Server Cover Letter Example and Template

Servers use excellent coordination, time management and customer service skills to deliver food and drinks to customers at various types of dining establishments. If you're interested in working as a server, you can learn more about what the profession entails by reading the relevant job description. If you decide you'd like to apply for a server job, creating an effective cover letter can help you present yourself as a valuable candidate. In this article, we explain what to include in a server cover letter and provide an example for guidance. When you're ready to assemble your application materials, write your cover letter, review a resume sample and upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume to begin your server job search process. Andrew Solano
Los Angeles, CA | 771-555-0199 | andrew.solano@email.com May 16, 2023 Dear hiring manager, My name is Andrew Solano, and I'm writing to express my interest in the open position of Server at Taylor's Garden Cafe. As an experienced Server with eight years of professional experience in high-traffic restaurants, I know I can contribute to the operation and culture of this establishment. The variety of my experience in the restaurant industry makes me a valuable candidate for the position. I have worked as a Busser at a popular chain restaurant, a Host at a high-end restaurant and have spent the last four years working as a Server at a family-friendly diner. This variety of experiences has taught me how to interact with a wide range of customers and given me the tools to offer assistance to my fellow team members. Other useful skills I've developed include physical stamina, bussing, cash register operation and menu memorization. I look forward to bringing my skills to this position because of the strong connection I feel with Taylor's Garden Cafe. I have twice visited the cafe as a customer, and each time the cafe greeted me with a welcoming and professional atmosphere that brightened my day. Joining the Taylor team can give me the opportunity to provide this experience to others. After winning "Most Welcoming Team Member of the Month" for three months in a row in my last position, I'm confident that I can contribute to the friendly and vibrant culture of this restaurant. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I hope you agree that my experience, skills and goals make me a valuable candidate for the role. If you've any further questions, please feel free to contact me by phone or by email. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you soon. Sincerely, Andrew Solano To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

What to include in a server cover letter

Here are some key elements to include in your server cover letter:

Contact information and greeting

Including your contact information at the top of your cover letter can allow the hiring manager to identify you as the candidate and make it easy for them to contact you in the future. Write your name, location, phone number and professional email address. You can also list date to clarify when you submitted your application. This can help the hiring manager stay organized. Next, address the letter to the reader. This can help make their reading experience more personal, which might encourage them to give your application more attention. If you know the name of the hiring manager, you can address the letter directly to them by writing Dear (Full Name). You may find this person's name on the job description or company website. If not, you may simply title and address the letter Dear hiring manager. Related: How To Format a Cover Letter (With an Outline and Examples)

Experiences

In your cover letter, you can discuss the professional experiences that prepared you for this position. You can talk about any relevant restaurant experience and explain the type of work you're familiar with doing. If you've worked as a server before, you can talk about how long you've done so and what skills your experiences have helped you develop. You may also list experiences that have helped prepare your customer service abilities or that demonstrate your professionalism. Related: 11 Careers in Restaurant Work and Their Requirements

Skills

A cover letter is a great opportunity to share the skills that make you a good server. You can share both hard and soft skills in your cover letter. Hard skills are the technical abilities that you use as a server. Here are some common hard skills you might include in a server resume:

Customer service
Bartending
Restocking
Food safety
Knowledge of food and drinks
Physical strength and stamina
Balance
Coordination
Basic mathematical skills

You can also list soft skills in your cover letter. Soft skills are personality traits that make you a valuable server. One way to include this type of skill naturally in your letter is through adjectives. For example, you can describe yourself as communicative to express the skill of communication. Here are some more soft skills to consider including:

Teamwork
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Positive attitude
Multitasking
Patience

Connection to the role or company

Explaining why you feel a connection with the specific role and restaurant to which you're applying can also be compelling content for a cover letter. You can research the restaurant to learn about their values, mission and culture, then discuss why you're excited to join them and what elements of your personality or background might make you compatible with the existing social and professional environment of the company. Read more: The Complete Guide to Researching a Company

Conclusion and sign off

End your cover letter with a conclusion in which you thank the reviewer for their time and summarize why you think you're a good match for the position. You can also invite the hiring manager to contact you for more information and identify your preferred form of contact. Finally, sign off with a final greeting and your full name. Read more: How To End a Cover Letter (With Examples)