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What are some formal alternatives to Mr./Ms., particularly in the context of job-hunting?

English Language & Usage Asked on December 7, 2020

I’ve always been told to refer to people by an honorific followed by their last names, especially when discussing job opportunities etc. However, I would rather not misgender anybody in doing so. I would appreciate if someone offered an alternative honorific or an alternative way to address people in emails, cover letters etc.

2 Answers

"Dear Sir/Madam" is what I was taught 50 years ago.

There is also the gender neutral title: Mx. This takes the place of Mr. and Ms.

Gender-neutral title (Wikipedia)

The newer term "Mx" avoids specifying gender not only for persons who wish not to indicate a binary gender (male or female) but also for persons whose gender identity does not fit the gender binary."

Answered by Robyn Simpson on December 7, 2020

A modern approach is to skip the salutation entirely, especially if you are not completely sure which one to use.

See for example

Are greetings and salutations redundant in an e-mail?

Answered by arp on December 7, 2020

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