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cat303
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19 Jun 2021, 6:18 am

Hi,

I have to write a letter as an expression of interest for a role I'm interested in and I would normally address it 'Dear Sir/Madam' but there's a high chance that the recipients might be non binary. So I'm wondering what is the polite way to address a letter to people who might not be sir or madam.

Thanks!



Mountain Goat
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19 Jun 2021, 7:06 am

How about "Dear Person" or "Dear Gender", or "Dear Human being"?

That is the only thing I can think of without calling everyone "It" regardless of gender, though using "It" has the advantage that it is better to offend everyone equally then discriminate against one group or another.


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OkaySometimes
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19 Jun 2021, 9:24 am

There's always the old "To whom it may concern," but that may come off too impersonal.
If there's a Hiring Team, you could use that, "Dear Members of the Hiring Team." Or "of the Board" or whatever.
Almost seems like anything could very well come off wrong...



BeaArthur
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19 Jun 2021, 10:51 am

Dear Reader? that's gender neutral, and sounds less stuffy than "to whom it may concern."


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cat303
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20 Jun 2021, 5:44 am

Thanks everyone, I like Dear Reader.



kraftiekortie
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21 Jun 2021, 7:54 am

I like "To Whom It May Concern" myself.

I don't know why-----maybe it's my age----but I find "Dear Reader" overly informal.



Dial1194
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17 Jul 2021, 3:29 pm

Yah. 'Dear Reader' is really only found in old novels.