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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How to address an email to recruiter if only know his first name?

22 replies

Jax07 · 29/01/2019 15:51

Applying for jobs and I know the first name of the recruiter. Been looking on there website and linked in but no luck finding his full name? How should I greet him in the email?

OP posts:
AwdBovril · 29/01/2019 15:53

Dear Sir. Would that be appropriate? Very long time since I applied for anything.

TitOfTheIceberg · 29/01/2019 15:53

I'd use "Dear [first name]" - I think that's fine for an email, and "dear" rather than "hi" gives it that touch of formality appropriate for a recruitment scenario.

BirthdayCakes · 29/01/2019 15:54

Dear Firstname is absolutely fine...

Lampshadylady · 29/01/2019 15:55

Would you ever address an email to something other than someone’s first name?

EG2018 · 29/01/2019 15:55

I always say Hi .... with their first name even if I know their surname. No one has ever questioned my professionalism.

How old are you if you don't mind me asking?

Jax07 · 29/01/2019 15:55

Brilliant I will do 'Dear Firstname' thanks for the help! X

OP posts:
Luzina · 29/01/2019 15:55

Another option is to start you email with 'Good Afternoon' or 'Good Morning'. I see that a lot and it looks fine.

TitOfTheIceberg · 29/01/2019 15:55

Meant to add, while not a recruitment consultant per se I have done a lot of recruitment in various roles over the years, and I wouldn't be put off by "Dear Tit" (as it were Grin) for an initial contact.

catmumof1 · 29/01/2019 15:56

Have you checked on linkedin?
Also googling Firstname Company Town Linkedin sometimes works better than searching inside linkedin.
They might think you're a bit of a stalker though if they don't advertise their full name on their emails or website.

Otherwise Dear/Hi Firstname is fine.

Calvinsmam · 29/01/2019 15:56

If I receive an email with ‘good morning’ and not my name I assume it’s a cut and paste job and it puts me off.

Puggled · 29/01/2019 15:57

Yes, use his first name. I get lots of approaches on linked in and they always use my first name.

squee123 · 29/01/2019 15:57

I wouldn't worry, they're only the recruiter, not the CEO. Although saying that I'd also call the CEO by their first name..

allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 29/01/2019 16:01

I always say Hi .... with their first name even if I know their surname. No one has ever questioned my professionalism

EG20188 Just because no one has commented on it, doesn't mean they thought it was appropriate. I often receive emails addressed "Hi ........" at work, from people I've never met. I think it's friendly and well intentioned, but not very professional

CrumpBrunette · 29/01/2019 16:06

I wouldn't put 'dear' in an email to a recruiter, IMO experience these are informal conversations. I'd also not begin any email with 'dear' - a "Hi David" is fine. Good luck with the job search!

EG2018 · 29/01/2019 16:08

@allthgoodusernamesaretaken true but I have still always been offered the position so it can't bother them that much. I tend to address them as they do me, which is usually hi. The pp who mentioned good morning/afternoon has got it. I also do this for the first email, I will then address them with Hi ... in the following emails.

easyandy101 · 29/01/2019 16:27

They're a recruiter, you could start with oi dickhead and it won't matter, if they can place you they get paid

But a dear first name will be fine

EG2018 · 29/01/2019 16:30

@easyandy101 hahahaahahah I just choked on my biscuit Grin

allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 29/01/2019 16:32

eg2018 fair enough, know your audience and all that. Agree that it's fine to say hi if that's how they address you too

MikeUniformMike · 29/01/2019 16:34

Hi or Hello Firstname is fine. Double check the English spelling and grammar.

MikeUniformMike · 29/01/2019 16:46

Some organisations have recruiters that are in-house. Oi dickhead would not work in that case.
22-yr-old graduate recruiting agent with non-Standard English probably won't read it properly.

MikeUniformMike · 29/01/2019 16:46

Oops, recruiters who not that.

SpoonBlender · 29/01/2019 18:40

I tend towards "Hey pimp, got any tricks for me?" for third party recruiters.

In-house ones I'd be "Dear firstname".

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