application letter to work as a waiter

Waiter/Waitress Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2024

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• Cover Letter Text Examples

How To Write a Waiter/Waitress Cover Letter

Waiter and waitress positions that require a cover letter are often high-paying opportunities at upscale establishments. To differentiate yourself from the competition during the job search , feature accomplishments that emphasize your sales expertise, interpersonal skills , and knowledge of the hospitality industry. This guide provides examples and expert advice to help you build an accomplishment-driven cover letter and secure your next big job opportunity.

Waiter/Waitress Cover Letter Templates and Examples

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Waiter/Waitress Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples

Anthony Gentile Waiter | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Philadelphia PA, 12345 | LinkedIn

January 1, 2024

Pat Martin Hiring Manager Franko’s Italiano (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Martin,

As a waiter at Olive Garden, I delivered a high-quality dining experience to guests in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant. Due to the unlimited refills for more than half of the menu items, this position required quick thinking under pressure to ensure guest satisfaction. These experiences have allowed me to develop an advanced understanding of guest relations and time management, which will allow me to thrive in your server position.

Franko’s Italiano has a reputation for the authenticity of its cuisine, which resonates with me as a hospitality professional. Having acquired my initial serving experience at a chain restaurant, I am eager for the opportunity to apply my hospitality and service skills in a fine dining establishment. I can provide valuable contributions to your team based on the following experiences from my career:

• Achieved 120% to 150% of sales goals month over month by educating guests on menu items, upselling entrees and appetizers, and providing recommendations based on guest needs
• Provided quality service to up to 80 guests per day, coordinated with hostesses, servers, and kitchen staff, and supported team members during high-volume periods
• Ensured compliance with ServSafe regulations and COVID-19 safety protocols

I would like to schedule an interview to provide more insights into how my experience within the hospitality industry can be an asset to your restaurant. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your earliest convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Anthony Gentile

Allison Rosenberg Waitress | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | New York, NY, 12345 | LinkedIn

Hector Martinez Hiring Manager Empellon (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Mr. Martinez,

As a waitress at Casa Villa, I provided an exceptional fine dining experience to clientele at an upscale Mexican restaurant. I identified many opportunities to enhance the quality of service for our guests and supported efforts to strengthen collaboration between the front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house staff. My experience in fine dining and leadership skills will allow me to thrive in the waitress position with your restaurant.

Empellon’s reputation for excellence in its food quality and service standards strongly aligns with my professional background. I can provide valuable contributions to your team based on the following achievements from my professional career:

• Coordinated with the front and back of the house and management to improve guest satisfaction metrics from 78% to 92% by enhancing communication protocols and providing training to servers on effective usage of the point-of-sale (POS) system for custom items
• Upsold menu items and daily specials to guests, provided education on dishes, ingredients, and spice levels, and achieved 130% of monthly sales goals
• Provided training to over 15 new servers on restaurant service standards, daily operations, menu items, and the company POS system

I hope to speak with you further regarding how my experience within fine dining can help your restaurant continue to deliver quality service to your guests. You may contact me for more information on my background at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Allison Rosenberg

Skyler Thompson Waitress | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Boston, MA 12345 | LinkedIn

Caleb Morris Hiring Manager The Mariner Restaurant (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Mr. Morris,

As a waitress with over 10 years of experience within the hospitality industry, I’ve developed an expertise in fine dining and sales techniques. At The Ocean Wind, I upsold specialty cocktails and gourmet seafood specials to generate over $90,000 in annual revenue. I worked collaboratively with hostesses, servers, and kitchen staff to improve daily operations and service standards. My experience within the restaurant industry would be an asset to your team.

The Mariner Restaurant’s reputation for providing both an exquisite dining atmosphere and upscale seafood is what draws me to apply for this position. With my strong passion for the hospitality industry, I can help your establishment continue to grow this prestigious reputation based on the following accomplishments from my career:

• Delivered high-quality service to more than 100 guests per day, upsold high-end seafood entrees and specialty cocktail beverages, generated over $95,000 in annual sales, achieved guest satisfaction ratings of 90%, and contributed to a 5-star Google ranking
• Provided training to over 17 new hires on a complex menu with over 30 items and delivered coaching and mentorship to improve sales and communication skills
• Educated guests on a variety of seafood entrees and cuisine to achieve 150% of sales goals, including oysters, littleneck clams, cherrystone clams, quahogs, lobster, cod, and crawfish

I hope to speak with you further regarding how my fine dining experience can help your restaurant continue to deliver quality service to your guests. You may contact me for more information on my background at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Skyler Thompson

To write a great waiter/waitress cover letter, build your document around your most compelling achievements and experiences within the hospitality industry. Highlight your ability to drive guest satisfaction and deliver an exceptional dining experience. Emphasize your background collaborating with back of the house and wait staff to enhance restaurant operations. Below, we’ll walk you through each section of your waiter/waitress cover letter:

1. Contact information and salutation

List all essential contact information at the top of your waiter/waitress cover letter, including your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL. Greet the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.” Avoid salutations such as “To Whom It May Concern,” as these greetings are less personal and widely considered outdated.

2. Introduction

Open your waiter/waitress cover letter with a strong introductory paragraph to grab the attention of potential employers. Emphasize your years of experience within the hospitality industry and mention restaurants you’ve worked for in the past. Feature one of your most impressive career achievements to demonstrate your customer service, sales, and serving skills.

In the example below, the candidate highlights the types of establishments they’ve worked for in the past. They also focus on highlighting their exceptional sales skills using hard numbers. This helps to show their keen attention to detail, which is essential for any server position. By featuring deeper insights into your hospitality background, you can strengthen the impact of your waiter/waitress cover letter.

As a waitress with over 10 years of experience within the hospitality industry, I’ve developed an expertise in fine dining and sales techniques. At The Ocean Wind, I upsold specialty cocktails and gourmet seafood specials to generate over $90,000 in annual revenue. Collaborating with hostesses, servers, and kitchen staff, I improved daily operations and service standards. My experience within the restaurant industry would be an asset to your team.

3. Body paragraphs

In the body paragraphs of your waiter/waitress cover letter, continue to emphasize your hospitality experience using tangible examples from your career. Say something specific about the restaurant’s reputation and why this draws you to apply for the opportunity. Demonstrate your ability to deliver exceptional service to guests during high-volume periods and support the restaurant’s image through positive interactions.

Notice how this candidate personalizes their application by showing their familiarity with the establishment’s cuisine. They also establish how their experience working in high-volume chain restaurants will allow them to transition into fine dining. Telling your unique story is a great way to help your waiter/waitress cover letter stand out in today’s job market.

• Achieved 120% to 150% of sales goals each month by educating guests on menu items, upselling entrees and appetizers, and providing recommendations based on guest needs
• Provided quality service to over 80 guests per day, coordinated with hostesses, servers, and kitchen staff, and supported team members during high-volume periods
• Ensured compliance with ServSafe regulations and customer service standards

4. Waiter/waitress skills and qualifications

Although it’s impractical to feature a comprehensive list of skills on your waiter/waitress cover letter, integrate keywords from the job description into your paragraphs. Focus on providing examples of you utilizing these skill sets in fast-paced restaurant environments. Below, we’ve gathered a variety of skills you can consider adding to your waiter/waitress cover letter:

5. Closing section

In the conclusion of your waiter/waitress cover letter, include a call to action (CTA) that invites the hiring manager to bring you in for an interview. Further emphasize how your background within the hospitality space can positively impact sales or guest satisfaction. Be sure to thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration in the last sentence of the paragraph.

Waiter/Waitress Cover Letter Tips

1. use specific examples to highlight your serving skills.

When detailing your serving skills, provide tangible examples of your unique experiences within the restaurant industry. In the example below, the server wants to transition from a chain restaurant to a fine dining establishment. Although they don’t have experience working in an upscale environment, the candidate provides key details about their time at Olive Garden that showcase their capabilities as a waiter.

They included those insights because many of the menu items are refillable without additional charge. This position can be especially challenging for even an experienced server during peak hours. By providing these details, the candidate showcases time management skills that are transferable across the hospitality space.

• As a waiter at Olive Garden, I delivered a high-quality dining experience to guests in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant. Due to the unlimited refills for more than half of the menu items, this position required quick thinking under pressure to ensure guest satisfaction. These experiences have allowed me to develop an advanced understanding of guest relations and time management, which will allow me to thrive in the server position at your restaurant.

2. Quantify your serving experience

Sales experience is a crucial aspect of any waiter or waitress position. To capture the hiring manager’s interest, leverage numbers and metrics from throughout your serving career. If you generated substantial revenue, the monetary figure should be prioritized over a percentage. But if you aren’t confident that the dollar figure is high enough to impress the reader, use percentages to show how you exceeded monthly or weekly sales goals. In the example below, the applicant has experience working in a fine dining establishment and effectively demonstrates their sales and customer service capabilities:

• Delivered high-quality service to over 100 guests per day, upsold high-end seafood entrees and specialty cocktail beverages, generated over $95,000 in annual sales, achieved guest satisfaction ratings of 90%, and contributed to a 5-star Google ranking

3. Feature your leadership abilities

Your ability to work collaboratively with both front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house staff is valuable to hiring managers within the restaurant industry. Communication breakdowns between servers and kitchen personnel are a frequent cause of operational issues for many establishments, so your leadership abilities are important to feature in your cover letter. In the example below, the candidate provides a strong example of coordinating with each of the various team members to improve food service delivery and communication protocols:

• Coordinated with the front and back of the house and management to improve guest satisfaction metrics from 78% to 92% by enhancing communication protocols and providing training to servers on effective usage of the POS system for custom items and guest requests

Waiter/Waitress Cover Letter FAQs

Why should i include a waiter/waitress cover letter -.

While most waiter/waitress positions are obtained through industry connections, taking the extra step to provide a cover letter certainly won’t hurt your chances. Submitting a cover letter speaks to your professionalism and genuine enthusiasm for the hospitality industry, even if it isn’t requested in the job application.

How long should my waiter/waitress cover letter be? -

It’s best to keep your cover letter short but engaging when applying for serving positions at upscale restaurants. Crafting a cover letter for this type of role shows your initiative and interest in the role and avoids having your most compelling achievements overshadowed by including an excess of information.

How do I make my cover letter stand out? -

The best way to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager is by aligning your waiter/waitress cover letter with the restaurant you’re applying to. Mentioning specific details about their reputation or cuisine shows you’ve researched beforehand and makes your cover letter stand out during the application process.

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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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10 Professional Waitress Cover Letter Examples for 2024

In crafting your waitress cover letter, highlight your exceptional customer service skills. Demonstrate your ability to manage high-pressure situations with grace and efficiency. Showcase your experience with various POS systems and your ability to learn new technologies swiftly. Impress upon the reader your dedication to ensuring a pleasant dining experience for all guests.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Waitress No Experience

Waitress Cashier

Head Waitress

Hostess Waitress

Cocktail Waitress

Bartender Waitress

Bottle Service Waitress

Cover letter guide.

Waitress Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Waitress Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

As you set out to craft your waitress cover letter, the reality hits: it's more than rehashing your resume. You're here, possibly after realizing the job application demands a customized letter that showcases your professional pride without drowning in clichés. Within a concise, one-page narrative, learn to present that standout achievement that defines your service excellence—and do it with a touch of formality that captivates, not bores, your future employer.

• Including all the must-have paragraphs in your structure for an excellent first impression;
• Learning how to write individual sections from industry-leading cover letter examples;
• Selecting the best accomplishment to tell an interesting and authority-building professional story;
• Introducing your profile with personality, while meeting industry standards.

And, if you want to save some time, drag and drop your waitress resume into Enhancv's AI, which will assess your profile and write your job-winning cover letter for you.

If the waitress isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Waitress resume guide and example
• Baker cover letter example
• Cook cover letter example
• Fine Dining Bartender cover letter example
• Head Bartender cover letter example
• Chef cover letter example
• Restaurant Manager cover letter example
• Fast Food cover letter example
• Pastry Chef cover letter example
• Head Server cover letter example
• Banquet Bartender cover letter example

Waitress cover letter example

CHARLOTTE JONES

Columbus, Ohio

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Emphasizing relevant experience, such as orchestrating a menu overhaul that shows initiative and a collaborative spirit with kitchen staff, can underscore an applicant's suitability for a leadership role within a restaurant.
• Quantifying achievements with specific metrics, for instance the 25% increase in orders and the reduction in customer wait times, provides tangible evidence of an applicant's impact and capability to enhance the dining experience.
• Demonstrating an understanding of the prospective employer's values, such as their commitment to quality and service, and mirroring that in the cover letter can create a sense of alignment between the applicant's personal ethos and the restaurant's culture.
• Expressing a genuine enthusiasm to grow with the establishment and a desire to contribute positively can signify a proactive and ambitious mindset, which is often sought after for roles in dynamic service environments.

The format of your waitress cover letter: structure, fonts, margins, and more

Your waitress cover letter should include a header (with your name, position, and date); a greeting and introductory paragraph; a body and closing paragraphs; and an optional signature.

Remember that you're writing your waitress cover letter for recruiters - as the Applicant Tracker System won't scan this content.

Here are a few more tips and tricks to keep in mind when formatting your waitress cover letter:

• Use the same font in your waitress cover letter and resume . We recommend modern fonts, e.g. Lato and Rubik, to help you stand out, instead of the stereotypical Arial and Times New Roman.
• Each paragraph should have single spacing, which is already set up for you in our cover letter templates .
• Our cover letter builder follows industry standards for your waitress cover letter formatting - with a one-inch margin, surrounding your content.
• Always export your waitress cover letter in PDF to ensure the image or text quality stays the same and your writing isn't moved about.

The top sections on a waitress cover letter

• Header: Includes the applicant's contact information, the date, and the employer's contact details, which is crucial for ensuring the letter reaches the right person and for potential follow-up correspondence.
• Greeting: It's important to address the hiring manager or restaurant owner by name if possible, as it demonstrates attention to detail and a personalized approach, much like service in the hospitality industry.
• Introduction: In this section, the waitress should clearly state the position she's applying for and express her enthusiasm for the role, which sets the tone for a friendly and engaging cover letter, reflecting the interpersonal skills required for the job.
• Experience and Skills: This part should highlight relevant work history and specific skills like menu knowledge, order accuracy, and superior customer service, which are key to convincing the recruiter of the applicant's suitability for the waitress position.
• Closing and Call to Action: The applicant should end the cover letter by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to apply, reiterating interest in the position, and inviting the recruiter to schedule an interview, showing eagerness and proactivity.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Excellent communication skills: Crucial for accurately taking customer orders and effectively communicating with kitchen staff and team members.
• Strong interpersonal skills: Necessary to interact positively with a diverse range of customers, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
• Proven ability to multitask: Essential in managing multiple tables, remembering order details, and providing timely service during busy shifts.
• Attention to detail: Important for ensuring orders are correct, special dietary requirements are met, and billing is accurate.
• Physical stamina and agility: Required to handle long shifts on foot and carry trays or plates without compromising service speed or customer experience.
• Experience with point-of-sale systems: Beneficial for efficiently processing orders and payments in a modern dining establishment.

How to greet recruiters in your waitress cover letter salutation

As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Write your waitress cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:

• greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
• using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
• writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.

Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.

In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Restaurant Name] Team,
• Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
• Dear [Employer's Title] [Employer's Last Name],
• Dear [Employer's Full Name],
• Dear [Employer's Title and Last Name],

The waitress cover letter intro: aligning your interest with the company culture

You only have one chance at making a memorable first impression on recruiters with your waitress cover letter.

Structure your introduction to be precise and to include no more than two sentences.

Here are some ideas on how to write a job-winning waitress cover letter introduction:

• get creative - show off your personality from the get-go (if this aligns with the company culture);
• focus on your motivation - be specific when you say what gets you excited about this opportunity.

Choosing your best achievement for the middle or body of your waitress cover letter

Now that you have the recruiters' attention, it's time to write the chunkiest bit of your waitress cover letter .

The body consists of three to six paragraphs that focus on one of your achievements.

Use your past success to tell a story of how you obtained your most job-crucial skills and know-how (make sure to back these up with tangible metrics).

Another excellent idea for your waitress cover letter's middle paragraphs is to shine a light on your unique professional value.

Write consistently and make sure to present information that is relevant to the role.

A sincere and original way to end your waitress cover letter

When writing their waitress cover letter, candidates tend to use one of these phrases, "Sincerely yours" or "I look forward to hearing from you".

Both statements show good manners, but your cover letter should end in a more actionable manner .

Write about:

• how you see yourself growing in the role/organization;
• the benefits you would bring about (you'd impress even more with tangible metrics);
• the next steps in the process (provide your availability for interviews).

Keep this in mind when writing your zero experience waitress cover letter

Even though you may not have any professional experience , your waitress cover letter should focus on your value.

As a candidate for the particular role, what sort of skills do you bring about? Perhaps you're an apt leader and communicator, or have the ability to analyze situations from different perspectives.

Select one key achievement from your life, outside work, and narrate a story that sells your abilities in the best light.

If you really can't think of any relevant success, you could also paint the picture of how you see your professional future developing in the next five years, as part of the company.

Key takeaways

Creating your waitress cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:

• Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
• Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
• Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
• Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
• End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.

Waitress cover letter examples

Explore additional waitress cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

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