how to name drop in a cover letter

How To Name Drop In Your Cover Letter (With 5 Templates)

Picture this: you're applying for a job at a prestigious company, and you realize that you have a mutual connection with the hiring manager. You wonder, "Should I mention this connection in my cover letter? Will it help or hurt my chances of landing an interview?" Name-dropping, or mentioning someone's name to leverage their credibility or connections, can be a risky move in your job search. However, when done correctly, it can also be advantageous in a competitive job market. In this guide, we'll explore the benefits and potential drawbacks of name-dropping in a cover letter and provide you with useful tips and real-life examples to help you make an informed decision.

The Purpose of Name-Dropping in a Cover Letter

Name-dropping in a cover letter can serve several purposes when done correctly:

Demonstrating a personal connection : Mentioning someone who can vouch for your skills and character can help establish trust with the hiring manager. According to a ResumeLab survey , 83% of recruiters believe cover letters are still very important when making a hiring decision. A personal connection can add weight to your application and show that someone is willing to put their reputation on the line for you.

Providing a reference : A well-known contact within the company can serve as a reference for the hiring manager, giving them an additional resource to verify your qualifications and experience.

Grabbing attention : Name-dropping can make your cover letter stand out and grab the hiring manager's attention, potentially increasing your chances of landing an interview.

Increasing chances of being considered : The ultimate goal of a cover letter is to land a job interview. Name-dropping can potentially increase the chances of being considered for the position, especially if the person you mention has a strong reputation within the company.

However, it's essential to remember that name-dropping should not be the sole focus of your cover letter. Instead, it should be an additional element that enhances your overall application.

When and How to Name-Drop Effectively

Before you decide to name-drop in your cover letter, consider the following guidelines:

Relevance : Only name-drop if the person you're mentioning is relevant to the position and known to the hiring manager. If the connection is too distant or unrelated to the job, it may not carry much weight.

Relationship : Ensure that the person you're mentioning has a positive relationship with the hiring manager. Name-dropping someone who isn't on good terms with the hiring manager can backfire.

Research : Use resources like LinkedIn or company websites to find potential contacts to mention in your cover letter. Ensure that the person is still with the company and holds a significant position.

Permission : Always ask for permission before using someone's name in your cover letter. This shows respect for their privacy and prevents potential misunderstandings.

Placement : Include the contact's name strategically within your cover letter. Mentioning their name in the opening paragraph can help grab the hiring manager's attention early on.

For example, you might write: "I was excited to learn about the Marketing Manager position at ABC Company from Jane Smith, the Senior Marketing Director. Jane spoke highly of the company's innovative approach to marketing and the supportive team environment, which aligns with my values and experience."

Finding a Contact at the Target Company

To find a suitable contact to mention in your cover letter, consider the following strategies:

Leverage LinkedIn : Use LinkedIn to identify potential contacts within the organization. Look for mutual connections or people who hold significant positions within the company.

Reach out to friends or acquaintances : If you know someone who works at the target company, ask them if they can introduce you to a relevant contact or provide insight into the company culture.

Attend industry events : Participate in industry conferences or networking events to meet potential contacts who might be able to help with your job search.

Select a relevant contact : Ensure that the person you choose to mention is relevant to the position you're applying for and holds a respected position within the company.

Verify their relationship : Research the contact's relationship with the hiring manager and their position within the company to ensure that your name-dropping will have a positive impact.

Asking for Permission to Use Someone's Name

Before you name-drop in your cover letter, it's crucial to ask for permission from the person you plan to mention. Here are some tips on how to do so:

Be professional : Reach out via phone, email, or in-person conversation, and be respectful of the person's time.

Explain your intentions : Share the job description and your reasons for wanting to mention their name in your cover letter.

Show gratitude : Express gratitude for their help and support.

Prepare for rejection : If the person does not grant permission to use their name, respect their decision and avoid mentioning them in your cover letter.

Potential Drawbacks of Name-Dropping

While name-dropping can be beneficial, it's essential to be aware of the potential drawbacks:

Perceived as unprofessional : If not done correctly, name-dropping can come across as presumptuous or manipulative, leaving a negative impression on the hiring manager.

Risk of mentioning the wrong person : If you mention someone the hiring manager has never heard of or has a poor relationship with, it could hurt your chances of landing an interview.

Overshadowing your qualifications : Relying too heavily on name-dropping can overshadow your qualifications and skills, detracting from the overall strength of your application.

Damaging professional relationships : Name-dropping without permission can damage your professional relationships and harm your reputation.

To mitigate these risks, follow the guidelines provided in this article and focus on showcasing your qualifications and skills in your cover letter.

5 Templates You Can Use In Name Dropping

When incorporating name-dropping into your cover letter, it can be helpful to have some templates as a starting point. These templates provide you with a solid foundation to structure your introduction and showcase your connection or recommendation. While personalization is crucial, these templates offer a versatile framework that can be adapted to various scenarios. Let's explore a few examples of name-dropping templates that you can use to effectively highlight your connections and increase your chances of making a positive impression on hiring managers.

Template 1: Mutual Connection

Template 2: industry influencer, template 3: alumni connection, template 4: company insider, template 5: industry conference.

Name-dropping in a cover letter can be a valuable tool when used appropriately and in conjunction with a strong overall application. By considering the potential benefits and drawbacks, following the guidelines for effective name-dropping, and using real-life examples as a guide, you can make an informed decision about whether to incorporate name-dropping into your cover letter. As you navigate your job search, remember that your qualifications and skills are the foundation of your application, and any additional strategies, such as name-dropping, should be used to enhance your chances of success. Good luck!

How to Name Drop in a Cover Letter

In This Guide:

What is name-dropping in a cover letter, should you name-drop in a cover letter, how to name-drop in a cover letter, template for name-dropping in a cover letter.

Quick Answer: Name-dropping in your cover letter is the process of mentioning a mutual contact with the hiring manager, and using it as a referral for your job application. It shows someone else is willing to vouch for you. Find someone you know at the company you are applying for, determine their reach, and ask for their permission before opening your cover letter with their name.

A great way to get ahead of the competition in the job searching process is to have the opportunity to name-drop.

That can be done using a contact you have in the company you have targeted, or someone who has worked in the company until recently and has parted on good terms.

It goes without saying that you can’t just name-drop without the person’s permission, as that works as a referral .

So how to do that right and get the best out of name-dropping on your cover letter?

In this article, we are going to find out by answering the following questions:

And we are going to leave you off with a template for you to use when name-dropping in your own cover letter .

If you feel you are not getting your cover letter just right, check out our cover letter builder and get it done in no time .

But if you are ready to learn how to name-drop on your cover letter, stick around.

Upload & Check Your Resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

First things first, we need to understand what name-dropping actually is.

Name-dropping in your cover letter is the process of mentioning a mutual contact you share with the hiring manager, and you are using it as a referral for your job application.

This shared connection can be a friend, networking acquaintance, or anyone else you know.

When name-dropping is done right, it can be a great asset for you, as it emphasizes your experience , and ability to work effectively with others in the past.

Name-dropping in your cover letter is generally a great idea, as it shows that someone else is willing to put their reputation on the line to vouch for you.

Hiring managers often rely on referral recommendations, as they come from within the company they work at, and come from trusted employees.

So, as long as you have your referral’s approval, you should absolutely take the opportunity and name-drop in your cover letter.

Name-dropping in a cover letter can be fairly simple, as long as you know what you are doing.

Follow the below steps, and you will master it in no time.

Find someone you know at the company you are applying for

Whether you have stumbled upon a job ad or are specifically interested in the company, the first step is to find someone you know who works at the same company.

If no name comes to mind at first, don’t worry, there are some things you can do.

The first place you would want to look is LinkedIn , where you can go through employees at any company, as long as they have listed to be working there in their profile.

If that fails, you can try taking a look at your friends list on Facebook, and whether any of them work at your desired company.

If all that fails, you can always try the company’s website, or single Google the company’s name and some of your friends’ names.

Determine their reach

If you have found a contact in your desired company, you are one step closer to the opportunity to name-drop.

Take the chance to ask them about the company, and all the processes inside, so that you can get a better understanding of the company.

But more importantly, you need to find out what terms are they with the hiring managers.

A referral by someone who the hiring manager does not trust, can’t do you any good.

Ask for permission to use their name in your cover letter

If all goes well, you should be able to get to this step, which should be easy, as long as you are on good terms with your contact.

It is essential for you to get their permission before you name-drop in your cover letter.

It is not only polite, but it also helps them prepare in case the hiring manager contacts them with some additional questions about you.

Drop their name into your cover letter opening

Placement of your name-dropping in your cover letter is of great importance, you would want it as early as possible so that you can catch the hiring manager’s attention.

The best way to go is to include the name of your contact at the very beginning of your letter, where you introduce yourself.

Don’t go into detail, as it would only take up valuable space from your cover letter. The hiring manager would surely get in touch with your contact and find out whatever they need.

If you are sending your cover letter as an attached file in an email, make sure you mention your contact’s name in both your email’s body text and the full-length cover letter you attach. This way you ensure that the referral would be noticed.

Send them a copy of your cover letter before you send it out

Last, but not least, send your contact the cover letter before you send it out.

As they vouch for you, it is nice of you to present them with your application document, so that they would be prepared for any potential questions from the hiring manager.

And now, as promised, we have a template for you to use in your own cover letter:

Dear [Mr./Ms.] [Hiring Manager’s Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I was approached by [Contact’s Name], who told me about your open [Role Name] position at [Company Name]. I’m writing to submit my application for the position because […]

We are all done, now you know how to name-drop the best possible way in your cover letter.

Let’s do a quick recap of all you need to do to get the best out of your referral:

• Find someone you know in the company you have targeted – you can try searching through LinkedIn, Facebook, the company’s website, or even Google them
• Determine your contact’s reach and how much trust would the hiring manager have in them
• Always ask for permission before you use their name for referral in your cover letter, it is not only polite, but it would also help avoid awkward situations between them and the hiring manager
• Make sure you name-drop in the beginning of your cover letter, as you would want the hiring manager to notice it as soon as possible
• Last but not least, send your contact a copy before you send your cover letter out, and make sure you thank them

Now that you have all the knowledge you need, find a contact in your dream company, and get ready to nail the name-dropping in your cover letter.

• Cover Letter Guides

How to Answer "How Do You Handle Stress?" in a Job Interview

Are cover letters necessary in 2023, how to answer: “what’s the reason for leaving your job”, destinee, an ambitious techie that never settles, phone interviews: sure-fire advice on 14 common questions (plus 5 questions to ask the interviewer), solutions architect interview questions.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

• 7Park Data, Inc.
• Adobe Systems Incorporated
• Aetna, a CVS Health Company
• AMC Networks
• American Express Company
• Apartment Therapy Media
• AppNexus, a Xandr Company
• Arch Insurance
• Arrow Electronics
• Art Processors
• Attune Insurance Services, LLC
• Aurora Solar
• Back Market
• Bank of America
• Better Companies
• Better Mortgage
• Black Community
• Bloomberg LP
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina
• Bluecore Inc
• Bridgewater Associates
• Bristol Myers Squibb
• Cable News Network, Inc.
• Capital One
• Carbon Direct
• Career and Interview Tips
• CB Insights
• CenturyLink Inc.
• Chainalysis Inc.
• CHG Healthcare
• Cisco Meraki
• Clarus Commerce
• CloudBees, Inc.
• Cockroach Labs
• Collective Insights
• Collins Aerospace
• Comlinkdata
• Companies That Care
• Contrast Security
• Costar Group
• CoverMyMeds
• Crowdstreet
• Culture Amp
• Dassault Systemes
• Dell Technologies
• Deutsche Bank AG
• DigitalOcean
• Dishcraft Robotics
• Diversity Reboot Newsletter
• Diversity Reboot Summit 2020 Product Expo
• Diversity Reboot Summit 2021 Virtual Booths
• Diversity Reboot Summit Speakers
• Dow Jones Company
• DreamSpring
• Duck Creek Technologies
• Energy Impact Partners
• Expedia Group
• Featured Post
• Featured Talks
• Flatiron Health Inc
• Flexport, Inc.
• Flocabulary
• Folsom Labs
• For Employers
• Forbes Media
• Freddie Mac
• FTI Consulting
• Gainsight, Inc.
• Gamechanger
• General Assembly
• GoEuro Travel GmbH
• Goldman Sachs
• Greenhouse Software
• Halliburton
• Healthfirst Inc
• Hitachi Energy
• Homecare Homebase
• In Person Events
• insightsoftware
• Jama Software
• Johnson & Johnson
• Juniper Networks, Inc.
• Katharine Zaleski's Blog
• Kensho Technologies
• Kin + Carta
• Knotel, Inc.
• L3 Technologies
• LendingClub
• LetsGetChecked
• Liberty Hill Foundation
• Light & Wonder
• Lockheed Martin
• Managed By Q Inc
• Manifold.co
• McMaster-Carr Supply
• Meredith Corporation
• Metromile, Inc.
• Microsoft Corporation
• Millennium Management
• Moody's
• Moov Financial
• Morgan Stanley
• Morning Consult
• MyFitnessPal
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• NBCUniversal
• New York Life Insurance Company
• Nextdoor.com, Inc.
• Northrop Grumman
• Novelis Inc.
• One Medical
• OneLogin, Inc.
• Oscar Insurance Corp
• OUTFRONT Media Inc.
• Pacific Western Bank
• Partnership on AI to Benefit People and Society
• Pax Labs Inc
• Pitney Bowes Inc.
• PlayStation
• Plenty Of Fish
• Pluralsight
• Polis, Inc.
• PowerToFly Hires
• PowerToFly VIP
• Previous Event
• Procore Technologies Inc
• Product Updates
• PromptWorks
• Quicken Loans
• Raytheon Technologies
• Realtor.com
• RebelMouse Test
• Reddit, Inc.
• Reference Point
• Remote Hiring
• Rest Of World
• Riot Games Inc
• Rockstar Games
• S&P Global Inc
• Sapient Consulting
• Schneider Electric
• ScienceLogic
• Sentropy Technologies
• Shopify Inc.
• Slack Technologies, LLC, a Salesforce company
• Smartsheet Inc.
• SoftwareOne
• Solo Brands
• SoundCloud Inc.
• Spoiler Alert
• Stack Overflow
• State Listings Inc.
• Stem Disintermedia
• Sun Life US
• Surescripts LLC
• T Rowe Price
• Talent Sourcing Trends
• Tandem Diabetes
• Teachers Pay Teachers
• Testimonials
• Thales Usa Inc.
• The Recycling Partnership
• The Walt Disney Company
• Thornburg Investment Management
• Thrive Global
• Trail of Bits
• Trending Topics
• TrussWorks, Inc
• UiPath, Inc.
• United Technologies
• UnitedHealth Group
• Unstoppable Domains
• Upcoming Event
• uShip, Inc.
• Verizon Communications
• Viacom Inc.
• VICE Media Group
• Virtu Financial
• Vouch Insurance
• Waters Corporation
• Wayfair Inc.
• Wells Fargo Company
• Wolters Kluwer
• Women at Work
• Work & Co
• Work-Life Integration
• WW (Formerly Weight Watchers)
• YouCanBook.me
• Zendesk, Inc.
• Zeta Global

How to Name Drop In A Cover Letter

Connections make the world go round.

If you want to test this theory, take two minutes and jot down a list of people who've played a role in the journey to your current position. Every mentor, stranger on a plane, or former boss has unique insights, and it's possible that without those insights, you wouldn't have the career you do today.

So, if you find yourself applying for a new opportunity thanks to one of these people, how can you intentionally acknowledge someone as a referral? In other words, how can you name drop in a cover letter to help you stand out? Keep in mind that name-dropping is a form of networking, and "Networking is building and maintaining relationships over time… because you never know when they'll come in handy." So, be your own PR agent - after all, you know yourself best!

Name dropping, in general, has a reputation for being sleazy and uncomfortable. But there are strategies you can use when name-dropping to add a personal touch to your application without sounding like you're relying solely on your connections to get a foot in the door.

Introducing yourself and tactfully mentioning the person who referred you to the role in the opening paragraph can help your application stand out.

Check out the three common situations below in which you may want to name drop in your cover letter and examples for how to do so in each.

If you're being recommended by a colleague:

"Your Senior Manager of Marketing, Lauren Smith, managed me at PowerToFly and recommended I apply for the Content Marketing Associate position at [Company Name]. Under her lead, I was promoted twice and spearheaded... "

DO mention your contact in the first paragraph of your cover letter, what they do at the company, and how you know them.

DO make sure you have the approval of the person you are mentioning

DON'T keep the entire focus of your introduction on your contact ( you should be the focus of your cover letter!) or sound arrogant when mentioning you know them.

If you met the Hiring Manager at an event:

"It was a pleasure meeting you at the PowerToFly event on April 12th in New York, and per your recommendation, I would like to apply to the Senior Software Engineering Role at [Company Name]. In light of our conversation about [Project X], I'm confident that my experience in _______ would allow me to excel in the role."

DO mention what event you attended and where/ when it was held. Hiring managers attend multiple events, be specific.

DO make a connection to your conversation and explain why it led you to apply.

DON'T forget about the job description. Regardless of what your conversation was about at the event, after the introduction, your cover letter should neatly tie your experiences to the job description.

If you've never met, but have been influenced by someone at the company:

After watching the PowerToFly Chat & Learn series on Diversity with Dionna, your Diversity and Inclusion Executive, I felt inspired to apply to your Diversity and Inclusion Associate role. It really resonated with me when Dionna said she "loves helping companies grow to their fullest potential" because for the last five years I've led my team in multiple diversity initiatives…

DO be specific about what content you read/watched and why it made an impact on you.

DO verify that this person still works at the company you're applying to.

DON'T use content that isn't relevant to the role you are applying to. Save this inspiration for your interview.

Ultimately, by name dropping, you are leveraging your communication skills (must have!) and helping the hiring manager connect the dots to who you know at the company.

It can be difficult to praise yourself and convey why these connections matter in just a few words on paper, but a small connection could make a large impact on whether or not you move to the next step of the interview process.

16 thought-provoking questions about diversity and inclusion

19 impactful diversity & inclusion activities in the workplace, feminist memes to keep you motivated - & loling - at work..

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job
• Cover Letters

How to Mention a Referral in Your Cover Letter

What Is a Referral Cover Letter?

The benefits of being referred, who to ask for a referral, how to mention a referral, tips for writing a referral cover letter, referral cover letter sample.

• More Cover Letter Examples

 Hero Images / Getty Images

If you know someone at a company or someone with a strong connection to a company, it can be helpful to mention them in your cover letter when you apply for a job. Having a referral can help you stand out from the crowd when you're job searching, and including the referral in your cover letter can help get your application noticed by the hiring manager.

Mentioning that you're referred by someone is like getting an employment reference in advance. Hiring managers and recruiters will likely take a closer look at candidates with whom they share a mutual contact, and for good reason: Studies have shown hiring through employee referrals results in faster, cheaper, more effective hiring than relying on job sites.

Applicants with a referral are four times more likely to be offered a job than candidates without one. Referral hires also tend to get up to speed more quickly, fit in better, and stay with the company longer. Referrals can also give the hiring manager additional context on a candidate and their work background.

Mentioning your referral and shared connection in your cover letter can make the difference in helping your application get noticed by prospective employers.

Here's how to write a referral cover letter, including the best way to mention the contact who is referring you and a sample letter with a template to download.

A referral cover letter mentions a mutual connection when applying for a job. You might be referred by a colleague, friend, employee at the company you’re interested in, client or vendor, or college career office.

Referred candidates are a leading source of new hires, and many employers actively seek referrals when hiring for open positions. Even if a company doesn't have a formal employee referral program , referrals are typically welcomed as a way to expedite the hiring process and secure strong candidates for available jobs.

Having a referral name to mention in your cover letter helps the hiring manager understand the shared connection you have with them or their employer. A referral also helps relate your experience to the open position and, depending on how you know the referring party, can provide some insight into how well you might fit in at the company.

Your cover letter also provides an opportunity to briefly highlight your education, skills, and qualifications for the job. In addition to mentioning your referral, you'll have the chance to add a few specific examples of why you are the best candidate for the position and share other details not included on your resume.

There are many different ways to be referred for a job. A connection at a company may inquire into whether you have an interest in exploring new opportunities. You may find that you're connected with an employee on LinkedIn. Before you apply for a job, take a look to see who you know at the organization.

The referral doesn't have to be a business connection. You can ask anyone you know at the company or who has a contact at the company if they would recommend you for a job.

Be sure to check with the individual in advance and ask if they are willing to give you a referral . Even if you’re certain they’d vouch for you, giving a potential referral the heads-up ensures they’ll be ready and able to offer the best possible recommendation, given the job requirements.

You can send a letter or email asking for a referral , which gives the person the time and opportunity to think through what they can do for you and how to proceed. Asking in writing also gives your connection an out if they aren't comfortable referring you.

• Mention who is referring you. When you use a referral in your cover letter, mention them in the first paragraph. Include the individual by name and describe your connection with them as well.
• Explain how you know the person. Give a brief account of how you know the person, and explain how they came to be familiar with your work qualifications and skills.
• Describe why they are recommending you. If the person recommended that you apply for this particular position, take the opportunity to mention why they are endorsing you. What specific qualities of yours made them think you would be a good fit for the company and the job? What do you have to offer the company?

Here's an example of an introductory paragraph mentioning the candidate has been referred by a colleague:

My colleague Amy Smith recommended that I contact you directly about the sales representative position at ABC, Inc. Amy and I have worked closely in the industry for many years, and she thought the company would be a good fit for my style and experience in sales. She pointed out that as a successful, award-winning salesperson, I would be an excellent addition to the team at ABC, Inc.

Name-dropping does not come easily to some people, especially if you're already wrestling with how to write about your accomplishments and sell yourself to a hiring manager. Even though it might be a challenge, being referred for a job can give you a boost over the competition. At the least, it should help you get considered for an interview. At best, it could give you a foot in the door that might lead to a job offer.

Review examples. If you're not sure what to write, it helps to look at examples of cover letters , although you'll want to tailor your letter to fit your specific personal and professional circumstances.

Mention the referral upfront. Remember to include a brief mention of your referral and recommendation right away in your cover letter. This strategy puts the referral at the front of the reader's mind, giving them context for the information that follows.

Make the best first impression. Expand on your strengths and why you're the best candidate for the job. Your cover letter offers a chance to make a strong first impression since it's likely the first thing a hiring manager sees, possibly even before your resume.

Share your accomplishments. Mention brief examples of your successes in the workplace to prove you are the most qualified person for the job.

Carefully proofread your letter. As with all business correspondence, make sure you proofread your cover letter for correct spelling and grammar, and check that the information matches across all the documents you submit. 

This is an example of a cover letter that mentions a referral. Download the referral cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online).

Referral Cover Letter Sample (Text Version)

Betty Forbes 999 Main Street Anytown, MA 02222 555-123-4567 bforbes1223@email.com

February 28, 2024

George Smith Marketing Director Acme Communications 1234 Fragrant Way Citytown, MA 02224

Dear Mr. Smith,

It was with great interest that I learned of the opening in your department for a marketing associate. Your marketing manager, Anna Black, was my supervisor at Catz Marketing before taking her current position with Acme Communications. As she can attest, I bring a unique perspective and can integrate the many facets of a media campaign.

With Anna at Catz Marketing, I worked with a local company to build their business and promote their grand opening. We continued to work with them for the first few years, developing a total media plan and implementing it. Their continued success and recommendations brought other businesses to seek our services as well.

My experience with Catz Marketing has prepared me to take on the challenges of working in a national company such as Acme Communications, and I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how I can be an asset to your team.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Betty Forbes

More Cover Letter Examples 

Need more inspiration for writing your cover letters? Review these  cover letter samples and downloadable templates  for many different types of jobs to get started.

Key Takeaways

• A cover letter with a referral can help get your application considered.
• Before naming someone as a referral in your cover letter, ask them for permission to do so.
• Include the referral in the first paragraph of your cover letter.
• Also include specifics on why you're a leading contender for the job.

LinkedIn. " Here is Why Employee Referrals are the Best Way to Hire ."

Zippia. " Facts About Employee Referrals in the US ."

Jobvite. " 4 Reasons to Invest in Employee Referrals ."

CareerOneStop. " Make Your Next Cover Letter a Great One ."

SHRM. " Employee Referrals Remain Top Source for Hires ."

• HOME HOME HOME
• WHY PONGO? WHY PONGO? WHY PONGO? Why Choose Us? Success Stories Testimonials
• FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES Resume Builder Letter Builder Interview Tips Activity Tracker Job Search
• PLANS PLANS PLANS Memberships Professional Resumes Professional Letters
• HELP HELP HELP
• CAREER CORNER CAREER CORNER CAREER CORNER Blog Resumes Letters Interviews Job Search Work / Life

Have a Referral? Drop Their Name in Your Cover Letter

It's not what you know, but who you know, right? If you know someone who works for a company you're applying to, don't be afraid to mention their name in your cover letter. Many businesses encourage and reward employees for referring job candidates, so it could benefit both of you. Just make sure to find out the proper procedures for employee referrals and follow them carefully. Here are some other guidelines to being an effective name-dropper:

• Find out if your referral knows the hiring manager who will be reviewing cover letters and resumes. You'll need to explain the relationship if your referral is someone the hiring manager has never heard of. Example: Jane Doe, the SEO Manager in the Marketing Department suggested I contact you.
• Make sure your contact is on good terms with the hiring manager. If there was some kind of falling out between the two, dropping that name could do more harm than good.
• Double-check that your contact is OK with being named. It's in poor taste to use the name of a referral without letting them know you're doing it. Like your job references, anyone you would mention in a cover letter deserves a chance to back out if they're not comfortable with it.
• Give a copy of your cover letter to your contact so they know what you're saying about them. In case the hiring manager refers to a point you made in your cover, you don't want to catch your contact by surprise. Taking that a step further, you could ask your referral to hand-deliver your cover letter and resume to the hiring manager. But you should also follow the employer's typical procedure for applying to a job opening (online or by email) so they'll have an electronic version they can forward to others.

To highlight a referral in your cover letter effectively, do it in the opening paragraph. Here's an example:

Jason Alexander, Product Manager at ABC Productions, suggested I get in touch with you regarding the Associate Product Manager opening. In addition to the background information Jason provided, I've had the pleasure of reviewing ABC Productions' web site and am very enthusiastic about the opportunity.

Or, you could say something like this:

I would like to express my interest in the Associate Product Manager position at ABC Productions. Jason Alexander, one of your Product Managers, has told me great things about the company ...

If you have the right referral within the company who can vouch for your character and work ethic, you could jump a few steps ahead of your competition. And as always, keep networking. The broader your network of friends, family, colleagues, and online contacts, the better your chance of having a helpful name to drop.

Need to build a cover letter?  Pongo's Cover Letter Builder provides over a dozen cover letter templates with fill-in-the-blank sample text, best practice advice, and sample phrases to help you get started.  Build your cover letter today !

RELATED LINKS Write a Targeted Cover Letter for Every Job How to Find a Name for Your Cover Letter Greeting You'll Get the Job Faster if You Know Someone

Explore Jobs

• Jobs Near Me
• Remote Jobs
• Full Time Jobs
• Part Time Jobs
• Entry Level Jobs
• Work From Home Jobs

Find Specific Jobs

• $15 Per Hour Jobs
• $20 Per Hour Jobs
• Hiring Immediately Jobs
• High School Jobs
• H1b Visa Jobs

Explore Careers

• Business And Financial
• Architecture And Engineering
• Computer And Mathematical

Explore Professions

• What They Do
• Certifications
• Demographics

Best Companies

• Health Care
• Fortune 500

Explore Companies

• CEO And Executies
• Resume Builder
• Career Advice
• Explore Majors
• Questions And Answers
• Interview Questions

This question is about how to write a cover letter .

How to name drop in a cover letter

To name drop in a cover letter, it is important to remember a few things:

Don't rely exclusively on name-dropping. A cover letter is meant to be an introduction to you as a candidate, as well as a strong representation of your qualifications, skills, talents, and fitness for the desired position.

While name-dropping may be an asset of value to an employer if they think they can leverage anything from your good connection, remember your cover letter should still focus primarily on yourself.

When you were referred. This is definitely a case where you should name-drop. Listing the person who referred you will immediately bring specific context to your cover letter.

It also might be seen as strange if you don't mention this person since they have spoken about you to the hiring manager.

Keep it concise. Again, remember your cover letter is about you, so you should not go on and on about another relevant person in this context.

This is also recommended because most cover letters shouldn't be very long, and they need to be digestible. Keep most of the cover letter's contents to your specific value to the prospective employer.

Always get permission to name drop. When mentioning someone in your cover letter, you should ask for their permission to do so.

This way, it is not unexpected for the person, and they can be prepared to back you up or sing your praises if they are asked about you.

Don't be arrogant. It's important not to have name-dropping come off as bragging in your cover letter.

You don't want the hiring manager to think you are entitled to the position because of your personal connection in any way.

Stay honest. It might be tempting to embellish your relationship with the connection in your cover letter, but do not do this.

This can have a negative effect on the hiring manager's thoughts about you if they ask the person about you and they contradict one of your statements.

Search for jobs

Related questions for how to write a cover letter, recent job searches.

• Registered nurse jobs Resume Location
• Truck driver jobs Resume Location
• Call center representative jobs Resume Location
• Customer service representative jobs Resume
• Delivery driver jobs Resume Location
• Warehouse worker jobs Resume Location
• Account executive jobs Resume Location
• Sales associate jobs Resume Location
• Licensed practical nurse jobs Resume Location
• Company driver jobs Resume

Jobs Near You

CV vs. cover letter

Cover Letter vs. Letter of Intent

How do you end a cover letter?

Do you introduce yourself in a cover letter?

What is the best way to start a cover letter?

How do you write a simple cover letter?

• Zippia Answers
• How To Name Drop In A Cover Letter

PDFelement: PDF Editor, Scanner

Edit, Convert, Annotate PDF

• PDFelement for Windows
• PDFelement for Mac
• PDFelement on Mac App Store
• PDF Reader for Windows
• PDFelement for iPhone/iPad
• Get from App Store
• PDFelement for Android
• Get from App Google Play
• PDF Scanner for iPhone

Cloud & SDK

• PDFelement Cloud
• PDFelement Pro DC
• PDFelement SDK

Online PDF Tools

• PDF to Word
• Compress PDF
• Word to PDF

Educational Users

• Annotate PDF
• Combine PDF

Personal Users

• Convert PDF
• Organize PDF

Professional Users

• eSign PDFs Legally
• Extract Data from PDF
• Password Protect PDF

PDF Solutions for

• Chat with PDF
• AI PDF Summarizer
• AI PDF Translator
• AI Grammar Checker
• AI Content Detector
• AI Rewrite PDF
• Explain PDF with AI
• Add Bookmarks to PDF
• Explain PDF
• Mac Software
• OCR PDF Tips
• Online PDF Tips
• Edit PDF like Word
• PDF Converter Tips
• PDF Compressor Tips

Why PDFelement

• Customer Stories
• PDF Software Comparison
• Contact Support
• PDFelement for iOS
• InstaScan for iPhone

Explore More

• Upgrade Get the best price to upgrade to the latest PDFelement 11.
• Reviews See what our users say.
• Free PDF Templates Edit, print, and customize free templates.
• PDF Knowledge PDF-related information you need.
• Download Center Download the most powerful and simple PDF tools.
• Download Download Pricing Pricing

How to Name-drop in a Cover Letter - Sample & Tips

It's not bad practice to name-drop in a cover letter . In fact, if someone has referred you to the position, or has recommended you for it and asked you to put in an application, name-dropping in a cover letter could be the best thing you do for your application.

• # Should I Name-drop in a Cover Letter
• # How to Name-drop and Tips for Name-dropping
• # Examples of Name-dropping in a Cover Letter
• # How to Name-drop in a PDF Cover Letter

Name-drop in a Cover Letter Template

Should I Name-drop in a Cover Letter

There are pros and cons of name-dropping in a cover letter. Name-dropping gives your potential new employer a reference to go to for your application. When you're name-dropping in a cover letter, the recruiting manager of the company will be able to seek out the person that you mention in your cover letter to ask them about your professional relationship and previous experience.

However, name-dropping correctly takes some tact. You'll need to be able to slip in the name that you're dropping without it being too obvious or drawing too much attention to it. The name-drop should be subtle. This guide will show you how to name-drop in a cover letter without it seeming out-of-place or unprofessional.

How to Name-drop and Tips for Name-dropping

When you're name-dropping in a cover letter, make sure the person whose name you're using has given permission for the name-drop, or has referred you to the job position and pushed you to apply. Similarly, make sure that the recruiting manager knows who your contact at the company is. Name-dropping a random employee won't really get you anywhere, if you're going to name-drop in a cover letter, mention someone of good standing in the company, who you know has a good relationship with the managerial staff. If they're part of the managerial staff, that's even better.

There are a few ways to name-drop in a cover letter, but one of the easiest is during the beginning of the cover letter, when you're introducing yourself and telling the recruiting manager what position you're applying to. Instead of writing "I am interested in applying to the XXXX position...", you could write "On the recommendation of XXXX I am applying to the XXXX role at your company."

The quick example above is the simplest way to name-drop in a cover letter, and because it's at the beginning of the cover letter, the recruiting manager will be able to make a note of the name and move on to the rest of your application before finding out more information from the employee or staff member that you've name-dropped.

Don't fall over yourself trying to make the person whose name you're dropping sound important. If the manager knows who they are, then they will discuss your application with them very briefly. Having an internal contract does help your application, but it won't guarantee that you'll get the job over the other applicants. Name-dropping just means that you'll have another reference, outside of the ones that you've named on your application, to speak for you and attest to your skills and experience.

If you're going to use your contact's name in a more in-depth or complex way, let them see your cover letter before you send it. They have a right to know what you're saying about them before a recruiting manager sees it, and they are completely in control of what they're okay with when it comes to being named in your cover letter as a reference.

Don't rely on name-dropping in a cover letter to secure you a job position. At best, it might get you an interview, but you'll earn the job role on skill, experience, and personality. Employers want someone who will fit the role and the team and aren't looking to hand out positions to anyone they feel isn't right for it just because they know a contact at the company.

Examples of Name-dropping in a Cover Letter

As mentioned above, there are many ways to name-drop in a cover letter. Below are two examples of ways that name-dropping in cover letters can work.

• "Dear Mr. Yates, On the recommendation of Peter Jones, the HR Manager at your company, Blue Fin Inc., I would like to apply for the position of Sales Executive advertised on your website's career page." In this example, you would name-drop at the beginning of your cover letter. It adds a professional tone to the letter, and lets the manager know that you have a good amount of knowledge about the company.
• "In a previous role with Yellow Light International, I worked under Dr. Tiana Reign, who I believe now works within your managerial team. In this position, I headed several projects, and I believe that the skills I gained in leadership and project management would..." In this example, the name-drop would be later on in the cover letter, when talking about job experience, but it's obvious that the applicant knows a current employee at the company and cites that they have worked with them before. Either option is a viable way to name-drop in a cover letter, and will help you when you're figuring out how to name-drop in a cover letter in the best way.

How to Name-drop in a PDF Cover Letter

If you are preparing a PDF cover letter, our professional PDF cover letter templates will be your best choice. After downloading the template in this page, you just need to edit the content with a professional PDF editor: Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor Wondershare PDFelement Wondershare PDFelement . This PDF software will help you edit and customize the PDF template into your own awesome cover letter.

Step 1. Open the Cover Letter Template

Step 2. Click on "Edit" and Enter Your Text as You Like

Step 3. Complete and Save Your Cover Letter

Posted by Elise Williams to Updated: 2024-08-21 11:57:03

Recommend Articles

• The Best Audit Cover Letter Samples
• Tutor Cover Letter Sample - How to Write
• Supply Chain Cover Letter Sample - How to Write
• Software Comparison
• Birthday Wishes
• Holiday Wishes
• Business Tips
• Cover Letter
• Real Estate
• Infographics
• Mac How-Tos
• Mac Comparison
• macOS 10.14

Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Skip and Download Skip and Download

How to Name Drop in a Cover Letter

Name dropping in a cover letter can be effective when done strategically to enhance your application’s credibility and relevance.

Name dropping, the practice of mentioning a mutual contact or a respected individual in your cover letter, can be a valuable strategy to grab the attention of potential employers. When used strategically, it can enhance your application’s credibility and relevance. Here’s how to effectively name drop in a cover letter:

1. Identify the Right Connection: Before mentioning anyone, ensure that the individual you’re name dropping is relevant to the job or company. Ideal connections include current or former employees, mentors, or individuals respected in your industry.

2. Obtain Permission: If you plan to mention someone as a reference, ask for their permission first. They should be aware of your intentions and be comfortable with their name being associated with your application.

3. Choose the Right Placement: The most effective placement for a name drop is in the opening or closing paragraph of your cover letter. It should flow naturally within the context of your introduction or conclusion.

4. Provide Context: When mentioning the individual’s name, briefly provide context for the connection. Explain how you know them, any collaborations or interactions you’ve had, or why their opinion matters in the context of the job you’re applying for.

5. Showcase Relevance: Emphasize why the connection is relevant to your application. Highlight how their insights, guidance, or endorsement align with the company’s values or the position’s requirements.

6. Keep it Concise: Be concise in your name drop. Avoid lengthy stories or excessive details. The mention should enhance your credibility without overshadowing your qualifications.

7. Tie it to Your Qualifications: Connect the name drop to your qualifications and the value you can bring to the company. Show how the connection reinforces your suitability for the role.

Want a tailored cover letter to stand out from other candidates?

Use our ai cover letter generator today.

Here's How to Name Drop When You're Trying to Get a Job (Without Sounding Pretentious)

You know that friend or acquaintance who can’t seem to get a sentence out without mentioning some Instagram-famous person he knows? Or the founder/CEO/owner of the current hot company? The incessant name-dropper doesn’t know when to call it quits.

Name dropping isn’t all bad though, especially when you’re on the hunt for a new job. In fact, it can actually be a deciding factor in helping you get an interview and then, if your skills and experience match up, an offer.

Much like having a solid connection at a company you’re dying to work for, doing this can give you an edge and set you apart from the rest—if you go about it the right way.

Jenny Foss, Muse Master Coach and columnist, has some smart advice for how you can navigate the murky situation when it comes to applying for a position that catches your eye.

If your connection is “lukewarm,” meaning the person doesn’t have a direct tie to the department you’re interested in and/or you’re not close pals, here’s what you do: “Strike up a conversation and, at the end, ask the person this question: ‘I noticed that you guys are looking for a new [name of position you want]. Do you know who I might contact to get a few more details about the job?’”

If you get a name, then you’re ready to do the drop. Foss advises that you reach out to the person your contact mentioned (fingers crossed it’s the hiring manager) and say the following:

“I was talking to [name of the lukewarm connection]. He said you may be able to provide me with a bit more information about the [position you want]—may I ask you a couple of quick questions?”

At this point, you’ve accomplished your goal, indicating that “you know someone on the inside of the company, which may be quite advantageous. And you’ve done so without blatantly (or dishonestly) suggesting that he’s endorsing you or referring you for the job,” concludes Foss.

Because hiring managers field hundreds or even thousands of resumes , being contacted by a candidate who knows an employee on the inside can be the thing that makes you stand out. And, as Foss says “the nice part about this strategy is that it makes it look like your lukewarm contact is vouching for you.”

Just note that it’s important you don’t come across as ostentatious. Lynn Berger a NYC-based career coach, stresses the importance of “mutual interest.” If, for example, you’re applying to a job where your connection isn’t even lukewarm (say, you’ve never met the person, but you admire his or her work and follow his industry moves to a T), you can still bring him up, you just need to do so carefully. In an early conversation with a hiring manager, if there’s a way to mention the person in a way that would help you connect with the recruiter or the role you’re interested in, then go for it.

You might say something like this:

“I was recently at a lecture [be specific and say where you were] and had the opportunity to hear [name of person] speak, and it left such an impression on me.”

The key is to not simply rattle off a bunch of names unless there’s clear relevance. Making mention of one person at the company and stating your admiration is an appropriate way to name drop.

One final note: You obviously wouldn’t want to mention somebody who you’re not sure remembers meeting you (unless you specifically state that), or who might potentially be uncomfortable learning that you used him as leverage to get your foot in the door. When in doubt, reach out to the person first and ask if it’s OK if you mention his or her name. People generally appreciate a heads-up when it comes to these things.

Bottom line: Don’t be afraid to do it! Just be smart about your approach. Oh, and make sure it’s not the only thing you’ve got going for you (i.e., you need to be qualified for the job).

Photo of woman at work courtesy of Shutterstock .

How to name drop in a cover letter

What is name-dropping in a cover letter, why do you need to name-drop in a cover letter, what are the benefits of name-dropping in a cover letter, who should you name-drop in a cover letter, how do you name-drop in a cover letter, should you always name-drop in a cover letter, what are some examples of name-dropping in a cover letter, what are some tips for effective name-dropping in a cover letter, what are some common mistakes to avoid when name-dropping in a cover letter, does name-dropping guarantee success in getting a job, how should you follow up after name-dropping in a cover letter, what are some alternative ways to establish a connection in a cover letter, should you always include a name-drop in a cover letter, does name-dropping work for all types of jobs, is it okay to name-drop in a follow-up email or phone call, what should you do if you don’t have any connections to name-drop, how to name drop in a cover letter.

A cover letter is an essential part of a job application. It is a document that accompanies your resume and explains why you are a suitable candidate for the position. A well-crafted cover letter can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. One way to enhance your cover letter is by name-dropping.

Name-dropping involves mentioning the name of a person who is known to the company or the hiring manager in your cover letter. This technique can help grab the attention of the employer and make your application stand out. In this article, we will explore how to name-drop effectively in a cover letter.

Name-dropping is a technique used in cover letters that involves mentioning the name of a person who is known to the company or the hiring manager. This technique can help to grab the attention of the employer and make your application stand out.

Name-dropping can help to increase the chances of your application getting noticed by the employer. It shows that you have taken the time to research the company and the job position. Mentioning the name of a person who is known to the company or the hiring manager can help to establish a connection and increase your credibility.

Some of the benefits of name-dropping in a cover letter include:

1. It can help your cover letter stand out from other applicants. 2. It can establish a connection with the company or the hiring manager. 3. It can increase your credibility and show that you have done your research. 4. It can demonstrate that you have a network and are well-connected in the industry.

You should only name-drop someone who is well-known in the industry or known to the company or the hiring manager. This could be someone you have worked with previously, a mutual connection, or someone who has endorsed your work. It is important to ensure that the person you name-drop is relevant to the job position you are applying for.

When name-dropping in a cover letter, it is important to mention the name of the person in the opening paragraph. You should also explain how you know the person and the connection you have with them. This could be through a previous work experience, a referral, or a mutual connection.

No, you should only name-drop if it is relevant to the job position you are applying for and if you have a genuine connection with the person you are mentioning. Name-dropping should not be forced, and it should make sense within the context of your cover letter.

Here are some examples of name-dropping in a cover letter:

1. “I had the pleasure of working with John Smith at XYZ Company, and he suggested that I apply for this job.” 2. “Sue Johnson, who is a mutual connection, recommended that I apply for this position.” 3. “I attended a networking event where I had the opportunity to meet Sarah Lee, and she encouraged me to apply for this role.”

Here are some tips for effective name-dropping in a cover letter:

1. Only name-drop if you have a genuine connection with the person you are mentioning. 2. Ensure that the person you name-drop is relevant to the job position you are applying for. 3. Be specific about how you know the person and the connection you have with them. 4. Mention the person’s name in the opening paragraph. 5. Do not overdo it – one or two mentions of a well-known person is enough.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when name-dropping in a cover letter:

1. Name-dropping someone who is not well-known in the industry or known to the company or the hiring manager. 2. Overusing name-dropping – mentioning too many people can dilute the impact of your message. 3. Failing to explain the connection you have with the person you are name-dropping. 4. Name-dropping without explaining how the person you mentioned can help you in the role you are applying for.

No, name-dropping does not guarantee success in getting a job. It is just one technique that can help to enhance your cover letter and increase your chances of getting noticed by the employer. Ultimately, your application will be evaluated based on your qualifications and experience, and whether you are a suitable candidate for the position.

If you name-drop in a cover letter and get called for an interview, it is important to follow up with the person you mentioned. You should thank them for their recommendation and update them on your progress. If you do not hear back from the person, it is okay to follow up with them to ensure that they received your thank you note.

If you do not have a well-known connection that you can name-drop, there are other ways to establish a connection in your cover letter. Some alternatives include:

1. Researching the company and referencing something specific in your letter. 2. Mentioning any relevant experience or skills that you have. 3. Including a personal anecdote that shows your passion for the industry.

No, it is not always necessary to include a name-drop in a cover letter. It is just one technique that can help to enhance your application. If you do not have a well-known connection, it is better to focus on highlighting your qualifications and experience instead.

No, name-dropping may not be effective for all types of jobs. It is more likely to work in industries that are highly competitive and where having connections is considered an advantage. For example, in the entertainment industry, name-dropping may be more effective than in other industries.

It is okay to mention a name-drop in a follow-up email or phone call if it is relevant to the conversation. However, you should avoid overusing the technique and ensure that it does not come across as forced or fake.

If you don’t have any well-known connections, it is better to focus on highlighting your qualifications and experience in your cover letter. You can also consider networking and building connections in the industry to increase your chances of success.

About The Author

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Press Enter to search

What to Name Your Cover Letter and Resume Files

It may seem trivial, but file names matter. Here, we discuss naming conventions and best practices for saving and uploading your cover letter and resume.

3 years ago   •   9 min read

You finally finished creating your cover letter and resume — and you’re excited to send it off to prospective employers.

But wait — how should you save your files? Do you send them off as word documents or as PDFs? And how should you name them? Do you include your full name? What about the date?

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to name and save cover letters and resume files. We’ll talk about naming conventions, discuss do's and don’ts, and offer other practical tips and tricks on how to upload your cover letter and resume so that your application is professional and easy to read. Let’s do this!

Naming a cover letter and resume file

Do's and don'ts for naming your resume and cover letter.

Here's what to include in your resume or cover letter file name:

• Your full name, first and last
• The words "resume" or "cover letter" (depending on which it is)
• The name of the position you're applying for
• Anything mentioned in the job ad — always follow instructions above all else

On the other hand, here's what not to include in your resume or cover letter file name:

• Company name
• Version number
• Random strings of numbers of letters
• Special characters

What to name your resume and cover letter

Here are some examples of good resume file names following the above conventions.

Resume file name examples:

JohnSmithResume.pdf JohnSmith_Resume_PositionTitle.pdf johnsmith_resume_salesmanager.pdf Resume_JohnSmith_JobID2346.pdf

Cover letter file name examples:

Jenny_Su_Cover_Letter.pdf Jenny_Su_CoverLetter_PositionTitle.pdf jennysu_accountant_coverletter.pdf UI_designer_00154_cover_letter_jenny_su.pdf

What not to name your resume and cover letter

Cover letter and resume file names like the following should be avoided:

“CompanyName_CoverLetter_v3.doc” “Resume06092021.docx” “CoverLetter_JohnSmith_CompanyName.pdf”,“John_Smith_December2019.doc”, and “John_Smith_Resume_Ver2.pdf”

How to name your resume and cover letter

Step-by-step guide to name your resume.

• In either Word or Google Docs, click File -> Save As / Export to PDF
• Type your full name.
• Add the word 'Resume'.
• Make sure you keep the '.pdf' file extension.
• Remove all spaces, and replace them with underscores (e.g. Jane_Brooke) or sentence case (e.g. JaneBrook) if necessary.
• Remove version numbers, dates or other irrelevant words.
• Remove special characters.
• Save your resume.

Step-by-step guide to name your cover letter

• Add the word 'CoverLetter'.
• Remove special characters, version numbers, dates or other irrelevant words that make your filename lengths unnecessarily long.
• Save your cover letter.

How to save your cover letter and resume

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to save your cover letter and resume, in several file formats .

Microsoft Word

To save your cover letter or resume as a Word document, follow these steps:

• Open up your cover letter or resume in Word
• Under “File”, hit “Save As…”
• A dialogue box will appear. Next to “Save As:” at the top, name your file.
• Next to “File Format:”, located near the bottom of the screen, check to see that your file is saved as a Word document (this should be selected by default).
• Once you have confirmed this, hit “Save”.

Google Docs

Google Docs is convenient because it auto-saves your files. However, you’ll need to do a bit of work in order to share it with your recruiter or hiring manager. Here’s how:

• Open your Google Doc. The filename is displayed in the top left-hand corner of the screen, next to the blue docs icon. Double click to edit.
• Go to “File”, then click “Share”.
• A dialogue box will appear. You can either:
• Share with people directly, under “Share with people and groups”, if you know their email
• Under “Get link”, hit “Copy link” for a sharing link, which you can send via your application

Export as a PDF in Word

Here’s how to save your Word Document as a PDF:

• Open up your cover letter or resume in Word.
• Go to “File”, and hit “Save As…”
• A dialogue box will appear. Name your cover letter or resume file in the field next to “Save As:” at the top.
• Click on the field next to “File Format:”, located near the bottom of the screen, and choose “PDF”.
• Once that has been selected, click “Export”.

Once you’ve chosen your resume file format and appropriate names for your cover letter and resume files, upload to the tool below — it’s a good way to check if your resume is readable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). It’ll also scan your resume and let you know if it checks all the boxes from a hiring manager’s perspective.

Other considerations

Here are some of the whys (and why nots) of resume file naming conventions.

Avoid generic resume file names

Avoid cover letters and resume files that aren’t clearly named — like those that are titled with a long string of numbers, or others that are just called “CoverLetter” or “Resume” with no other identifying information.

Poorly-named cover letters and resume files make it harder to tell at a glance what a file contains and who it belongs to, which means that you run the risk of having your cover letter and resume accidentally discarded and your application ignored for being incomplete.

Keep file names short

Long file names are difficult to read and hard to identify at a glance. Plus, file names (on both Mac and Windows) have a character limit of around 255 characters or so. Exceed that number, and you won’t even be able to save your file.

Leave out the date and version number

Generally, there’s no need to date your cover letter and resume — especially if you haven’t updated them for years. You don’t want an employer to know that you’re using the same old, basic cover letter specimen or resume template you’ve used since 2010.

The same principle applies to version numbers. You want your cover letter and resume to stand out on their own as final, definitive products, so leave out the “v3”. Remember, this is a job application, not a perpetually unfinished piece of software.

Don't use special characters

Use A-Z, 0-9, dashes, and underscores only. Ditch any special characters, symbols, or slashes. This includes accents. There's no need to get fancy with your file name — call it a “resume,” not a “résumé.”

Don’t touch the spacebar

Unfortunately, cover letter and resume file names with spaces in them will convert to “%20” symbols upon uploading to certain Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) — so a seemingly well-titled “John Smith Resume.pdf” will become "John%20Smith%20Resume.pdf," which is awkward and hard to read. If you need to space out words, dashes and underscores are your friends.

Don't worry about capitalization

You can write your file names in either title case, sentence case, or in all lowercase. Most employers don’t care either way, so it’s not a big deal — though title case (capitalizing the first letter of words) is arguably easier to read and looks more polished than the other two options.

Order doesn't matter

When combining your name, job title, ID, "resume," or anything else into a file name, it doesn't matter which order you list them in. For example, “JohnSmith_Resume.pdf” or “CoverLetter_JohnSmith.pdf” would both be fine.

Follow instructions on the job posting

Any specific instructions on the job listing override any tips in this article. If the job ad specifies a specific file type (e.g., .docx over .pdf) or a particular naming convention (e.g., include your middle initial), then always name and upload your cover letter and resume in line with those directions instead.

You should also try to add skills and keywords included in the job posting on your resume. Use the skills search tool below to find some more hard skills and keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Resume file formats

So far, we’ve covered how to name a cover letter and resume file, but what file type should you save it as?

Use PDFs generated in Word or Google Docs

While you may be tempted to save it as a Word document for the sake of convenience and simplicity, you should try to avoid this when possible. Different versions of Word may mess with your cover letter and resume’s formatting options, like margin widths , fonts , or headers . This means that your nicely-formatted document may not look as neat on your recruiter’s screen — or, in the worst case scenario, may not even be readable at all.

To make sure your recruiter sees what you see, you should export both your cover letter and resume as PDFs instead. Saving your finished files as PDFs ensures that all text formatting will be preserved, no matter what application a recruiter or hiring manager uses to open your cover letter or resume files. If you need to make any changes to your cover letter or resume, just edit it in your word processor, export it as a PDF again, and write over the existing PDF.

Don't use PDFs generated in Photoshop or Canva

That said, make sure you generate your PDF of either your resume or cover letter in a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Do not use an image editing software like Photoshop or Canva which will result in your resume not being readable by Applicant Tracking Systems .

Don't use other file formats

If you use a different word processing software — like Open Office, LibreOffice, or a plain text editor — that's fine, but you should convert your file to a more standard format before sending it in. Emailing your resume as a .txt, .odt, or .odf file risks a recruiter not being able to open it.

Frequently asked questions

Why do file names matter.

The short answer: It helps recruiters identify your resume more quickly. While the way you title your cover letter and resume’s file names won’t make or break your application, it’s still important to name them in a way that’s professional and informative.

In reality, it’s good practice simply because it makes recruiters’ lives easier. After all, yours is not the only application a hiring manager will read — they likely have hundreds more to sort through — and clear cover letter and resume file names will help them find and identify your application more quickly.

Should I put my first name or last name first?

Use the format First Name Last Name — for example, "JohnSmith_Resume.pdf" instead of "SmithJohn_Resume.pdf." Why? Mostly, it's just more intuitive. If you have a surname that could also be a given name — or vice versa — it also helps clarify which is which.

Should I use my middle name?

Not unless you're instructed to, or unless you usually go by that name. If you prefer to be called Kelly Sue, then by all means, use that name on your resume file (and in your resume itself). Otherwise, stick to your first name and last name.

Why shouldn't I include the company name?

The hiring manager already works at the company you’re applying to, so it doesn't add anything useful. Instead, it makes your file name unnecessarily long and difficult to read. Some people think that this is a good way to 'personalize' your application, but it isn't — it's the content of the documents that matter, not the file name.

Does it matter if I send my resume as a Word .doc file instead of a .pdf format?

Not really, no. If you’re not comfortable saving your file as a PDF, you can elect to send in your cover letter and resume as a Word document (or a Google Doc). Just be aware that you run the risk of formatting issues if you do so.

Do I combine my resume and cover letter or send them separately?

Unless specified, do not combine your resume and cover letter into one document. Upload them separately.

Get your resume right

Apart from getting your cover letter and resume’s file names and file types down, you’ll also need to make sure that the content within those documents — especially your resume — is well-written.

Resume Worded’s Score My Resume is an instant, AI-enabled resume scoring platform that audits your resume line by line, and gives you feedback on how to improve — helping you maximize your chances of landing a dream job.

Spread the word

How to list freelance work on linkedin, how many jobs should you list on your resume, keep reading, how to show bilingualism on your resume (with examples), oops what to do if there’s a mistake on your resume, getting the basics right: resume line spacing, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay updated with Resume Worded by signing up for our newsletter.

🎉 Awesome! Now check your inbox and click the link to confirm your subscription.

Please enter a valid email address

Oops! There was an error sending the email, please try later

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

• People Directory
• Safety at UD

• Appointments and Drop-Ins

• Career Fairs and Events
• Career Access & Mobility Initiative
• Exploring Majors
• Funding and Grants
• Generative AI for Career Preparation
• Graduate and Postdoctoral Success
• Interviewing
• Job Shadow Program
• Life Design
• Resumes and Cover Letters
• Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Arts and Sciences
• Business and Economics
• Earth, Ocean and Environment
• Education and Human Development
• Engineering
• Health Sciences
• Public Policy and Administration
• Search for Jobs and Internships
• For Employers
• For Faculty and Staff
• For Alumni ⇲

Handshake Login

Drop-in hours.

At the UD Career Center, we understand that your career journey is unique and constantly evolving. To support you every step of the way, we offer drop-in advising with our knowledgeable peer staff. These sessions are designed to provide you with quick, effective guidance without the need for an appointment.

Fall and spring semesters Monday: 11:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Tuesday: 1–4:45 p.m. Wednesday: 11:30–4:45 p.m. Thursday: 1–4:45 p.m. Friday: 1–4:45 p.m.

Summer and Winter Sessions No drop-in hours

In person UD Career Center 401 Academy Street Newark, DE 19716

Virtual Zoom via the link below

Sign in for Zoom drop-in hours

Lerner career services drop-in info >, how drop-in advising can help you:, resume reviews.

Your resume is often your first impression on potential employers. Our peer advisors are trained to help you:

• Craft a compelling resume that showcases your skills and experiences.
• Tailor your resume to specific job postings.
• Format your resume to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Cover Letter Reviews

A well-written cover letter can set you apart from other candidates. During drop-in advising, you can:

• Get personalized feedback on your cover letter.
• Learn how to highlight your achievements and match them to job requirements.
• Understand the structure and components of a strong cover letter.

LinkedIn Profile Reviews

In today’s digital age, a strong LinkedIn profile is essential. Our peer advisors can assist you in:

• Building a professional and appealing LinkedIn profile.
• Optimizing your profile to attract recruiters and network effectively.
• Understanding LinkedIn features to enhance your job search.

Resource Navigation

Accessing and utilizing career resources can be overwhelming. Drop-in advising can help you:

• Navigate Big Interview to practice and improve your interview skills and get AI feedback on your resume.
• Use Canvas effectively.
• Access career and Life Design resources.
• Get general information about the Career Center’s services, events and programs.

Appointments with Career Center Staff

Guidance for your career path.

For students who are moving through or have completed a Canvas module and need additional assistance or who need more personalized assistance, we offer one-on-one meetings with our experienced UD Career Center staff to provide guidance tailored to your specific needs. These individual sessions are designed to help you navigate your career journey, whether you’re exploring options, preparing for internships and jobs or seeking advice on specific career and Life Design pathways.

Student-athletes can schedule an appointment with the Associate Director, Career Readiness in  Student Services for Athletes .

Graduate students can request career coaching with an Asstant Dean for Graduate Professional Development .

Topical Areas of Focus

Appointments are categorized in the same way as our Canvas site to make it easier to get the type of support you need. We also have affinity-based appointments for student-athletes, CAMI, international students, Spectrum Scholars and graduate students. Lerner students will also find access to Lerner Career Services staff.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

To schedule a one-on-one meeting with a UD Career Center staff member, please visit the Handshake platform.

Sessions are available in person at 401 Academy Street or virtual via Zoom.

Schedule an Appointment on Handshake

How to Schedule an Appointment on Handshake

• Log into Handshake using your UD username and password.
• Click “Career Center” located on the homepage.
• Click the “Appointments" tab.
• Click “Schedule a New Appointment.”
• Under “Choose a Category” select the appointment path that interests you OR select “Immediate Need/Other.”
• Under “Appointment Type” select the most relevant option to you.
• Select the desired appointment date and time.
• Select from the available “Appointment Medium"options. Share the purpose of the appointment and provide your phone number.
• Review and verify appointment details.
• Click on the green "Request" box. You will receive an appointment confirmation email.

The UD Career Center  is part of the Division of Student Life , which advances equity and inclusion, deepens student learning and drives holistic development through education, experiences and communities.

Career & Professional Success Hub

Career Development Support

Student life.

• @UDStudents
• Student Life News

401 Academy Street Newark, DE 19716   [email protected] 302-831-2392