Visit our extensive library of customizable cover letter templates and use these server cover letter samples as guidelines to improve your server resume.
Want a stronger cover letter?
Use our extensive library of free cover letter samples as practical starting guides. You’ll also find ready-made content with our helpful Cover Letter Builder — simply click, customize and download.
Visit our helpful cover letter format and cover letter writing guide to learn how to strategically describe your work history and critical skills, or follow our useful tips below.
Make sure your professional cover letter header matches your resume for a cohesive look. Include your name, phone number and email.
Visit the company’s directory to research the hiring manager and contact info. Add the date of writing, followed by the manager’s name, job title and professional mailing address.
Begin the letter with a professional salutation. We prefer the following formal greetings: “Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,” “Hello, Mr./Ms. Last Name,” or the last resort, “To whom it may concern.”
Add the name of the position and company, how you learned about it, and one food service skill or accomplishment to advertise your suitability in this opening paragraph.
Use one or two paragraphs to elaborate on one or two accomplishments on your Server resume. The goal is to quantify your training further and prove your proficiency.
In the final paragraph, reiterate your interest and qualifications. Express your eagerness to discuss your candidacy further in an interview.
End the letter with a formal closing followed by your full name and, if applicable, your professional titles or certifications. Acceptable signatures include “Salutations,” “Best,” or “Regards.”
A skilled server is nothing without the soft skills, hard skills and technical skills needed to turn over tables, seat and service diners, accommodate dietary restrictions and create an amiable environment. The following food service skills can help you impress restaurant managers and find your next gig.
Add drink preparation and serving skills, including cocktails and specialty coffees.
Describe how you use communication skills and organizational skills to work cohesively with kitchen and floor staff and ensure seamless service.
Strong interpersonal skills for swiftly resolving customer complaints and issues to maintain a positive dining experience.
Expertise in accommodating guest preferences and customizing orders as requested.
Knowledge of and adherence to all food safety regulations and practices to ensure the health and safety of customers.
Understanding stock levels and managing front-of-house inventory to avoid shortages or excess.
Understanding the details of the menu items, including ingredients, preparation techniques and potential allergens.
Ability to communicate effectively with guests and staff in multiple languages, instrumental in diverse settings.
Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment without compromising service quality.
Precision in taking orders and relaying them correctly to the kitchen to ensure guest satisfaction.
Strong computer skills to efficiently use POS systems for order taking, billing, and payment processing.
Ensuring all dining and kitchen areas meet health and cleanliness standards to provide a safe eating environment.
Talk about attention to customer details and the ability to accommodate specific dietary needs and preferences like gluten-free, vegan or kosher diets.
Knowledge of proper table setting and etiquette contributes to the overall dining experience.
Highlight marketing skills for promoting interest in add-ons or specials, enhancing your guests’ dining experience and increasing revenue.
Denise H. Walton
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
555-555-5555
denise.walton@email.com
March 1, 2024
Eric Lugozzi
Restaurant Manager
Mambo Italiano
Chicago, IL 60611
Dear Mr. Lugozzi:
Upon review of your posting for a Server at Mambo Italiano, I am compelled to submit my resume for your review. As an enthusiastic professional with 5+ years of waitressing experience and a complementary background in various customer service roles, I have much to offer your restaurant in this position.
From taking customer orders and providing menu recommendations to bussing tables and ensuring timely food and drink delivery, my experience has prepared me to excel as your new server. For the past five years, I have provided excellent customer service as a waitress at Wrigley’s Diner, providing food and beverage services to guests in a high-volume and fast-paced environment for breakfast, lunch and dinner services.
My additional strengths in communication, organization and team leadership position me to thrive in this customer-oriented position at Mambo Italiano. Highlights of my background include:
With my excellent serving experience, enthusiasm and dedication to ensuring optimal customer experiences, I could swiftly surpass your expectations for this role. I look forward to discussing the position in further detail.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Denise H. Walton
This persuasive example cover letter for a server position works because the candidate highlights relevant food service experience and transferable resume skills to showcase their customer service skills. This cover letter sample also works because:
Ms. Walton carefully researched and found the hiring manager’s information to write a personalized greeting. This demonstrates her attention to detail and commitment to the potential job.
Ms. Walton immediately mentions the job posting and her motivation to apply, clearly stating her intent. This direct approach helps the recipient understand the letter’s purpose right away.
This sample server cover letter highlights her extensive work experience in the industry, including over five years at Wrigley’s Diner. This shows her stability and commitment and assures the manager of her familiarity with the demands of a busy restaurant environment.
Ms. Walton backs her experience with specific achievements such as receiving Employee of the Month awards, which underscore her capabilities and provide measurable proof of her excellence in customer service. She details her skills in managing high-volume services and special events, enhancing her suitability for a bustling place like Mambo Italiano.
Beyond core server duties, she mentions her background in other customer service roles at major retail stores, indicating her versatility and ability to adapt her skills to different settings. This server cover letter example shows how you can add depth to your application with a broad understanding of customer service dynamics.
The letter ends politely with a thank you to the manager for considering her application, which is a courteous and professional way to wrap up her request. Ms. Walton also expresses her desire to discuss the position further, indicating her proactive approach and eagerness to engage in the next steps of the hiring process.
Ms. Walton respectfully addresses the manager and establishes a formal yet approachable narrative.
A cover letter helps promote your resume — but your resume acts as an essential building block for your job search. This concise summary helps hiring managers trace your training, experience, skill development and accomplishments. The following help articles, online tools and samples can help you improve your resume.
We normally discuss how applicant tracking systems (ATS) grade resumes, but you can use the same strategies to help your cover letter stand out. Add resume keywords from the job posting, especially those related to specific skills and qualifications. ATS is programmed to identify and prioritize these keywords, boosting your cover letter.
With digital job boards making applying easier, 83% of hiring managers read cover letters. Action verbs and power words can lend energy and originality to your letter to help you stand out and convey your ability to succeed. Words like “managed,” “delivered,” and “enhanced” demonstrate your proactive efforts and successes in past roles, making your experiences come alive to the reader.
Cover letters follow a formal business letter format, but keep the following tips in mind:
