All cover letter/resume web sites strongly suggest finding out a
specific person's name to address a cover letter to and avoiding the use
of a generic salutaion.  Is this really true? I would like specific
answers from 5 large firms in Michigan as to how they handle a cover
letter with a generic salutation.

Hello jsphil-ga,

In a competitive job market employers are inundated with dozens (if
not hundreds) of resumes in response to each job posting.
Consequently, recruiters and hiring managers use many formal and
informal criteria for reducing the flood of candidates to a manageable
number. I strongly doubt that the salutation on your resume will be
the first item for screening whether you have something to offer.
However, if you make the cut on qualifying with your skills and
experience, the cover letter may make all the difference in separating
you from others who have equally stellar qualifications. Showing that
you have bothered to find out the hiring manager's name may give you
the extra edge that will result in an interview.

In addition, you might be able to gain special consideration from a
company if you call them to find out about their views about
salutations on cover letters instead of having a Researcher get this
information for you. You might be able to use this connection to
parlay your application into an inside referral.

Good luck for your job search.

~ czh ~

To Whom it May Concern,        (sorry, couldn't help myself!)

I generally agree with czh on this issue.  In my opinion the answer
lies in the type of position you are applying for and the number of
letters you expect to send.  Two quick examples of the wrong approach:
You're a Sr. VP & sending a generic letter to the CEO/HR of a
competitive firm with whom you are familiar; painstakingly hunting
down name the office manager for each of the 50 companies you are
applying to for an admin. position.

There is also the issue of the "no phone calls, please" addendum to
many help wanted ads.  I'd hate to blow my chance because I called to
get a name for a cover letter!

Finally, to be honest if a company didn't hire me because I used a
generic salutation . . . it's a company I probably don't want to work
for anyway!