Starting a cover letter

Duff Man Jr.

I'm applying for a job I found on the net, through a agency. If it says the contacts name is John Smith, How should I start the email - to whom it concerns, Hi John, Dear Mr. Smith? etc...

Cheers

zuroph

"It appears you are writing a letter...."

AlexBM

Dear Mr Smith...

AARRRGH

Personally I would say Dear John.

If possible follow up the e-mail with a telephone call in a day or two.

Serafijn

I'd probably go with Mr Smith just to be on the safe side.

Though having said that, if the letter's going to the agency the chances are the employer will a) not be called John Smith and b) never see it anyway (since they normally just send the CVs over).

So i guess it doesn't really matter, as long as you're polite, fairly formal and be sure to check your spelling and grammar before sending

paulanthony

I would definitely go with Mr Smith.
The person getting it may think it's reasonably formal but thats ok but Dear John is definitely too informal if you don't know the person.
They could literally throw it in the bin straight away if they see Dear John at the statr and thats no exaggeration.

It's just like the question of what to wear to interview - if in doubt wear a suit...

Tails142

I would go with the following;

If you have talked on the phone or met the person, use first name.

If its unsolicited or in response to an advert I would say Dear Mr. Smith or even Dear Sir.