should an email cover letter have address

How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024

Yes, how you address your cover letter matters.

After all, this is the first thing the recruiter reads when going through your cover letter, and yes, there is a right and wrong way to do it.

In this article, we’re going to teach you how to address your cover letter in such a way that you leave a positive impression on any recruiter!

• How to address a cover letter to a recruiter? (Casual or formal)
• What title to use when addressing the hiring manager
• How to address a cover letter without a contact person/to a company
• How to address a cover letter without an address
• How to address a cover letter in an email

How to Address a Cover Letter To a Recruiter (Casual or Formal)?

As we already mentioned, the way you address your cover letter is important because it is the very first thing recruiters see upon opening your cover letter. 

A well-formulated cover letter address means that you care enough to research the company (i.e. to find the hiring manager’s name and title) and that you show attention to detail. 

As such, you should always put some research into who you’re addressing your cover letter to and do so in a formal way.  

And yes, the formal part is important too. The recruiter isn’t your best friend - you want to maintain a sense of professionalism.

If this is how you address the recruiter in your cover letter:

• What’s up Hiring Manager
• Hi there Hiring Team

Then you say goodbye to the job.

Now, you’re probably wondering, how can I find out whom to address my cover letter to?

That’s what we’re about to teach you:

Who Am I Addressing My Cover Letter To?

Here are some tricks to find the full name of the hiring manager: 

• Check the job listing. The job listing may have information about the recruiter or the department doing the hiring. Make sure to read through the entire job listing, as it might not be at an entirely obvious place.
• Check the company website. Some websites feature the names of the hiring managers or heads of departments that may go through your cover letter. Alternatively, LinkedIn is another place where you can look for this information.
• Check the company’s LinkedIn. You can look up who works in the company you’re applying for on their LinkedIn page.
• Ask around. Do you have friends that work for the company? They could provide you with valuable inside info.

To avoid making a bad impression, head over to our guide on cover letter mistakes to learn about what NOT to do when writing your cover letter.  

Addressing a Cover Letter With a Name

By now, you have probably found the hiring manager’s full name and gender. With this information available, it’s best to address the hiring manager formally, as follows: 

• Dear Mr. Brown,
• Dear Miss Fitzpatrick,
• Dear Mrs. Lockhart,
• Dear Ms. Walters,

If, for some reason, you are unsure about the person’s title, gender, marital status, or preferred pronouns, just address them using their entire name to avoid any mistakes. For example:

• Dear Alex Brown, 
• Dear Blair Fitzpatrick,
• Dear Jesse Lockhart,
• Dear Madison Walters,

Addressing someone with a title 

Now, if you found out that the hiring manager has a professional or academic title, then it’s more appropriate to address them using that title. If, for example, the hiring manager has a Ph.D., then it’s more respectful to address them as “Dr. Last Name,” instead of “Mr. Last Name.”  

Here are some professional titles and how they’re abbreviated: 

• A professor is Prof. 
• A reverend is Rev. 
• A sergeant is Sgt. 
• Honorable is Hon. 

If, however, you are uncertain about how a title is abbreviated, then avoid it altogether. 

Here are a few examples to give you an idea: 

• Dear Prof. Welsch,
• Dear Director Smith,
• Dear Rev. Owen,

Dear Dr. Leonard,

When addressing women and you don’t know their marital status, always go with Ms., because it doesn’t comment on marital status. Some women prefer not to be addressed with Miss or Mrs. even when they’re married, so sticking with Ms. is the best choice. 

Want to learn more cover letter tips ? Our guide has all you need to ace your cover letter!  

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

It might happen that, no matter how hard you search, you can’t find the name of the hiring manager or department head that will read your cover letter.

In that case, you can address your cover letter to the department, faculty, or the company.

• Dear Software Development Hiring Team,
• Dear Customer Service Department Hiring Team,
• Dear Head of the Literature Faculty,
• Dear Director of Marketing,
• Dear Human Resources Recruitment Team,

Alternatively, if you don’t have enough information either about the department or the team, you can opt for addressing the cover letter directly to the company’s hiring staff, as follows: 

Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team 

Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Staff

If all else fails (meaning, you don’t know the name of the department head or even the exact department, in addition to the recruiter) then you can use one of the good, old-fashioned:

Dear Hiring Manager,

...but NOT the impersonal and way outdated “To whom it may concern” and “Dear Sir/Madam.” 

Starting a cover letter can be challenging. Our guide can show you how to start a cover letter that will get you results from the get-go. 

How to Format the Company’s Address

Before you reach the salutation, you have to make sure that the header with the recipient’s contact information is formatted correctly. 

It might not be the deciding point of whether you’ll secure an interview or not, but it will cost you points if it’s off. 

So, the first thing you want to do is add your name and surname on the upper left side of the cover letter. Underneath, you should write your professional title (if applicable), your email , and your phone number . 

Now, after you’ve also added the date, you should leave one more space and add the recipient’s contact information and, most importantly, the company’s address. 

It should look something like this on your cover letter: 

When You Can’t Find the Company’s Address 

Some companies might have several addresses listed (as per their branches, for example), or even none at all. 

Since an application that doesn’t have an address line could end up lost or misplaced, make sure you do one of the following before skipping the company’s address completely:

• Check all your resources, (pretty much like when you were looking for the hiring manager’s name) to find the company’s address. 
• Use the company’s headquarter address. This is sometimes easier to find, especially if the company has several branches. 
• Use the P.O. Box number for the company. This is not as specific as an actual address line, but if all else fails, it’s still something. 

Frequently, you’ll be asked to submit your job application (including your cover letter) electronically, or by email. In those cases, you can skip the address line altogether. 

Here’s how you’d go about addressing a cover letter in an email.

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

If you’re sending your job application through email, chances are you’ll need to format your cover letter in the body of the email, or as an attachment along with your resume.

First and foremost when you’re addressing a cover letter in an email is the subject line, which should be between 6-10 words long. 

Considering that hiring managers receive countless emails daily, you want to make sure that yours is a job application immediately. And the way to do that is straight through the subject line, which should indicate exactly the position you’re applying for and your name so that it’s easier to find through the recruiter’s swarmed mailbox. 

Here’ what we mean by that:

• Subject Line:   John Doe - Software Development Job Application 
• Subject Line: John Doe - Job Application for Marketing Manager Position   
• Subject Line: John Doe - Stock Manager Job Application 

Afterward, if you’re including your cover letter in the body of the email (as opposed to attaching it as a document), begin by using a salutation, add space, and start your letter. 

If someone referred you for the position, make sure to mention that in the subject line of your email as well as in your opening paragraph.  

So, let’s see how all the above plays out in practice: 

Subject Line: John Doe - Carl Jacob’s Referral for Software Developer

I was very glad that Mr. Jacobs, a long-time partner at your firm who also happens to be my mentor from college, referred me for the Software Developer position. 

Do you want your style, personality, and overall personal brand to shine through your application? With Novorésumé, you can match your cover letter with your resume to make a lasting impression! 

Key Takeaways 

And that’s all there is when it comes to addressing a cover letter! You should feel much more confident in doing so by now. 

Either way, let’s go over the main points we covered throughout the article: 

• Your cover letter address should be formal and well-researched. Don’t address the hiring manager with “hey,” “what’s up,” “hi there,” or even the old-fashioned “Dear Sir/Madam” and “To Whom It May Concern.”
• Always try to find the hiring manager’s full name and professional title through the company’s website, LinkedIn, by calling, or by asking someone who works there.
• If you know the hiring manager’s name, go with “Dear Mr./Miss Last Name,” but if you’re unsure about their gender, marital status, or preferred pronoun, just address them using their full name.
• If the recruiter has a professional or academic title, it’s more appropriate to address them using their title.
• If you can’t find the contact person’s name, then address the department, faculty, or company (i.e. Dear Microsoft Hiring Team , or Dear Software Development Recruitment Team ).

Related Readings: 

• Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2024
• Entry-Level Cover Letter
• Cover Letter for Internship
• How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024

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• Careers & Jobs

How to Address a Cover Letter: From Heading to Date to Salutation + More

We’ll discuss how to address a cover letter with examples, and then we’ll look at specific parts of each cover letter address area in detail..

Writing a cover letter might be one of those things that make you want to bang your head on your keyboard.

Fortunately, though, addressing a cover letter is a piece of cake (we’ll help you with the other bits in a different article).

In this short article, we’ll walk you through how to address a cover letter effectively and easily, with examples, and then we’ll guide you through the specific parts of each cover letter address area in more detail.

Let’s get to it!

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How to Address a Cover Letter

Here’s an example of how to address a cover letter:

Your First & Last Name Your Address Line 1 Your Address Line 2 January 1, 2021 Jessica Schwartz Human Resources Manager Name of Prospective Company Prospective Company Address Line 1 Prospective Company Address Line 2 Dear Jessica:

And there you have it! 

As you can see from the cover letter address sample above, it’s really quite simple. Feel free to copy and paste that into your cover letter opening and tweak to your needs!

Next, we’ll go into detail about each of the various subsections of the cover letter address area.

Related Read : 10+ Cover Letter Tips & Tricks Sure to Score Interviews

Structure of a Cover Letter Address Section

1. cover letter heading (sender’s information).

At the very top of your cover letter, in what’s called the cover letter header, you’ll place your contact details. 

As we showed you above, it’s quite simple:

Your First & Last Name Your Address Line 1 Your Address Line 2

If you want, you can include your phone number or email address, as well.

Cover letters follow a business letter or formal letter format, but, you don’t have to necessarily stick to the styling of the example above. If you have a stylized heading with your name and contact details from your resume contact information section, feel free to use the same heading here!

However, for the remainder of the cover letter, stick as close to the business letter format as possible.

2. The Date

The entirety of addressing a cover letter is quite simple, and that’s true for the date as well.

Here’s how to add a date on a cover letter:

January 31, 2022

Just remember to leave a line break space both above and below the date to keep things looking neat and organized.

Related Read : Career Glossary: 45+ Job Terms, HR Vocab & Employment Words to Know

3. Inside Address (Recipient’s Information)

After the date, it’s time to add the recipient’s information, also known in formal letter writing as the “inside address.”

As we showed you above, here’s how to write the company’s info:

Jessica Schwartz Human Resources Manager Name of Prospective Company Prospective Company Address Line 1 Prospective Company Address Line 2

We start with the name of the person you are addressing the cover letter to, usually the HR manager or hiring supervisor, followed by their official title at the company. Do your best to find someone’s name so it is tailored by researching the company and its LinkedIn profile.

If you still can’t find someone’s name, simply put “Hiring Manager” or “ATTN: Hiring Manager” above the company name and address.

4. Salutation

The last part of the cover letter address section before reaching the body is the salutation. 

And here’s how simple that is:

Dear Jessica:

Easy as that! 

You can tweak that a bit, if you prefer not to use “dear,” for example. You could also choose to use their last name (“Dear Ms. Schwartz”) or their full name. However, in most cases, I think the first name is most powerful (and we’re in the 2020s now, as well).

Finally, use a colon after the name and you’re through!

Related Read : Resume Sections: 10+ Things to Include on a Resume to Land Interviews

Well, that’s it for our guide on how to address a cover letter, and we hope it helps answer all your questions about addressing cover letters right. Got any further questions or feedback about how to format the address on a cover letter? Let us know below in the comments, and thanks for reading!

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thank you for this article, Goodwall! It’s easy, simple, and so useful for me, because I search for a job right now and have to send out many cover letters. Wish me luck 🙂

Thanks for your comment, Anastasia, and for stopping by! I’m so happy if it helped, and I wish you the best of luck on your job search!

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• How to Address a Cover Letter...

How to Address a Cover Letter to Recruiter or Hiring Manager

5 min read · Updated on November 24, 2021

Knowing how to effectively address a cover letter makes you a very visible and appealing candidate.

Did you know that the cardinal rule of cover letters is personalization? It impresses a hiring manager or recruiter because it tells them you took time to research the specific information for the letter rather than sending a generic version.

What many people forget, however, is that the greeting or salutation in a cover letter must also be personalized with the hiring professional's first and last name whenever possible.

There are several effective ways to find the hiring manager's name for your greeting — and some acceptable back-up strategies when you can't. Either way, knowing how to address a cover letter effectively can prevent you from ending your hiring chances before they even begin. 

When you know the hiring manager's name

More often than not, you'll be given the name of the hiring professional or the manager that you'll work for. Whoever it is, use their full name (first and last name) in the greeting. 

If you cannot definitively tell the gender of the hiring person, do not use a gender-based title such as “Mr.” or “Ms.” in the greeting. Instead just use the person's full name.

For example, Alex Johnson could be male or female. To avoid a gender mistake, use Dear Alex Johnson, Hello Alex Johnson, or simply Alex Johnson .

However, professional titles such as “Professor” or “Dr.” are definitely acceptable as a cover letter salutation and should be used as a sign of respect. Be on the lookout for these and other titles to include.

How to find a hiring manager's name for your cover letter

If you're not given the name of the hiring manager, here are some effective ways to discover their name by using:

The job description: Check this document for the hiring manager's name. While it's not generally listed, you never know. If it's not obvious, there's also a trick to quickly discover an email in the job description that might contain the name; while in the document, press Ctrl +F or run Command + F and search for the @ symbol.

An email address: If you discover an email address, it may not have a full name but rather a first initial and last name or just a first name like [email protected] or [email protected] . A Google search combining the person's name as shown in the email and the company name might find you the person's full name.

 A LinkedIn post: A name connected to the LinkedIn job posting is probably that of the hiring professional who posted it, so use that name in your greeting.

The supervisor's title: It's more likely that a job description will list who the new hire will report to — such as the director of accounting — without listing a name. In this case, there are several search options:

Search the company's website for listings of staff members by title.

Run an advanced LinkedIn or Google search for all directors of accounting at that specific company.

Check with your network for someone who might know the person's name or search the appropriate professional networking sites.

Contact the company by phone or email. Tell them you're applying for [job title] and want to address your cover letter to the right person.

In the end, this research can be the difference between making a great first impression and getting noticed for the position — or getting totally ignored by the hiring manager. 

Acceptable options in lieu of a name

If you try the steps above and come up empty, there are still some alternative greeting options that will put you in a professional light.

The idea is to show that you've read the job description and tailored your greeting based on the company department where the job is located, the hiring manager's title, or the team with which you'll potentially work.

Some good examples include:

Dear Head of Design

Hello IT Department

Dear Accounting Manager

To Company ABC Recruiter/Hiring Professional

Hello Marketing Hiring Team

Dear Customer Support Hiring Group

Dear Human Resources

If you still can't find any specific name or department information, go with “Dear Hiring Manager.” It sounds professional and it's not gender-specific. In fact, a recent survey of over 2000 companies by Saddleback College showed that 40 percent preferred “Dear Hiring Manager” as the best greeting when a manager's name can't be found. 

“Dear Sir or Madam” is another option that works because it's gender-neutral and respectful. However, it sounds a bit old-fashioned and may signal a hiring professional that you're an older worker or just not aware of other greeting options. It's perfectly acceptable, but the better choice is “Dear Hiring Manager.” 

In the end, an actual name or any of the alternative examples will let you stand out from the crowd, so do your best to find and use those whenever you can.

Never leave the greeting blank

Whatever information you may or may not find, it's important to never leave your greeting line blank.

A blank greeting line can make you come across as lazy or rude, or imply that you simply don't understand how to write a cover letter — all of which will immediately put you out of contention for the job. There's no reason to leave the greeting blank when there are so many options that can be used effectively.

When you spend the time and effort to personalize your cover letter, you don't want to come across as “just another candidate” by using a generic greeting or no greeting at all.

A personalized greeting will impress any hiring professional, increasing the chance they'll read your entire cover letter — and ask you for an interview.

Not sure if your cover letter is cutting it? Our writers don't just help you with your resume . 

Recommended Reading:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

5 Things to Say in Your Cover Letter If You Want to Get the Job

How To Write a Cover Letter (With Example)

Related Articles:

How to Create a Resume With No Education

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

See how your resume stacks up.

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How to Address a Cover Letter When Applying for a Job

While addressing your cover letter may seem like a small part of your job application, your salutation may be the first thing an employer reads on your application. An appropriate opening can leave a good first impression and set the tone for a successful application that engages the interest of an employer. This article explains how to address a cover letter depending on the information available to you about the job you are applying for.

Who should you address a cover letter to?

While you may not be certain who will read your cover letter when applying for jobs, there are a few best practices for addressing a cover letter. Unless a job description includes information on a different person to send application materials to, you should address your cover letter to the hiring manager for the position. ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ is an appropriate greeting for situations when you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, but seeking out details about the team you would be working with shows that you have a strong interest in the company and pay attention to details.

Methods for finding the hiring manager’s name

The following methods can help you find the hiring manager’s name when applying for a new job:

Check the application materials

Sometimes a job posting or other application materials have the name and title of the person reviewing your application listed. Many companies include information about who to contact in order to streamline the job search process, so read the job listing carefully for any instruction on who to address your letter to. Look at email addresses or social media profiles linked to the posting and see if the hiring manager’s name is listed. If you previously communicated with someone at the company about your application, consider reaching out and asking who you should address your cover letter to.  

Look at the company website 

Some companies keep a list of key employees or even a full directory of their employees available on their website. They may have a separate careers page with information on a hiring manager, or you may be able to find the name of a human resources representative for your position. Look for who the managers are for the department are applying to work with and determine who would work most closely with your position. You can also search for the company online and find outside information on their hiring structure.

Call the business

You can call the front office of a company and ask for the name of the contact person for the position you are applying for.  Be sure to call during business hours and be as specific as possible so that you get the name of the correct person. If you are still not able to confirm the name of a contact, the company will likely expect applicants to use the name of their hiring manager’s position or even leave off the greeting entirely.

How to address a cover letter

Use these steps as a guide toward addressing your cover letter:

1. First, verify your information

Once you have the name or title of the person receiving your cover letter, make sure that all of your information is accurate. Do a quick search to see if they have any honorifics such as Dr. or Prof. that you can include in your greeting Avoid using gendered language such as ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’ unless you have confirmed that they prefer to be addressed by that term.

2. Second, choose a salutation

Including a salutation is optional and based on personal preference. One option for beginning your cover letter is to simply list the name of the hiring manager followed by a comma. ‘Dear’ followed by their name and a comma is also a professional way to open your greeting. You should avoid less casual greetings such as ‘hey’ and ‘hello.’

3. Third, use a consistent format

When addressing your cover letter, use the same font and style as the rest of your application materials. Your greeting should be above the body of your letter and below a header that includes your name and contact information. Use consistent spacing before and after the greeting to make the letter easier to read for the hiring manager while devoting most of the page to the content of your letter.

4. Lastly, proofread

Every time you send out a cover letter, proofread every part of it including the address. Proofreading can help you avoid accidentally sending one company a cover letter with another company’s hiring manager listed in the greeting. Confirm the spelling of any names or titles and have another person check your work for typos. You should also make sure that you are using proper capitalization for their name and title.

Template for how to address a cover letter

Here is a brief template you can use when crafting a new cover letter or adding to an existing one:

[First name] [Last name] [Address] [City, State ZIP code] [Email] [Phone number]

Dear [Honorific]. [First name] [Last name],

Examples of how to address a cover letter

These are all examples of an acceptable greeting for a cover letter:

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dr. Alison Choudary,
• Dear Human Resources Manager,
• Dear Revolve Marketing Team,
• Dear Prof. Rivera,
• Dear Sierra, 
• Ms. Cleo Thet,

Regardless of whether you can find the name of the hiring manager or not, you can still include a professional greeting when addressing your cover letter. While the way you address your cover letter will not likely convince someone to hire you, a greeting with dated or unprofessional language can easily discourage a hiring manager from taking your application seriously. You can use only a first name or add a salutation and honorific depending on your preference. 

Tips for addressing a cover letter

Use these tips to make sure your greeting is relevant and appropriate to the position:

• Avoid phrases like ‘to whom it may concern’ or any other excessively formal language when possible.
• Consider addressing the team you will be working with as a group if you do not have the name of your contact for the job.
• If you have already communicated with the hiring manager, look at their email signature to see how they prefer to be addressed. For example, if the hiring manager signs their emails as ‘Mr. Dunlap,’ that is an indication that you should call him that as opposed to his full name.
• When writing your cover letter or adapting it for a new position, make sure that every section including the greeting is professional and purposeful.

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• Career Planning
• Finding a Job
• Cover Letters

How to Include Your Contact Information in a Cover Letter

Contact Information Elements in a Cover Letter

How to format contact information in a cover letter, save the contact information in templates, review cover letter examples.

A good cover letter does more than introduce yourself to the hiring manager and show that you can follow directions. It’s a sales pitch, one that highlights your most important skills and qualifications and helps you stand out from the competition.

However, even the best-written and most persuasive cover letter is useless if you make one mistake: Fail to feature your contact information in the right place, and you’ll lose the reader’s attention before you get a chance to impress them further.

You should add key identifying details about yourself whether you're preparing a written or an email cover letter.

In the case of a written letter, you should also include information about the recipient.

Your information (for both written and email letters) should indicate:

• Name:  Add your full name.
• Street address:  State the address where you currently live.
• Location:  Also include your city, state, and zip code.
• Phone number:  Mention the number where you can most easily be reached.
• Email address:  This is only needed for written cover letters. For email cover letters, the email itself serves as a record of your email address. Be sure to include a professional handle for your email contact information, preferably a variant of your name or initials.
• Preferred method of contact:  Indicate the quickest way to contact you from the available options you provide—be it a mobile phone number or email contact information.

Your recipient's information (only included in written cover letters) should include:

• Name:  This should be the full name of the recipient, if you have it. If needed, check the company website or LinkedIn to find out the hiring manager's name. If you cannot determine the contact's name, use the name of the department in the contact information. For example, "Dear Hiring Manager."
• Title:  Add the job title of the recipient—for example, "Sales Manager."
• Company:  State the recipient's company name.
• Address:  Include the address of the recipient's company.
• Location:  Add the city, state, and zip code of the recipient's company.

Including the name of the hiring manager in a written cover letter can help it reach them more quickly, particularly if their company is overwhelmed with mail.

Where you put the information depends on whether you're preparing a written or an email cover letter. But the general order of the information is the same in either case.

Put Contact Information at the Top of Written Cover Letters

If you are writing a cover letter to print and mail, or scan and upload to a  job board , add information on how the prospective employer can contact you at the top of the letter.

Follow standard business-letter format. List your contact information first—at the top left of the document. Use single spacing and a consistent font, and format it as a block of text. Include your name, street address, city, state and zip code, phone number, and email address on single-spaced separate lines.

Add a space, and then add the letter date, the recipient’s name, title, company, address, and city, state, and zip code on single-spaced separate lines.

Here’s a sample format of contact information for an applicant and the company addressed.

Contact Information in a Hard Copy Letter

Your Name Your Address Your City, State, and Zip Code Your Phone Number Your Email Address

Name of Recipient Title of Recipient Company Address City, State, and Zip Code

Insert Contact Information at the Bottom of an Email Cover Letter

The standard business style for email communications is different because the size of the device where the recipient is viewing the letter may not allow for a quick visual scan of the full text the way a piece of paper does. Instead of listing your contact information at the top, include it in your signature. Do not include the employer's contact information.

Your  signature  can also omit your street address and location if you prefer. But you should provide your name and phone number. You can also include relevant links to your social profiles, such as your business website or LinkedIn profile. These can help to establish you as an authority in your field and indicate your stature in your profession.

Here's a sample template for contact information in an email:

Contact Information in an Email Signature

Your Name Your Phone Number Your website address (portfolio or LinkedIn profile URL)

A small graphic like a business logo is acceptable in your signature but avoid large images that distract from the text. Keep graphics simple and professional.

Put Your Preferred Method of Contact in the Body of the Cover Letter

Since you'll be including more than one method of contact at the top or bottom of the letter, it's important to indicate your preferred contact method in the main text of the letter. This makes it easier for the recipient to reach you at a source that you will check. For this reason, your preferred method of contact should be the one you check the most often.

If you're sending a written cover letter and check email frequently by day, you might write, “You can reach me during business hours at the email address above” at the end of the letter before the signature. In an email message, end with this sentence: "I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me on my mobile phone number in the signature below." This way, the recipient will have no doubt about where to reach you.

It’s best to use the same basic format above every time you share your identifying information in a letter or an email. If you prefer to send email cover letters, save each template in a file, and copy and paste it into cover letters as needed. If your contact info changes, you'll only need to update it in one place.

Using a consistent contact information template will ensure that you avoid mistakes that can lead to communication lapses and boost the odds of hearing back on that dream job.

Review cover letter examples for many different occupations and get templates you can use to write your own letters.

Key Takeaways

• Regardless of whether you send a cover letter by post or by email, it’s essential to feature your contact information in a prominent spot.
• In written letters, follow business-letter format and place your contact information at the top of the page, followed by the date and contact details of the recipient.
• In email messages, include your contact information, including your phone number and email address, in your email signature.
• Using templates can help you ensure that your contact details are included in every cover letter you send to prospective employers.

Media Decision US

The 18 Do’s and Don’ts of Cover Letters Every Job Seeker Should Know

Posted: May 8, 2024 | Last updated: May 8, 2024

Most job seekers don’t spend nearly enough time working on their cover letters, assuming that their resume is enough to get them an interview. But when there is competition, a great cover letter can be the difference between getting an interview and getting passed over. 

Your cover letter is your first impression when you’re applying for a new job, and it should be a good one. It’s also an opportunity to show your personality and demonstrate why you’re a perfect fit for the role.

Writing a cover letter can be a daunting task, but you can do a few simple things to make the process easier. Here are some easy do’s and don’ts that can help you write a great cover letter that will impress employers.

Sell Yourself

Like your resume, your cover letter is your chance to brag (professionally) about why they should hire you. Be proud of your skills and accomplishments, and use them to explain why you are the best candidate for the job.

When you sit down to write a cover letter, think about what will grab the hiring manager’s attention and make them want to learn more about you. What can you say about your skills and experience that will set you apart from the other candidates?

If you can, include specific examples of times when you have excelled in a similar role.

Answer the Question: Why Do You Want to Work Here?

You can be more human and personable in your cover letter than in your resume. So be sure to tell the reader why you want the job . This is especially true if you are making a career change or have been out of work for a while. 

Briefly explain your situation so that the hiring manager doesn’t have any questions about why you’re applying. 

For example, you can say something as simple as: “After ten years of working in office administration, I am interested in finding new challenges in the marketing industry.” 

Address How You Meet the Needs of the Organization

There’s a reason most job applications require a resume and a cover letter. A cover letter gives you a chance to communicate with the organization and elaborate on your resume. It’s your opportunity to explain how you meet the organization’s needs and why you should be selected for an interview.  

When writing a cover letter, it’s important to focus on how you can help the company reach its goals. You need to do your research to do this.

Find out the company’s goals and plans for achieving them. Then, craft a cover letter that demonstrates how your skills and experience can help the company succeed. 

You can also use your cover letter to address some of the other job needs that may be difficult to include on your resume. These are things like having a driver’s license and access to a vehicle or details about your availability, such as when you can start.

Personalize Each Letter

Each employer should receive a personalized cover letter, but don’t worry! You can create one or two cover letter templates and tailor them for each job, just like you should do for your resume.

People still expect your cover letter to follow the formal letter format that includes the date, your name and contact information, and the company’s contact information. Be sure to update each cover letter so that it has the correct details and is addressed to the right person. Addressing your cover letter to the wrong person or sending the wrong letter with your resume probably won’t get a second look. 

If you can’t find who to address the letter to, it’s better to use something generic like “hiring manager” or “hiring team” than the wrong name.

Keep it Short

Almost everyone will tell you that your cover letter must be one page. In most cases, this is great advice. Limiting yourself to one page helps you avoid repetition and really focus on what the hiring manager needs to know.

But the truth is, your cover letter should be as long as it needs to be. 

I have been successful in submitting a two-page cover letter in the past. In this case, I was applying for a position that was actually two part-time jobs combined into one full-time job. The two roles were related but required different skills, so there was no way to address them all with a single-page cover letter.

Make sure your cover letter is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Use Grammarly (which is free) to catch spelling errors, grammar mistakes, and other language issues that you may overlook. This attention to detail will show the employer that you are taking the time to make sure that your letter is professional and that you are taking the job seriously. 

Proofreading your own cover letter (and resume) can be difficult because you have likely read it so many times that you no longer see the mistakes. Having someone else take a look at it with fresh eyes can be helpful. In addition, they may be able to offer suggestions for improvements or point out information that is missing.

Get Their Attention Right Away

Almost every cover letter starts in the same boring way: “I am writing to apply for the [position] job at [company].” This does not tell the employer anything about you or why you are qualified for the job. 

Instead, use the first paragraph to grab the employer’s attention and make them want to read more. 

You can do a few things to make your first paragraph truly stand out: 

• Tell them right away why you are qualified for the position. If you have work experience that matches the required qualifications, mention it first. 
• Use strong, active language to engage the employer and show that you are enthusiastic about the position. 
• Talk about your transferable skills, such as those you gained from previous jobs, volunteering, leadership roles, or your side hustle. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you have used these skills in the past and how they will help you succeed in the position you are applying for.

Starting your cover letter with a strong hook will immediately set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your dedication and enthusiasm for the role.

Use Action Words

Use strong action words on your cover letter, such as: created, managed, oversaw, and implemented. These words will demonstrate your ability to take charge and get things done. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who can take the initiative and get the job done, so make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills by using descriptive words .

Address Employment Gaps or Potential Concerns

Your cover letter is also an opportunity to explain any gaps in your employment history or to address any concerns that the employer might have about your candidacy. For example, if you took a few years off to raise your children, use your cover letter to explain how this has prepared you to return to the workforce and be an even better employee.

If you are out of work, don’t try to hide it. Employers may eventually discover the truth, so it’s better to be honest with them from the start.

Explain your situation briefly and focus on the positive – what you have been doing to stay busy and how you are excited to put your skills to use in a new role. Honesty is always the best policy, and employers will appreciate your transparency.

Don’t Repeat Your Resume

Now that you know what you should be doing on your cover letter, let’s talk about some of the things you need to avoid. 

Your cover letter is meant to elaborate on your resume, not repeat it. If it doesn’t tell us anything more than your resume already does, why are you even bothering to write one?

Hiring managers don’t want to read the same information twice. They want to see how you can add value to their organization, not just a list of your past accomplishments.

Use your cover letter to talk about your skills and experience in a more natural way. Expand on what you want an employer to know about yourself and your application. 

Don’t Be Negative

If you are applying for a new job, you are either unemployed or underemployed, hate your current job , or are worried that you may be about to lose it. None of these situations are fun to be in, but you can’t let that show in your cover letter. You have to keep it positive!

You want to show the employer that you are excited about the opportunity and are confident in your ability to do the job. 

If you hate your current job, focus on how you are looking for a new challenge and how you believe this job will be a better fit for you. Or, if you are worried you may lose your job, focus on how you are proactive and are already looking for new opportunities. 

Don’t Discuss Why You Need the Job

Everyone knows that you need a job to make money to support yourself and your family. You don’t need to explain this or the details of your specific situation in your cover letter. Mentioning that you are hoping to buy a new house next year doesn’t matter to an employer. 

What does matter to an employer is what you can do for them. They want to know how you will:

• make their company more money
• save them money
• make their company more efficient
• help them to avoid potential problems

In your cover letter, focus on what you can do for the employer, not on what they can do for you. 

Don’t Make Excuses

Making excuses will only draw more attention to your weaknesses or make you sound like a difficult person to work with.

If you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications they are looking for, that’s okay – just don’t point it out! Let them decide if it’s a deal-breaker or if they are willing to train you in that specific area. They might not even notice!

Avoid making excuses for past job experiences or choices that might negatively reflect on you. If you were fired from a job, for example, simply state that the job wasn’t a good fit and move on. Don’t try to justify your actions or make excuses—this will only make you look bad.

Don’t Lie Or Exaggerate

Many people feel the temptation to lie or exaggerate their skills and experience when applying for a new job. Although lying on your application may seem like a harmless way to make yourself look more qualified, it can lead to serious consequences.

When an employer is interested in hiring you, they will conduct a background check and call your references. If you’re caught lying on your job application, you will likely be immediately disqualified. In some cases, you may even be banned from applying to that company in the future.

Lying on your application can also be a form of fraud, which is a crime in many jurisdictions. Depending on the severity of the lie, you could lose your job, be sued, or even be prosecuted for falsifying documents.

Lying or exaggerating about your experience or education can also lead to problems down the road if you are hired for a position based on false information. For example, if you claim you are proficient at using a specific program that you don’t really know much about, you will struggle in your new role. Not being able to do your job will be stressful and raise questions with your employer. Unless you’re a quick learner, you will probably find yourself job searching again within a few months. 

So, the next time you’re tempted to fudge the truth on your application, remember the potential consequences. Be honest on your applications, and you’ll be much better off in the long run.

Don’t Send a Generic Letter

As mentioned, your cover letter should be unique to each employer and job opportunity. Don’t simply copy and paste the same letter for every job application. A few small tweaks are all you need to make your cover letter specific to each job and increase your chances of getting an interview. 

If it’s obvious that you’ve created one cover letter and are using it repeatedly to apply to dozens of jobs, it gives the impression that you don’t really care if you get this job or not – you just want any job. And while that may be true, you don’t want to create any apprehension with an employer. 

Don’t Use Clichés or Slang Terms

Avoid using clichés, slang, and overly casual language when writing a cover letter. Such language can come across as unprofessional and may not convey the message you are trying to get across in the best way possible. 

Clichés include phrases like “I’m a people person” or “I’m a go-getter.” These phrases are overused and do not add anything unique to your letter. 

Using slang can give the impression that you are not taking the process seriously. It can also make it difficult for the reader to understand what you are trying to say. Instead, focus on using clear and concise language, which will get your point across in a way that is both professional and respectful.

While it is important to be friendly and personable in your letter, being too casual can make you seem unprofessional and could hurt your chances of getting the job.

Don’t Include Unnecessary Personal Information

There are a few reasons why you should not include personal information in your cover letter. First, it is not necessary. The employer is only interested in your qualifications and not your personal life.

Second, while it may seem like a good idea to make yourself seem more relatable, including personal information can actually have the opposite effect. It can make you appear unprofessional.

Third, including personal information on your cover letter can be a privacy concern. If an employer knows too much about your personal life, they could potentially use this information against you. For example, if you mention that you have young children, the employer may assume that you will need to take time off for childcare. As a result, you may be passed over in favor of a candidate without the same responsibilities.

Lastly, sharing personal information in your cover letter could also lead to identity theft. If you include your home address or phone number, a savvy thief could use this information to steal your identity. By including personal information in your cover letter, you could be putting yourself at risk.

Overall, you should always err on the side of caution to protect your privacy. Stick to the facts and let your qualifications speak for themselves.

Cover Letters Are Tricky But Beneficial

It can be difficult to strike the right tone in a cover letter. You want to sound enthusiastic and professional without coming across as desperate or pushy. The goal is to show that you’re a good fit for the company, so focus on that. 

If you’re not sure how to get started, plenty of cover letter examples are available online. Just make sure to tailor the letter to the specific company and position you’re applying for, and only include the skills and experience that you actually have.

With these tips, you should have no problem creating a cover letter that will stand out and help you get hired.

Quick Resume Tips

If you want to make a good impression and stand out from the competition, here are 20 resume do’s and don’ts . Following these simple tips, you can be sure that your resume will make a great impression on employers.

Add Your Side Hustle to Your Resume

Job seekers are told they need to stand out if they want to get hired. But how? One of the easiest ways is to include their side hustle on their resumes . Your side hustle is teaching valuable job skills that can make you a stronger candidate. Not mentioning this on your resume or cover letter is a mistake! 

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• International

May 3, 2024 - US college protests

By Chandelis Duster, Alisha Ebrahimji, Rachel Ramirez, Jordan Valinsky, Aditi Sangal, Tori B. Powell and Dalia Faheid, CNN

Our live coverage of the protests at colleges across the US has moved  here .

Protesters interrupt University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance commencement ceremony 

From CNN’s Whitney Wild, Andi Babineau, Michelle Watson and Aaron Eggleston 

Protesters interrupted the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) commencement ceremony Friday, according to a video from a reporter with CNN affiliate Richmond Times-Dispatch .  

Several protesters entered the Hill Auditorium with pro-Palestinian signs and flags. A person was heard yelling "get out" as the protesters walked through the auditorium. 

Police arrived soon after the incident, according to the Times-Dispatch.

CNN has reached out to the University of Michigan and its School of Music, Theatre & Dance for comment.  

Later Friday evening, a large group of protesters were met with police on the University of Michigan’s campus on Friday evening. The group was outside the Museum of Art on campus and was heard chanting while interacting with police.

Some context: Commencements at the University of Michigan are ongoing with programs hosting separate ceremonies with distinguished speakers. Spring graduation is scheduled for the whole university on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. There will be a designated area for protests outside ceremony venues, the University of Michigan said on its website, noting all commencement events will include security screenings, prohibit banners and flags, and be monitored by volunteers who will immediately “respond to disruptions, beginning with warnings.”

This post has been updated with information from CNN affiliate the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

USC starts disciplinary process for campus members who "violated both our policies and the law"

From CNN's Stephanie Becker

The University of Southern California started a disciplinary process for campus members "who have violated both our policies and the law," President Carol L. Folt said in  a statement Friday . 

"Freedom of expression is one of our foundational values, and throughout the year, faculty, staff, and students have held lawful marches, vigils, and peaceful demonstrations," she said in the statement. "But let me be absolutely clear: free speech and assembly do not include the right to obstruct equal access to campus, damage property, or foment harassment, violence, and threats. Nor is anyone entitled to obstruct the normal functions of our university, including commencement."

The university will take any further action needed to keep the campus safe and maintain legal obligations, Folt said. 

USC will hold a “ family graduate celebration ” on May 9, the school announced Friday, just over a week after canceling the main graduation ceremony.

More than 2,100 people arrested on campuses since pro-Palestinian protests began. Here's what you should know

From CNN staff

More than 2,100 people have been arrested on college and university campuses across the nation since April 18 as schools prepare for spring commencement ceremonies, according to CNN’s review. The first demonstrators were  detained at Columbia University  two weeks ago.

Protesters have been arrested on more than 40 campuses across at least 25 states. Many other schools have experienced protests without arrests.

Here are the latest headlines:

More on arrests

• The New York City Police Department arrested 43 people at the New School, a private university in the city, after the school requested assistance in dispersing illegal encampments, according to a NYPD spokesperson who spoke Friday to CNN affiliate, WABC. 
• Also, of the 44 people arrested in Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, 13 were adults not affiliated with Columbia, six were students affiliated with other educational institutions, 23 were Columbia students and two were school employees, the university said in a breakdown .

Reactions to campus protests

• Columbia President Minouche Shafik  said in a video message  Friday that the protesters who occupied Hamilton Hall " crossed a new line ." Columbia University trustee Jeh Johnson voiced support for Shafik's message in which she called the past two weeks on campus "among the most difficult in Columbia's history."
• Rep. James Clyburn, a Democratic congressman from South Carolina, expressed concerns about how the college campus protests could impact President Joe Biden's second-term presidential run, agreeing with Sen. Bernie Sanders, who warned that Biden's stance over Israel's war in Gaza may have alienated young voters.
• The Council on American-Islamic Relations New York chapter on Friday  denounced school administrations  at New York University, The New School, University of Buffalo and Stony Brook University  over the arrests of student protesters.

Developments on campus

• The University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos said the school has “reached that point” and would intervene because of disruptions and safety to the campus community. 
• The New School switched to online learning Friday. Stanford University officials have sent the FBI a photo of an individual at a campus encampment location who they say appears to be wearing a headband similar to those worn by Hamas members, school officials  said this week .

Graduations and commencements:

• The University of Southern California will hold a “family graduate celebration” on May 9, the school announced Friday, just over a week after canceling the main graduation ceremony.
• Commencements at the University of Michigan are underway with programs hosting separate ceremonies with distinguished speakers.

Votes and agreements

• Emory University's College of Arts and Sciences faculty senate overwhelmingly approved a vote of no confidence against university President Gregory L. Fenves on Friday. The vote is a condemnation of the decision to call in outside law enforcement officers who arrested both students and faculty during a pro-Palestinian protest on campus last week. 
• A protest encampment will disband at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), by midnight Friday, as university administration and protesters have reached  an agreement  regarding investment transparency and study abroad programs.

Universities around the world

• Students at Trinity College Dublin set up an encampment on campus grounds Friday evening as part of a pro-Palestinian protest. This comes not long after college authorities imposed a $230,000 (€214,000) fine on the students union for disruption caused by previous pro-Palestinian protests. 

University of Vermont says US ambassador will no longer give commencement address

From CNN's Michelle Watson and Eva McKend 

The US ambassador to the United Nations will no longer deliver the commencement address at the University of Vermont,  according  to the school's president. 

"It is with regret that I share that our planned speaker, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will not be joining us to deliver the Commencement address," said President Suresh Garimella.

Some of the protesters on the campus had called on the university to rescind its invitation to Thomas-Greenfield.

Garimella didn't give a reason for the diplomat's non-attendance – but it was mentioned in a statement that focused on the demonstrations.

"First, I want our students to know that I see and hear you. I see you mourn for lives lost in Israel and Gaza. I hear your calls for peace and a just end to the current unrest in the region," Garimella  said .  "I hear your frustration with foreign policy decisions. I see your efforts to bring attention to your viewpoints and to make your city and your university safe places of which you can be proud. The voices of our community are as diverse and powerful as the issues are complex and heavy," he added.

While Garimella said he was "grateful to the students and university leaders who have engaged in conversation," he noted the demonstrations violated school policies. 

"Those who continue to violate UVM policies do so intentionally despite having been given the opportunity to express themselves within campus rules," Garimella said. "Therefore, regrettably, appropriate student conduct processes have been initiated for those who have persistently violated university policy." 

It's unclear what kind of disciplinary measures are being taken. CNN has reached out to the university for more information. 

Portland State University library "rendered unusable" after protesters took over, school president says 

From CNN's Veronica Miracle and Taylor Romine

The library at Portland State University, where protesters took over earlier this week, has been "rendered unusable," university President Ann Cudd said in  a statement  Friday. 

The library cannot be occupied right now but the university hopes to reopen it "in time for fall term," Cudd said. The library team is working on getting remote services and finding alternative spaces for students, she added. 

"Our entire campus community has been under a great deal of stress this week," Cudd said. "I know the campus closures were disruptive." "I also know there is still much hurt and anger surrounding the protests, the ongoing violence in Gaza and the disturbing scenes that have played out in our midst. I know many of you will continue to raise your voice in protest and I am in full support of your right to do so. At the same time I expect that protesters will not intimidate and harass students or other members of our community. PSU will continue to uphold the law and our policies regarding trespassing and property damage," she said. 

Cudd also said she postponed her Presidential Investiture Ceremony, which  inaugurates her as president , to a later date. 

Columbia University trustee says he agrees with school president's message released Friday

Columbia University trustee Jeh Johnson voiced support for a Friday message from the school's president Minouche Shafik in which she called the past two weeks on campus "among the most difficult in Columbia's history."

"I support it and agree with every word," Johnson, who was also the former Homeland Security secretary, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "I can attest as a trustee of Columbia that the decisions that she faced were among the most delicate and complex that I've seen in or out of government."

He said that "no constitutional right is absolute or unqualified," mentioning the students exercising their First Amendment rights.

"Someone has to be in a position to regulate time, place and manner for the exercise of free speech," he said.

Johnson also said that protecting students is among the university's main priorities.

Columbia University president says she will work every day to rebuild after 2 difficult weeks 

From CNN's Michelle Watson and Gloria Pazmino

The group of protesters who occupied Hamilton Hall on Columbia University's campus, "crossed a new line," President Minouche Shafik  said in a video message  released on X Friday. 

Shafik called the past two weeks on campus "among the most difficult in Columbia's history."

"The turmoil and tension, division and disruption have impacted the entire community," Shafik said in the message, which was just over three minutes long.  

Columbia University students "paid an especially high price," as a result of the protests, she said. 

The University tried multiple times to come to resolution via dialogue, Shafik said. 

"Academic leaders talked to students for eight days and nights," she said. "(The) University made a sincere and good offer, but it was not accepted." 

While many of the protesters on campus were mostly peaceful and "cared deeply," Shafik said the group that occupied Hamilton Hall "crossed a new line." 

Shafik called the occupation a "violent act" that affected the safety of students. 

"Every one of us has a role to play in bringing back the values of truth and civil discourse that polarization has severely damaged. Here at Columbia, parallel realities and parallel conversations have walled us off from other perspectives," Shafik said.

Shafik said she was born in the Middle East "in a Muslim family with many Jewish and Christian friends." Through her two decades of international work Shafik said she's realized "people can disagree and still make progress." 

"The issues that are challenging us, the Palestinian Israeli conflict, antisemitism and anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias have existed for a long time," Shafik said. "And Columbia, despite being a remarkable institution, cannot solve them, single handedly."

Shafik urged students to be an example of a better world, one in which people who disagree "do so civilly."

University of Chicago president signals school could intervene on campus encampment

From CNN’s Joe Sutton and Brad Parks

The University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos addressed the school’s community about the ongoing encampment, saying the school has “reached that point” and would “intervene” because of disruptions and safety to the campus community. 

“On Monday, I stated that we would only intervene if what might have been an exercise of free expression blocks the learning or expression of others or substantially disrupts the functioning or safety of the University. Without an agreement to end the encampment, we have reached that point,” Alivisatos said.

The president said the encampment, which is located on the university’s Main Quadrangle, has “created systematic disruption of campus” and “violations of policies have only increased.”

Despite a meeting with a group of protesters to find a way to end the encampment, Alivisatos said they could not find common ground and the demands were “such that we could not accede.”

CNN has reached out to the university and to campus police for more information.

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