A covering letter one

[seeksnewnamewithgsoh]

If they won't give me a name to address my letter to ("just the HR Department will get it to our pigeon hole, don't worry ), what do I open my letter with?

"To Whom It May Concern" always sounds a bit blah to me, like they haven't done their research.

Dear Sir/Madam?? Dear Potential New Boss?? (joking, don't worry)

I hate doing applications, this is why I've been stuck in this job for so long

Bump.

Anyone? Please?

I would find out a name - can you just enquire with a telephone call?

I.e.

"I'd like to send a letter to the head of HR, please. Can I get the correct spelling please?"

And if they ask, explain you'd rather not say on the phone. Make sure you hide your calling number though.

Works for me! Depending on the organisation size of course - if it's a tiny operation where the MD recruits, just as for his or her correct spelling, etc - I find that gets better answers if you angle it that way.

I sometimes have to make calls like that myself at work (not for recruitment) - where people are guarded about people's names. I don't know why but asking for the correct spelling/etc sometimes catches people off guard - when they're distracted I guess.

p.s. if you're really, really struggling to get a name, Dear Sir/Madam would be my preference. But a name is so much more likely to get on someone's desk (relevant desk!)...

I had to go with Sir/Madam in the end, I really hate to though. I phoned on Friday, and the girl in HR actually said the words in my OP!

I didn't think about the stealth option though

It's an advertised position, and the application process says HR Department, not name, so fingers crossed it will get there. I delivered it by hand as the deadline was 11am today - only found out about the job on Friday. Like I said, I hate doing the application stage, but this job would be brilliant. I hope my supporting letter does a good enough job to distract them from the ambiguous opening.

Thanks for the tips for next time

TBH, if it is a large organisation you are applying to (generalising here as this could well be the case for smaller companies too), the HR dept merely administers the recruitment process. They funnel the applications to the hiring manager and so in future, you might try to find out who that is and address the letter to them.

Good luck!