how to address cover letter without pronouns

How To Address A Cover Letter (Step-By-Step Instructions)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Everything is set. 

You have the skills, you’ve found the job and you are ready to apply. The only thing standing in your way is an ominously blank word document. The text cursor blinks relentlessly, mocking you.

You, however, are not one to be taken down by the annoying persistence of blinking mechanical devices. You take a deep break, stretch, and complete a brief, but effective, chair-based war dance.

You begin to write.

The first words you write will be the very first words a potential employer will read.

They are your introduction, a blast of information that will set the tone for your entire cover letter. They are important. Luckily, they are easily conquered.

What Is A Cover Letter?

Ok, so you know what a cover letter is.

(If you don’t, you might need a more in-depth look at what a cover letter is, so check out our article “How To Write a Cover Letter” )

But what else is a cover letter?

A cover letter is your friend.

This is your chance to get a potential employer’s attention, beyond the facts and details of your resume. It is an opportunity to show hiring managers that you did more than send fifty identical resumes out without carefully researching the organizations you are soliciting.

The best letters match the tone and culture of an organization. This starts with your very first few words – how you address the reader.

So having said all of that, you need to learn how to address a cover letter properly!

Addressing a Cover Letter: Why is it Important?

It is tempting to discount the importance of how you address your cover letters. Do so at your own peril!

The wrong choice can land your application squarely in the recycle bin. 

Most employers receive more than 25 resumes for each position posted, while some receive hundreds. They are looking for that perfect fit, but they are also overwhelmed by choices.

Even seemingly small mistakes may see your submission culled from the flock.

They can, after all, only fully examine so many options over the course of a busy afternoon. Unless you’re applying to a large company with an independent human resources department, your reviewer has better things to do.

You need to get their attention, positively, from the very beginning.

Who To Address a Cover Letter To

Imagine you receive two cover letters.

• Both applicants are qualified.
• Both letters are well-written.

In fact, the only difference seems to be in their greeting. One person took the time to figure out where this letter was going and has addressed you by name. The other included a general greeting.

Who are you more likely to interview? Most hiring managers will, unsurprisingly, choose the candidate who included a personal greeting.

Y ou want to be that candidate!

How To Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

When you cannot address your cover letter to a specific person, the next best thing is a professional, generic greeting. Which one? A 2011 study conducted by Saddleback University provides some insight:

• “ Dear Hiring Manager” Preferred by 40.5% of employers surveyed  
• “ To whom it may concern” Preferred by 27.4% of employers surveyed
• “ Dear Sir/Madam” Preferred by 17.9 % of employers surveyed

Data Source: Saddleback University

Mistakes To Avoid When Addressing a Cover Letter

• Grammar and punctuation are the biggest mistakes made when drafting a cover letter .
• Be sure to use a colon in your greeting.
• Also, avoid being too familiar! Though this may be appropriate, depending upon a company’s culture, it is more likely to come off as inappropriate. “Hi Bill” is seldom a good cover letter greeting.

Step By Step Instructions For Addressing a Cover Letter

STEP 1) Carefully read the job advertisement for mention of to whom you should address your cover letter . If the name of the hiring manager is listed, not using his or her name would show a lack of attention to detail and immediately earn you negative points.

STEP 2) If the name of the hiring committee is listed, but their gender is absent, visit the company’s website in search of a photograph or pronoun that will reveal the hiring manager’s gender . If in doubt, is is best to avoid gender pronouns altogether by using the person’s full name to address your cover letter.

STEP 3) Be sure to use the correct title. If you are applying to health care, academia or military fields this is especially important. Addressing a doctor or a colonel as “Mr.” is going to cost you .

STEP 4) If there is no name listed on the job advertisement, take to the internet for an answer. Visit the company website to see if you can decipher the most likely hiring manager for the position . If a personal email address was given, you should be able to match this email to its owner. If a general email was given, you may still be able to figure out who will read your letter.

STEP 5) When all else fails, consider a phone call to the main office. Skip this if the job advertisement specifically lists no calls. Otherwise, this is an extra step that is likely to get you noticed.

STEP 6) If you cannot address your cover letter to an actual person at the agency to which you are applying, then you will need to use a generic greeting.

STEP 7) Though there is some disagreement over cover letter greeting punctuation, the safest and most professional option is to use a colon. “Dear Hiring Manager:” is a good choice .

Putting it All Together

Armed with this new knowledge, you realize why the blinking text cursor has been mocking you: you weren’t quite ready to write those first few words.

Creating a compelling cover letter is about more than stream-of-consciousness prose flowing effortlessly from your fingers, through the keyboard, and into a word document. It requires knowledge, research and effort.

Now that you have the first requirement covered, there is probably an employer website you should be visiting. Good luck!

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

Copyright © 2024 · TheInterviewguys.com · All Rights Reserved

• Our Products
• Case Studies
• Interview Questions
• Jobs Articles
• Members Login

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job
• Cover Letters

How to Address a Cover Letter With Examples

Options for Addressing a Cover Letter

• Letter Without a Contact Person
• Non-Gender-Specific Names

What Title to Use

• Address an Email Cover Letter
• Review a Sample Cover Letter

Before You Send Your Letter

One of the trickiest parts of writing a cover letter comes at the very beginning. Much of the time, you won’t know exactly who will read your letter. How do you address your cover letter when you don’t have the contact person’s name and/or gender ?

First of all, try to find out the name of the contact person. Some employers will think poorly of an applicant who does not take the time to learn the hiring manager’s name. Also, take care not to assume that you know the gender of the recipient based on the name. Many names are gender-neutral, and some hiring managers may identify as a gender other than male or female.

It’s also possible that you’ll do your research and still be unable to figure out to whom you are addressing your letter. In that case, it's better to be safe and use a generic greeting . It's also acceptable to start a letter without a greeting and start with the first paragraph of your letter .

You have a lot of options when addressing your letter. Learn more about the possibilities before you make your choice.

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

There are a variety of general cover letter salutations you can use to address your letter. These general cover letter salutations do not require you to know the name of the hiring manager.

In a survey of more than 2,000 companies, Saddleback College found that employers preferred the following greetings:  

• Dear Sir/Madam (27%)
• To Whom It May Concern  (17%)
• Dear Human Resources Director (6%)
• Leave it blank (8%)

Do keep in mind that terms like "To Whom It May Concern" may seem dated, so the best options may be either to use "Dear Hiring Manager" or not to include a greeting at all. Simply start with the first paragraph of your letter.

How to Address a Cover Letter for a Non-Gender-Specific Name

If you do have a name but aren't sure of the person's gender, one option is to include both the first name and the last name in your salutation, without a title that reveals gender:

• Dear Sydney Doe
• Dear Taylor Smith
• Dear Jamie Brown

With these types of gender-ambiguous names,  LinkedIn  can be a helpful resource. Since many people include a photo with their profile, a simple search of the person's name and company within LinkedIn could potentially turn up the contact's photograph.

Again, you can also check the company website or call the company’s administrative assistant to get more information as well.

Even if you know the name and gender of the person to whom you are writing, think carefully about what title you will use in your salutation.

For example, if the person is a doctor or holds a Ph.D., you might want to address your letter to “Dr. Lastname” rather than “Ms. Lastname” or “Mr. Lastname.” Other titles might be “Prof.,” “Rev.,” or “Sgt.,” among others.

When you address a letter to a female employer, use the title “Ms.” unless you know for certain that she prefers another title (such as “Miss” or “Mrs.”).

“Ms.” is a general title that does not denote marital status, so it works for any female employer.

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

Hiring managers get a lot of emails each day. Make it easy for them to scan your email and follow up by including a clear subject line and a signature with your contact information. It's important to address the email cover letter correctly, including the name of the person hiring for the position if you have a contact, to ensure that your letter gets noticed.

Subject Line of Email Message

Never leave the subject line blank. There is a good chance that if a hiring manager receives an email with no subject line, they’ll delete it without even bothering to open it, or it could end up in their spam mailbox. Instead, write a clear subject indicating your intentions.

List the job you are applying for in the  subject line of your email message , so the employer knows what job you are interested in. They may be hiring for multiple positions, and you will want them to identify the position you’re interested in easily.

How to Address the Contact Person

There are a variety of  cover letter salutations  you can use to address your email message. If you have a contact person at the company, address the letter to Ms. or Mr. Lastname. If you aren’t given a contact person, check to see if you can  determine the email recipient's name .

If you can’t find a contact person at the company, you can either leave off the salutation from your cover letter and  start with the first paragraph  of your letter or use a  general salutation .

How to Format the Salutation

Once you have chosen a salutation, follow it with a colon or comma, a space, and then start the first paragraph of your letter. For example:

Dear Hiring Manager:

First paragraph of the letter.

Body of Email Cover Letter

The body of your cover letter  lets the employer know what position you are applying for, and why the employer should select you for an interview. This is where you'll sell yourself as a candidate. Review the job posting and include examples of your attributes that closely match the ones they are looking for.

When you're sending an  email cover letter , it's important to follow the employer's instructions on how to submit your cover letter and resume.

Make sure that your email cover letters are as well-written as any other documents you send.

If you have attached your resume, mention this as part of your conclusion. Then finish your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow up. Include a closing, then list your name and your  email signature .

Your email signature should include your name, full address, phone number, email address, and  LinkedIn Profile URL  (if you have one) so it is easy for hiring managers to get in touch.

Firstname Lastname  Street Address  (optional) City, State Zip Code  Email  Phone  LinkedIn

Sample Cover Letter

This is a cover letter example. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Sample Cover Letter (Text Version)

Mary Garcia 12 Rogers Avenue Townville, New Hampshire 03060 555-555-5555 mary.garcia@email.com

February 17, 2021

Franklin Lee

CBI Industries 39 Main Street Townville, New Hampshire 03060

Dear Mr. Lee:

I was excited to see your ad for the operations assistant position in your Townville offices.

I have five years of experience as an operations assistant/associate. In my most recent role at ABC Corp., I fulfilled orders, resolved customer issues, ordered supplies, and prepared reports. In previous roles, I’ve done bookkeeping, data entry, and sales support. Basically, anything your department needs to run smoothly, I can do – and most likely, I already have experience doing it.

My other skills include:

• Strong communication skills, in person, in writing, and on the phone
• Excellent attention to detail and organization skills
• Top-notch customer service
• Experience in the industry and passion for the product
• Adept at all the usual professional software, including Microsoft Office Suite

I’ve included my resume for your review. Please contact me if you have questions or would like to schedule an interview. Thank you for your consideration.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Mary Garcia

Review Cover Letter Samples: It’s hard to write cover letters from scratch. To make life easier – and to make sure you don’t forget any of those pesky formatting rules —start by reviewing cover letter samples . Sending an email version instead? Look at a few examples of email cover letters to get started.

Customize Your Cover Letter: Why personalize your cover letter every time you apply for a job? Because even similar job titles have different requirements. The goal of a cover letter is to show the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for this particular job. Customizing your cover letter will help you emphasize your skills and experience and how they fit with the job requirements .

Spell-Check Names: Before sending your cover letter, make absolutely sure that you have spelled the hiring manager’s name correctly. That is the kind of small error that can cost you a job interview.

Carefully Proofread Your Letter: Whether you're sending an email or uploading or attaching a printable cover letter, it's important to make sure that your cover letter and resume are written as well as any other business correspondence. If you can, have a friend proofread before you hit send, to pick up any typos or grammatical errors.

Saddleback College. " Your Resume is Your 1st Interview ," Page 14. Accessed Feb. 17, 2021.

How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024

Yes, how you address your cover letter matters.

After all, this is the first thing the recruiter reads when going through your cover letter, and yes, there is a right and wrong way to do it.

In this article, we’re going to teach you how to address your cover letter in such a way that you leave a positive impression on any recruiter!

• How to address a cover letter to a recruiter? (Casual or formal)
• What title to use when addressing the hiring manager
• How to address a cover letter without a contact person/to a company
• How to address a cover letter without an address
• How to address a cover letter in an email

How to Address a Cover Letter To a Recruiter (Casual or Formal)?

As we already mentioned, the way you address your cover letter is important because it is the very first thing recruiters see upon opening your cover letter. 

A well-formulated cover letter address means that you care enough to research the company (i.e. to find the hiring manager’s name and title) and that you show attention to detail. 

As such, you should always put some research into who you’re addressing your cover letter to and do so in a formal way.  

And yes, the formal part is important too. The recruiter isn’t your best friend - you want to maintain a sense of professionalism.

If this is how you address the recruiter in your cover letter:

• What’s up Hiring Manager
• Hi there Hiring Team

Then you say goodbye to the job.

Now, you’re probably wondering, how can I find out whom to address my cover letter to?

That’s what we’re about to teach you:

Who Am I Addressing My Cover Letter To?

Here are some tricks to find the full name of the hiring manager: 

• Check the job listing. The job listing may have information about the recruiter or the department doing the hiring. Make sure to read through the entire job listing, as it might not be at an entirely obvious place.
• Check the company website. Some websites feature the names of the hiring managers or heads of departments that may go through your cover letter. Alternatively, LinkedIn is another place where you can look for this information.
• Check the company’s LinkedIn. You can look up who works in the company you’re applying for on their LinkedIn page.
• Ask around. Do you have friends that work for the company? They could provide you with valuable inside info.

To avoid making a bad impression, head over to our guide on cover letter mistakes to learn about what NOT to do when writing your cover letter.  

Addressing a Cover Letter With a Name

By now, you have probably found the hiring manager’s full name and gender. With this information available, it’s best to address the hiring manager formally, as follows: 

• Dear Mr. Brown,
• Dear Miss Fitzpatrick,
• Dear Mrs. Lockhart,
• Dear Ms. Walters,

If, for some reason, you are unsure about the person’s title, gender, marital status, or preferred pronouns, just address them using their entire name to avoid any mistakes. For example:

• Dear Alex Brown, 
• Dear Blair Fitzpatrick,
• Dear Jesse Lockhart,
• Dear Madison Walters,

Addressing someone with a title 

Now, if you found out that the hiring manager has a professional or academic title, then it’s more appropriate to address them using that title. If, for example, the hiring manager has a Ph.D., then it’s more respectful to address them as “Dr. Last Name,” instead of “Mr. Last Name.”  

Here are some professional titles and how they’re abbreviated: 

• A professor is Prof. 
• A reverend is Rev. 
• A sergeant is Sgt. 
• Honorable is Hon. 

If, however, you are uncertain about how a title is abbreviated, then avoid it altogether. 

Here are a few examples to give you an idea: 

• Dear Prof. Welsch,
• Dear Director Smith,
• Dear Rev. Owen,

Dear Dr. Leonard,

When addressing women and you don’t know their marital status, always go with Ms., because it doesn’t comment on marital status. Some women prefer not to be addressed with Miss or Mrs. even when they’re married, so sticking with Ms. is the best choice. 

Want to learn more cover letter tips ? Our guide has all you need to ace your cover letter!  

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Contact Person

It might happen that, no matter how hard you search, you can’t find the name of the hiring manager or department head that will read your cover letter.

In that case, you can address your cover letter to the department, faculty, or the company.

• Dear Software Development Hiring Team,
• Dear Customer Service Department Hiring Team,
• Dear Head of the Literature Faculty,
• Dear Director of Marketing,
• Dear Human Resources Recruitment Team,

Alternatively, if you don’t have enough information either about the department or the team, you can opt for addressing the cover letter directly to the company’s hiring staff, as follows: 

Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team 

Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Staff

If all else fails (meaning, you don’t know the name of the department head or even the exact department, in addition to the recruiter) then you can use one of the good, old-fashioned:

Dear Hiring Manager,

...but NOT the impersonal and way outdated “To whom it may concern” and “Dear Sir/Madam.” 

Starting a cover letter can be challenging. Our guide can show you how to start a cover letter that will get you results from the get-go. 

How to Format the Company’s Address

Before you reach the salutation, you have to make sure that the header with the recipient’s contact information is formatted correctly. 

It might not be the deciding point of whether you’ll secure an interview or not, but it will cost you points if it’s off. 

So, the first thing you want to do is add your name and surname on the upper left side of the cover letter. Underneath, you should write your professional title (if applicable), your email , and your phone number . 

Now, after you’ve also added the date, you should leave one more space and add the recipient’s contact information and, most importantly, the company’s address. 

It should look something like this on your cover letter: 

When You Can’t Find the Company’s Address 

Some companies might have several addresses listed (as per their branches, for example), or even none at all. 

Since an application that doesn’t have an address line could end up lost or misplaced, make sure you do one of the following before skipping the company’s address completely:

• Check all your resources, (pretty much like when you were looking for the hiring manager’s name) to find the company’s address. 
• Use the company’s headquarter address. This is sometimes easier to find, especially if the company has several branches. 
• Use the P.O. Box number for the company. This is not as specific as an actual address line, but if all else fails, it’s still something. 

Frequently, you’ll be asked to submit your job application (including your cover letter) electronically, or by email. In those cases, you can skip the address line altogether. 

Here’s how you’d go about addressing a cover letter in an email.

How to Address an Email Cover Letter

If you’re sending your job application through email, chances are you’ll need to format your cover letter in the body of the email, or as an attachment along with your resume.

First and foremost when you’re addressing a cover letter in an email is the subject line, which should be between 6-10 words long. 

Considering that hiring managers receive countless emails daily, you want to make sure that yours is a job application immediately. And the way to do that is straight through the subject line, which should indicate exactly the position you’re applying for and your name so that it’s easier to find through the recruiter’s swarmed mailbox. 

Here’ what we mean by that:

• Subject Line:   John Doe - Software Development Job Application 
• Subject Line: John Doe - Job Application for Marketing Manager Position   
• Subject Line: John Doe - Stock Manager Job Application 

Afterward, if you’re including your cover letter in the body of the email (as opposed to attaching it as a document), begin by using a salutation, add space, and start your letter. 

If someone referred you for the position, make sure to mention that in the subject line of your email as well as in your opening paragraph.  

So, let’s see how all the above plays out in practice: 

Subject Line: John Doe - Carl Jacob’s Referral for Software Developer

I was very glad that Mr. Jacobs, a long-time partner at your firm who also happens to be my mentor from college, referred me for the Software Developer position. 

Do you want your style, personality, and overall personal brand to shine through your application? With Novorésumé, you can match your cover letter with your resume to make a lasting impression! 

Key Takeaways 

And that’s all there is when it comes to addressing a cover letter! You should feel much more confident in doing so by now. 

Either way, let’s go over the main points we covered throughout the article: 

• Your cover letter address should be formal and well-researched. Don’t address the hiring manager with “hey,” “what’s up,” “hi there,” or even the old-fashioned “Dear Sir/Madam” and “To Whom It May Concern.”
• Always try to find the hiring manager’s full name and professional title through the company’s website, LinkedIn, by calling, or by asking someone who works there.
• If you know the hiring manager’s name, go with “Dear Mr./Miss Last Name,” but if you’re unsure about their gender, marital status, or preferred pronoun, just address them using their full name.
• If the recruiter has a professional or academic title, it’s more appropriate to address them using their title.
• If you can’t find the contact person’s name, then address the department, faculty, or company (i.e. Dear Microsoft Hiring Team , or Dear Software Development Recruitment Team ).

Related Readings: 

• Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2024
• Entry-Level Cover Letter
• Cover Letter for Internship
• How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

"... an amazing resource for anyone involved in B2B selling"

Your Cover Letter Should Be Gender Neutral

Studies show job seekers who apply to online ads with both a resume and cover letter are 5 times more successful in landing interviews when compared to candidates who only include a resume. Not sure how to write a cover letter that is gender neutral when applying for a sales position? Here’s a template that works.

How to Properly Address a Cover Letter

I am often asked how to properly address the cover letter when submitting a resume for a job application. When a specific name is not specified in the job advertisement, the key is to remain gender neutral.

How to Make Your Cover Letter Gender Neutral

Although it may seem unbelievable in this day and age, but I still regularly receive resumes addressed to only ‘Dear Sir’. A mistake such as this, one that shows a lack of respect and that the candidate is quick to assume as opposed to verify the details, irks some recruiters enough that they simply delete the application without ever reading the resume.

Gender Neutral Cover Letter Greetings

Addressing your cover letter gender neutral greeting is a quick and easy way to avoid this.  You could use 'Dear Human Resources', 'Dear ABC Company Recruiter', 'Dear Personnel Manager' or 'Dear Hiring Manager'.  Even 'Dear Sir or Madam' of 'To Whom It May Concern' is better than just 'Dear Sir'.  If you are only using the email as your cover letter (as opposed to a formal cover letter in a file), you can just not use a greeting and just start with the body of the letter.

Sometimes, even when a name of the recruiter is given in the job ad, you cannot be 100 percent sure as to the gender of the person.  Pat, Leslie, Taylor, Sam and Kim, as well as countless other names could all be male or female.  In this case, it is best to use a greeting like 'Dear Pat Smith' as it is very professional, as well as completely neutral as it pertains to gender.  Where you were only given the first initial of the recruiter, 'Dear P. Smith' is acceptable.

Remember, when it comes to addressing your cover letter, never assume!

What Pronouns to Use to Make Your Cover Letter Gender Neutral

A pronoun is a word that can be substituted for a person's name when referring to that person.  For example, she, her, hers and he, him, his are the most commonly used pronouns.

Recently, it is becoming more common for people to identify your preferred pronoun that is to be used when addressing them based on their gender identity.  In fact, many are adding their preferences to their names in their email signatures and on their Linkedin profiles. For example, Jane Doe (she/her) or John Doe (he/him).

If there is no preferred pronouns identified on the recruiters Linkedin profile, you can always use the gender neutral pronouns of they, them or theirs .  And yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use 'they' in the singular. 

For more acceptable gender neutral pronouns examples and how to properly use them, check out the post, All About Pronouns , from the University of Toronto.

Address Your Resume’s Cover Letter To The Right Person

When you are given a contact in the job ad, make sure to use it and that it is spelled correctly. 

Not long ago I received a resume cover letter addressed to “Sunsan”.  Let me assure you that addressing your resume or cover letter to the wrong person or misspelling the company or contact name is pretty much guaranteed to have your resume filed in the round filing cabinet otherwise known as the garbage can!

Have you ever received a letter that had your name spelled wrong?  It doesn’t give the best first impression, does it?  Remember, if you don’t address your resume properly, it was just a waste of time. 

A Resume Cover Letter Template

Today, most cover letters are emails as opposed to actual letters as they were in the past.  Now, your email cover letter is read once, the resume printed and/or saved, and then the cover letter email deleted. As such, the format of the cover email must change from its printed ancestor.  

It must be short, to the point, and must not contain any information that is not in the actual resume itself as that information will never be seen again.  It must entice the reader to read the actual resume.  Having said that, just sending an email that says you have attached your resume is not sufficient.

A cover letter template that works extremely well when applying to sales jobs is as follows :

Please find attached my resume outlining my qualifications for the position of (name of position) as advertised in (name of publication or website).  My (number) years of business to business sales experience qualify me as a valuable asset. 

Some of my career highlights include:

–  (List 3 to 5 bullet points that highlight you best accomplishments or that match the qualifications listed in the job advertisement)

Thank you very much for your time and effort.  I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you.

Regards, (Name) (Phone) (Email Address)

An email cover letter like the one above gives the reader just enough information to peak his interest while still being short enough that the entire email will show in the Outlook Preview Pane. Most importantly, the format will entice the recruiter to open the resume and read more.

A Resume Template for Sales Jobs

Not sure your resume will land you an interview? Then download a free copy of our white paper How To Write An Effective B2B Sales Resume , from the B2B Sales Connections Free Download Centre. While you’re there, be sure to check out our Free Job Search Tracking Worksheet.

To search thousands of sales jobs for any location from all over the internet, check out the B2B Sales Connections Job Board . You can even create job alerts to have the latest sales jobs delivered right to your inbox!

Are you looking to make a career change? For detailed instructions, step by step, on how to find your perfect sales job, (and by perfect, we mean perfect for YOU), check out our eBook, How to Find Your Dream Sales Job – The future is yours to create! How to write a resume to grab the attention of sales recruiters, a gender neutral cover letter template, what you need to include in your LinkedIn profile, how to prepare for a sales interview, what to wear, how to access the hidden job market, how to evaluate a job offer, how to resign from your current job …. IT'S ALL IN THIS BOOK!

Remember, as Steve Jobs once said, 'The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.'

Aim Higher!

Susan A. Enns ,  B2B Sales Coach  and Author Schedule a free sales coaching strategy session with Susan here.

For more Sales Career Tips and Job Search Links , visit our blog, A Sales Compass , now considered 'one of the Top B2B Blogs on the net'.

Related Posts

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search Form

New on the olc.

Reminder: When your new content is ready for review, change from Draft to Submit. We look forward to your submissions!

Why adding pronouns on your resume, cover letter, and linkedin profile matters.

Sukhpreet Shergill

Sukhpreet Shergill Follow SFU Student Undergraduate

We are moving towards a culture where gender-inclusive practices are becoming the norm. This is true even within our workplaces! We see people adding their pronouns to their email signatures and even their Zoom profiles. Another way to practice gender inclusivity in the workplace is to share your pronouns on your job search documents if you are comfortable doing so. Adding your pronouns to your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profiles can help build gender-inclusive workplaces. Learn how and where to add your pronouns to your job search documents. 

A major component of a resume is the letterhead which contains your name, contact information (phone number, email, etc.), and any social media accounts you use in your professional image (e.g. your website, your LinkedIn profile URL, etc.). In addition, it is recommended that you create a unique, personal letterhead for all your job search documents and include your pronouns next to your name!  

There are two places you can add your pronouns on a cover letter. The first option is to copy and paste the same personal letterhead from your resume that includes your pronouns on your cover letter. The second option involves adding your pronouns next to your signature at the end of the cover letter. 

When addressing the hiring manager in your cover letter, ensure you are not assuming or guessing the honorifics (e.g. Mr., Ms., Mx., etc.) they use based on their name or the pronouns they use. Instead, we recommend that you address the hiring manager using their first and last name. Unless the hiring manager has clearly specified their honorifics beside their name (e.g. on the organization’s website or the job posting), there is no other way of knowing what honorifics they use.  

You can now add your pronouns to your LinkedIn profiles using their new optional feature! You also have the ability to control who sees your pronouns if you choose to display them. To add your pronouns, click the ‘Me’ icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage. Then click ‘View Profile’ and the ‘Edit’ icon in the Introduction section. Scroll down until you see the ‘Pronouns’ field. Now you can enter your pronouns and even select your preferred visibility option. Click ‘Save’ once you’re done.  

Using pronouns as part of your professional image is one way we can help promote safe and inclusive workplaces for the LGBTQ2S+ community. It is important that you don’t make assumptions about someone’s gender identity or expression. Pronouns are tied to everyone’s identity! Using the wrong pronouns to address someone can be insulting and harmful, even if it’s done without ill intent. Let’s support talking about pronouns in the workplace to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for everyone! The best way to know someone’s pronouns is to ask. Visit the  Importance of Pronouns Resource Page  from SFU’s Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office  (SVSPO) website to learn more.

Thank you to Taegan McFarlane (she/her or they/them) for helping edit this blog.

Sukhpreet is a fifth-year student majoring in both psychology and biology. In addition, she works as a Career Peer Advisor at Career and Volunteer Services .

You Might Like These... Prospective , Professional Development , Career Exploration

In this blog post, Heather shares with us why co-op is an important experience for all students, whether it be to further career aspirations or to gain future employment opportunities. 

Having completed my first work term for Health Canada as a Communications Officer Intern, I was eager to try something new, and the government was not where I believed that was going to happen. That is until I was offered a position at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...

She has been involved with SFU LEAD, Peer Programs and the SFU Muslim Students’ Association, just to name a few. Now, Sana Siddiqui, a Criminology student, reflects back and shares with us the invaluable academic, personal and professional skills and opportunities volunteering opened for her, read on to find out what she has to say about getting involved on campus and in the community.

You Might Like These... Academic Success

I don’t much like talking to strangers. I have great conversations in my head with myself, but when it comes to vocalizing my brilliant, eloquent thoughts to other people, I often end up garbling the words into something near unintelligible.

Time flies and before you know it, you’ll be attending a lot of holiday parties, activities and social functions. Surprisingly, these holiday gatherings provide the perfect opportunity to be networking, building relationships, learning about diverse jobs, and starting career conversations that could assist you in getting a head start on your future career exploration and work search.

Landing the job is only the first step. Once you arrive for work you not only need to make a good first impression, but create a lasting professional reputation.

Career and Volunteer Services

Can You Use Personal Pronouns In A Cover Letter? (CAREER Advice)

Pronouns are words that replace other words or phrases. They can be used as substitutes for nouns, pronouns, and even verbs. English has many different types of pronouns which include personal pronouns (I, you) and possessive pronouns (my, mine). 

Personal pronouns are used when we want to refer to someone by name. We use personal pronouns in our writing when we want to avoid repetition. Here is a list of common personal pronouns used in writing:

Table of Contents

Can I Use Personal Pronouns In A Cover Letter?

Yes, you can use personal pronouns in a cover letter.

Personal pronouns are words like “I,” “me,” and “you.” In a cover letter, you may occasionally want to refer to yourself or your team as “we” (for example, when writing about the experience that you are applying for) or by using your name (such as if there is an unusual spelling).

You can also use personal pronouns to refer to yourself or your team:

• I wrote the study on computer vision technology used by Google’s self-driving cars.
• My name is Jana Johnson and I just graduated with a degree in computer science from MIT.

Crafting a well-written cover letter is crucial in securing a job interview. As our guide on why cover letters are important explains, a cover letter is your opportunity to showcase your skills and qualifications to potential employers, and should not be overlooked.”

Should I Use “I” In A Cover Letter?

It’s a good idea to use the first person in your cover letter. Use the word “I” when explaining why you are a good fit for the job and how you will benefit the company. You can even use it as a way to brag about your skills if they are particularly impressive.

In general, using personal pronouns like “I,” “we,” or “you” will help make sure that your letter sounds conversational and friendly and not robotic or overly formal.

Should You Use “I” Or “We” In Cover Letters?

You should use “I” in cover letters when you are applying for a job that requires a lot of problem-solving and initiative. If you’re applying for a position where your work is going to be done independently, it’s best to write your letter from the first-person point of view.

Using the word “I” makes it much clearer that this is an individual who can do things on his own and does not need help from others in making decisions.

Should You Use “I” In Your Resume Profile?

The first thing to consider is who you are and what you want your CV profile to say about you. If you’re a confident, ambitious person keen to impress recruiters with your desire for success, then using ‘I’ is likely the best choice. 

However, if this isn’t the case and instead you prefer collaborating with others or are more of an introvert who prefers working in smaller groups, then it might be better for someone else in their team to write their profile for them (or at least help with it) so that they can use words like “we” and “our”.

It’s also important not to get carried away with using personal pronouns too often as it could detract from the overall message on your CV. After all, why would anyone hire someone who constantly refers themselves throughout their application?

It may sound obvious but remember: don’t let personal pronouns get in the way of telling employers everything they need to know about yourself!

When it comes to cover letter length, finding the right balance is key. Our article on when a cover letter can be too long offers valuable insights on how to determine the appropriate length for your cover letter to avoid overwhelming hiring managers with unnecessary information.

How Do You Address A Cover Letter Without A Contact?

If you don’t have a contact, try these options:

Use the company name. This is the most common way to address a cover letter when you don’t know anyone at the company but want to write to them anyway.

Use the company address or website. If you’re sending an email and can’t find an employee’s name, try sending it to an email address that matches up with a department or division within the company you may luck out! 

It also doesn’t hurt to check their website for contact information, especially if they include links on their “Contact Us” page for specific departments or teams (for example, “Careers” or “Press”). 

If there isn’t any email address listed on their site and you can’t find any other contact information either, go ahead and send off your application with general inquiries like this one: “To Whom It May Concern.” Don’t forget that many companies have social media accounts as well if so then feel free to use those handles instead of email addresses!

What Does “Dear Hirer” Mean On A Job Application?

The dear hirer is a respectful way to address the person who is hiring you. It is used in cover letters or formal emails, but it should not be used in follow-up emails or thank you emails (you might want to use “thank you” instead). 

Also, if you are talking about yourself, do not use dear hirer; just call them by their name. Dear John Smith does sound like something my mother would say in a letter she received from her insurance company about switching providers, so I don’t recommend using that either.

How Do You Mention An Interview In A Thank You Letter?

You can mention the interview and the names of those you interviewed with. Thank them for their time and let them know how much you enjoyed speaking with them. If you were offered a job at the company, say that you would like to accept the position and look forward to starting work soon.

If they did not offer you a job, feel free to still let them know that they were your top choice out of all of the companies that interviewed you so far. 

You should also mention how much you enjoyed meeting with their team and that while they did not offer a position at this time, perhaps in the future if an appropriate opening comes up again 

If there are other opportunities within the organization itself then they can consider calling upon your services once more (especially since now they know what kind of person/employee/ professional/ good friend etc., etc., etc.,).

Finally and most importantly! make sure that if someone does send over an unsolicited thank-you note on behalf of themselves or their company after taking part in one’s interview process then always respond promptly 

So as not to become perceived as rude or unprofessional when trying to reach out after seeing some type of content posted online about oneself through social media platforms such as LinkedIn.”

While it may be tempting to include every detail about your qualifications and experience, a shorter cover letter can often be more effective. Check out our article on when a cover letter can be shorter than a page to learn how to make every word count and capture the attention of potential employers.

What Should I Say At The End Of A Follow Up Email?

At the end of the email, you should thank the interviewer for their time and let them know that you are interested in the job. You can also ask them to keep you in mind for future positions, or if there isn’t another position available right now but they think one might open up soon, then it’s okay to ask them that as well. 

Also, it never hurts to give your contact information so they can reach out if they need any further information from you at some point down the road (or if they want to offer another position).

If at this point you still want more details about a particular company or its culture before deciding whether or not it’s worth applying for a job there – feel free to ask questions! 

This is something many recruiters encourage candidates to do because it shows initiative on their part which makes everyone happy: candidates get answers about what life would be like working at this company 

Recruiters get someone who seems interested/passionate about their work environment; employers get applicants who took initiative rather than just blindly sending resumes without ever checking out what kind of workplace culture might exist within their walls.

What Is Pronoun Shift And Why Is It Important?

Pronoun shift is when you use pronouns to avoid repetition or to clarify the meaning of a sentence. For example, if you say “I am going to visit my family for Christmas, and then I will head back home,” this sentence is hard to understand because it’s unclear to who “I” is referring. 

You could fix this by replacing “I” with a pronoun: “We are going to visit our family for Christmas, and then we will head back home.” This makes the sentence easier to understand because it uses pronouns instead of repeating words like “we” or “our.”

Pronoun shift is important because it helps writers avoid repetitions in their work, which makes their writing more concise. It also helps them communicate ideas more clearly and effectively by avoiding vagueness that can result from the overuse of pronouns (e.g., saying something like “he” when you mean “you”).

Can We Use ‘they’ For Both Singular And Plural Nouns?

This “they” is now considered the plural of “he” and “she,” but it can also be used to refer to a single person whose gender is unknown. There are many other ways that people use the singular they, too:

• In informal speech: “They like pizza.”
• In formal writing: “Everyone should bring their lunchbox to school every day.”

For example in an academic journal article or novel: “She found herself unable to come up with any examples of times when she had been discriminated against based on her gender.”

Is It Better To Be Anonymous In Personal Essays?

In some cases, it’s important to be anonymous. For example, if you’re writing a personal essay and you are describing an experience that could be potentially damaging to the other people involved (e.g., sexual assault), it is best to remain anonymous unless they have given their consent. 

However, even if they have given their consent or even if your story isn’t about anything sensitive like that, in general, it’s always better for the writer to remain anonymous especially when it comes to the reader’s understanding of what is fiction versus non-fiction.

When writing about your life and experiences for others’ consumption (in whatever form), something is empowering about putting yourself out there in such an honest way without any fear of judgment or criticism because you aren’t attaching names or faces with these stories/experiences

This allows us as readers/viewers an opportunity not only to learn more about ourselves but also to explore our ideas regarding these subjects without feeling threatened by someone else who might disagree with them.

Using bullet points in your cover letter can help you convey your qualifications and experience more effectively. Our guide on using bullet points in a cover letter provides tips and examples to help you create a clear and concise cover letter that stands out from the rest.

Why Does The Hr Manager Always Ends The Mail With ‘please Let Me Know?

The reason for this is that the HR manager wants to make sure you’ve received their email. If you don’t respond, they won’t know if their message has been effective or not, and so they will be unable to improve it for future applicants. 

It’s also possible that by not responding at all the person who sent it could feel bad about themselves! So think about how important your reply is!

However, another possibility is that the opening line of an email doesn’t really matter at all and they’re just trying to fill up space so they can get on with what matters: reading resumes and making decisions about who gets hired and who doesn’t get hired.

Do Personal Pronouns Add Value To Academic Writing?

When writing in academic settings, personal pronouns are often used to avoid repetition. A personal pronoun is a word that’s used to refer to a person or thing. For example, “he” and “she” are both personal pronouns that can be used instead of someone’s name.

Personal pronouns are also often used when writing an essay or other piece of literature especially if it relates closely to your own life experiences. 

For example, let’s say you’re writing about the first time you went camping with your family as a child; rather than saying something like: “My mother cooked dinner for us,” it would be better if we said something like: “She cooked dinner for us.

This helps keep the reader focused on what they want them to know without having them think about anything else happening around them at that time (like cooking).

Should I Use Pronouns In Science Writing And If So, Which Ones Should I Choose When Referring To An Individual Of Unspecified Gender?

The short answer: yes

The long answer is that it depends on the audience and the purpose of your writing. In academia, pronouns are often used to avoid specifying gender for subjects that may be difficult to talk about or study (e.g., cancer patients). 

There’s no need to use personal pronouns if you’re addressing an entire audience; however, if you want to write more personally, then using personal pronouns can help you connect with readers while still being respectful of all genders in your work.

Transitioning to a new career field can be daunting, but a well-written cover letter can help you showcase your transferable skills and experience. Our article on writing a cover letter when changing fields provides valuable advice on how to highlight your strengths and make a successful career change.

Which Pronoun Should Be Preferred-He Or She-When Gender Of The Person Is Not Known Or Irrelevant 

Is there any alternative other than ‘they’?

The correct way to refer to someone in a cover letter is as ‘he or she’ unless it is known as otherwise. This means that you should use the singular form of pronouns, like ‘he’ and ‘she’ when referring to individuals whose gender isn’t known or irrelevant.

However, many people have started using the plural pronoun ‘they’ instead because they think that it’s more inclusive than using he/she all the time. This isn’t true though!

The main reason why people use “they” is because they want their writing style to be gender neutral so that no one feels excluded from their writing but this doesn’t always work out well for everyone involved either! 

When you choose this option, make sure it has no negative impact on other groups who may feel offended by your choice (like if someone were reading through this sentence above).

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s acceptable to use personal pronouns in your cover letter, the answer is yes! Using “I,” “we,” and other pronouns can lend a more personal touch to your application. Just make sure not to overdo it, after all, these are still business documents that need to be formal enough for an employer to take seriously.

Further Reading

Should I Put Pronouns on My Resume? : This blog post from the OITE Careers Blog discusses the pros and cons of including pronouns on your resume and offers tips for making an informed decision.

The 10 Cover Letter Don’ts : This article from Fastweb provides a list of common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter.

Should I Put My Pronouns on My Resume? : This blog post from Harvard Career Services offers advice on whether or not to include pronouns on your resume, as well as tips for navigating the job search as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

What is the purpose of including pronouns on a resume?

Including pronouns on a resume can signal to potential employers that you are an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and can help create a more inclusive hiring process.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter?

Some common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter include being too generic, focusing too much on yourself, using informal language, and neglecting to proofread for errors.

How can I make my resume stand out to potential employers?

To make your resume stand out, be sure to tailor it to each job you apply for, highlight your relevant skills and experience, and use clear and concise language.

Is it appropriate to use humor in a cover letter?

While a touch of humor can help you stand out from other applicants, it is important to strike a balance and not come across as unprofessional or disrespectful.

What should I do if I have gaps in my employment history?

If you have gaps in your employment history, be honest about them and focus on the skills and experience you gained during that time, such as volunteering or taking classes.

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.