addressing cover letter to human resources

Build my resume

addressing cover letter to human resources

  • Resume builder
  • Build a better resume in minutes
  • Resume examples
  • 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
  • Resume templates
  • 184 free templates for all levels
  • Cover letters
  • Cover letter generator
  • It's like magic, we promise
  • Cover letter examples
  • Free downloads in Word & Docs

5 Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Stephen Greet

  • HR Cover Letter
  • HR Assistant
  • HR Generalist
  • HR Director
  • Write a HR Cover Letter

As an HR professional, you know how to make employees and the corporation happy, especially when you bring in new talent. But even though you know the ins and outs of the hiring process, getting hired yourself is tricky. 

It’s maddening to fill out hiring paperwork and assess other candidates’  job skills  all day only to head home to perfect an  HR resume , cover letter, and application for yours truly. 

We understand that getting hired isn’t easy—even if you’re familiar with the process. Our guide, complete with five HR cover letter examples, will walk you through how to write a cover letter that will land you an interview and, hopefully, your dream job.

addressing cover letter to human resources

Human Resources Cover Letter Example 

USE THIS TEMPLATE

Microsoft Word

Google Docs

Block Format

Human resources cover letter template

Why this cover letter works

  • Find a way to link the company to you. Derek does this by demonstrating values both he and the employer share, like his belief that employee relationships are at the heart of HR.
  • You can tell a short story, laugh at the witty  HR job ad , explain how you found the company, or state your enthusiasm for the high-impact position. 

Level up your cover letter game

Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifiting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Human Resources Assistant Cover Letter Example

Human resources assistant cover letter template

  • As far as the body is concerned, make it digestible and easy to read especially where you express your main skills and accomplishments as it helps you to convey your skills in an impactful manner.

Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter Example

Human resources generalist cover letter template

  • Another addition to creating an unforgettable piece is signing off with an optimistic attitude and exemplifying how your skills can contribute to the company’s ethos and objectives.

Human Resources Manager Cover Letter Example

Human resources manager cover letter template

  • Don’t be afraid to use a narrative style in your cover letters when it’s applicable, especially if you’ve had a good experience with the company.
  • Aidan starts his cover letter with a story about how he visited PLANTA and later states how he’s looking forward to “enjoying some amazing vegan meals.”
  • Remember what you’ve written in your body paragraphs when writing your conclusion and support your points. Don’t overthink it.

Human Resources Director Cover Letter Example

Human resources director cover letter template

  • In your cover letter, address what the company offers, such as amazing software or a killer hotel experience, and express your wish to experience more of what makes them unique.
  • If you decide to implement this technique, pay attention to tone and word choice. You never want to make it sound as if the company was poorly managing its employees, even if that was the case. 
  • For example, Julian explains Cedar Garland’s need for updated procedures for experienced employees and how The National Hotel needed modernized programs for payroll. 

Build your human resources resume for a complete application

Before we dive into the specific ways you can write your cover letter, don’t let  writing your resume  slip through the cracks. We make it simple with  professional resume templates  just like this one.

Human Resources Resume

Need a resume to pair with your human resources cover letter?

or download as PDF

Human resources resume template

Write a Winning Human Resources Cover Letter

Rocket taking off from a laptop on a desk depicting writing a winning human resources cover letter

Writing a stunning human resources cover letter is difficult, so let’s break it down into three simple factors: research, details, and presentation.

addressing cover letter to human resources

Step 1: Research the organization and its needs

As an HR professional, you know that reading generic cover letters is exhausting and annoying. They fail to show initiative or explain how the candidate will help you once they get hired. 

So, in your cover letter, show you care about the company and can help them reach its goals.  But you’ll only know what to write once you know what the business wants.

Start by reading the  human resources job description  to get a feel for their personality. Then scan their website to find their mission statement, vision, and goals. 

Assure the employer that you can deliver the results they desire by addressing their unique concerns and applying your relevant qualifications.

addressing cover letter to human resources

Step 2: Share the details about one or two accomplishments

As you know, reading redundant paperwork is a complete snooze-fest. So, your human resources cover letter can’t be a repeat of your resume, or the recruiter will be snoring before they hit the second paragraph.

Think of your cover letter as a presentation. Pick one to two of your accomplishments that echo the job description’s requirements and give the full scope of those experiences. You could:

This example stays focused on one goal or talent (photography/videography). Although the candidate could have just focused on responsibilities, they focus instead on  how  their efforts helped the company.

  • Address your work and successes in revamping the onboarding process for seasonal hires
  • Share how you listened to employees and made lasting changes via surveys, check-ins, evaluations, etc. 
  • Talk about how you decreased the employee turnover rate

addressing cover letter to human resources

Step 3: Convey the right tone and a clear message

Your cover letter should strike a balance between unique and professional, personal but not sentimental. Easier said than done, right?

Start by limiting your cover letter to one page .  Then you can start modifying your message. Present a logical argument with enough ethos (credibility) and pathos (emotion) to sell anyone on your skills. 

Then adjust your tone. Your cover letter can be funny, heartfelt, or candid—but moderation is key. Let the job description help you choose your content, your words, and how you phrase your message. Most of all, shoot for a tone that matches the company. 

Present a logical argument with enough ethos (credibility) and pathos (emotion) to sell anyone on your skills. 

Don’t despair if this is difficult; next up is revision, where you can fix any errors and tweak the content. Now is also a perfect time to let someone else read your cover letter to recommend improvements. 

Outlining Your Human Resources Cover Letter for Success

Two people helping each other on outlining a human resources cover letter

Starting any project with a blank slate is intimidating, so use this HR cover letter outline to get you started on the right foot!

addressing cover letter to human resources

How to start a human resources cover letter

Your contact info:  Give employers a helping hand and provide your contact information right from the get-go. List your name, number, email, and physical address right at the top of your cover letter template. 

  • Formatting : If you’re using a block format, only include your physical address, and save your name for the signature.

Date:  Even in a virtual letter, you should include a date. It makes your cover letter look more professional, and it gives the hiring manager a timeline for your application.

Just make sure the date on your cover letter reflects the day you submit it, especially if you re-work your cover letters based on previous submissions.

  • Formatting : Write out the full date, e.g., January 5, 2023.

Inside address:  Your address isn’t the only one that matters; also include the inside address, aka the employer’s address. It should have the hiring manager or recruiter’s name, their title, and the company’s physical address. This shows the employer you’ve researched their company and know to whom you’re speaking. 

If the company doesn’t list its address or has multiple locations, check sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and the company’s website (you can also check Google Maps).

Min Ju Ha, Director of Talent Acquisition 50 Eggs Hospitality Group 7350 Biscayne Blvd  Miami, FL 33138

  • Formatting : Each part of the address should be on a new line. Double space between the inside address and greeting. 

Greeting:  A polite greeting is always in vogue, so start your human resources cover letter with a formal, yet personal, salutation. Use the tried-and-true “dear,” followed by “Ms.” or “Mr.” and the hiring manager’s last name to avoid ruffling feathers (some businesses don’t appreciate casual introductions).

Finding the person in charge of hiring can be a pain, but people love to be addressed by name, so it’s worth it to spend the time to make a great first impression. Worst case scenario, address either the whole HR team (“Dear HR Hiring Team”) or the department head (“Dear HR Manager”). 

  • Formatting : After your greeting, you’ll need either a comma or a colon; a colon is the preferred business option, but if the business is more casual, you can get away with a comma. Let the job description guide you.

addressing cover letter to human resources

How to write your human resources cover letter

Body:  This is the hardest part to get right, but we have you covered. First, focus on cutting your letter down to three to four short paragraphs.

Within those paragraphs, express your enthusiasm for the job, your qualifications, and your desire for future discussion. 

Opening paragraph:  Remember the last time you read a book that started like, “I am writing to inform you of my purpose, which is to write a really good book?” Yeah, us neither. Yet, most people begin their cover letters with similar statements that are polite but boing, like this: 

I read your job post on LinkedIn, and I am eager to apply. This human resources director position sounds like a perfect fit for my experience, and I know I can help your department reach its goals. My years of experience in human resources and management makes me an ideal candidate.

This information might not be  wrong , but it’s vague and generalized—and like 95% of other cover letters in the stack of applications. A good opening is unique and exciting while still being formal. It should address the company and express personality immediately, like this opener: 

Central New Mexico Community College’s core values of connection, compassion, and inspiration resonate with my values as a human resources professional. Your unique value-based approach has unsurprisingly made CNM one of the top 5 community colleges in the U.S. That, combined with your defined vision plans, inspired me to apply because my work would make a concrete difference for students and staff.

From the start, this candidate explains what they appreciate about the company and how they align with its beliefs and goals. 

Paragraphs 2-3:  These paragraphs should provide evidence for your qualifications and dig deep into your achievements; it’s time to define your part of the project and how you turned it into a success. 

However tempting, don’t try to tackle a job’s worth of success. Your letter will just sound cluttered and unfocused. Instead, focus on one accomplishment at a time, and provide plenty of details about that experience. 

I also have experience solving complex employee relations issues. As the HR manager with Cygna Labs, positive mediation was roughly 50% of my role. I investigated complaints, ensured compliance with legal employment requirements, and developed new policies and procedures. By the end of my position, our retention rate had increased by 45%, our human capital return on investment had improved by 23%, and the number of promoter-level NPS scores had increased by 42%.

Although 50% of their role focused on other tasks, this candidate only mentioned mediation/resolution and their successes with such.

Closing paragraph:  Don’t quit while you’re ahead—finish strong with a closing paragraph that summarizes your values, qualifications, and eagerness for an interview. This can sound like a lot, but rest assured, it can be done.

Start with a sentence summary of what you value based on the work experience you’ve described and how that adheres to the company’s values. Next, describe what you hope to accomplish in the position. Lastly, thank the employer and reassure them of your willingness to talk further. 

Just remember: you are an ideal candidate, but you shouldn’t sound like this:

As you can see, I have done everything you require (and more) at my previous jobs, which makes me the perfect candidate for this position. I know I can handle all employee relations responsibilities and ensure complete compliance as I have done at every HR job so far. Please give me a call or email at your earliest convenience; I look forward to making your day at my interview. 

Even if all this was true, it’s self-centered and doesn’t address the company at all. Instead, remind the employer of what they stand to gain when they hire you. Further establish how your goals align with theirs and what you’ll do for their HR department. 

I strive to improve the lives of employees by implementing modern practices and offering practical solutions to common problems. As your HR director, I desire to develop new training programs, ensure compliance, and increase employee engagement/satisfaction. Thank you for considering me for this position, and I hope to experience your restaurants first-hand soon.

This candidate explains their competency and their goals without sounding brash. It’s a delicate balance, but we know you can find it!

  • Formatting : Single space in your letter but double space between paragraphs. 

Signature:  All that’s left is to sign off and say “thank you” if you didn’t in the closing paragraph. Use a professional closer along with your name. 

Derek Annais

  • Formatting : If you’re presenting any hard copies of your human resources cover letter, quadruple space at the bottom to leave room to sign your name. 

Enclosure(s):  Many people don’t know about this section, but it’s important. It lists the other documents you’re submitting, reminding employers there’s more to come. It also helps them keep track of what you’ve included. 

HR positions usually require a job application and a resume, but some also require a supplemental questionnaire or references. Carefully scan the job description and application to make sure you provide everything requested.

Enclosures: Resume Application

  • Formatting : Use the singular or plural form of “enclosure” depending on how many documents you’re enclosing. Most of the time, it will be plural, but you should check it every time.

Is Your HR Resume on Par with Your Cover Letter?

Woman comparing on blackboard to see if human resources resume is on par with her cover letter.

Now that you’ve written your human resources cover letter, you’ll likely want to hit “submit” immediately. But don’t forget you still need to  outline your resume  and polish it to shine.  

You have a great persuasive argument, aka your cover letter, but you still need a document that quantifies your work experience, aka your resume. When combined, they paint a glowing picture of your career.

Want to know how to make your HR resume just as impressive as your cover letter? A look at our  resume examples  will give you the boost you need, and you can even edit this HR resume directly. 

Human Resources Director Resume

Need a resume to pair with your human resources director cover letter?

Human Resources Director Resume Template

If you’ve already started, try out our  resume checker  to get AI-powered advice to make your resume the best it can be. 

Now go snag the dream job you’ve always wanted!

Usually, you would address cover letters to the HR hiring manager, but that role may be vacant if you’re applying for it! Other times, the information may simply not be in the job description. Try searching LinkedIn or the company website for the name of an HR manager or higher-up company leader. If you can’t find any information, you can just lead off by saving “Dear [Company Name] hiring staff” or something similar.

HR is a bit more formal than other positions, with greater needs for cultural awareness and professional communication. However, with cultural awareness in mind, you ideally want to match your tone to the HR job description to show how you’ll fit in with the company’s culture. For example, if the tone comes across as innovative and creative, you could use a similar style when describing your HR abilities. Plus, you may want to emphasize innovative HR practices, like managing employee needs through workplace flexibility.

One page is the ideal length for HR cover letters. You may have been involved in hiring processes before and understand how fast-paced these decisions can be. Keeping your cover letter concise is essential to help hiring managers identify your top skills in aspects like employee relations and advising. That way, they can easily connect the dots that you’re the right pick for the role.

Create my free resume now

COMMENTS

  1. How to Address a Cover Letter to Human Resources

    How to Address a Cover Letter to Human Resources Work | Job Search | Cover Letters By Amber Keefer Updated June 29, 2018 It may seem like a simple enough matter, but addressing your...

  2. How to Address a Cover Letter (and Who to Address)

    Written By Dominique Vatin Reviewed By Conrad Benz Addressing your cover letter directly to the hiring manager is the best way to start it. No matter how you format your cover letter, begin it with a personalized greeting so the hiring manager sees you've researched the company. September 19, 2022 Build My Cover Letter Now As featured in *

  3. How to Address a Cover Letter (With Examples)

    Dear Ms. Greene Dear Mr. Johnson Since your cover letter is likely going to be the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager sees, it's important to use good judgment in choosing a salutation. — Mary Morgan, SHRM-CP Avoid greetings like " Hey ," or " Hi ," which are too casual for formal documents like cover letters.

  4. How to Write a Cover Letter to Human Resources: 11 Steps

    Part 1 Preparing to Write the Letter 1 Determine the purpose of the letter. Before you get to work on the letter think about what you are trying to achieve by writing it. A cover letter to Human Resources will most often be attached to your resume or CV when you apply for a job.

  5. Avoiding To Whom It May Concern: How to Address a Cover Letter

    How to properly address a cover letter to HR Now that you have the name - how do you proceed? "Dear" is still the most popular salutation, and adding formality shows respect. When possible, it's best to use the full formal name, eg., "Dear Ms. Anna Peregrine," or "Hello, Mr. Armend Fazlic."

  6. How to Address Your Cover Letter in 2023

    3/30/2023 eclipse_images/Getty Images You've finally sat down to write that cover letter (good for you!), but immediately you run into a roadblock: How do you even start the darn thing? Who do you address it to? Should you use Mr. or Ms.? Do you include a first name?

  7. How to Address a Cover Letter With Examples

    Dear Human Resources Director (6%) Leave it blank (8%) Do keep in mind that terms like "To Whom It May Concern" may seem dated, so the best options may be either to use "Dear Hiring Manager" or not to include a greeting at all. Simply start with the first paragraph of your letter. How to Address a Cover Letter for a Non-Gender-Specific Name

  8. How To Address a Cover Letter

    For example, 'Dear Austen Myers' is acceptable and considered a professional way to address a cover letter. If you know their gender and wish to use a title in the address, use either 'Ms.' or 'Mr.' to avoid inaccurately describing the recipient's marital status. For example, you'd write 'Dear Ms. Myers' rather than 'Dear ...

  9. 5 Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter Examples for 2024

    5 Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter Examples for 2024 Stephen Greet January 6, 2024 As an HR professional, you know how to make employees and the corporation happy, especially when you bring in new talent. But even though you know the ins and outs of the hiring process, getting hired yourself is tricky.

  10. Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter Example & Tips

    Phone: (123) 456-7891 Address: Street, City, State LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile [Today's Date] 341 Company Address Company City, State xxxxx (xxx) xxx-xxxx [email protected] Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (Manager's Name),

  11. Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter Examples for 2024

    01/23/2024 Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter Examples for 2024 You're the HR specialist who finds the top talent for any open positions. Show those hiring managers why you're a gem with an impressive human resources cover letter. Mariusz Wawrzyniak Career Expert You recruit, screen, interview, place, and onboard candidates in top positions.

  12. Human Resources Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2024

    Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter Checklist. Your human resources (HR) cover letter should have five elements: 1. Heading. Your letter's heading should include your contact information, the date, and the hiring manager's contact information. Make the header stand out by using a stylized template. 2.

  13. How To Address A Cover Letter (With Examples)

    1. Check the company website The first place you should begin looking for the hiring manager's name is on the company website. Check for an 'About Us' or 'Contact Us' page that lists the decision-makers in the company. You may be able to find the name of the department head or the head of HR.

  14. How to Address a Cover Letter (+ Who to Address) in 2024

    Table of Contents Show Just like the first message you send on Tinder can ruin your chances of meeting the match in person, the first line of your cover letter can make the recruiter squirm and reject your application. Don't risk it! Learn how to address a cover letter the right way ASAP. This guide will show you:

  15. 5 Best Ways How to Address a Cover Letter

    How to Address Cover Letter to HR. A cover letter to the Human Resources department is similar to any other! You can use generalized addressing formats we've listed, like "Dear [Job Title]" or "Greetings" and "Hello." However, if you want to seem more prepared, you can use the title of their HR position. For example:

  16. Open And Close Cover Letters

    Cover letter openings. Write a formal greeting, such as Dear Ms. Alvis or Dear Mr. Yang. If you're unsure of the person's gender and can't find out, write the full name, as in Dear Chu Li or Dear Chris Beltran. While it is increasingly common to see greetings without the "Dear" in business, it is less formal. When applying for a job ...

  17. How to Address a Cover Letter in 2024

    Dear Human Resources Recruitment Team, Alternatively, if you don't have enough information either about the department or the team, you can opt for addressing the cover letter directly to the company's hiring staff, as follows: Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team. Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Staff.

  18. Human Resources Manager Cover Letter Example and Template for 2024

    859-555-0102 [email protected] May 10, 2023 Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the position of Human Resources Manager at the Virginia Transportation Company. As someone in management with over 10 years of experience in the field, I have developed expertise and earned achievements that I am excited to bring to your organization.

  19. How To Write a Letter To Human Resources (HR)

    Unless your job application specifies otherwise, you can address your cover letter or letter of intent to the company's HR department. When you are resigning from a position Once you officially let your employer know that you are leaving your role, you should put this decision in writing.

  20. Human Resources Cover Letter Example (With a Template)

    How to write an HR cover letter. Below, you can explore a helpful guide on how to write an HR cover letter: 1. Include your contact details. Your contact details usually refer to your phone number, email address, city, state and postcode. You can write them underneath your name, which is in bold. When writing your contact details, you can ...

  21. How To Write a Cover Letter for a Human Resources Position

    Here are seven steps to help you learn how to write a cover letter for a human resources position: 1. Create your header. The top of your cover letter includes personal and professional contact information, similar to any standard business letter. List your name, contact information, and the current date along with the company's name and ...

  22. 20 Examples Of How To Address a Cover Letter to an Unknown Recipient

    Even if you don't know the recipient's name, it's crucial to keep your language and tone professional throughout your cover letter. Provide examples of well-formatted cover letter salutations. Example 1: "Dear Hiring Manager," Example 2: "Dear IT Director," Example 3: "Dear Ms. Taylor Smith,"

  23. How to write an office manager cover letter (with examples)

    Related: How to use the best cover letter format (with examples) 4. Emphasise your leadership skills. One of the many responsibilities of an office manager is to delegate and oversee employees in the company. Your cover letter is more likely to be effective if it contains references to your leadership skills and human resource management ...

  24. How To Write a Cover Letter for a Human Resources Position

    Here are seven steps to help you learn how to write a cover letter for a human resources position: 1. Create your header. The top of your cover letter includes personal and professional contact information, similar to any standard business letter. List your name, contact information, and the current date along with the company's name and ...