How do you refer to someone in a cover letter?
John Hall
Updated on April 03, 2026
Include the name of your referral, your relationship and how they are familiar with your qualifications. Summarize why they are recommending you and explain how your experience has prepared you for this job. One paragraph is all you need when including a referral in a cover letter.
What should a cover letter look like and say?
What to Say in Your Cover Letter
- Who you are and how to contact you.
- Which job you’re applying for and how you found it.
- Why you’re interested and enthusiastic about this job at this organization.
- What relevant experience or transferable skills make you a good candidate.
- That you’d like an interview.
Should I name drop in a cover letter?
You should not name drop when: You don’t have explicit permission from the contact to do so. You should always ask for and receive permission from the referral source before using her name in your cover letter. It’s a huge favor for someone to vouch for you because she’s putting her reputation on the line.
How do you address a cover letter to an unknown person?
To address a cover letter without a name, use some variation of, “Dear Software Team Hiring Manager.” You can also use, “Dear Hiring Manager” if the addressee really is unknown. Remember that “To Whom It May Concern” is an old-fashioned salutation for cover letters.
How to show your personality in a cover letter?
If you know anyone at the company, or if someone at the company referred you to the job, mention this early on in your cover letter (ideally in the first couple of sentences). This humanizes you, and makes you seem more like you are already a part of the company culture.
What are the different types of cover letters?
Don’t fret! We’ve got examples of the four basic types of cover letters below: a traditional cover letter, an impact cover letter, a writing sample cover letter, and a career change cover letter. We’ve also included the exact job descriptions they’re written for—to help inspire you to tailor yours to a specific position.
How to write a good cover letter for a job?
The best way to show who you are to the company is to avoid writing one generic cover letter for every job listing. Instead, tailor your letter to the specific job and company. You can write a targeted cover letter in a number of ways: Include keywords from the job listing in your letter.
Do You address Your Cover Letter to a person?
First off—please, I beg you, address your cover letter to a person. No “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” People don’t talk that way, so why would they want to read it? Secondly, keep the applicant tracking system, or ATS, in mind.