When you need to address a cover letter but do not know the recipient's name, use these professional and respectful approaches:

• Use a gender-neutral and formal salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager," which is widely accepted and preferred by many employers

• If you know the team or department, address the letter to the group, for example, "Dear Marketing Team," "Dear Hiring Team," or "Dear Recruiting Committee," to show some personalization

• Alternatively, use the job title of the person likely to read the letter, such as "Dear Creative Director," or "Dear Product Manager," which reflects effort to tailor the letter

• Avoid outdated or overly generic greetings like "To Whom It May Concern," as most hiring managers find them less favorable

• Always start with "Dear" to maintain a formal tone, and avoid casual greetings like "Hi" or time-specific ones like "Good morning"

These methods maintain professionalism, respect inclusivity, and help your cover letter stand out even without a specific name