Dear Sir/Madam...

[MontyVeda]

Well i find myself on the jobhunt again and will be speculatively sending my CV along with a covering letter to a number of local employers.

When i was at school we were told to start such letters with Dear Sir if the gender of the recipient was unknown... by the time I'd got to college, it was Dear Sir/Madam... just in case it was one of those newfangled places that actually employ women in a position of power (perish the thought)... what's the accepted non-gender specific way of starting a speculative letter these days?

Dear Human Resources Manager.... maybe?

 

[AndyRM]

"Awright?"

 

[XRHYSX]

'lright bruv,
Gis a job, Init

 

[tyred]

Given the standard of management in most companies I've worked for in my life, I'd be inclined to start

Dear Tosspot,

blah, blah

 

[Fnaar]

Yo, check dis bredren and sistren,
etc

Actually, I think Dear Sir/Madam is still OK
http://www.usingenglish.com/resources/letter-writing.php#rules

 

[Archie_tect]

Never thought about that before, but you're right MV 'Dear Sir/Madam' is a bit dowdy- though I can't think of anything more appropriate to change to. Unless you can ring each company and ask the receptionist who answers [or check on their website] to find out the name of the correct person who you need to write to- that makes a good impression- particularly if you can include specific things in your CV and enclosing letter applicable to the specific company. Good luck!

 

[Davidc]

Despite agreeing with tyred, I'd suggest putting "Dear Sir or Madam" (Sir/Madam looks a bit sloppy)

As Archie Tect says it's best to find out the name of the person you're addressing. Also try to get right - Yours sincerely if you've used the name, Yours faithfully if you've used Sir, Madam, Sir or Madam.

It generally goes down well, if you're using email, to do the same and write the whole thing exactly as you would if it was a paper letter.

 

[Born2die]

Yo blood jobs mine innit sweet

 

[AndyRM]

Yo blood jobs mine innit sweet

What's a "blood job"? Sounds kinky. I'd imagine you could charge quite a premium for such a service.

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

I'd use Dear Sir/Madam. When I send out clinic or referral letters and don't know the person I always address it To Whom It May Concern as it could be to a doctor, professor or surgeon (Mr/Mrs/Ms) and it's not the done thing to get their titles wrong.

 

[hopless500]

Despite agreeing with tyred, I'd suggest putting "Dear Sir or Madam" (Sir/Madam looks a bit sloppy)

As Archie Tect says it's best to find out the name of the person you're addressing. Also try to get right - Yours faithfully if you've used the name, Yours sincerely if you've used Sir, Madam, Sir or Madam.

It generally goes down well, if you're using email, to do the same and write the whole thing exactly as you would if it was a paper letter.

other way round...... faithfully for Sir or Madam, sincerely for a name.....

 

[robjh]

agree with Davidc, "Dear Sir or Madam" sounds like the best of the options. You're sending this thing out speculatively and have no idea who the person will be - I think rather formal sounds better than too familiar.

 

[michaelcycle]

I would use Dear Sirs rather than Dear Sir / Madam.

 

[Born2die]

What's a "blood job"? Sounds kinky. I'd imagine you could charge quite a premium for such a service.

Blood = street slang for brother family mate etc

 

[michaelcycle]

In addition, if the companies you are applying to have a website you could (theoretically) find out who is responsible for recruitment and direct to them personally or call them up to find out the details.

That shows initiative and is bound to go down well.