How to Create Your Cover Letter Title

Updated June 17, 20222k

When applying to a job, giving your cover letter a good, identifiable title. Here’s how to properly title your cover letter.

Cover Letter Title

So, you’re almost ready to submit your job application. You have written an excellent resume and a cover letter that supports your resume with relevant additional information. You’ve even chosen matching templates to ensure your application looks professional. All that is left is to create a professional title for your cover letter file that will ensure recruiters can easily identify the document. Here’s what you need to know about giving your cover letter the best possible title.

What Is a Cover Letter Title?

Simply put, a cover letter title is what you name the file that contains your cover letter. This may seem like a small detail, but it is important because it impacts how easily human resources can recognize your cover letter when it is attached to an email. The right title will help to differentiate it from your professional resume, for example, and any portfolio items that are attached to the email. This means that it has a small but important part to play in getting you a new job. It is important to note that a cover letter title is not the same as the cover letter header or salutation. The header will contain your full name, phone number, and secondary contact information, while the salutation is how you greet recruiters. For example, “Dear Hiring Manager”, “To Whom It May Concern”, and “Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms.” are salutations. These are both elements of the cover letter itself, while the title is the name of the file. If you are writing your cover letter in the body of an email, however, then the subject line will also need a professional title.

A Few Cover Letter Title Formats

There are a few different options you can use when it comes to creating the right cover letter title for your next job application. Here are the three best options:

1. Your full name

The first and simplest option is simply to use your full name as the title of your cover letter file. You should use whatever name you use to sign official documents, including any middle name that you use commonly. For example,

“Jane_Doe_Cover_Letter.PDF”

2. Your name and the company name

A second option is to use your full name and the name of the company hosting the job posting. If you add the company name to your cover letter title, then you will show a potential employer that you have written specifically for this new job application. For example,

“Jane_Doe_Dollar_General_Cover_Letter.PDF”

3. Your name and the job title

Finally, you can use your full name and the job title that you are applying for. This will help hiring managers immediately understand which job listing you are applying for. For example,

“Jane_Doe_English_Prof_ Cover_ Letter.PDF”

Four Cover Letter Title Tips to Keep in Mind

While there are a number of great cover letter formats to choose from and great cover letter templates online, you will not find many tools that include cover letter title formatting. Likewise, while there are lots of great cover letter examples for every industry, few, if any, will show what cover letter title they used. As such, it is important that you remember these tips for creating an effective title:

Use underscores or dashes rather than spaces between each word.
Save your cover letter document in .docx or PDF form.
Be consistent in word capitalization and separation methods.
Proofread your cover letter title before you send it.

In most cases, the only concrete requirement is the inclusion of your name, but if you standardize your cover letter title format, you will minimize the chance of avoidable mistakes by deciding exactly how you want to name your cover letter, as all you will have to do is switch company names or job titles.

FAQ: Cover Letter Titles

How important is a cover letter's title?

Your cover letter title has a very simple but important function in a job application; it indicates the purpose of the document to a recruiter. For this reason, it is important that it is not a random jumble of words or letters, but beyond that, the main requirement is professionalism.

Should I put an interviewer’s name in the cover letter title?

No, you should use your own name in a cover letter title, but you should use the hiring manager's name in your cover letter salutation. You should do this using the “Dear Mr.” or “Dear Mrs./Ms.” format rather than using “Dear Hiring Manager” as a greeting.

How should my cover letter be formatted?

The main requirement for a cover letter title is that you use your full name. Beyond this, the main requirement is consistency. You can use underscores or dashes, for example, as long as you don’t mix them together. So, for example, “Jane_Doe_Cover_ Letter” is fine, and so is “Jane-Doe-Cover-Letter”.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.