How to Start a Cover Letter: Openings and Greetings That Get Read
Strong cover letter openings and greetings that get read by Tanzanian employers, plus a salutation decision tree and lines to avoid.
Alexander Phillip
Career Coach and Recruitment Expert
The first line of your cover letter decides whether the recruiter keeps reading. A weak opening makes them assume the rest is weak too. A strong opening earns you ten more seconds of attention.
This guide shows you how to start a cover letter the right way. We cover greetings, opening lines, and the mistakes that get letters deleted. If you want help writing the whole letter, use our free cover letter builder.
How to Choose the Right Greeting
Your greeting sets the tone. Use the recruiter's name if you have it. If not, "Dear Hiring Manager" is the safest fallback. Never use "To Whom It May Concern." It sounds outdated and impersonal.
| Do you know the recruiter's name? | Use this greeting |
|---|---|
| Yes, and you know the title | Dear Mr Juma / Dear Ms Juma |
| Yes, but unsure of gender | Dear Mussa Juma |
| No | Dear Hiring Manager |
| The advert gives a department | Dear Finance Team Hiring Manager |
7 Opening Lines That Work
Each opening below gives a reason to keep reading. Adapt the details to your own situation.
1. Lead with a relevant result
"In my current role at a CRDB agency in Mwanza, I increased monthly account openings by 30% through consistent follow-up with small business owners."
2. Lead with the role and source
"I am writing to apply for the Logistics Coordinator position advertised on your company website on 15 June 2026."
3. Lead with a referral
"Mr Joseph Mallya, a current member of your sales team, encouraged me to apply for the Sales Representative position."
4. Lead with mission fit
"Your NGO's work in rural water access aligns closely with my three years of community development experience in Manyara Region."
5. Lead with a qualification
"As a registered nurse with five years of experience in maternal health, I am applying for the Ward Nurse position at your hospital."
6. Lead with a problem you can solve
"When I saw your advert for an IT Support Technician, I noticed you need someone who can reduce ticket backlog. In my current role, I cut open tickets by 40% in six months."
7. Lead with enthusiasm and fit
"I am excited to apply for the Graduate Trainee programme at NMB Bank, where I hope to combine my finance degree with my passion for customer service."
Common Greeting Mistakes
The greeting is small but important. A mistake here can make the whole letter feel careless.
Greeting mistakes
- "To Whom It May Concern." Outdated and impersonal.
- "Dear Sir." Only use if you know the recipient is male.
- "Hi" or "Hello." Too casual for formal applications.
- Wrong name. Double-check spelling before sending.
Openings to Avoid
Weak openings that waste space
- "My name is..." The recruiter can see your name at the top of the letter.
- "I am writing to apply for..." This is obvious and does not add value.
- "I saw your advert on the internet." Be specific about where you saw it.
- "I believe I am the best candidate." Show why instead of claiming it.
- "In today's competitive job market..." This is filler and says nothing about you.
Quick tip: If you cannot find the recruiter's name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is better than guessing the wrong title.
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Start my cover letterPutting It Together
A strong start has two parts: a correct greeting and a first sentence that gives value. After that, the middle paragraph proves the claim you made in the opening.
For example, if you opened with a result, your next paragraph should explain how you achieved it. If you opened with mission fit, your next paragraph should give evidence of that fit.
How to Find the Recruiter's Name
Addressing the letter to a real person gives you an advantage. Here are places to look.
Where to find the hiring manager's name
- The job advert. Some adverts list a contact person.
- The company website. Check the team or careers page.
- LinkedIn. Search the company and the job title.
- Your network. A friend or former colleague may know who hires for the role.
If you find a name but are unsure of gender, use the full name rather than guessing Mr or Ms. "Dear Mussa Juma" is safer than "Dear Mr Juma" if you are not certain.
Opening Lines for Different Situations
After a career break
"I am applying for the Administrative Assistant role at your NGO. After a two-year break to care for family, I am eager to return to office administration and bring five years of prior experience to your team."
Changing industries
"I am applying for the Project Coordinator role at your construction firm. My background in logistics has prepared me to manage timelines, budgets, and supplier relationships."
Responding to a specific advert
"I am writing in response to your advert for a Retail Supervisor, which appeared in the Daily News on 12 July 2026."
How to Test Your Opening
Before you send, read your opening line and ask yourself three questions. If the answer to any is no, rewrite.
Opening test
- Does it name the role? The recruiter should know immediately which job you want.
- Does it give value? A result, qualification, or specific reason beats a generic statement.
- Does it sound like me? Avoid language you would not use in a normal conversation.
Once your opening is strong, read our guide on how to end a cover letter so your close is just as polished. For format guidance, see cover letter format.
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Answer a few questions and CV Chap Chap writes a clean first draft you can edit and download. No payment needed for the letter.
Start my cover letterFrequently Asked Questions
How should I greet the recruiter if I do not know their name?
Use "Dear Hiring Manager." It is professional, modern, and avoids the outdated "To Whom It May Concern."
What is the best opening line for a cover letter?
The best opening line leads with a relevant result, qualification, or reason you are applying. It should make the recruiter want to read the next paragraph.
Should I use "Dear Sir or Madam" in a Tanzanian cover letter?
Only if you genuinely cannot find a name and the company is very traditional. In most cases, "Dear Hiring Manager" is the safer and more modern choice.
Can I start a cover letter with a question?
You can, but it is risky. A weak question feels like a gimmick. If you use one, make sure it directly relates to the employer's problem or goal.
Write your cover letter in about 5 minutes, free
Answer a few questions and CV Chap Chap writes a clean first draft you can edit and download. No payment needed for the letter.
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