Mentioning A Referral In Your Cover Letter Increases Your Chances Of Getting Hired

When you are applying for a highly competitive position, it is helpful to mention it if you have a contact at the company or if you know someone with a strong connection to the business. You stand out among others when your cover letter mentions a referral. A referral will also get you noticed by the hiring manager.

When you mention that you are referred by someone at a company, it is as if you are providing an employment reference in advance. Hiring managers prefer to hire new people through referrals because it makes the hiring process faster, cheaper, and easier. Did you know that a candidate with a referral stands four times as much chance of getting hired as a candidate without one?

What you must do is, write a referral cover letter

A referral cover letter is a cover letter that mentions a mutual connection. Such a cover letter will state that you are referred for the considered position by a colleague, a friend, or an employee at the company.

There are many benefits to being a referred candidate

Generally, most employers seek referrals when hiring for their vacancies. Most companies even have a formal employee referral program. When you mention a referral in your cover letter,

• It saves the employer time to seek out referrals to check your suitability
• It increases your chances of getting hired
• It helps build a connection between you and the hiring manager through a mutual contact
• It helps relate your qualifications to the demands of the new position
• It helps the employer decide whether you are a fit for the company culture

You can ask many people in your professional network for a referral

If you are applying for a position at a new company, check your network to know whether you have a connection with someone who already works there. Maybe an employee is already a part of your LinkedIn network. Sometimes, even one of your friends or relatives will ask you if you are interested in exploring a new position at their workplace.

One thing about referrals, you have to let them know in advance before you mention them for a job application. That way, when the employer calls them, they’ll be ready to give you a good recommendation. You can even send an email asking the person for a referral to give them more time to think about it.

Follow these steps to mention a referral in your cover letter

Mention the person recommending you in the first paragraph of your cover letter

Include the name of the person giving you the referral and briefly describe your connection with them. It is important that you do this in the first paragraph of the cover letter.

Explain how the person knows about your skills

Adding some context about your relationship with the individual is useful. Mention how you got to know them and how they became familiar with your technical skills, qualifications, work ethic, and so on.

Add the reason behind the recommendation too

Don’t just say that you are recommended by this person, mention the reason why they did so. Did they suggest that you should apply for this job because of some of your specific qualities? Mention that to make a bigger impact. Include which qualities of yours impressed them to recommend you to the employer and what they think you can do for the company.