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Table of contents

Popular hospitality cover letters
How to write a cover letter for a hospitality job
Hospitality cover letter examples by experience level
Create a hospitality resume
Facts about the hospitality career field
Key takeaways for your hospitality cover letter
Resources to help with your job search

Before you can begin creating memorable guest experiences, you need to capture the attention of the hiring manager.

If you’re drawn to a hospitality role, you’ll need a cover letter that showcases your capability to manage these varied responsibilities.

Our guide will touch on:

Key elements of an impactful hospitality cover letter.
Customizable cover letter templates that balance professionalism with personality.
Tips for writing a cover letter suited to different positions within hospitality.
Tools and resources to craft a top hospitality cover letter.

Looking to create your cover letter quickly? Our Cover Letter Builder is at your service. With personalized text options, professional advice, stylish templates and formatting support, you’ll be able to craft an impressive hospitality cover letter in no time.

Popular hospitality cover letters

Before you begin writing, it’s crucial to understand what makes a standout hospitality cover letter.

The goal is to showcase your hospitality skills and experiences in a straightforward and engaging letter that’s easy for anyone to read. Here are examples tailored to various hospitality roles, each demonstrating how to present yourself effectively:

Browse other popular samples

How to write a cover letter for a hospitality job

Crafting a cover letter for hospitality roles, from entry-level to management, is your opportunity to showcase why you’re a standout candidate.

We’ll show you how to write a cover letter tailored specifically to the hospitality sector. Whether you’re greeting guests at the front desk or overseeing operations, let’s begin with how to present your skills and passion effectively.

Step 1

Choose an appropriate template

Before you dive into writing, picking the right cover letter template is crucial.

The design should match the atmosphere of the hotel or restaurant you’re applying to. For upscale venues, a sophisticated template will do the trick, while a cozy bed and breakfast might call for something more traditional.

Step 2

Include your contact info

Your cover letter header should include your contact info at the top: your name, city and state, phone number and email. Adding your LinkedIn profile or professional website is a plus.

Be sure to use a professional email address. Replace any informal email with one that uses your name or initials. This small change can significantly enhance your professional image.

Step 3

Personalize your greeting

Try to address the hiring manager by name in your greeting.

Many job postings provide the hiring manager’s contact information. If this information isn’t available, invest a little time to research the company and identify the person in charge of recruitment. This additional step can make you stand out from other applicants.

If you can’t find it, “Dear Hiring Manager” works well. Skip overused phrases like “To Whom It May Concern.”

Step 4

Write an engaging opening

Kick off with an opener that gets right to the point. Mention what makes you excited about joining their team and the skills and experience you bring to the table. If you have a standout moment in your hospitality career to share, highlight it here as well.

Step 5

Build out the body paragraphs

Next, use the body of your cover letter to dive into your experiences.

Give concrete examples of your hospitality skills in action, using action verbs to make your abilities more current and active and numbers to prove your accomplishments had an impact.

Ensure what you write here lines up with the job you’re eyeing. That means including keywords from the job posting, which will guarantee your cover letter is compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Step 6

Spotlight your skills

Your most relevant skills and abilities should be represented on your cover letter.

Talk about your soft skills, like your knack for making guests feel welcome, as well as your hard skills, like operating specific types of software. Note — computer skills and technical skills are subcategories of hard skills.

Make sure to include a healthy mix of hard and soft skills. It’s all about showing you’re well-rounded and ready to jump into any situation.

Finally, your cover letter is a great place to show off your transferable skills, especially if you’re coming in from a different industry, like food service or retail.

Step 7

Wrap up energetically

Near the end of your cover letter, reiterate how pumped you are about the possibility of working there and thank them for considering you. Suggest they reach out to chat more about what you can bring to the table.

Step 8

Sign off like a pro

Finish with a courteous “Sincerely,” “Best regards” or a simple “Thank you,” then sign your name.

Hospitality cover letter examples by experience level

To secure a position in the hospitality industry, your cover letter must reflect your dedication, organizational prowess and positive demeanor.

Our examples across various hospitality roles will guide you in crafting a cover letter that garners attention, whether you’re just starting out or looking for a change.

Entry-level hospitality cover letter example

Create your cover letter

Why this is a great entry-level cover letter:

Showcases potential
It emphasizes the candidate’s eagerness to learn and contribute, mentioning any relevant coursework, awards or part-time experience in leisure and hospitality.
Professional layout
Adheres to standard formatting to display seriousness and attention to detail.
Personal touch
Addresses the hiring manager directly, showing initiative and a personalized approach.

Hospitality cover letter for a career change

Career change cover letter example hotel sales manager

Create your cover letter

Why this is a great midcareer cover letter:

Energetic tone
Expresses genuine enthusiasm for starting a career in hospitality, which is infectious and leaves a memorable impression.
Practical examples
Provides concrete instances where service and teamwork skills were applied, demonstrating readiness for the job.
Impeccable presentation
Free from errors, showcasing the applicant’s meticulous nature, crucial for hospitality roles.

Experienced hospitality cover letter example

Management cover letter example restaurant manager

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Why this is a great experienced cover letter:

Modern design
Selects an engaging yet professional template, reflecting the candidate’s understanding of the importance of presentation in hospitality.
Skills mapping
Brilliantly ties previous job experiences to the skills needed in hospitality, showing adaptability and relevance.
Personable approach
While professional, it gives a glimpse of the applicant’s character, which is important for roles that involve significant guest interaction.

Create a hospitality resume

Create your resume

While a compelling cover letter is important, it’s your resume that truly opens doors in the hospitality industry.

A strong resume is your foundation — without it, your application might not get the attention it deserves. If your resume is outdated or you’re starting from scratch, there’s no better time than now to get it in shape.

When you sit down to write a resume, you want your experience, skills and accomplishments in the hospitality field to take center stage. Whether you’re applying to be a front desk clerk, a hotel manager or any other hospitality role, your resume needs to highlight your strengths and industry-specific abilities.

Don’t let an underwhelming resume hold you back. If you aren’t sure where to start, find inspiration with resume examples. Start refining or building your resume today, and make sure you use a resume template that’s polished, professional and perfectly formatted. Your next opportunity in the hospitality industry is waiting, and a well-crafted resume is your first step toward it.

Facts about the hospitality career field

Looking to get a handle on what the hospitality landscape looks like and where your career could go?

Here are some interesting insights about the hospitality industry that underscore the significance of having a great resume:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 16.9 million people work in leisure and hospitality.
These workers make an average of $21.79 an hour.

Key takeaways for your hospitality cover letter

Explore hospitality cover letter examples

Spend some time looking at examples of hospitality cover letters. They can serve as a guide to help you shape your own.
Start with a concise introduction

Your opening should grab the reader’s attention but remain concise. Write a few engaging sentences to encourage them to read on, keeping more detailed information for the main part of your cover letter.
Develop thorough main paragraphs

Here, link your experience directly to the job you’re applying for, matching your skills with the job ad’s requirements. Mention any unique abilities or explain any breaks in employment, keeping your explanations short.
Pair with a customized resume

For any job in hospitality, a well-thought-out and polished resume is key. Make sure your resume and cover letter match in style and tone, showing employers a unified and professional approach.

Resources to help with your job search

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.