simple cover letter waiter

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

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
• ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
• Lightning-fast responses

How to Sign a Cover Letter: Paper vs Digital

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Waiter Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

How to craft an jaw-dropping waiter cover letter

Waiters are vital staff members at any restaurant, providing exceptional customer service to guests by taking their orders, providing them with drinks, and ensuring they have a great experience. To earn a position as a waiter, you need a compelling cover letter that showcases your best abilities.

In this guide, we will teach you 5 easy steps for creating an excellent cover letter as a waiter. Keep reading to learn all about how to:

• Create visual flow on your cover letter with a header & headline
• Tailor your waiter cover letter for specific employers & positions
• Craft the perfect introduction for your waiter cover letter
• Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a waiter
• Finish your waiter cover letter with a compelling closing statement

1. Create visual flow on your cover letter with a header & headline

Unlike a resume, a cover letter is not broken into many different sections with dedicated titles and purposes. As such, to give your cover letter a sense of structure and flow , you must create a well-formatted header and headline.

Your cover letter header comes first, listing key details such as:

• Your name and professional title
• Your professional contact information
• The name of the restaurant you are applying to
• The address of the restaurant (especially important if there are multiple locations)

Here is an example of a well-formatted waiter header

Jane Smith , Waitress

(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/jane-smith

To: Cracker Barrel Hiring Department 1234 Street Address Chattanooga, TN 37405

Following your header is your cover letter headline . This is a brief title statement used for hooking an employer’s attention as quickly as possible.

When writing your headline, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word , a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise to the employer that indicates the letter is written specifically for them.

Here is an example of a strong waiter cover letter, followed by a quick explanation of its main components

My 3 Best Customer Service Skills as a Waiter & How They Can Benefit Your Restaurant’s Guests

Trigger Word/Number: 3 Skills Keyword: Customer Service, Waiter Adjective/Verb: Best, Benefit Promise: Your Restaurant’s Guests

Still looking for a job?  These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

2. Tailor your waiter cover letter for specific employers & positions

Once you have completed your cover letter header and headline, it’s time to move on to the body text of the cover letter. Before you can do this, however, you should consider tailoring your cover letter to the exact employer and position you are applying to.

Tailoring a cover letter means making it as specific and relevant to a particular employer as possible. To accomplish this, you must thoroughly research the company and its values and needs beforehand.

As you complete this research, an important detail to search for is who at the restaurant is responsible for reviewing job applications and cover letters. Using this information, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific person by name.

Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings

• Dear Mr. John Doe,

Dear Hiring Manager John Doe,

• Dear Manager John Doe,

Find out your resume score!

3. Craft the perfect introduction for your waiter cover letter

As a waiter, it is crucial to attract an employer’s attention as quickly as possible with the details you include in your cover letter.

To make your introduction as compelling as possible, make sure to include:

• A brief overview of your professional history
• A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
• A mutual acquaintance (when possible)

Pro Tip: Always include a mutual acquaintance when you can, as this builds rapport with an employer. If you lack a mutual acquaintance, use a professional platform like LinkedIn to start expanding your professional network.

Here is an example of a well-written waiter introduction

I am a professional waiter with 3+ years of experience working in the local dining industry. As a long-time patron of your restaurant, I was excited to hear that you currently have openings in your waitstaff to fill. My friend and peer, Ms. Mary Joe, is currently a valued member of your waitstaff and can attest to my relevant skills and qualifications for this position.

4. Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a waiter

Now that you have your introduction in place, your next step is to write the body paragraphs of your cover letter. A good cover letter will contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer key questions, such as:

• What excites you about working at this company?
• What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
• What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
• What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?

As you describe your skills and accomplishments as a waiter, make sure the information you include is as specific and quantifiable as possible. This will help you show the employer the real-life value you can bring to their restaurant.

Here are 6 examples of waitstaff skills to describe in a cover letter

• Exceptional verbal communication
• Physical stamina and strength
• Upselling techniques
• Excellent menu memorization abilities
• Customer conflict management and problem resolution
• Friendly and welcoming demeanor

Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a waiter’s cover letter

As a waiter at [Former Employer], I was honored with the Front of House MVP award by my former employer for my exceptional customer service and sales. I earned this award in part thanks to my excellent upselling techniques, which resulted in my weekly sales being an average of 20% higher compared to the other waitstaff’s. 

5. Finish your waiter cover letter with a compelling closing statement

You’ve made it to the end of your cover letter – now all that is left is to write a compelling conclusion . Your closing statement needs to convince the employer to contact you by including key information , such as:

• An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
• An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
• A formal sign-off

Here is an example of a compelling conclusion from a waiter’s cover letter

I am eager to get to know your guests and staff better if brought on to your waitstaff team. I hope to hear from you soon and am available to meet any day between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The best way to reach me is a (123) 456-7890 or at [email protected] after hours. If I have not heard back by next Tuesday, I plan to follow up that afternoon.

Appreciatively,

[Applicant Name]

If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume,  this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two .

Martin Poduška

Martin is a resume expert and career advice writer at Kickresume. In his five years at Kickresume, he has written hundreds of in-depth, painstakingly researched resume advice articles and, as chief editor, he has also edited and revised every single article on this website. Tens of thousands of job seekers read Martin’s resume advice every month. He holds a degree in English from the University of St Andrews and a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Amsterdam .

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Waiter Cover Letter Sample (+Writing Tips)

Are you searching for a waiter job? Your first step towards securing that position is crafting an impressive cover letter. A well-written cover letter can greatly increase your chances of getting an interview and ultimately landing the job you desire.

In this article, we provide you with a sample cover letter for a waiter resume, along with some valuable writing tips to help you create a standout cover letter that highlights your skills and experience. Whether you’re an experienced waiter or just starting your career in the food service industry, this guide will provide you with the necessary tools to create a compelling cover letter.

Read on to discover how to effectively introduce yourself to potential employers and make a positive impression with your waiter cover letter.

Sample Cover Letter for Waiter Resume

Jerry Andrew 65 Churchill Street Muskegon, MI 52014 (000) 208-5214 jerry @ email . com

October 7, 2023

Mr. John Doe Hiring Manager MHP 85 Divine Ave Muskegon, MI 98877

Dear Mr. Doe:

As a success-driven food service professional, I am excited to apply for the waiter position at MHP. I am confident that my skills and experience make me a strong candidate for the role. With a proven track record in the food service industry and a passion for delivering exceptional customer service, I am eager to contribute to the success of your establishment.

In my previous role as a server at ABC Restaurant, I honed my communication skills and meticulous attention to detail. From setting tables and arranging place settings to warmly welcoming guests and taking their food and beverage orders, I consistently provided professional and attentive service. By consistently going the extra mile for customers, I was able to increase my previous employer’s overall profits by 20% within three months.

Aside from my table service duties, I am highly adept at effectively communicating orders to the kitchen staff, operating POS systems, and handling payments from patrons. I pride myself on maintaining accurate records of requests and funds, and I am experienced in processing credit card payments with precision using point-of-sale registers.

As an enthusiastic team player, I am eager to discuss your long-term plans for MHP and how my skills align with your vision. I will follow up with your secretary in a few days to inquire about the status of my application and to schedule an interview. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at (000) 208-5214.

Thank you for considering my application. I am confident that I would be a valuable addition to your team and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the success of MHP.

Jerry Andrew

How to Write a Great Cover Letter for a Waiter Job?

Writing a great cover letter for a waiter job is essential to make a positive impression on potential employers. Here are some tips to help you create an effective cover letter:

1. Highlight your relevant skills : Emphasize your skills and abilities that are essential for a waiter position. For example, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to multitask, a positive attitude, and attention to detail are valuable qualities for this role.

2. Tailor your letter to the job description : Customize your cover letter to align with the specific requirements and responsibilities mentioned in the waiter job description. Make sure to demonstrate how your experience and skills directly relate to the waiter position.

3. Show enthusiasm : Convey your genuine interest in the job and the company. Explain why you are enthusiastic about working as a waiter for the particular establishment.

4. Provide specific examples : Share specific examples from your previous experience that demonstrate your abilities as a waiter. For instance, you can mention achievements such as improving customer satisfaction or increasing sales.

5. Include relevant keywords : Use keywords from the job description to showcase your understanding of the waiter role and to help your cover letter stand out.

Crafting a well-written cover letter is essential when applying for a waiter position. By following the provided sample cover letter and utilizing the writing tips, you can create a standout cover letter that highlights your skills and experience. Remember to emphasize relevant skills, tailor your letter to the job description, show enthusiasm, provide specific examples, and include relevant keywords. With a compelling cover letter, you can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview and ultimately landing the waiter job you desire.

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