Name Dropping Contacts on Cover Letter
Is it a bad idea to reference some (maybe all) of the people that I have connected with over the past few months when filling out SA applications? I want to reference that I like the people at XYZ Bank because I found A & B & C very helpful and charismatic. Or something like that. Would I have to ask each contact's permission before doing so?
And also (not really related to above), but since I am at a non-target, am I expected to fill out these applications and get them in well before most other schools do? i.e. since the applications are going to be out in a few days, should I get them done now or can I wait a bit? The reason why I ask is because my resume is not totally finished yet, and I dont want to prematurely submit anything. Thoughts?
Yes, name drop up to an extent. If you make a list, you'll sound retarded. But if you say "I spoke with Bob in XYZ group and I really enjoyed learning more about the bank's culture", or some crap like that for 2 or 3 contacts you've made.
Don't mention anyone specifically. Just don't do it. Desperation is not hot. You're better off writing in more general terms, e.g. meeting people at recruiting events gave you the impression of x / y / z
You're always better off submitting applications early. Banks that tell you they don't start looking at apps until after the deadline has passed are lying to you. Just... finish your resume faster?
its ok as along the person ALLOWED you to do so
Okay great, thanks for the tips. And would you say finishing my apps by mid November is early? Or should I try to get them in earlier than that?
I think if you really connected with someone and met up with them then you can say stuff like, I learnt how I would fit into xyz by speaking to xyz. Only do this if you have a really good rapport with them.
Wait what? I'm confused by the responses to this thread. What is the point of a cover letter if you don't mention your contacts.
I would only mention MD's/desk heads you know well & just one or two names will suffice. The letter is more about your interest & potential fit & not about some people you are familiar with.
cover letter - too much name dropping? (Originally Posted: 08/28/2013)
say i've done independent networking over the summer with firms i'll be applying to. and let's say i've spoken with ~3 people at a given firm. i know it's ok to name drop in the cover letter, but i'm thinking 3 names is a little much. if that's the case, how would you determine who to mention?
in case you were wondering, they are all at the same level in the firm so i can't decide based on seniority.
thoughts?
Really depends on how you do it, unfortunately...
I don't think "I spoke with X, Y, and Z about this positions and each one blah blah blah...." reads as excessive.
Any chance you could give an example?
i know name dropping has to be done tastefully. can't give an example yet as i'm still in the process of writing the CL's. my questions is, even if i can manage to do it in the context of a larger point, is it still too much to to it 3 times for 3 different people?
on the one hand, mentioning more people shows iv made the effort to network. on the other hand, it might sounds like i'm trying too hard and just name dropping for the sake of it (maybe one is really all i need and anything more is just overkill).
thoughts?
3 isn't overkill. however if you are emailing this correspondence/handing it in person etc. you can drop the first name in normal convo, such as 'I saw jeff the other day and he wanted me to say hello, he and i are working on x' etc.
IMO mentioning one name of someone who is a producer/well liked will suffice. It's your task to identify who that person of the bunch is. Two names shouldn't hurt if needed.
Over my time in banking I have looked at hundreds, if not thousands of resumes. I have yet to see a cover letter.
I've never sent a cover letter myself either. Always wondered about that, but preferred to let the resume cut to the chase and do the talking.
I'll be applying to consulting firms as well (don't hate me), i think their approach is a bit different. still need to cover my bases in case the cover letter is read.
Value of putting contact names in your cover letter? (Originally Posted: 09/06/2012)
Is it a good idea to say that you talked to specific people at the bank in your cover letter? Assuming all those people like you and support your candidacy, does it really help or make a difference? Is it better to just say that you "spoke to several people at the bank" without getting specific?
And it is standard to get permission from them before you actually put their names down right?
For me, that's the whole point of the Cover Letter. I couldn't justify writing one and noting how I'm such a great fit for Company X's culture without mentioning who I've talked to and how they've helped me learn what the company is all about.
Name drop absolutely everyone you know at the firm (just make sure they know you too).
Pick the top 3 people that you met with, ideally bankers that you had 1-on-1 informational interviews with so that they are more likely to remember you if a person from HR sends them an email asking about you. No you do not need any permission this is a well established tradition in I-banking recruiting. It simply serves to differentiate you from someone else that saw the job posting and decided to randomly drop there resume as a hail mary pass.
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