To Whom it may NOT concern

When you apply for a job, you'll probably need to complete an application form. But even if that form asks everything an employer might want to know (how many cavities at your last dental visit?), you still want to supply a resume and cover letter.

Why? Because company policy may dictate the online application, but the person actually doing most of the screening and reviewing of applications may prefer the letter-resume combo to the clunky form online.

So if you're stuck with an automated application center, but you still have to address the cover letter to someone, what do you put? Ever stop to think how funny that outdated salutation in a cover letter is--"to whom it MAY concern." What if it doesn't concern the recipient in the least? 

This first link, a blog entry from Beyond.com, suggests digging up the actual hiring manager's name, and using it even if that name was not given in a job-posting.

• http://www.beyond.com/articles/to-whom-should-you-address-your-cover-letter-15684-article.html

And this link from Monster.com suggests a few alternate strategies for how to proceed if you cannot track that name down. 

• http://www.monster.com/blog/b/open-close-cover-letter-0421