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Read the job advertisement. Search the company's website. Use your network connections. Call the company. Look for titles.

Article:
Most job ads will include direct instructions on how to apply. For example, near the bottom of some job postings, it will say "Apply to the attention of..." and then give a name. If the hiring manager's name is not available in the ad, check the company's website. Tracking down a name will make your letter more personal, which stands out in the applicant pile. It also shows your willingness to do research, a good sign for a future employer. While the advertisement may not have a direct name, it will have some contact information, perhaps an email address or phone number. Use those when searching the company directory to see whose name comes up, and address your letter to that person. Many companies will list hiring managers and department heads on their website. If you have a specific name to search for, but no contact information, examine the way the company lays out its email addresses. Most businesses will use a set convention, such as firstname.lastname@business.com. Searching for a specific address written in the company's preferred style will likely turn up additional information you need. Finding addresses like this can also be a method for cold-contacting managers higher in the company. This can be a good way to build connections, but will be less helpful if you try asking directly for a job. If searching for an email or phone number doesn't turn up a specific name, look for the person you would be reporting to, a manager or department head. Chances are you won't be approaching this company blindly. You will be able to get some information about the business and its employees through a variety of additional means beyond the business itself. If you are applying on the recommendation of someone else, ask that person who will be handling your letter. Track down people in the business through a social site like LinkedIn. You can search the site for people with particular titles or positions within the company used its advanced search functions. A site like LinkedIn also allows you to ask your connections to introduce you to their connections. This is helpful if they know people in the company you are applying to, especially if it is the hiring manager. Send the person a note asking for the introduction, making sure to include why you want the introduction. If the name is not available in the advertisement, and you cannot get anything from a company directory, call the company directly. When you talk to someone there, be sure to ask directly for the name of the person to whom you should be addressing your letter. Make sure you know the title of the position you are applying for, and any other information like a search number, to help the person on the other end get the right name. However you find the hiring manager's name, make sure you also find out any titles he or she uses. You need this to address your letter properly, and you don't want to refer to a "he" as a "she." Take note of special titles like "Dr." or "Your Honor" (for a judge), or political titles like "Senator" or "Assemblymen."