Is it rude to use To Whom It May Concern?
“To Whom It May Concern” works well in cases where you don't know the name of your recipient(s) and want to come across as respectful, but in other contexts, it is not the most appropriate choice; and in some moments, it's not an appropriate choice at all.
How do you say to whom it may concern politely?
Dear Sir or Madam, This is a similar greeting to the one above, but it applies to situations where you don't know anything about the individual's identity. It's similar to “to whom it may concern” but attempts to be a little more direct.
Can You Use To whom it may concern in a business letter?
Yes, if you don't know the name of the individual you are addressing, you should use to whom it may concern. However, before choosing to use this phrase, you should consider looking for a point of contact to receive your cover letter and resume.
How do you start a professional letter?
How to start a professional letterCommence your contact information.Include the date.Add the recipient's contact information.Start with the most appropriate greeting.Use the most professional form of the recipient's name.Begin the letter with an agreeable tone.Open with the purpose of writing the letter.
How do you start a formal email?
To start a formal email, write "Dear," the recipient's first name, and a comma on the first line. If you don't know the name, use "Greetings" instead of "Dear." Write "Mr.," "Mrs.," "Dr.," or "Professor" and use the person's last name instead of their first name to be extremely formal.
How do you end a professional letter?
The following are letter closings that are appropriate for business and employment-related letters.Sincerely, Sincerely yours, Regards, Yours truly, and Yours sincerely.Best regards, Cordially, and Yours respectfully.Warm regards, Best wishes, and With appreciation.Hard-Copy Letter Signature.More items...•
How do you address a letter to an unknown recipient?
Unknown Recipient: There are two traditionally acceptable salutations when you are writing a business letter to an unknown recipient. To whom it may concern or Dear Sir or Madam show respect to anyone who is the intended reader.
How do you address a letter with no name?
Dear Sir/Madam, Use when writing to a position without having a named contact.
How do you address someone in an email without knowing the title?
Salutation: The salutation of a formal email is similar to the salutation of a letter. When writing to someone you do not know by name, you put “To Whom it May Concern.” When applying for a job, you would address the person by, “Dear Hiring Manager.” If you do know the recipient's name, you put “Dear Mr./Ms.
How do you address an unknown person in an email?
Email etiquette for addressing unknown/external recipients:If you don't know the gender of the recipient just use "Dear First Name, Last Name". ... If you must absolutely be formal, stick with the good ol' "Dear Sir/Madam". ... For an email exchange - note that it's all about the dance.More items...•
Why it matters?
As a general rule of thumb, any correspondence should never start with “To Whom It May Concern” for the following reasons:
When not to use it
It is advised, as a general rule of thumb, to avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” whenever possible. With the vast resources available on the internet, finding out who to address the correspondence to should not be difficult. Doing a little research on LinkedIn or the company’s website can unearth a number of key individuals to connect with.
Why use 'To Whom It May Concern'?
You may use this salutation to address others when their contact information, like their name or title, is unknown. Although it's now a lot easier to find people's names and positions online in order to address them properly, there are still going to be some circumstances when using 'To Whom It May Concern' would be appropriate. Keep the following reasons in mind when deciding if you should use this phrase:
What does "to whom it may concern" mean?
This salutation demonstrates more professionalism than addressing the recipient with 'Hi' or 'Hello'. 'To Whom It May Concern' communica tes your dedication to remaining professional, as some recipients might prefer this phrasing in a professional setting.
What does it mean when you don't include your name in a greeting?
This means you may have to use a generic greeting that still communicates professionalism, like 'To Whom It May Concern'. You might find out their name after some initial correspondence, so you can address them appropriately in future communication.
How to write "to whom it may concern"?
The proper way to write this salutation is to capitalise the first letter of each word: 'To Whom It May Concern'. The reasoning behind this is that the phrase replaces a person's name or title. Ensure you add a comma after using the phrase and insert a space between the greeting and the first sentence of your correspondence. Below is an example of how the phrase might look in your correspondence:
What does it mean to write an email asking for contact information?
Writing an email asking for the proper contact information shows your attempt to find an alternative to using 'To Whom It May Concern', which also shows your dedication and professionalism.
What to say when someone asks you to write a character reference?
If a former colleague asks you to write a character reference for them, you're typically not going to know who the final recipient is. If you don't have the contact's name or title, you can use the phrase 'To Whom It May Concern' to remain professional. This is also useful if you're writing a single letter for several recipients.
When corresponding with professionals who you may not know personally, this salutation helps avoid using an incorrect pronoun.?
'Dear Sir or Madam' may not apply to everyone in the workplace. Therefore, it's more tactful to address them with a universal greeting such as 'To Whom It May Concern' until you develop a personal relationship and learn to use their preferred greeting.
When to use "to whom it may concern"?
The phrase “To Whom It May Concern” is typically used at the beginning of a letter or email as a salutation. It is generally used to speak to someone whose name you do not know but would like to address in the message. As mentioned above, this is now considered outdated.
What Does the Phrase “To Whom It May Concern” Mean?
It is generally used to speak to someone whose name you do not know but would like to address in the message.
How to write "to whom it may concern"?
The correct way to write To Whom It May Concern is to capitalize the first letter of each word. Be sure to always use ‘whom’ instead of ‘who’ or ‘whomever’.
What to call a person who can't find their name?
If you cannot find the recipient’s name and do not want to risk sounding too generic, you can always call them by their official titles, such as a hiring manager, a recruiter, or a human resources manager.
How to address someone you might not know?
In that case, you will always want to keep things as professional as possible and use a proper greeting. “To Whom It May Concern” is one of the most traditional ways of addressing someone you might not know, but it is also archaic.
Why is it important to take the time to search for the name of the person you are trying to contact?
Taking the time and searching for the name of the person you are trying to contact can go a long way in the hiring process. It shows initiative and demonstrates that you are willing to put in some work and go the extra mile.
What is the point of a cover letter?
You’re writing a cover letter. The point of a cover letter is to set yourself apart from the competition. When you begin your letter with an archaic phrase like “To Whom It May Concern,” you do stand out — just for all the wrong reasons.
Options for Starting a Letter
"To Whom It May Concern" is an outdated letter greeting. It is still sometimes used, but nowadays, there are other, better options for starting a letter.
When To Leave Off the Salutation
Another option for starting your letter is to leave off the salutation entirely. If you decide not to include a greeting, begin with the first paragraph of your letter or email message.
What is the best format for business letters?
Business letters are typically written in block format, meaning that the type is left-justified, with single-spaced text and a double space between paragraphs. Leave a few spaces after the closing to make room for your signature.
What are the sections of a business letter?
The sections of a business letter are the address of the sender, the date, the address of the recipient, a salutation, the body of the letter, a closing, and a signature.
When to use "to whom it may concern"?
It’s widely used when the recipient’s name or title is unknown, such as when you are providing a recommendation for a former colleague and do not know the name of the hiring manager.
When to use "whom" instead of "whom"?
Always use "Whom" instead of "Who" or "Whomever" ( In the case of "To Whom It May Concern, " "Whom" is the object of a verb or preposition and is appropriate to use in this context) Use a colon after "To Whom It May Concern" rather than a comma. Add a double space before beginning the body of your message.
What does it mean when you are applying for a job with a larger company?
If you're applying for a job with a larger company, your application may be directed to a broad recruiting inbox. In this case, you're not writing to a specific person and might need the approval of several recruiters. This greeting ensures you're casting a broad net.
Is it acceptable to conduct outreach?
This is acceptable but not ideal. If you’re a salesperson conducting outreach — it’s your job to put in the time and research to know exactly who you’re contacting.
Does lodging a formal complaint matter?
Lodging a formal complaint with a company? It likely doesn’t matter if that complaint reaches an administrator, customer service associate, or the CEO — you simply want your complaint to be heard and addressed.
Can you provide a reference to a former employee?
If you’re providing a reference or recommendation for a former colleague or employee, the request might come through an automated system that doesn’t include any information about the hiring manager.
Is it safe to say "to whom it may concern"?
If the answer is, " Anyone, " you should be safe to use, "To Whom It May Concern." If, however, your end reader is someone with a specific role or title, keep digging to find their name. It can be difficult to know when it’s appropriate to use "To Whom It May Concern," so here are a few scenarios where it’s usually alright:
1. Greetings,
Sometimes, the simplest option is the best. “Greetings” has a touch of formality to it without being overly long and distant like "to whom it may concern." It's also short, so you get the niceties out of the way while moving straight to the point. It does come across as a little distant, so it’s best for individuals you know only slightly.
2. Dear,
Many times when you're using "to whom it may concern," you're not sure who the right individual is. However, you may know what job title that person holds, so you can address your message to that title.
3. Dear,
If you don't know the individual's job title, addressing a message to the department as a whole is a fine strategy. Again, it doesn't have that personal touch, but it works as an opening method of establishing a relationship with a potential future client or partner. Do some research beforehand to ensure you have the right department, however.
4. Dear Recruiting Manager,
This is a good starter or salutation for a cover letter, particularly when you have an unknown recipient -- even the department in which they work. It's straight to the point and clearly identifies who the intended contact is, even if you don't know exactly who that is -- the recipient will know, and route your letter to the right place.
5. Good afternoon!
This opening aims to strike a familiar and friendly tone. These kinds of greetings communicate to the contact that you are approachable and in an agreeable mood. It's meant for less formal correspondence and makes more sense on an email than, say, a letter.
6. Hello,
For straightforward requests, this greeting gets straight to the point. It is another more informal greeting style; however, it has a slightly more professional air to it than the previously discussed opening. It’s generally best for quick correspondence between individuals who already know each other.
8. Dear,
By switching to the last name and substituting “hi” for “dear,” you immediately give the message a much more formal feel. This is a common way to address a client, or any other situation where you want to convey plenty of respect to the contact.
