

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my interest in the Social Media Manager role at XYZ Company. I learned of this opportunity through your careers page listing on LinkedIn. Based on my 5 years of social media marketing experience, I believe I am a competitive applicant for this position.

Example 2:

To whom it may concern,

Please accept my application for the open Assistant Project Manager position at 123 Industries, which I discovered on your company website. With over 7 years of experience managing large-scale construction projects, I am confident in my ability to fulfill the requirements of this role.

Alternatives to “To Whom It May Concern”

If possible, try to avoid vague salutations and use a specific person’s name instead. Here are some alternatives if you have the hiring manager's name:

• Dear [Full Name],
• Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
• Hello [First Name],

If you only have general contact info, use a role title:

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear Recruiting Team,
• Hello Talent Acquisition Specialist,

When Not to Use This Salutation

Avoid using “To whom it may concern” in these cases:

• You are contacting someone you have already been in touch with at the company. Use their name.
• It is an internal application for a promotion or transfer within your current company. Address it to the proper person in HR/management.
• The job posting or website provides a contact name. Reach out to them directly.
• The company website says not to use “To whom it may concern.” Follow their guidelines.
• You are sending a follow-up letter after an interview. Use the interviewer’s name.

FAQs

Is it unprofessional to use “To whom it may concern”?

It is not necessarily unprofessional, but it can denote that you did not go the extra mile to find a direct contact. Use it judiciously when you have no other option.

What if I send my application to info@company.com?

Address it to “Dear Hiring Team” rather than “To whom it may concern” to show you researched their domain name.

Can I just leave out the salutation entirely?

It is better to include a salutation whenever possible. If unknown, write “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Hello Recruiter” rather than no salutation.

Conclusion

The salutation “To whom it may concern” still has its place in modern cover letters when a specific contact is truly unavailable. Use your best judgment and only default to this option after attempting to find the hiring manager’s name. Whenever possible, personalize your letter by addressing the appropriate person directly.