Naming Dropping In Cover Letters: Is it appropriate in this situation

I'm planning on applying for an IB posting that's due in a couple of days. Its through the firm's website, so chances of getting a call back are unlikely. Fortunately, I spoke with two members of the team in question (an analyst and an associate) last summer. The calls seemed to go well and now I'm considering mentioning them in my cover letter in the hopes that it increases my chances. Is it appropriate in this situation? I'm worried that they won't remember me.

I don't have much experience with name dropping in cover letters, so I'm curious to know whether there are specific ways of going about it. Is there a proper way of doing it? Do I need to reach out to them before hand? (I don't think I have enough time to do that). Any other tips would be helpful.

 
Best Response

If the only way to apply is through the website, try to get them to submit it for you or you'll get lost in the shuffle. Correctly processing resumes for qualified candidates is low on the lists of HR girls' priorities, falling somewhere between giggling at snapchats and complaining about how she HAS TO DO EVERYTHING!!!!!! SO STRESSFULL!!

Contact them with some sincere-sounding questions about the position/ team/ bank/ 'culture'/ snack room, etc. "Hi Analyst/ Associate, I hope that you don't mind my emailing you, but I wanted to reach out with regard to the Papercut Bitch position at GSGSGSGSGSGSGS. I am currently a rising Dingleberry at the Target School for Asocial Beings Possibly Inflicted With Macrocephaly--we met last semester after your presentation on our campus and also chatted on the phone while I twirled my hair and daydreamed about all the magical things that we would spend together, bonding over our mutual hatred of people who smile. Our talk was extremely helpful and truly, madly, deeply fortified my undying thirst to join your firm. I would love nothing more than for you to so much as glance at my resume so that it is aligned with the job posting. Oh, please pick me. Sincerest regards, PlantoftheMonkeys"

They will not remember you, but the reply will go something like, "plantminkeys (sic) thanks for email. was good talking to you also. pls send me your resume and i can look over and submit. A SENT FROM MY MOBILE, PLEASE IGNORE TYPOS"

If it's not a formal OCR process (i.e. you're actually from the Non-target Technical Institute of We Have an Actual Football Team) this is they best way for your resume to make it into that fatty stack. Good luck

 

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