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Mentioning a personal conversation with a (junior) consultant of a firm in a cover letter?

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New answer on Mar 14, 2021
8 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Mar 04, 2021

Hi, before sending out my application for a firm, i had a pleasant phone conversation with a consultants (around 2 years experience). He advised me to "name drop" him in the cover letter and referring to our conversation as this would increase (or at least would not harm) my chances. My cover letter is structured as follows:

(1) Intro (only "i want to apply" etc)

(2) Why consulting/why me

(3) Why this firm

How would you recommend mentioning the conversation? Do you think it makes sense to mention it at the very beginning in paragraph (1)? Or rather in the "why this firm" paragraph (3), for example, saying that he told me confirmed the great culture at the firm etc.?

Or do you have any other recommendations? :)

Best

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Francesco
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replied on Mar 05, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

It definitely makes sense to add his name to the cover.

You can name-drop in paragraph 1 to catch the attention of the recruiter and then expand the topic in paragraph 3. In this way, you should maximize the effect on the cover.

Best,

Francesco

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Florian
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replied on Mar 05, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

I'd definitely do that and always recommend it to my candidates. It adds a personal touch + recruiters can follow-up with the said person to inquire about their experience with you.

Because of the latter, reach out to the person you want to refer to and ask if they are okay with it. In the best case, you get a referral out of it.

As for the positioning, should be in the first short paragraph of your cover letter.

Cheers,

Florian

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Clara
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replied on Mar 06, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Yes, 100%, I would do it.

Mentioning the converation with this person:

  1. Demostrates your personal inerest in the firm
  2. Lets you talk about the company in 1st hand, in some aspects such as the culture, that are difficult otherwise

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Ian
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replied on Mar 04, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Well done! Sounds like you had a good chat with him :)

I would 100% add his name in the "3) Why this firm" paragraph!

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Adi
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replied on Mar 04, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Yes, absolutely. Focus on what insights you got out from that conversation and how is that relevant to you story.

Structure of cover letter seems fine. Make it easy to read i.e keep it consise & punchy, not too long/wordy.

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Allen
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replied on Mar 04, 2021
Ex-McK Experienced Hire and EM - I show you how to perform at your best

Hi there,

I think it's a great idea to name-drop.

Firstly, the recruiter will likely ask the person for their opinion, which is an instant differentiator for you (assuming it's positive!).

Secondly, it demonstrates the resourcefulness to find and use connections. (Which really isn't such a big deal, but so many people just don't do it.)

I always mention names up front. If you can successfully incorporate something you learned from them, that would be even more compelling. Maybe mention it briefly in the intro pgh and expand on it in paragraph 3?

Hope that helps!

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Jasper
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replied on Mar 04, 2021
Expert Financial Services | ex-FinTech Unicorn Manager | 250+ real interviews | 14y+ int work exp | ESCP Business School

Hi A,

first of all I'd recommend you to keep the cover letter smooth and short ;-)

Secondly, yes, I would refer to the conversation you had with the consultant. He's most probably right, that it won't harm your chances and as this is true it could now be a disadvantage, if you would not refer to him (as HR might be aware of this fact and - after chatting with him - he might be negatively surprised, that you didn't refer to the conversation with him.

Last but not least, it doesn't really matter in which part of the CL you refer - a short reference in "why the firm" makes sense.

Hope it gives you a little bit of confirmation - wish you good luck!

Jasper

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Raj
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replied on Mar 14, 2021
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

Yes absolutely do! This is a great way to demonstrate you've gone above and beyond in your research and really want the job. Ideally, mention one thing in particular that came up in that conversation that aligned well to your personal values/motivation about the firm

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Clara gave the best answer

Clara

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