Cover letter question

abmj03

How do you address a cover letter when you do not have a hiring manager's name? This is for a paralegal position, but the listing does not give a firm name or contact name.

Thoughts? TIA!

Stephanie Varner

Unfortunately, "proper" etiquette says that you should have the hiring manager and company name in the letter.  See if this helps...sorry I can't help more!

http://www.softwarejobs.com/articles/i/ad1806/blogs/job-seeker-cover-letters/cover-letter-problem-

abmj03

Thanks for the article. Unfortunately, I don't even have a firm name I could research. This is so frustrating! One would think if they wanted serious applicants, they would at least tell you who you're applying to!

Stephanie Varner

Was it a position that you found on monster.com or somewhere of the like?  Sometimes if you contact the website they can give you a little more info...and I agree, they should give you a head's up

abmj03

Craigslist. This is my first time responding to a posting on a website like that, so I don't know how excited I should get about it.

Mrs_DeannaC

As previously suggested you could also try contact the source, in this case, Craigslist to see if maybe they could provide you with the information.   Also maybe, check the Sentinel or other job sites to see if by chance it was posted there as well but with more information?

 

If all else fails?.and in light of the hiring co/manager failure to provide you with the information needed for properly addressing a cover letter, try using a professionally formatted memo style.

 

Generic example:

To:  Hiring Manager

From:  Your Name

Date:

RE:  Position # XYX as posted on Craigslist.com

 

(Narrative in the body)

 

There?s doesn?t seem like there?s much more you can do besides maybe just leaving out the heading all together and formatting something like this?

 

Date

 

RE:  Position name (ref:  Craigslist.com)

 

(Narrative in the body, etc.)

 

It?s a tough call?.

 

IMO as someone who has staff and has hired both exempt and non-exempt candidates, I would not reject your cover letter based on the lack of information in the header/addressing understanding that as the hiring manager or HR rep. I failed to provide you with the appropriate information you need for your research, etc.  But understand, that?s me; everyone does not use the same judgment. 

 

Good Luck in both finding out the info you need and securing the job!

 

abmj03

Thank you both for your help! I'm trying to do a cross search, like you suggested, to see if t was also posted in the Sentinel or the OCBA.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!