Waitress Cover Letter Example and Template

Waitresses ensure restaurant guests have a pleasant dining experience while seating them, taking orders, offering recommendations and responding to questions and concerns. Working as a waitress can be a great job for people who enjoy customer service and want to gain experience in the restaurant industry. To create an effective cover letter for this position, consider reviewing job descriptions or exploring resume samples to learn what traits can help you succeed. In this article, we explain how to write a waitress cover letter and provide a sample letter that can help guide you through writing yours. Once you have your application materials ready, upload a resume file or build an Indeed resume to start applying for waitress jobs. Brittany Hunterson
771-555-0199 | brittany.hunterson@email.com | Anderson, IN 40611
May 1, 2023
Ivy Bar & Grill Dear hiring manager, I am writing to apply for the position of Waitress at Ivy Bar & Grill. As a server with seven years of experience who has countless fond memories of eating at Ivy Bar & Grill with my family, I believe I would make an excellent addition to your restaurant. I previously worked as a Waitress at Queen Bistro for four years and as Head Waitress at The Lighthouse for three years. This gave me experience in both fine and casual dining, which makes me well-suited to work at a family-style restaurant like Ivy Bar & Grill. I have trained upwards of a dozen other servers in areas, like point-of-sale systems, customer service, food safety and menu recommendations. I am equally happy to teach and to learn, which I think is an important attitude to have when working in a team. During my years as a Waitress, I have improved many important skills. I have learned the importance of adaptability in a restaurant, where customers may have a wide range of requests and anything can happen. I know how to memorize a menu, so I can give recommendations to any customer, no matter their dietary restrictions or preferences. Combined with my positive attitude, these skills have regularly earned me high ratings on customer satisfaction surveys. Thank you for taking the time to read my cover letter and consider me for this position. I am available by phone or email if you have questions about my application or schedule an in-person meeting. I would truly appreciate the opportunity to work at Ivy Bar & Grill. Sincerely,
Brittany Hunterson To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

How to write a waitress cover letter

Here are six steps to writing a cover letter for a waitress position:

1. Choose the right format

A correctly formatted cover letter can look professional and show a hiring manager you pay attention to detail. You can use a cover letter template found online or in word processing software to achieve a professional appearance. You can also make your own professionally formatted cover letter in word processing software, using a formal font like Times New Roman in 12-point font. It's also a good idea to use a one-inch margin to make a document look better. Related: Learn About Being a Waiter

2. Introduce yourself

Begin your cover letter by introducing yourself and stating the position for which you're applying. Try to provide some information on how much experience you have in that role or related roles in the same field. For example, you could write that you're a waitress with 11 years of experience in food service. You can also use this first paragraph to express enthusiasm for the position or explain how you found out about it. Related: Top 12 Careers in Food

3. Provide your qualifications

You may use a significant part of your cover letter to explain your qualifications for the position. These qualifications include your education, training or certifications that may be useful for someone in that role. For a waitress job, it may be a good idea to focus on your professional experience, such as other restaurants you've worked in and job responsibilities you've had. Related: A Guide To Becoming a Server: How To Get a Job Waiting on Tables

4. Describe your skills

You may have skills on your resume, but your cover letter is a great place to expand on that information. You can list your relevant skills and describe how they make you a better waitress. When possible, provide specific examples that can help a hiring manager understand your level of proficiency. You might describe times you've trained other waitresses on point-of-sale systems or mention skills that have earned you high customer satisfaction ratings. Here are some examples of skills to mention in a waitress cover letter:

Customer service
Food safety
Communication
Attention to detail
Prioritization
Teamwork

5. Explain your interest in the job

It can be a good idea to explain your specific interest in the position. In your cover letter, you might say you love the restaurant's food or describe fond memories of eating there. You can also reference an aspect of the business, such as the potential for staff at that restaurant to gain experience in other areas, and explain how it matches up with your professional goals. Expressing detailed interest in the position and company can show a hiring manager you're serious about the job. Related: How To Become a Better Waitress: 15 Tips That Really Work

6. Thank them for their time

In the last paragraph of your cover letter, thank the reader for their time and express your appreciation. Reiterate your interest in the position and your belief that you're the right person for the job. It's also a good idea to include a call to action, such as encouraging the reader to contact you with questions or to set up an interview. Related: 21 Positions for Restaurant Workers

Tips for writing an effective cover letter

Here are some tips that can help you write a strong cover letter:

Personalize each letter

Many hiring managers prefer cover letters that feel customized for the position and the company, so it's important to personalize every letter you send. This can include addressing the letter to the right person and naming the company. You can also personalize by referencing keywords from their job description and connecting those keywords to your qualifications. Related: Cover Letter Basics (With Tips and Template)

Use the right tone

When writing your cover letter, it's a good idea to consider the tone you're going to use. Matching the tone of your letter to the company can help show a hiring manager you're a good fit for their work culture. For example, if you're applying for a job at a fine dining restaurant, it may be better to use formal, professional language in your cover letter. If you're applying for a job at a casual restaurant, like a diner, it can be better to use more casual, but still professional, language. Related: How To Write the Best Cover Letter (With Template and Sample)

Explain your value

In your cover letter, try to explain the value you can bring to the company. You can do this by relating your experience and skills to the job description or to information you discovered during research. For example, you can write that your 10 years of customer service experience makes you an excellent addition to any team that puts customers first. You could also explain how your efficiency and ability to prioritize have helped other restaurants you worked at by making the dining room run more smoothly. Related: How To Format a Cover Letter (With an Outline and Examples)

Proofread and edit

Before submitting your cover letter, proofread and edit it carefully. A typo-free cover letter is more professional, and it shows hiring managers you care about your application. Try reading the letter out loud once or twice because that can make it easier to notice errors. If possible, it can also be helpful to ask a friend to read your letter so you can get an outside perspective on the content. Related: 7 Key Elements of a Successful Cover Letter