As you embark on your job hunt in the food service industry, you'll quickly realize the importance of a well-crafted cover letter. Although you've got your resume ready to go, a cover letter is your chance to serve up a personal touch, detailing your most savory professional accomplishment without simply reheating the contents of your resume. It's essential to strike a balance between formal tone and fresh, engaging writing—steering clear of overused phrases. And remember, a concise cover letter that fits neatly onto one page can make a lasting impression, just like a perfectly plated dish.
- Writing the essential food server cover letter sections: balancing your professionalism and personality;
- Mixing storytelling, your unique skill set, and your greatest achievement;
- Providing relevant (and interesting) information with your food server cover letter, despite your lack of professional experience;
- Finding the perfect format for your[ food server cover letter, using templates from industry experts.
Leverage the power of Enhancv's AI: upload your resume and our platform will map out how your food server cover letter should look, in mere moments.
If the food server isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Food server cover letter example
Michael Martinez
Los Angeles, California
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- Emphasizing key accomplishments, such as the initiative leading to a 20% increase in wine sales, demonstrates the candidate's ability to generate revenue and improve business outcomes.
- Highlighting the impact on customer satisfaction and online ratings underscores the candidate's commitment to service excellence and reputation management.
- Mentioning specific skills like guest needs attention and team coordination illustrates the candidate's capabilities in essential areas of the food service role.
- Expressing eagerness to discuss how their experiences align with the establishment's standards and goals shows a proactive and goal-oriented mindset that is valuable in the hospitality industry.
The must-have sections and format of your food server cover letter
When writing your food server cover letter, keep in mind that it'll only be read by the recruiters and not the Applicant Tracker System (or software used to assess your profile). That's why you should structure your content with a/an:
- Header (apart from your contact information, include your name, the role you're applying for, and the date);
- Personalized salutation;
- Opening paragraph to win the recruiters over;
- Middle paragraph with key details;
- Closing that starts from clichés;
- Sign off (that's not mandatory).
Industry standards dictate your paragraphs to be single-spaced and to wrap your content in a one-inch margin. Designing your food server cover letter, refer to one of our templates, which automatically takes care of the spacing and margins.
Choose the same font for your food server cover letter as you did for your resume: the likes of Lato and Bitter would help you to stand out in a sea of cover letters in Arial or Times New Roman.
Export your whole food server cover letter from our builder in PDF to keep the same formatting and image quality.
The top sections on a food server cover letter
- Header: Include your contact information and the date to ensure the hiring manager knows how to reach you and can reference when the application was submitted.
- Greeting: Address the recruiter or restaurant manager directly by name to show that you've done your research and are personalizing your application.
- Introduction: Briefly state your interest in the server position and mention any specific restaurant or food service experience you have, creating an immediate connection to the job.
- Body: Detail your relevant serving experiences, highlight your customer service skills, and emphasize your ability to function in fast-paced environments, which are critical for a food server role.
- Closing: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity, state your availability for interviews, and express your eagerness to contribute positively to their establishment, leaving the impression that you are motivated and ready to work.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
Exceptional customer service skills: Recruiters look for candidates who can create a welcoming environment and handle customer requests with a positive attitude, which is essential for repeat business and customer satisfaction.
Experience with point-of-sale (POS) systems: Familiarity with POS technology demonstrates technical proficiency and the ability to manage transactions efficiently, which is important for a server's role.
Knowledge of food safety and handling: Understanding proper food safety protocols ensures the health and safety of customers and compliance with health regulations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment: Servers must be able to multitask, prioritize, and work efficiently under pressure during busy shifts, which is crucial for maintaining quality service.
Strong team player: Being collaborative and able to work well with kitchen staff and other servers ensures a smooth operation and a pleasant dining experience for guests.
Excellent memory and attention to detail: Recruiters value servers who can remember guests' orders, special dietary needs, and preferences, as well as maintain attention to detail in all aspects of their service.
How to start your food server cover letter: with a greeting, of course
Have you ever considered just how powerful a personalized salutation can be?
We sure have news for you! Your food server cover letter should start with the right salutation to recruiters, nurturing a sense of respect and individuality.
Greet recruiters by using their first name (e.g. "Dear Tom" or "Dear Patricia") if you've previously established contact with them.
Otherwise, opt out for the less familiar, "Dear Ms. Peaches" or "Dear Ms Kelsey", if you've found the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or a corporate website.
"To whom it may concern" is never a good option, as it creates a sense that you've been sending out your food server cover letter to anyone. Instead, use "Dear HR team" or "Dear (company name) recruiter" for a feeling of exclusivity.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Restaurant Name] Team,
- Dear [Specific Position Title] Hiring Team,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [Department] Manager,
- Respected [Position Title] Search Committee,
How to start your food server cover letter introduction
The opening paragraph of your food server cover letter can seem like a real enigma.
Where do you start writing?
In your food server cover letter introduction, focus on yourself by stating what:
- gets you motivated and excited about the role;
- you like best about the company, from culture to awards.
Write no more than two sentences, which are both authentic and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
That one achievement in your food server cover letter body
The lengthiest part of your food server cover letter is the body.
Within the next three to six middle paragraphs, present yourself as the best candidate for the role.
How can you do that without retelling your whole professional resume?
Select one key achievement that covers job-crucial skills and technologies (and is memorable).
Within the body of your food server cover letter, aim to tell the story of how you achieved your success. Also, write about how this would help out your potential team.
Final words: writing your food server cover letter closing paragraph
The final paragraph of your food server cover letter allows you that one final chance to make a great first impression.
Instead of going straight to the "sincerely yours" ending, you can back up your skills with a promise of:
- how you see yourself growing into the role;
- the unique skills you'd bring to the organization.
Whatever you choose, always be specific (and remember to uphold your promise, once you land the role).
If this option doesn't seem that appealing to you, close off your food server cover letter with a follow-up request.
You could even provide your availability for interviews so that the recruiters would be able to easily arrange your first meeting.
Addressing limited to no experience in the food server cover letter
There's nothing to worry about if you lack professional experience.
Your food server cover letter could bridge the gaps in your professional history by focusing on what matters most to recruiters, that's either:
- skills - focusing on transferable ones you've gained, thanks to your life experience (e.g. volunteering, certificates, etc.);
- achievements - select the most relevant and noteworthy one from your history (e.g. education, projects, etc.);
- motivation - describe how you envision your professional growth in the next up to five years, thanks to this opportunity.
Key takeaways
We hope this food server cover letter writing guide has shown you how to:
- Format your food server cover letter with the mandatory sections (e.g. header, greeting, intro, body, and closing) and select the right font (P.S. It should be the same as the one you've used for your resume);
- Substitute your lack of professional experience with your most noteworthy achievement, outside of work, or your dreams and passions;
- Ensure recruiters have a more personalized experience by tailoring your cover letter not just to the role, but to them (e.g. writing their first/last name in the salutation, etc.);
- Introducing your biggest achievement and the skills it has taught you in your food server cover letter body;
- Write no more than two sentences in your food server cover letter introduction to set the right tone from the get-go.
