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Is this inappropriate for a cover letter?
Backstory: I have a friend who is a nurse in a Children's Psychiatrict unit at a hospital and she has been telling me for years that I should apply for a position (not a nurse but leading group therapy sessions which is what I did at a school before having DS). I feel uncomfortable applying for a job unsolicited (there hasn't been a job posting for the position I want for a while now), however I'm sucking it up now and sending in my resume anyway.
My question is; would it be inappropriate to mention my friend in the cover letter? Such as, "First Name Last Name encouraged me to apply for Position Title"... (if anyone has a good way of wording this that would be great!!) I want to show that I have an "in" so to speak but I don't want to be tacky either. Suggestions?
Re: Is this inappropriate for a cover letter?
Truthfully I've never been in this situation, but if I was applying, I would leave off any reference to people I know who work for the employer. 1) I'd be afraid of looking like someone who tries to get in on the shoulders of others 2) I'd be afraid that the person reviewing the app wouldn't like the friend. I might be more willing to drop a name in an interview- if a question that led into it was presented...
BUT I could be very wrong- it may be a good move- those would just be my fears in this situation.
I'd check with your friend that it's ok to use her name and then solicit her advice as to whether it would be helpful to drop her name.
I might say, "After talking to ________ I believe I would be perfect for a position with your organization because x,y,z"
I would check with the friend and see what she thinks.
I have mentioed a name in a cover letter but only with the permission of the person and knowledge of the hiring manager/organization.
In all my CL's I always mention how I heard of the position ( via website, professional association ect so I just re-worded to add the name) I wrote that " I learned of this position through _____________ or something similar.
They always say that it's who you know, so if this type of thing is acceptable in your field and the organization I say go for it.
Ditto the pps in checking with the friend.
If she's OK with it (which it sounds like she will be), you got some good advice on how to word it.
And don't worry about applying for an unsolicited job. That's how I got my dream job. Your friend may be able to put in a good word for them to hang onto your resume until something opens up.
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Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
I wouldn't. It sounds as if you are saying that you are applying only because someone else prodded you into it. This doesn't belong in your cover letter. Mention her only as a job reference.