Applying for a job that's not been advertised yet!

[GuinefortGrey]

My DP has been looking for his next move up the career ladder for a while. Jobs rarely come up (as people tend to stay until retirement or they get sacked and it is a niche industry). He had a call today from a contact who has heard of a vacancy that is potentially coming up but as yet not in the public domain. Contact recommended sending CV off ASAP to get in there before it is announced officially.

The question is, what should DP write in his covering letter? Should he mention that he has heard they may soon have a vacancy or should he write it as though he is being purely speculative? Any suggested wording how to start the letter would be gratefully received as we are both struggling to think of the perfect succinct first introductory paragraph! The rest of his letter and CV are ready to go and he has all the relevant experience, so this really could be the one he has been waiting for!

Personally I would write as if it were purely speculative as they may probe into how you heard and you could put the contact in an awkward position.

Alternatively speak to the contact again and ask how they think you should proceed. They may say it is ok to say John Smith mentioned I should forward my c.f. to you etc

Thank you so much. I think he's going to stick to speculative since the word on the street is that things are messy with the previous manager and it's not a straightforward vacancy. Actually wondering if it might be a case of out of the very comfortable frying pan into the fire with this job having heard some more background 😱. He's still going to send CV but with caution!