I guess I’m showing my age, but this topic has become the toilet paper hanging issue of Ann Landers back in the day!
(should the roll hang with the paper on the outside or the inside, for those too young to remember. It was a huge debate! Biggest one ever in her column I believe.)
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Samantha Bradbeer
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 2:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Addressing in an cover letter
Most, if not all, the jobs I've applied for and accepted have not listed a hiring manager's name on the job posting. I, like many of you, also looked for a name on the institution's website. "Dear Mr. Smith" makes a cover letter seem more personal to me, however many institutions work as a team when filing a position. I believe that is why many job postings don't have a designated hiring manager listed. If the hiring manager is not listed, I simply say "Please accept my application for the _position name_ at the _institution's name__ in _city, state__.
On Sun, Aug 18, 2013 at 8:25 AM, Elizabeth Simon <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
If I get 101 letters, I'll choose the best qualified person for the job, regardless of how the cover letter is addressed. I think the point this thread highlights is that hiring organizations should give applicants a name to address -- even if it's just "Hiring Manager" -- rather than making them waste their time guessing.
On Sat, Aug 17, 2013 at 4:21 PM, Jim Lyons <[log in to unmask]> 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: