When writing a cover letter for a resume, how do you address it to a female?Mrs./Ms. is unknown.?

Question

I have many that do not indicate Ms. or Mrs.
All that is listed is the first and last name of the contact.

I should have been more specific...these are going to school principals directly, not to a human resource director (unless they specified that).

Answer 1

If I am uncertain I use Ms.

Answer 2

Dear Human Resources Director:

If she is the human resources director, she'll be pleased; if she's second-in-command, she'll be flattered. I've come across several people to whom a letter should be directed and, although the name sounded female, it was a male (Leslie, Lynn). It raises the level from the ordinary "Ms" and will make your cover letter stand out from the others in a good way. Best of luck!

Answer 3

it is accepted practice to address a female addressee as "Ms.".
But if you happen to be so unsure, then you may want to ask discreetly if the addressee is very particular as to her marital status. But basically there is no need to do so, because she has already reached a certain level of learning and sophistication in order to be independently and politely called "Ms." I believe she won't take it against you at all. She will go straight to the contents of your cover letter and resume, which is the heart of the matter.

Answer 4

Definitely a Ms.

Answer 5

Ive always known it to be more proper to address it as Ms... that way youre not assuming she's so young as to be a Miss, or that she's married so as to be a Mrs..
(But sometimes a company will have a website where they give employee profiles and you can find out that way before you ever send it along)

Answer 6

Since you don't know, I would write it the same way that you did above. For example: on a fax cover sheet I would put Attn: Ms./Mrs. (Name). I don't think the person would be offended either way if you just put Ms. but just in case, that's how I personally would format it.

Answer 7

Ms. is usually the safe bet. Most women who are married understand that the marriage information isn't provided and aren't offended if they are called Ms. If they are offended and turn you down, you don't want to work there anyway because you'd have to walk on eggshells all the time to try not to offend her.

Answer 8

Ms. or to whom it may concern or just use first and last name without the Ms.

Answer 9

I think you should address it Ms. as Mrs. is more lengthy and this ia the short form as i know.

Answer 10

Im a secretary...if you don't know if she is married, Ms. is the proper way. You can also use Ms. if she is married.

Answer 11

Ms. is the accepted norm if marital status is unknown.