How to Address a Cover Letter (When You Don't Know the Name)
What to do when LinkedIn fails you and the job posting just says 'Hiring Team.'
Generic salutations like 'To Whom It May Concern' make you sound like every other applicant. Here are better fallbacks when you genuinely can't find a name.
Try harder to find the name first
LinkedIn, the company's about page, recent press, and even the job poster's email address can usually surface a real name in 5 minutes.
If you really can't find one
Use 'Dear [Team Name]' (e.g. 'Dear Engineering Team') or 'Dear Hiring Manager' — both feel modern and specific enough.
Why this matters
The advice in this guide is drawn from real recruiter conversations and analysis of what actually moves candidates forward. Apply it as a checklist on your next application.
Put it into practice
Don't try to apply everything at once. Pick the one or two changes that feel most relevant to your situation, ship the update, and measure the response over your next 10 applications.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating advice as universal — context always matters
- Over-editing until your voice disappears
- Skipping the proofread because you've read it 30 times
- Forgetting that recruiters are people, not algorithms
