Salutation for a Cover Letter

The cover letter is a powerful tool that helps in the procurement of a job; it needs to be used as an apparatus to promote oneself as a deserving claimer portraying him or her in a positive light. You can create a good first impression on the prospective employer by writing such a letter. These letters help you showcase your skills, experiences and education.

It accentuates the letter writing skills and displays the applicant's etiquette. A proper format should be used that highlights the qualifications, experience and skills. It is very essential to use appropriate salutation as it shows the detailed effort put in by the aspirant. A poorly formatted letter weakens the position as a potential candidate.

Congruous Salutation

One needs to be formal and professional whilst addressing the recipient and not be too informal or sound too personal as it may hamper the chances of getting an interview fixed.

For writing a proper salutation for cover letters, the name of the addressee should be known. If the first name is not known, the last name can be used and implied in the following fashion:

• Dear Mr. Jones
• Dear Miss. James
• Dear Mrs. James
• Dear Dr. Jones

However, if the name is not known, the letter can be addressed as follows:

• Dear Sir
• Dear Madam
• To Whom It May Concern

The designation of the recipient can be used in case of skepticism, for instance:

• Dear Hiring Manager
• Dear Personnel Manager

However, avoid using offensive salutations like:

• Dear Gentlemen
• Dear Sirs

After writing the greetings, a colon (:) needs to be added implying that more information is supplementing it.

Ending the Letter

There are numerous ways to end the letter but the use of correct finishing lines is of utmost importance and are elucidated as follows:

• Yours faithfully, - Written in case the name is unknown.
• Yours sincerely, - Written in case the name is known.
• Best wishes/ Best regards, - Written in case the recipient is known personally as a business contact or a friend.

After writing the closing line, a comma needs to be added, followed by the handwritten signature; bordered by the typed name in the next line. The address and telephone number can be included succeeding it in the next line if not mentioned elsewhere.

Edit and proofread it twice before submitting the fair copy. Care should be taken as it adds substance to your letter and provides you with an edge. Minutest details should be reviewed as this shows the seriousness towards the work.