You have finally found the perfect job to apply for, but there is a problem. The job posting does not list the contact person, usually the hiring manager, who is responsible for reviewing your cover letter and resume. What do you do? Well, just as you did in school, you have to do a little research. When applying for a job, it is worth your time to discover the name of the hiring manager or other company contact person who will be reviewing your employment documents. Sometimes this name is provided in the job posting; other times it will take a concerted effort to find it. Below are a few tactics you can use:
How to Find the Name of a Contact Person
Call and ask a receptionist
Find the company or company branch and speak to a receptionist. Explain the purpose of your call. For example, “I saw your company’s job posting for a new salesperson. Can you tell me the name of the person I should address my cover letter to?”
Ask for Human Resources
If the person who receives your call is unable to help, ask to be directed to Human Resources. Someone in this department will likely have the answer.
Check the company website
You may find the name you need on the company website. Often, the company will have a listing of senior management. However, avoid guessing; be sure you have the name of the correct person. If you’re not sure, you might email someone in the department where you hope to work and ask who you should address your letter to.
Explore networking sites
In the unlikely event you are unable to discover the contact person’s name by phone or on the company website, you may be able to find it on a networking site. LinkedIn in particular can be a help in discovering the name of a hiring manager. Do you have connections on LinkedIn with someone at the target company? Check with them, or using the search box, enter the company name and keywords like “Hiring Manager” or other phrases that may describe the title of a person in charge of hiring. Make sure to check the box next to “People” so you only see people and not companies or groups.
Check other job sites
Finally, check other job sites. Copy and paste the job posting into a browser and see what appears. If you put quotation marks around your content to target the search, you may find the original posting, which may include the name of the person who posted the job listing.
What to Do If You Can’t Find a Contact Person
If all your efforts fail to lead to the contact person’s name, avoid using generic terms such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.” Instead, substitute a subject line for the salutation with the word “Subject:” and the name of the job position like this: Subject: Human Resource Generalist. You’ll find an easy-to-use template at Cover Letter Template (No Contact Person).
Revised 18 July 2024