Should I mention this reference in my cover letter? (applying, interview, job)

[andrewC7]

A new acquaintance of mine interns for a company that would be a good fit for me. She brought an open position to my attention and I'm now applying for it. Can I use her as a reference in my cover letter? or should I leave it alone since she's an intern?

Something along the lines of this; "My friend, who is interning for the environmental management team, came across the open GIS Analyst position and brought it to my attention"...I know this is poorly worded but I'll polish it later.

Should I use her name or stick with "friend" and then bring up her name if asked? Not mention her at all? I just met her.

Of course I'd have to ask her first but I think she'd have no problem with it.

[LaCelestina]

If it's a person you just met, she shouldn't be a reference. A reference is someone who can vouch for your moral, professional and intellectual abilities, and hopefully put a good enough word about you to get the interviewer consider. I would bring her up during an interview as a referrer, or even in your cover letter as such (by name, of course), but I wouldn't list her as a referral unless you've worked with her or have known her for many years and she's in a position to be a referral. People who put friends as referral, without connection to professional/work-related achievements are not worth calling unless they are all you have. HR knows you may just coach them into what to say, or they can make stuff up. Not accurate at all. We've also had enough "friends" backstab their would-be referee for no reason we could tell (old crush? angry girlfriend? angry friend of ex girlfriend? they want the job themselves? who knows)...