# Don't know a lot about the job: cover letter or no? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104 "2008-09-05T01:58:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Br\_er\_Lapin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Br\_er\_Lapin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Br_er_Lapin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/1 "2008-09-05T01:58:47Z")
I just brushed up my resume and am preparing to apply for positions as a receptionist, secretary, or similar. However, a lot of the (craigslist, newspaper) ads I’m looking at are very simple: a quick job description, necessary qualifications, and little else. Specifically, they don’t include names of companies or contact info other than an email or fax number (no names of who to address the resume to). In a situation like this, do you still include a cover letter? In what ways would a cover letter in this scenario differ from a standard one? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/2 "2008-09-05T02:06:35Z")
Include the cover letter. It’s at least as important as the resume – a chance to show something about you as a person. I wouldn’t do anything differently for a Craigslist ad. Tell them why you are a strong candidate for the job. ---
**Author:** ![Br\_er\_Lapin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Br\_er\_Lapin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Br_er_Lapin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/3 "2008-09-05T02:14:31Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Include the cover letter. It’s at least as important as the resume – a chance to show something about you as a person. > > I wouldn’t do anything differently for a Craigslist ad. Tell them why you are a strong candidate for the job. Thanks, **RealityChuck**. You wrote pretty much what I was thinking – I WANT an opportunity to convince them how awesome I am in a more friendly format than a resume. Obviously I can’t do the whole “I’ve looking into company X and I think I am a perfect match to your specific company, here’s why” deal, but I CAN say “here’s why I’d make a great receptionist at a Chiropractor’s office.” **However** , how am I supposed to address the thing? Dear Sir/Madam? To whom it may concern? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/4 "2008-09-05T12:16:29Z")
> [@Br\_er\_Lapin](#): > > However, a lot of the (craigslist, newspaper) ads I’m looking at are very simple: a quick job description, necessary qualifications, and little else. > > Specifically, they don’t include names of companies or contact info other than an email or fax number (no names of who to address the resume to). I thought those were usually ads for prostitutes? ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/5 "2008-09-05T13:43:02Z")
> [@Br\_er\_Lapin](#): > > **However** , how am I supposed to address the thing? Dear Sir/Madam? To whom it may concern? Dear Hiring Manager is one option. I find it less stilted than Sir/Madam or Whom… ---
**Author:** ![vertizontal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ad7895/32.png) [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/6 "2008-09-05T14:24:28Z")
> [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](#): > > Dear Hiring Manager is one option. I find it less stilted than Sir/Madam or Whom… **Dear Hiring Executive:** (I think “Executive” sounds cooler than “Manager”) And yes, always include a cover letter. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/7 "2008-09-05T15:05:31Z")
> [@vertizontal](#): > > **Dear Hiring Executive:** > (I think “Executive” sounds cooler than “Manager”) > > And yes, always include a cover letter. True, but “keep it real” for the job. If you might credibly be reporting to an executive, by all means. ---
**Author:** ![Carnacki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carnacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnacki)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/8 "2008-09-05T18:20:10Z")
> [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](#): > > Dear Hiring Manager is one option. I find it less stilted than Sir/Madam or Whom… Another option I’ve seen suggested if you don’t have a name or title, is not to include a salutation at all. I’ve done this recently when I’ve applied for jobs through craigslist. I just start the e-mail, “I am writing in response to the Feces Handler position I saw advertised on Craigslist” and not worried about a “To” line at all. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2008, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-a-lot-about-the-job-cover-letter-or-no/462104/9 "2008-09-06T01:03:09Z")
If I send a resume, I’ll usually include a cover letter of some sort. Obviously, the less info I have about the job, the less I can tailor the cover letter to it. With craigslist, in the case of particularly non informative ads, I’ll often send a preliminary email without even a resume, simply expressing interest in the position, asking for more information, and asking what the application process is. Slight hijack - job searching here too - and I hate ads that ask you to state salary requirements. Makes me feel like I’m bidding on a job at an auction! Employers should either state what they are offering up front or negotiate it at hiring time.