Are you trying to figure out the best ways to start an email to your boss?
Perhaps you’re tired of the generic choices like “Dear Mr./Mrs.”
Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn more!
This article will teach you other ways to start an email to your boss.
You can review these alternatives to decide which one works best for you:
- Dear (Boss’s Name)
- Hey (Boss’s Name)
- Dear (Title) (Last Name)
- To (Boss’s Name)
- Greetings (Boss’s Name)
- Esteemed (Boss’s Name)
- Respected (Boss’s Name)
- Dear Boss
- Good Morning (Boss’s Name)
- Dear Sir/Madam
- To Whom It May Concern
1. Dear (Boss’s Name)
To start, we recommend using “dear (boss’s name)” in your emails. It’s a great way to send an email to your manager when you want to keep things simple.
Honestly, it’s one of the best phrases to use. There’s a reason why most emails start with “Dear.”
It’s formal and respectful. So, it’s going to go a long way when you want your boss’s attention quickly.
However, because it’s so common, some people are bored of seeing it. So, it might be worth exploring a few other alternatives to help you mix things up.
You can also check out this email sample to learn more about it:
Dear Hillary,
I would like to discuss something with you regarding updates to the system.
Do you have a spare moment to go over what you expect from us?
All the best,
Jean Grey
2. Hey (Boss’s Name)
For a more friendly email greeting, try “hey (boss’s name).” Using “hey” instead of “dear” is a great way to mix things up in your emails.
It’s more conversational and allows you to start a more direct message to them. This naturally works best when you’ve known your boss for a while and see them as more of a friend.
Generally, you can use it when you need to request something. It shows you’d like their attention, but you don’t want to come about it in a way that seems too formal or pushy.
So, it’s more likely to get a decent response from your boss.
Feel free to also review this example to learn a bit more about it:
Hey Marcus,
I’ve recently booked a holiday for June, and I’d like to check with you about it.
I’m requesting for leave for a few days if that’s okay with you.
Best regards,
Madison Smart
3. Dear (Title) (Last Name)
One of the most common ways to address your boss is “Dear (Title) (Last Name).” Of course, you need to know this information before addressing your boss in this way.
For the most part, it’s best to use this when retaining a professional tone. After all, addressing your employer like this shows that you respect them enough to address them properly.
This also works if you’re wondering how to write your first email to your manager. If you’re unsure what tone will suit them best, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Also, you can review this example to learn more about it:
Dear Ms. Autumn,
I’m so happy to join your team, and I look forward to our partnership.
Please let me know if there’s anything specific that I should prepare for.
All the best,
Maxine Branner
4. To (Boss’s Name)
You can simplify things by saying “To (Boss’s Name).” It’s formal and direct, showing that you’d like to catch your employer’s attention quickly.
Try using it when you need to ask about a problem. It shows that you’ve noticed something isn’t quite right or needs to be spoken about.
It also shows you how to politely start a professional email when you need your boss to listen quickly. They should reply much quicker if you start an email with something like this.
So, you can check out this example to learn a bit more:
To Jonathan,
I feel like it’s important to talk to you about a problem I’m having with the team.
Do you mind meeting up with me to discuss what we can do about this?
Thanks so much,
Steven Schmidt
5. Greetings (Boss’s Name)
Now, you can go for something a little more unorthodox. There’s nothing wrong with using “Greetings (Boss’s Name)” to really mix things up.
Of course, this does not show you how to start an official email to your boss. “Greetings” is never the appropriate choice for official and professional cases.
Instead, use it when you have a friendly relationship with your boss. It’s fun and light-hearted, making it much more effective informally.
Here’s a helpful email sample if you still need help with it:
Greetings Stacey,
I have some good news to share with you!
When are you free to meet with me to discuss what’s to come?
Best regards,
Janet Paul
6. Esteemed (Boss’s Name)
You can also try “Esteemed (Boss’s Name)” in some cases. Again, this is a more light-hearted and fun way to address your boss.
So, you can’t use it to start a formal email to your boss. Instead, it’s better to use it when remaining friendly and conversational.
Therefore, it only works when you’ve already got a well-establish relationship with them. Otherwise, it’s not worth the risk!
Also, this example should help you to clear things up:
Esteemed Carla,
I have gathered some information regarding this situation.
Would you like to meet soon to discuss more?
Yours,
Stephen Stop
7. Respected (Boss’s Name)
Try using “Respected (Boss’s Name)” when you’d like to sound formal and interesting. It’s an exciting way to start an email that your boss probably isn’t used to seeing.
Also, it’s obviously a more respectful choice to include.
So, you can use this when you’d like to run something by your boss. It’s polite and friendly, which sets your email up for success.
Here’s a helpful example to also explain more about how it works:
Respected Anthonia,
I’d like to run a personal problem by you if you have the time.
I think you’re the only person who can help me understand this.
All the best,
Melissa Fell
8. Dear Boss
If you’re not particularly friendly with your boss, you might not want to use their name at all.
Instead, you can just use their job title. In this case, “boss” or “employer” will do the trick.
So, “Dear Boss” shows you how to start a business email when you don’t have a friendly relationship.
It’s a decent choice that keeps things professional and sincere.
Also, here’s an email sample to help you with it:
Dear Boss,
I’m afraid I can’t come in at the moment.
However, I’ll let you know as soon as I have more availability.
Best regards,
Daniel Weiss
9. Good Morning (Boss’s Name)
You can also use “Good Morning (Boss’s Name)” as a greeting in your emails.
It works in a professional email to an employer when you’d like to ask about your salary or other touchy subjects.
After all, it sets things up in a more friendly yet direct way. It shows that you want to get on their good side, but you still need to discuss business with them.
Here’s an email sample to teach you more:
Good Morning Sarah,
I’d like to discuss a raise in salary with you if you have the time!
I’m sure my work will show you that I’m ready for the next step.
Yours,
Carl Tank
10. Dear Sir/Madam
We also think it’s worth writing “Dear Sir/Madam” in some cases.
Of course, this is a very formal way to greet someone. It suggests you have the utmost respect for your boss when using a phrase like this.
For that reason, it’s best not to use something like this when you have a more friendly relationship with your employer.
After all, if you’re friendly with them, this phrase could seem a bit out of place.
But if you’re still doing what you can to impress them, we highly recommend this. It’s polite and sincere. It’s also bound to impress your employer if this is one of the first times you’ve emailed them.
Also, you can review this email sample to learn a bit more:
Dear Sir,
I’d like to talk to you about concerns I have regarding this project.
Do you have spare time to meet to discuss what we need to do next?
All the best,
Sandra Smith
11. To Whom It May Concern
Finally, you can write “to whom it may concern.”
Now, this isn’t a very useful one in most cases. It’s only going to work if you haven’t met your boss.
The implication here is that you don’t know their name. It allows you to be formal and polite, but it’s designed to work as a greeting when you don’t already know who you’re contacting.
Once you’ve set yourself up in a workplace, you should be more familiar with your boss. And when that happens, it’s best to stop using this phrase.
Nevertheless, you can refer to this example to learn how to use it:
To Whom It May Concern,
I’d like to thank you for giving me this opportunity.
I’m sure we’ll learn a lot about each other very quickly, and I look forward to seeing what awaits me here.
Yours,
Sarah Dunkirk