“Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable when you truly cannot find a name — but a named salutation gets read far more often. Use the generic line only after a quick lookup fails, not as a default.
Example openings
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am applying for the Senior Analyst role posted on your careers page.Dear Hiring Manager,
Your team's work on [specific product] is why I am interested in the
Product Designer opening.Dear Hiring Manager,
I submitted my application for the Operations Lead role yesterday and
wanted to introduce myself directly.When it is fine vs when to avoid
- Fine: no name on the posting, small company with opaque structure, or you verified no public contact after a real search
- Avoid: the hiring manager's name appears on LinkedIn, the posting, or the team page — using a generic line then signals you did not look
- Better: “Dear [First Name],” then “Dear [Team] Lead,” then “Dear Hiring Manager”
Need the actual name instead of a generic salutation? Paste the job URL into DearHiringManager.io — find the hiring manager's name in about a minute, then open with “Dear [Name],” instead.
FAQ
Is “Dear Hiring Manager” okay for a cover letter?
Yes, as a last resort when no name is findable. It is professional and widely understood — just weaker than a named greeting.
What is a good alternative to “Dear Hiring Manager”?
“Dear [First Name],” if you found the manager on LinkedIn; “Dear [Department] Team,” if the role sits on a named team; or “Dear Recruiting Team” when HR owns intake.
How should I sign off?
“Best regards,” or “Sincerely,” followed by your full name. Match the formality of the industry — creative roles can use a slightly warmer close.
Can I use “Dear Hiring Manager” in an email too?
Yes, though direct emails benefit even more from a name. The same lookup you would do for a cover letter applies.