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[new_to_forum]

How to address a SC chair when there is no information about hu's title (Dr.)? I could use Mr. or Ms., but hu has a foreign name and it is almost impossible for me to figure out if it's a female or male name. Any suggestions?

[arizona]

I generally use "Prof.", which is what I see most often in ads. You can just check the departmental website to make sure that the chair is, in fact, a professor (hard for me to image that hu would not be, unless an administrator is listed as the contact for the search). Many university websites also have individual photos of faculty members.

[canadatourismguy]

I prefer to use, your highness or your greatness...Seriously, look the person up on the website.  That will usually tell you everything you need to know.  You should be looking at their website to write your letter nonetheless.

[new_to_forum]

thanks for your prompt response, Arizona.

I checked the department website, hu is a dean and it looks like s/he doesn't have a Ph.D. Would it be appropriate to say Dear Dean X? I also googled the name and the facebook gave me female pictures with the same first and last name. Should I go with "Dear Dean X" or "Dear Ms. X"

[higherandhigher]

thanks for your prompt response, Arizona.

I checked the department website, hu is a dean and it looks like s/he doesn't have a Ph.D. Would it be appropriate to say Dear Dean X? I also googled the name and the facebook gave me female pictures with the same first and last name. Should I go with "Dear Dean X" or "Dear Ms. X"

Definitely Dear Dean X (appropriate for assistant deans and associates deans as well as Dean deans). (Alternatively: Dear Professor X if they have a faculty appointment as well.)

[larryc]

Do you have an interview? If so, listen to how the chair addresses you. If she uses your first name, address her by her first name, confidently and naturally. Remember that you are interviewing to be a colleague, not a new graduate student in the program.

[ann05]

Thanks for the last response larryc because I have been struggling to figure out how to address people at my upcoming interview. The school I'm teaching at right now is insanely formal about titles, everybody calls everybody "Dr. whatever" or "Mr. soandso." Since the interviewing school is calling me by my first name (and nickname even), I'm just going to go first name with them too. 

[higherandhigher]

Since the interviewing school is calling me by my first name (and nickname even), I'm just going to go first name with them too. 

I agree that's fine.

Just to clarify my post, Dear FirstName/Dear Dean X/Dear Prof. X could all be appropriate. "Dear Ms. X" is not advisable, as someone could (whether justifiably or not) take offense to that.

[the_honey_badger]

I like a simple Your Majesty myself.

My default with strangers is formality until told otherwise (or, addressed informally myself).

[higherandhigher]

My default with strangers is formality until told otherwise (or, addressed informally myself).

Wise words.

[new_to_forum]

thank you all for comments.

I addressed her 'Dear Dean X' in my cover letter.

[higherandhigher]

in my cover letter.

Higherandhigher's cover letter salutation guide:

Group A (use As applicable:; I don't think you can go too wrong choosing a title from the list if the person has that title):
President LastName
Vice President LastName
Provost LastName
Dean LastName [may use for Assistant or Associate Deans in addition to "full" Deans]
Professor LastName
Dr. LastName

Group B (Only if nothing from group A applies)
Mr. LastName
Ms. LastName

Group C (NEVER use):
Mrs. LastName
FirstName (unless you happen to already know the person on a first-name basis, and, even then, maybe more formality is advisable as the letter will be viewed by the entire committee)

[new_to_forum]

Dear all,
I am so excited to let you know that I got an offer, a verbal one so far. They need a couple more documents before sending me my paperwork. But the most important thing is that I received the offer when I almost gave up on it.

Thank you for all your suggestions and comments during my job hunting process.

[svenc]

Congrats, NTF!

You see, the right salutation makes all the difference.

[yellowtractor]

They would have offered you tenure up front, you know, if only you'd addressed the SC as "sweet diddlykins."