A server cover letter can be your best shot at winning a job if crafted correctly. Also, sending customized cover letters for each job opening is crucial, as it can easily distinguish if the applicant has invested time and effort in tailoring one. This greatly impacts whether you’ll be considered a potential prospect for the job or get rejected.
The servers in any restaurant play a vital role as they perform numerous duties, from welcoming customers to taking orders and attending them during the dine-in. That’s why restaurant managers hire all-rounder professionals for this role. Thus, you must mention your relevant skills, qualifications, and expertise in the server cover letter to strengthen your chances of getting the job.
But that’s not it! You should also consider several other factors to ensure your cover letter is compelling enough. That said, we have crafted this guide with seven easy steps to help you write a winning server cover letter. It also includes a ready-made template so you can get closer to securing the much-desired interview.
Server Cover Letter Example
Full Name
Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Hiring Manager’s Full Name
Job Title
Restaurant Name
Restaurant Address
To: Hiring Manager Full Name, Date
Dear Mr./Ms./Mx. Hiring Manager Last Name,
With 5 years of experience in the food industry, I am excited to express my enthusiasm to apply for the server position at (XYZ Cafe) as advertised on (ABC website). Being someone who excels at customer service and leadership capabilities, I think I can be a suitable fit for the server your organization is looking for.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Food Safety along with multiple certifications and training, my expertise aligns with your restaurant’s values and requirements. I have done different courses to polish my skillset, including those related to tableside service, time management, upselling techniques, and more. My previous job at (Chicago Cafe) equipped me with problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the key to managing workload and stress.
I know English, Spanish, and French, and have a solid grip on operating POS systems and restaurant machinery. Additionally, my current role as the Chief of Serving Staff at (MLN Cafe)is proof of my leadership skills. I managed to increase the productivity of the staff by 10%, which contributed immensely towards maintaining the restaurant’s reputation.
I’d like to thank you for your time and attention. It would be an honor to serve at one of the prestigious restaurants in (your city name). Let’s schedule a call and discuss how my previous experience and current skills can bring satisfactory results to your organization. Feel free to contact me at (phone number) or (email address).
Sincerely,
Bradley Lennord
 Download: | Cover Letter Sample |
Creating a Top-Notch Server Cover Letter
Server jobs are highly likely to grow in the next few years. While your experience matters the most for securing an ideal server job, the way you demonstrate your skills in the cover letter will make you stand out.
Remember, your cover letter must lock horns with probably thousands of competitors. So, putting in serious effort is crucial, and we’re about to help you do that exactly. Refer to the below steps for more guidance:
1. Add your contact info in the server cover letter’s beginning
Your server cover letter should start with your contact information and must include the following mandatory components:
- Full Name
- Professional Email Address
- Location
- Active Phone Number
It’s necessary to include accurate details as the company will use your contact number or email address to schedule an interview if you’re shortlisted.
2. Use the introduction section to grab the recruiter’s attention
After adding your contact details, it’s time for a short and solid introduction. Politely greet the hiring manager while introducing yourself and clearly state the job post you’re applying for. It’ll avoid confusion and is especially important if the restaurant has multiple openings at the same time.
Show your passion by writing a few words about the company or restaurant, its culture, and the values they’re proud of. Also, state the reasons for being excited for this role. Even if you’re applying for multiple jobs, each cover letter should mention something unique about the addressed organization.
Do your homework about the company and use it to catch the hiring manager’s eye.
3. Review the server job post for certain keywords
Here’s another key step that is often neglected:
- As you know, job posts always mention some keywords repeatedly, which are your gateway to highlight yourself.
- You should incorporate them wisely in your cover letter to make your skills relevant to the restaurant’s requirements.
- Also, go deeper and find more information about the restaurant and its employees, like the qualities they admire in their staff, the results they look for, etc.
- Your research should be reflected in your cover letter to leave a lasting impact on the recruiter.
4. Showcase your qualifications and experience as a server
It’s time to add your relevant qualifications and experience to your server cover letter. Besides your professional degree, you can add related food and serving certifications or any training program you have participated in. It gives you a clear edge over other candidates.
Also, use your past jobs to discuss your relevant server skills. Specifically, talk about the results from your previous role, but refrain from using general statements.
For example, you can say, “In my previous role at [MLN Cafe], I was Chief of Serving Staff, and my leadership capabilities helped increase team efficiency by 20%.” Stating such figures makes your claim more credible.
5. Emphasize your soft and hard skills
At this stage, you must emphasize how your skillset makes you unique among thousands of others who have applied for the same role. The key is to discuss the skills a professional server must possess.
Here are some hard and soft skills that can help you shine:
Hard Skills
- Computer skills
- Knowledge of point-of-sale systems
- Good memory
- Math Skills
- Know-how of using kitchen equipment
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Customer Service
- Time-management
- Teamwork and collaboration
Serving jobs goes deeper than the ability to hold a couple of plates and glasses simultaneously, as evident from the skills mentioned above.
6. Conclude your cover letter with a solid CTA
In the end, don’t shy away from the final call to action and ask the hiring manager to contact you for an interview. You can also use this section to thank the recruiter for their time and show enthusiasm to serve the specific role.
Also, make it easy for the restaurant manager to get in touch with you by adding your contact details in the call-to-action. The key is to entice them with your biggest skill or qualification and then ask them to approach you.
For example, you can say, “Let’s schedule a call and discuss how my experience at (XYZ Cafe) can help your business (ABC Cafe) achieve its goals.”
7. Format and proofread your server cover letter
Now it’s time to finish off clean by proofreading the server cover letter because the last thing you want is some spelling or formatting error, ruining the whole effort. Since it’s a formal document, follow professional fonts like Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman.
Also, keep the font size 10-12, which should be the same in your resume. Besides that, your letter should be single-spaced with a gap between each paragraph to enhance readability. Make the text left-aligned with a standard one-inch margin on all sides.
Putting in this final effort will ensure your cover letter looks professional and visually appealing.
Server Cover Letter FAQS
What is the perfect length for a cover letter?
The server cover letter shouldn’t be longer than a single page with a word count ranging between 250 to 400. The point is to include all your professional skills and qualifications in a concise manner to hook the hiring manager’s attention.
How do you write a server cover letter with no experience?
You can still write a cover letter even if you have never written one or don’t have any serving experience. To compensate for your lack of experience, consider mentioning the following:
- Relevant soft and hard skills
- Qualifications and certifications
- Enthusiasm to serve the role
- Understanding of how the serving industry works
How can I download this free cover letter template?
It’s a straightforward process as you just need to:
- Go to the top right corner.
- Click on the dialog box and pick the Word version compatible with your device.
- Hit the download button.
- Open the document and start editing.
