@Wobblesandchickuns
The rules have never changed. Do what you have always done.
Pretty much every Google result this morning says different, and my gut feeling was that it doesn't work these days, hence asking for real world opinions.
Interesting that the limited response here so far says it is OK. Everything I googled says it isn't.
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Dear Sir or Madam: Is It Appropriate to Use It? Best Alternatives
BlogCover LetterDear Sir or Madam: Is It Appropriate to Use It? Best Alternatives
Dear Sir or Madam: Is It Appropriate to Use It? Best Alternatives
Starting a cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madam” will definitely tell the hiring manager something about you—but nothing good. Learn better alternatives to this letter salutation.
Cory Streiff
Cory Streiff
Career Expert
Updated 02/25/2021
Okay, maybe the last time you heard the word “madam” was in your high school production of Hamlet.
But somewhere along the way you learned that “Dear Sir or Madam” is the way to address a letter formally. And you should use it when you want to sound professional, respectful, and sophisticated.
Well—in reality, if you write “Dear Sir or Madam” on a cover letter or business email, you’re more likely to get an eye roll than a head nod.
Read this guide to learn:
What using “Dear Sir or Madam” will say about you.
Why you should avoid this business letter salutation.
Better alternatives to “Dear Sir or Madam”.
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“Dear Sir or Madam” as a Letter Salutation
“Dear Sir or Madam” is a formal way to address a letter to a specific person whose name, title, or gender is unknown. There are certain situations when this letter salutation can be used, but it’s best to avoid it as it comes off as old-timey, impersonal, and lazy.
The reason why these generic letter salutations should be avoided is because you’re always better off addressing the letter using the recipient’s name. And with the advent of the internet, there’s almost no excuse for not knowing who you’re writing to.
But what if you’ve scoured the internet and still came up empty-handed? Can you use “Dear Sir or Madam” then?
Even in that case, there are better alternatives. Let’s explore what’s wrong with “Dear Sir or Madam” and when to use each alternative.
Is “Dear Sir or Madam” Appropriate for a Cover Letter?
No it isn’t—“Dear Sir/Madam” should be avoided whenever possible; it’s one part of a cover letter that you can feel safe leaving out. While not always inappropriate, there are much better alternatives if you want to give a good impression from the start.
To illustrate why, let’s walk a mile in Mary’s shoes. Who’s Mary? She’s the hiring manager at Acme Co. looking for a new marketing coordinator. Mary is busy at work reviewing candidates when she receives a notification there’s a new applicant. A resume arrives in her inbox with a cover letter attached. The first thing she reads is “Dear Sir or Madam”...
Now—what does that salutation tell Mary? A few things. She automatically knows: (a) the sender is a stranger who didn’t bother to look up her name, and (b) the letter’s contents might be a generic cover letter that’s been copy-pasted a hundred times. Do you think Mary feels inspired to carefully read the letter and give her utmost attention?
Chances are Mary is going to spend a few seconds skimming the letter and go straight to the resume.
Read more: Perfect Cover Letter: How to Write One?
“Dear Sir or Madam” in Emails
Avoid using “Dear Sir/Madam” in emails as well. Emails are less formal than cover letters, so starting with “Dear Sir or Madam” feels even more out of place. It’s always best to address an email directly to the recipient.
Read more: Email Cover Letter Sample
Why “Dear Sir or Madam” Falls Short
Here’s what the problems with “Dear Sir or Madam” boil down to:
It’s generic and lazy. You have the Internet at your fingertips. You should be able to Google something—anything more specific than Sir or Madam. Even if you can’t find a specific name, you should be able to find a specific department or position.
It’s outdated. Unless you’re writing a letter to someone at the Royal British Society, chances are the recipient will wonder how you time-traveled from 19th-century Victorian England.
It’s not gender inclusive. The recipient may not identify as a Sir or a Madam. In that case, your recipient hasn’t even started reading your letter and you’re already off on the wrong foot. "