Which one would I read?

I would read the one that most clearly showed evidence of the skills and experiences I highlighted in the announcement.

I have read thousands of applications and resumes from potential employees, interns, and volunteers. I couldn't begin to tell you who addressed a letter to me or not. Brining staff of any type into your museums to fulfill your mission and represent your institution to the public, and with whom you may spend more waking hours per week than your family if it is a full time job,  is one of the most important and consequential decisions you will make in any given year. I can't believe any professional would base that decision on such frivolous minutia as a salutation. 

Of course, I would have made it absolutely clear in the announcement to whom to address all applications, correspondence, and enquiries so that applicants are spared this sort of blind guessing game and they can spend more time composing a SUBSTANTIVE cover letter and resume. 

But I already inflicted that rant on the list.

Matthew A. White
On Aug 17, 2013, at 4:21 PM, Jim Lyons <38lyons38@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

And it implies you have more interest in your museum than do the hundred other applicants that addressed their letter "To whom it may concern".

To put it another way, suppose you got 101 letters asking for employment.  100 say "To whom it may concern", the other says "Dear Mr. Jones", and you can only read one of the 101 letters.  Which will it be?


On Sat, Aug 17, 2013 at 6:03 AM, Nelson, Karen N. <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Using a specific name shows that you have done at least minimal research on the entity.
Sorry if this is a repeat of earlier posts.

Karen N. Nelson
Chateau de Morès State Historic Site
P O Box 106
Medora, ND 58645
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From: Museum discussion list [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Elizabeth [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 22:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Addressing in an cover letter

Why wouldn't you just address the cover letter to the executive director when in doubt? They are the one's with the ultimate hiring power. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 16, 2013, at 8:06 PM, Tim Bottoms <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Actually, I do, but then I'm old!
 
Tim


On Fri, Aug 16, 2013 at 10:58 PM, . . <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I'm curious as to why anyone just doesn't use the good ole "To whom it may concern" anymore? 

-Isabella



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