When applying for a job and you don't know if the person is a miss, mrs or ms would you just address it to Dear 'first name'?

[littlemissbossy]

or would that be too familar? Opinions please ladies
TIA

as long as you know it's not a mr i would go for ms

familiar

ms (as long as they are definately female ).

Just 'first name' can be seen by some as over familiar.

Too familiar. Ring the company and ask receptionist or secretary, or if you can't find out put Ms.

good luck!

Agree with southeastastra - Ms is the safest bet.

i always put madame/sir

I always do dear sir/madam

I would say definitely don't put sir/madam if you do have a surname - it looks like you haven't paid attention to application details.

Ms if you know the surname or Sir/Madam if not

I know I probably look lazy and I would call but I'm sending out a general letter with CV to loads of different companies... I am so desperate for a new job, I can't bear it here any longer
I think I'll play it safe and go with Ms. Thanks ladies

agree with MadEyeMacdog - Ms if you know surname, madam if not

oh god absolutely wouldn;t put first name on a covering letter to CV. Would put me right off as an employer

Going to go against the grain here but IMO if they have only given you full name and not 'Mr/Mrs/Ms Whatever' then I would write that. I think most of my covering letters have been addressed 'Dear [Full Name]' actually (envelope addressed to Mr/Ms etc.)

Maybe it depends on the industry (am in teaching/theatre/drama jobs) but I have always been offered an interview following applications

(PS I really wouldn't do the blanket covering letter thing. Write a relevant letter for each job. It will be worth it when you get the interviews.)

I would address it "Dear Sir/Madam".