Quick question re: job applications...

[MontyVeda]

I know the name of the person I'm sending a job application to, but how should i start my opening letter?

Example

recipient email is: jane.doe @ blahltd.co.uk

Should i start my cover letter Dear Madam (too formal?), Dear Jane (too personal?) or Dear Miss / Mrs / Ms Doe (guessing their marital status or going for the newfangled Ms on the grounds that i just don't know their marital status?).

I know a lot of you are in positions where you'll receive job applications, so which of the above looks best? ...or worst for that matter!

cheers

 

[biggs682]

are you meant to know there name ?

 

[annedonnelly]

I'd go for Ms Doe - you know her name after all. Don't guess her marital status. Some women prefer "Ms" regardless of status anyway.

 

[Spinney]

I'd go for Ms Doe - you know her name after all. Don't guess her marital status. Some women prefer "Ms" regardless of status anyway.

This... ^^

 

[MontyVeda]

are you meant to know there name ?

well if it says 'apply to this email address' and the email address reveals their name, i'd guess yes

I'd go for Ms Doe - you know her name after all. Don't guess her marital status. Some women prefer "Ms" regardless of status anyway.

This... ^^

That's what I usually do... just needed to check with people cleverer than myself

 

[cisamcgu]

I really wouldn't over worry - as long as the covering letter is clear, concise and well written, then it will not matter one jot. Personally I would go with "Dear Madam" or "Dear Sir" rather than assuming to use their name (Forename or Surname) - but it really doesn't matter .

Andrew

 

[martint235]

Do you have a phone number? If yes ring up, ask a few pertinent questions and then finish with "oh btw, who should I address my covering letter to?". One, you'll get the right title etc and two she'll be waiting for your application to arrive. That's the first step to keeping your application out of the bin.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If you know her name you could use Dear Jane Doe.