Applying to a position at youtube, should I reach out to someone I know who works at the company in the same department? Should I ask for a recommendation?

I'm applying to Youtube, and I know someone through work, that works in the same department, and same position that I'm applying to.

So I know that its a VERY competitive place, and I know that I am really well qualified for the position. But I know that sometimes having an "in" is helpful.

So the person that I know I know through work, and we email sometimes when we need help with something, and we've had lunch to discuss how use the platform to its full potential before.

However, we're not friends or anything but I want to email him and ask if he knows how I can boost myself up a little and if he recommends doing anything to stand out and hope that he may offer to recommend me???

Should I email him saying: what should I say like “Hi ___! Just wanted to say that after I came out to youtube the other day I was really interested in the company and the opportunities it had. I noticed that there was a position open in ____, and I submitted an application for it since I’m looking to challenge myself career wise, and I’m hoping that you might have suggestions on how to stand out a little more since I know that jobs at youtube are often very competitive.”

usa jobs
usa jobs resume
usa hotel jobs
usajobs
usa jobs federal government
usa job in ksa
usa jobs
usa jobs login
usa jobs gov
usajobs.gov
www.usajobs.gov
usajobs.com
usajobs
usajobs.gov official