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Table of contents

Waitress cover letter example
Related cover letter examples
Cover letter template for a waitress
Format your waitress cover letter
How to write a cover letter for a waitress
Write a matching resume
Key takeaways
Resources to help prepare for your interview

Waiting tables is hard work! Feeding people, making them feel welcome and managing all the little tasks required for success as a waitress calls for a strong skill set. Your resume should outline your work experience, but to really show employers that you can handle the rigors of the dining room, you need a cover letter that demonstrates your abilities and conveys your personality.

Your job application should be as balanced and satisfying as the perfect dining experience. With the help of our guide, you can create an engaging cover letter effortlessly.

Here’s what our guide offers:

A standout sample cover letter for a waitress position.
Customizable templates designed to showcase your customer service excellence, multitasking abilities and teamwork skills.
Expert advice to polish your cover letter, making it more attractive to restaurant managers.
Proven strategies to take your application to the next level.

Need a little help to get started? Our Cover Letter Generator is here for you! This tool simplifies the writing process, offering practical tips, content suggestions and formatting assistance, so you can confidently draft and submit your cover letter in just a few minutes.

Waitress cover letter example

Sample waitress cover letter

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What makes this a great sample cover letter for a waitress?

Personable tone
As a waitress, a huge part of your job is connecting with people. This cover letter conveys a persuasive amount of enthusiasm and confidence.
Active language
Using active verbs gives this cover letter a sense of momentum and energy and replaces the passive cliches that often worm their way onto cover letters.
Simple layout
A neat design contributes to this candidate’s professional profile and sense of judgment.

Cover letter template for a waitress

Want a waitress cover letter template that you can copy, paste and edit to use for your very own letter? Give this a try!

Cheyenne Tuttle
Springfield, IL 62704
(555) 123-4567
example@example.com

July 10th, 2024

David Suarez
General Manager
The Gourmet Bistro
456 Gourmet Lane
Springfield, IL 62704

Dear Mr. Suarez,

I am writing to express my interest in the waitress position advertised for The Gourmet Bistro, as listed on your website. With three years of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry and a personal passion for culinary excellence, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.

During my tenure at The Busy Bee Café, I honed my skills in customer service, order accuracy and menu knowledge, which resulted in a significant increase in customer satisfaction and repeat visits. My ability to quickly memorize menu details, including specials and allergen information, allowed me to upsell effectively, contributing to a 20% increase in sales of featured
items.

Additionally, my fluency in English and Spanish has enabled me to effectively communicate with a diverse clientele, ensuring that all guests feel welcomed and valued.

I am particularly drawn to The Gourmet Bistro due to its reputation for providing exceptional dining experiences and its focus on local and sustainable ingredients. I am eager to bring my expertise in food and wine pairings and my energetic approach to customer service to your esteemed restaurant.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my background, skills and enthusiasm align with the needs of The Gourmet Bistro. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience and can be reached by telephone or email.

Warm regards,
Cheyenne Tuttle

Format your waitress cover letter

Before diving into writing your cover letter, it’s essential to know how to format it so that employers get the best perspective on your experience and skills. A well-structured letter highlights your professionalism and helps hiring managers quickly understand your qualifications and experience, boosting your chances of making it to the interview stage.

Here are some formatting tips to help you build a cover letter that shows your professionalism:

Font style and size: Choose clean, professional fonts like Arial or Calibri in a font size between 10-12 points so your letter is easy to read.
Spacing: To ensure your cover letter is reader-friendly, use consistent spacing, ideally with line spacing set between 1.15 and 1.5.
Margins and alignment: Align your text to the left for a tidy appearance and use 1-inch margins to effectively frame your content.

Choose a waitress cover letter template

Create your cover letter

Your cover letter is often the first thing potential employers see, so picking a template that meets industry standards and reflects your professional image makes a big difference. For a waitress role, you have lots of options. A simple template avoids unnecessary distractions, but something more creative can help showcase your personality.

Explore our array of cover letter templates tailored for service industry positions, and choose one that best reflects your professional persona. To create a consistent job application package, select a resume template that complements your cover letter.

How to write a cover letter for a waitress

Many applicants shy away from writing a cover letter, but the extra effort is worth it. Cover letters can improve your chances of getting a callback, and luckily, this doesn’t have to be hard.

Building a great cover letter gives you a chance to contextualize the achievements listed on your resume, showcase your relevant skills and explain why you are the perfect candidate for the server position.

Here are a few steps to help you create a letter that tells the story of your professional journey and highlights your unique strengths.

Step 1

Review the job description for the waitress position

Tailoring your cover letter for each specific role is an important step that you shouldn’t ignore. Personalizing your letter not only demonstrates your interest in the job but also shows that your experience is a great fit for the specific needs of the restaurant.

Your cover letter, like your resume, should address the specific requirements of the role and explain why this particular restaurant interests you.

Adapting your cover letter can also help you navigate any applicant tracking systems (ATS) that restaurants might use to filter candidates. These systems look for keywords from the job description, so including these terms can make your cover letter more ATS-friendly and ensure it gets seen by a hiring manager.

Step 2

Include your contact information in the header

Ensure your contact details are clearly visible at the top of your cover letter. You should include the following information to make it easy for interviewers to reach you:

Your name.
City and state.
Phone number.
Email address.
Relevant links to your professional profiles like LinkedIn, if applicable.

Pro tip

Ensure your email address is professional and matches the one on your resume. If your email includes anything too casual or personal, try creating a new one using your name or initials.

Step 3

Address the hiring manager by name

A cover letter should directly address the general manager or hiring manager for the waitress role you’re pursuing. If you can’t find that information, addressing the letter to “Dear [Restaurant Name] Manager” is an appropriate alternative.

Step 4

Introduce yourself in the first paragraph

Kick off your cover letter by summarizing the most important aspects of your career story. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned professional, your opening paragraph should grab the employer’s attention, demonstrate your hospitality skills and quickly establish your value.

Example opening paragraph for a new waitress:

I am thrilled to apply for the waitress position at [restaurant name], as advertised in [source]. With a keen interest in hospitality and a commitment to providing outstanding service, I am eager to bring my enthusiasm and skills to your team.

Example opening paragraph for an experienced waitress:

I am writing to express my interest in the waitress position at [restaurant name]. With over [number] years of experience in high-paced dining environments and a proven track record of enhancing customer satisfaction, I am confident in my ability to contribute positively to your esteemed team.

Pro tip

Write a brief and informative introduction. You should touch on your most important qualifications in just a couple of sentences.

Step 5

Explain why you’re the best candidate for the role

The body of your cover letter is the ideal place to walk potential employers through the highlights of your career, particularly those that make you a perfect fit for a waitress position.

Focus on:

Specifying relevant experience: Describe your experience in handling multiple tables, managing orders and ensuring customer satisfaction. Emphasize your ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, detailing specific instances where your quick thinking and efficiency enhanced the dining experience.
Highlighting your skill set: Discuss both your hard and soft skills, such as proficiency in point-of-sale (POS) systems, exceptional communication and your flair for creating a welcoming atmosphere. Share examples of how you’ve successfully applied your interpersonal skills to improve service delivery and increase repeat customer visits.
Addressing unique qualifications: Mention any specialized training or certifications, such as food safety handling or cocktail preparation courses, continuing education in hospitality or unique experiences that set you apart, such as expertise in fine dining or a knack for wine pairing.

Example body paragraphs for a waitress cover letter:

During my time at [restaurant name], I managed service for up to 12 tables per shift, implementing seamless coordination of orders and deliveries that significantly reduced wait times and enhanced customer satisfaction. My proactive approach to guest service resulted in a noticeable increase in positive online reviews, which directly boosted our weekday dining figures.

In another role at [restaurant name], I led a team initiative to redesign the menu presentation, which improved order accuracy and enhanced the overall dining experience. This initiative was credited with a 25% increase in upselling of desserts and beverages, highlighting my ability to contribute positively to business growth.

Step 6

Write your cover letter closing

Your cover letter’s conclusion should reinforce your suitability for the waitress position without rehashing details from the body of the letter. End with a paragraph that:

Reinforces your enthusiasm for the position.
Highlights your readiness to handle the responsibilities of the role.
Invites further discussion in an interview.
Thanks the reader for considering your application.

Example closing:

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and proactive approach to [restaurant name]. I am confident in my ability to make a significant contribution to your team and am eager to discuss how my background, skills and enthusiasm align with your restaurant’s goals. Thank you for considering my application.

Step 7

Sign off professionally

End with a polite signoff like “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.

Write a matching resume

Create your resume

Your cover letter should complement a well-crafted resume. If you haven’t prepared a waitress resume yet, begin your job search by writing one. The process doesn’t have to be difficult. Like writing a cover letter, developing a strong resume is simplified when you have access to quality resume examples to guide you.

Not sure where to start with your resume? You’ve come to the right place! Our AI Resume Builder tool is here to assist you with professional formatting options, text suggestions based on your work history and stylish ATS-friendly templates.

Key takeaways

Explore waitress cover letter examples

Begin by reviewing some waitress cover letter examples to gain insights. Learning from the examples of successful hospitality candidates will help you get inspired to write a strong letter yourself.
Highlight essential skills for a waitress

Focus on key skills necessary for a successful career in the hospitality sector, such as multitasking, order accuracy and customer service. It’s equally important to highlight soft skills, including friendliness, effective communication and meticulous attention to detail.
Choose an appropriate waitress cover letter template

Select a cover letter template that reflects your professional demeanor. Not sure which style to choose? Go with something simple and personable.
Keep your introductory paragraph concise

Begin your letter by immediately capturing the reader’s interest. Introduce yourself and quickly express your enthusiasm for the hospitality industry and your eagerness for the specific waitress position.
Compose detailed body paragraphs

In the body of your cover letter, share specific examples of your experiences in the service industry. Discuss how past hospitality roles have prepared you to provide an incredible dining experience.
Ensure appropriate formatting

Your cover letter should reflect the attention to detail that you bring to your professional work. Use traditional fonts, maintain consistent margins and spacing and thoroughly proofread your letter to ensure that it’s free of errors.

Resources to help prepare for your interview

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.