Improper use of the separator can be considered a small formality but a key indicator for the reader. It looks like this:īoth are acceptable forms of separating the greeting from the initial paragraph or opening paragraph in the business letter, cover letter, or another formal letter. The use of a comma is most common in the English language. When writing a formal letter, there are three options for the punctuation to use after the salutation: a colon, a comma, and an em dash. Using the cover letter example, starting the letter with “Dear Hiring Manager” is more appropriate and is a more effective cover letter greeting than “Dear/Sir Madam.” Colon or Comma After the Greeting When a specific person or name of the contact person is unavailable, there are always better alternatives than using “Dear Sir/Madam” as the greeting. By using a surname in business emails, business letters, or formal correspondence- proper business etiquette is achieved. The use of “Mr.” and “Mrs.” is the utilization of a surname.
Johnson” would be a more appropriate greeting. This information is usually available through LinkedIn or other company “About” pages.
When writing a cover letter salutation, it’s best to address the hiring manager by their name. In all scenarios, addressing the reader and person by their name is considered formal letter writing and proper business etiquette. The proper (or “right way”) to start the letter would be, “Dear Mr. The letter is intended to be authored for a new contact, where a formal tone to the writing indicates respect on behalf of the writer. A formal salutation can be found on a cover letter, business letter, legal letter, recommendation letter, job application, or reference letter. These greetings would be used in a personal letter or letter to a friend, family member, or close contact. For example, “Dear Ladies” or “Hey there!” are both informal greetings. Variations of the term may include “Dear Sir/Madam,” “Dear Sirs and Madam,” “Dear Madam,” “Dear Madame,” or “Dear Sirs.” Writing a Formal SalutationĪn informal salutation is using a slang term or informal term within the greeting. In the United States, variations of this greeting include “Dear Sirs.” While the British usage of the term stays “Dear Sir or Madam.” But in both the UK and The United States, this greeting is considered borderline offensive and sexist (because it’s unclear whether the writer addresses a man or a woman). The most common salutation in the English language is the term “Dear,” followed by the recipient's given name (birth name) or title. And “To Whom It May Concern” becomes a poor alternative, where gender intent may be alleviated from the greeting, but lacks personalization.Ī salutation is a letter greeting used to open the communication between an author and a reader. The secondary reason that “Dear Sir or Madam” is an inappropriate method of starting a business letter is that it falsely assumes a preferred gender. And the use of the term implies the specific person in mind for the letter's receipt is unknown (their name, job title, gender, marital status, and more). This is considered such poor business etiquette because information regarding the name of the recipient, for emails or letters, is readily available. Though, in today’s business world, the use of this salutation or greeting is considered poor business etiquette. The greeting “Dear Sir or Madam” sounds like a formal way to begin a business letter or business email.
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