It is no secret that the job market is very competitive. Anything that makes you stand out among other candidates will give you an extra opportunity to get an interview and maybe a job. When an employer, salesperson, or client provides you with references for a job, it would be helpful to include them in the cover letter (also called a cover letter). By entering these references you will have a better chance that your resume will be read. Read on to find out when references should be included and how to do it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Confirm the Quality of the Referrer
Step 1. Evaluate if you have an important contact
It is crucial to determine whether your contact represents a strong or weak contact. Here's what a strong referent should look like:
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The recruiter knows your contact person. This relationship makes your referrer strong because the recruiter will be the one who will read your cover letter and recognize the referrer's name.
For example, your contact person is a well-known salesperson in the accounting department and you want to apply for the role of accounting manager. Your potential employer is the hiring manager and has an employment relationship with your contact person
Step 2. Determine if yours is a weak referent
If your contact person is weak, perhaps it is best not to mention them in the cover letter. Mention the contact person's name only if it helps, otherwise don't. Here are the characteristics of a weak referent:
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The person is not known by who will read your letter, although they may be a good contact person in another department. For example, the contact person is a salesperson and has an important working relationship with the sales manager, but not with the accounting department you want to apply for. In this case, your contact person is not known to the recruiter and therefore is not very important for the role you are looking for.
In that case it is not worth mentioning, unless you manage to turn this knowledge in your favor. For example, you might say, "I was invited to apply for this position by Mario who knows my skills and believes I could be a good fit for you."
Step 3. Make sure your contact person wants to be mentioned
Before using anyone's name or providing contact information, it is best to ask for permission. Letting the contact person know that he will be mentioned in your cover letter will give him the opportunity to prepare what to say if he is contacted by the company.
Receiving a surprise call from the company, without knowing that you have been mentioned as a contact person, could put the person in a difficult situation. Without having time to prepare, the contact person may not make your application stand out
Step 4. Confirm that your contact person is truly known in the company
Sometimes people are convinced that they are well known, but in reality they are not. On the other hand, if your contact person is well known and respected within the company, it will be very useful for you to mention him in the cover letter.
Sometimes one may be known by sight, but not by name. In this case, mentioning the name as a referent will not be very useful
Step 5. Check that your contact person is on good terms with the company and employees
As already mentioned, the contact person must be someone who is well known and respected by the company. More importantly, it should be on good terms with the recruiter or manager who will be reading your letter.
If there is no good relationship between your contact person and the person who will read your letter or there has been a recent quarrel, mentioning the name of the contact person could hinder you. You certainly don't want to be associated with negative situations that may exist between your contact person and whoever will read the letter
Part 2 of 3: Write References in the Letter
Step 1. Put the name of the contact person at the beginning of the cover letter
It would be better to mention the name within the first paragraph and preferably in the first sentences. Since cover letters are usually read very quickly, you will have a better chance of the name being noticed if you enter it at the beginning.
Step 2. Mention the person's name, position, department and company
Depending on who your contact person is and who reads your letter, it may not be enough to just indicate the name. Giving more details about your contact, such as their position and department, adds trust and allows the reader to know exactly who they are.
If the person is not an employee of the company, explain how he is connected to it
Step 3. Use the right tone in your cover letter
Saying, “Mario Rossi thinks I would be suitable for this job” is not the best way to enter a reference. A more professional tone would be appropriate. Here are two good examples:
- "I was instructed to apply for the position of Accounting Manager by your CFO, Mario Rossi."
- "I was directed to apply for the position of Accounting Manager by Mr. Mario Rossi, XYZ Sales Manager who provided you with the software for the accounting department."
Step 4. Explain your relationship
Provide a brief explanation of the relationship with your contact person. The purpose is to explain why that person is a good contact person for you. Prove that it's not someone you've met once. It would be appropriate to give the following indications to give greater credibility:
- How many years have you known that person.
- How often do you hear.
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If a personal or business relationship binds you.
For example, you could say "I have known Mario Rossi for 10 years and we have worked closely on many projects at ABC."
Part 3 of 3: Putting It All Together
Step 1. Offer reasons why you think you are the right person for the job
It is not enough to provide the name of the contact person and say how you met him. It is very important to explain why that person is willing to provide references. What qualifications are you aware of that would lead you to be successful in that job?
When you have decided what to say, write it down in the letter. For example, "Mario knows and appreciates my ability to motivate employees and enhance their skills."
Step 2. Put all the details together
Combine all the tips described above to write good references. Here is an example of how to combine the suggestions offered in a cover letter:
“I was instructed to apply for the position of Head of Accounting by your CFO, Mario Rossi. I have known Mario Rossi for ten years and worked closely with him on several projects when we were working at ABC. Mario believes that I am a good candidate because he knows and appreciates my ability to motivate employees and enhance their skills; it also believes that my profile reflects what you are looking for.”
Step 3. Indicate your characteristics and qualifications
Don't just talk about your contact person.
The letter is about you, not the relationship you have with your contact person. After you have named it, the rest of the letter should be devoted to your qualifications, skills and characteristics
Step 4. Make the letter as effective as the references
A well-written and professional letter will give your hypothetical employer the impression that Mario Rossi is right. Read other articles that can give you tips on how to write a good letter:
- How to Set Up a Cover Letter.
- How to Write a Cover Letter.
- How to Write a Cover Letter to Human Resources.
- How to Close a Cover Letter.
- How to Send a Cover Letter.
