Are you applying for a job and wondering if it’s ok to name drop in your cover letter? Or, perhaps you’re wondering how many hours of work should go into writing one. Do you need to write your employment gap on your resume as “Seeking Employment” or something similar?
The answers to these questions and more can be found below.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Using name-dropping in your cover letter can increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers. |
| Name-dropping should only be used when you have a legitimate connection to the company, such as a referral or a professional network. |
| To properly name-drop in your cover letter, include the name of the person who referred you, their relationship to the company, and why they recommended you for the position. |
| Name-dropping is not a guarantee that you will get the job, but it can help you stand out and get your foot in the door for an interview. |
| Be careful not to overuse name-dropping or make it seem insincere or desperate. Use it strategically and sparingly. |
Is It Ok To Name Drop In A Cover Letter?
If you’re asking yourself the question, “is it ok to name drop in a cover letter? Then the answer is a resounding no. This is not the place to do so.
If you need to mention that your dad was an astronaut or that your mom was president of the PTA or have any other accomplishments that may make you sound important, great!
Include them with equal parts humility and confidence: “I had a great time organizing our school’s fundraising event last year; we raised over $18,000 for our new band uniforms!”
As long as you aren’t using this information as some sort of fancy-footed way to get ahead in your career (and even if you are), there’s no harm in having these achievements on hand for when they’re relevant.
When writing a cover letter, it’s important to start strong and grab the reader’s attention right away. Our guide on how to start writing a cover letter provides valuable tips and examples to help you make a great first impression.
How Many Hours Should You Put On A Cover Letter?
If you’re new to writing cover letters, it can be difficult to know how many hours to put into them. Should you write one from scratch? Or use a template? How much time should you spend on them?
The truth is that there are a lot of variables at play here, but the answer is probably somewhere in between. If you have limited experience with cover letters and don’t know what to write about, consider using some form of pre-made template or form letter (more on those later).
However, if your experience is more advanced and/or if your company has a specific format or style guide for its cover letters, then feel free to start from scratch.
If in doubt about this point: use a professional resume builder like ResumeGenius as part of your process and save yourself some time by letting us do all the legwork while still giving yourself enough freedom over content creation so as not to feel constrained by our suggestions!
What Should You Write In A Cover Letter?
In your cover letter, you should write about how you’re a good fit for the job and why you want it. You can also mention some of the things that make you unique as an applicant (for example, if your previous experience has prepared you for this position or if there’s some sort of connection between what you did before and what this company does).
If possible, try to show how your skills align with the company’s needs. For example:
Your cover letter should be short, but it still needs to have all the information that someone in HR will need to decide whether they should call or email back.
In general, keep things simple by keeping each paragraph focused on one topic or thought point (e.g., something specific about yourself) so that it reads smoothly when later read by someone else who is looking at dozens of other resumes too!
If you’re wondering how to write a cover letter that stands out from the crowd, look no further. Our comprehensive guide on all you need to know about cover letter is packed with information, advice, and examples to help you craft a winning cover letter.
Where Do You Write Your Email Address On A Cover Letter?
The email address you use should be the same one you’d use when applying for a job. So, if your name is Kate Smith, then your email address would be kate@example.com (not funnykate or katesmith12345).
If you’re using you’re first initial combined with the last name, then put it at the end of your name in parentheses. For example: Kate Smith (kate@example.com)
Where Do You Write Your Name On A Cover Letter?
When you’re writing a cover letter for an internship, or any other job that doesn’t require an official “cover letter,” you don’t have to include one.
But if you are applying for an internship, there’s no reason not to include one it can help set you apart from the competition. Cover letters should be no longer than one page and written in a formal tone that matches the style of the job posting.
What Should You Put In Your Last Paragraph Of A Cover Letter?
In your last paragraph, you may want to reiterate why you’re interested in the job. You can also use this section to tell the company what you hope to gain from this experience. This is a good place for any additional information that might be relevant but didn’t fit anywhere else:
What are your strengths?
What is your greatest weakness?
What are your goals for the future?
How will YOU contribute to OUR COMPANY?
Is It Okay To Use First Person In A Cover Letter?
You should feel free to use the first person in your cover letter. It shows confidence, which is a good thing, and it also helps you show that you are the best fit for the position.
After all, if you don’t believe that you are right for the job then why would they hire you? If anything, using the first person can help make it clear that this is something YOU want to do.
Should I Write An Entirely New Cover Letter For Every Job Application?
When you write a cover letter, it’s best to keep the same basic structure for each application. This way, you’ll have a template to refer back to when applying for jobs. The overall format of your cover letter should include
Your name and contact info (address, phone number)
A greeting like “Dear Sir or Madam”
A paragraph describing why you are applying for this position and how your skills match those needed by the job description (this can be more focused than with an initial application)
Include details about what makes you qualified for the job such as experience or certifications that might be relevant. If there is an ideal candidate from their perspective, highlight why they’re so similar; if there isn’t anyone specific in mind at all yet just explain how much potential there is for growth within their company/department etcetera).
A cover letter is a key component of any job application, but how does it work exactly? Our guide on how do cover letters work explains the purpose of a cover letter and provides tips on how to tailor your letter to the job you’re applying for.
How Many Sentences Should Be In My Cover Letter’s Last Paragraph?
For the last paragraph of your cover letter, it’s important to have one or two sentences. The whole point of this section is to address a specific company and show that you’re interested in working for them specifically. So don’t try to cram too much into this paragraph you want it to be clear and concise.
The last sentence should include
A call to action is a statement that highlights what you want from the employer (an interview).
An expression of interest is a statement about how this opportunity excites and inspires you because of XYZ’s reasons (the mission, values, etc.).
A statement of intent why do you feel like this job would be a good fit for you? Is there something specific about XYZ’s skillset/ability/personality trait mentioned in the job description?
How Do You Start Off Writing A Cover Letter?
Let’s begin with the basics. You will want to start by greeting the hiring manager and letting them know that you are writing your cover letter. Then, you can go on to tell them why you are writing.
As an example: “It is my pleasure to apply for the position of Marketing Director at your company. I believe my experience as a marketing director at ABC Company and XYZ Organization will be valuable in helping your company succeed in its goals of increasing profits through increased sales volume and brand recognition throughout North America.”
Next, it is important to explain what type of work experience or education makes you well suited for this job opening.
You may want to include examples from previous positions where similar skills were used because they show that those skills can translate into success within this position too (e.g., “I have been successful at increasing sales volumes through strategic targeting campaigns for several years now”).
If relevant, highlight any other applicable credentials such as certifications or licensing requirements here as well (e.g., “I am also certified by The International Association Of Public Relations Specialists To Practice In Their Field”).
How Can I Make My Cover Letter Stand Out?
Be unique. There are already a lot of cover letters out there, so yours must stand out. I recommend trying something different and exciting that will make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Be creative. Creativity and innovation are great ways to get noticed by hiring managers, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes time for you to write your resume and cover letter.
Be personal. When applying for jobs online, it can sometimes feel like our application falls into the void never to be seen again by anyone other than automated systems who may or may not have any idea what they’re doing anyway!
So even though this might seem kind of silly and maybe even embarrassing I still recommend adding something personal about yourself into each application packet (whether that’s via email/chat or snail mail).
It shows effort on behalf of both parties involved in getting together such information beforehand; plus there’s nothing wrong with giving employers a little insight into who exactly they’ll be working with!
Be concise: A good rule-of-thumb here would be “less is more” as far as length goes
keep things short yet sweet while still maintaining professionalism throughout all correspondence sent back and forth between both parties involved in getting together such information beforehand plus there’s nothing wrong with giving employers a little insight into who exactly they’ll be working
If you’re wondering whether a cover letter is worth the effort, the answer is a resounding yes. Our guide on how effective is a cover letter explains why a well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in landing your dream job.
Why Would I Want To Write A Cover Letter Like This Instead Of Sending The Same One To Everyone At The Same Time?
You want to make sure that you are making the right impression. If you send out a cover letter that is customized for each job and hiring manager, then you can be sure that you are highlighting your strengths and qualifications to get an interview.
You don’t want to waste time writing and rewriting the same cover letter for every job opening. It’s not only annoying for employers, but it also wastes time (your own) when you could be applying for other jobs.
You don’t want to send out a generic cover letter because the more targeted your cover letter is towards each employer, the better your chance of getting invited in for an interview!
How Long Should An Employment Gap On a Resume Be Listed As “Seeking Employment” Or Something Similar?
A key question to ask yourself is: How long do you want to list your employment gap?
If the answer is longer than three months, then it’s acceptable to use some variation of “employment” or “seeking employment.” If it’s less than three months, then it’s acceptable to simply say “unemployed.”
Is It Too Late To Submit My Resume And Cover Letter If I Was Previously Rejected?
It depends on what you’re applying for if you were rejected for one position, you can try for another. If it’s the same company or job title but with a different position number and/or location, then that’s probably fine to do.
If it’s a similar kind of job (for example, if you applied as an accounting clerk and got rejected because they need someone with more experience or education), then it shouldn’t be too hard to get your foot in the door again.
Keep in mind that if they’ve reconsidered their hiring needs since last time (perhaps because some other employees left), it might be better not to apply again right away instead find out what’s going on at the company and use that information when crafting your next cover letter or resume submission!
Some job seekers may question the importance of a cover letter in today’s digital age, but the truth is that it still plays a crucial role in the job application process. Our guide on how important is a cover letter when applying for a job outlines the reasons why a strong cover letter is essential for success.
What Are Some Resume And/Or Cover Letters Tips Needed When Applying For Jobs Outside Of The Us?
Make sure you’re using the right format.
Know how to use language appropriate for your industry.
Show that you understand the job you are applying for.
Use the right tone and style in your cover letter, as well as when creating your resume and application materials.
What Are Some Good Resources For Writing Cover Letters And Other Job Applications?
If you’re looking for a job, you’ve got to do more than just send in your resume. You also need to write cover letters and other application materials.
Cover letters are extremely important, as they allow the hiring manager to learn about your personality and skills without having to read through all of your past work experience.
Unfortunately, many people find it difficult or intimidating to write cover letters and other job applications (like CVs).
If this sounds like something you struggle with too, don’t worry! There are lots of great resources out there that can help with both the process of writing cover letters and other application materials as well as make sure that what you’re writing is good enough for an employer’s attention.
We’ve compiled some excellent resources here so take a look at them before starting on any projects
Conclusion
So, is it okay to name-drop in a cover letter? The short answer is yes! Though it might not be the best idea to include your connections in every application you send out (you don’t want to come across as desperate), there are certain situations where dropping names can help you get noticed.
If you know someone who works at the company and could offer some kind of recommendation or referral for your candidacy, then definitely include them in your letter. This will show potential employers that they have someone inside their company do recommend hiring people from outside sources like job boards or recruiters
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you learn more about using name-dropping in your cover letter:
When and How to Name-Drop in Your Cover Letter by Pongo Resume. This article provides tips on how and when to use name-dropping in your cover letter to increase your chances of getting hired.
How to Mention a Referral in Your Cover Letter by Resume Genius. This guide explains how to properly mention a referral in your cover letter to show that you have a personal connection to the company.
How to Name-Drop in a Cover Letter by InHerSight. This article provides advice on how to name-drop in your cover letter to make a positive impression on potential employers.
FAQs
Q: What is name-dropping in a cover letter?
A: Name-dropping is when you mention a person’s name in your cover letter who has a connection to the company you are applying to. This can help you stand out and make a positive impression on potential employers.
Q: When should I use name-dropping in my cover letter?
A: You should use name-dropping in your cover letter when you have a personal connection to the company, such as a referral from an employee or a connection through a professional network.
Q: How do I properly mention a referral in my cover letter?
A: To properly mention a referral in your cover letter, you should include the name of the person who referred you, their relationship to the company, and why they recommended you for the position.
Q: Is name-dropping always appropriate in a cover letter?
A: No, name-dropping should only be used when you have a legitimate connection to the company. If you name-drop someone just for the sake of it, it can come across as insincere or even desperate.
Q: Can name-dropping in a cover letter guarantee me the job?
A: No, name-dropping is not a guarantee that you will get the job. However, it can increase your chances of getting noticed and getting your foot in the door for an interview.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.