Applying for a job from someone you know

In My Humble Opinion
1

Last year I took a course on something related to my field. I became friends with a woman in the course who has since got a fantastic job in the field. She has put out a notice for a job. Applicants should contact her directly.

Now, I am accustomed to writing cover letters in a formal style: “To Whom it May Concern” or some such. Now I wonder if (or to what extent) I should acknowledge our acquaintance. We were never close friends but have been in contact since the course and we have a lot of friends/associates in common.

So do I write

Dear Ms [surname]

or

Dear [firstname]

and, do I write the rest of it as if I don’t know her?

(I don’t want to make her think I am using my friendship with her as an “in” yet I think it may be weird to not acknowledge it.)

2

Were you on a first name basis with her? It’s sounds as if you were friendly enough to be on a first name basis, so you’ve got your answer regarding the greeting. I tend to err on the side of formality, but end up feeling silly about it later.

Is she the only person making the hiring decision? Probably not, so the rest of the letter should include the normal information. I don’t see anything wrong with throwing in a “as you know…” but don’t overdo it.

3

I assume you know her by her first name, so you should call her that.

You should acknowledge the friendship but keep the letter formal. Something like:

“I was happy to see that you put out a notice for a job. As you know, I really admire the work you’ve done in <field>, and I would love to have a chance to work with you.” Then go on to list your qualifications the way you would in any cover letter.

Or some such. (Someone will be along to suggest better wording.)

4

On the advice of a colleague, I just sent her a “Hi, how’s it going, can you tell me a bit more about the job, I’ll send you a resume/cover letter in the next few days” e-mail.

It’s a bit weird because the context in which we have known each other is most decidedly NOT formal, if you know what I mean.

5

I read someplace (and I can’t remember where), that in those instances, the letter should be addressed to “Dear Ms. Doe” but then you draw a line through the “Ms. Doe” and write Jane.

6

Oh, the rest of the letter should be “professional”

7

If I do know what you mean, then you’ve got some other issues to tip-toe around, and I’m not old and wise enough to help you with those.

I used to cross out the name on letters for my boss, like Fin_man said, so I guess that’s the right way to do things.

8

I was in this situation about a year ago (and ended up getting the job, by the way.) I went with the formal approach and it made a big difference to the director who interviewed me. She said she appreciated that I kept my coverletter formal and didn’t try to rely on the fact that I knew her already–she took it as a sign of professionalism. But, she is a rather formal person by nature. I don’t think erring on the side of formality would hurt you, but seeming too informal and personal might.