As a job applicant looking for a server position in a restaurant, you need to find a way to stand out among other applicants to secure the job. Therefore, when looking for a server job, you need to write a cover letter highlighting your knowledge, skills, and experience.
This cover letter is written by a job applicant looking to work as a server in a restaurant or a banquet hall. A server is responsible for greeting customers, taking orders, setting tables, and serving food and drinks. Restaurant managers require servers who can communicate with customers and can survive in the restaurant’s ever-changing environment.
You will need to include your strengths in the server cover letter to entice the hiring manager to hire you. The cover letter should also include your achievements alongside your passion and interest in the server position.
What are Server Skills?
Server skills are a set of abilities a server, a waiter or waitress, needs to have to complete their duties effectively and efficiently. Therefore, as you write your server cover letter, always ensure that you mention these skills and provide examples to make your letter more believable.
Even though being a server is an entry-level job, restaurant managers prefer hiring servers with the aforementioned skills. This means that such a server will interact well with customers, work appropriately with colleagues, and increase the profits made by the restaurant. Also, with these skills, restaurant owners are confident that servers will know how to behave at the workplace.
Server Top Needed Skills
To diligently accomplish the server duties mentioned above, you must have specific skills. These skills will help to shape you into a better server. Here are some of the skills that you should have as a server.
Good communicator
As a server, you need to be a good communicator, that means, you need to know when to speak and listen. This will be essential when it comes to taking orders from customers and appropriately informing the proper party, which is either the kitchen or bar.
Attention to detail
You will need to learn how to pay attention to every little detail in the restaurant. It can either be the menu or a customer’s order.. For instance, a customer may have a particular dietary need, and being attentive to details means getting their order(s) right.
Time management skills
As a server, you must learn how to manage your time effectively to handle all your responsibilities efficiently. For example, you will need to know how long it takes to prepare orders in the kitchen or bar when serving customers.
Multi-tasker
A server usually has to handle several tasks at once. That is why it is essential to know how to multi-task. For example, you need to be able to juggle between welcoming customers, setting tables, delivering the bill, or even getting drinks for one customer and food for another customer. Being an efficient multi-tasker may also result in great tips from customers.
Have lots of energy
The duties of a server can be strenuous and tiring. However, it would be best if you had lots of energy as a server. From staying on your feet all day, moving from the kitchen or bar to the tables, and carrying heavy trays of food and drinks, you need to have a lot of energy to keep going throughout the day.
Socially aware
Even as you juggle with multiple tasks you have for the day; you will still need to be socially aware. You need to be aware of what is happening around in the restaurant. If you spot a customer looking around, they might be looking for you or seeking help. Being socially aware will help you identify such a situation and attend the customer accordingly.
Good memory
Since you might find yourself dealing with several customers at a time from one table, you need to have an excellent memory to remember all their different orders. From what they might want to be added or removed from their meal to what they are allergic to or do not eat, you need to remember all this to ensure you get the orders right. Ensure you have a notepad to write down the orders, as it will help to jog your memory.
Writing a Server Cover Letter
As a job applicant looking for a server position, you need to know how to write a server cover letter for your job application process. The step-by-step guide provided below will help you craft a proper cover letter to secure a server position in a restaurant.
Here is how to write a server cover letter:
Your contact information
The first part of a server cover letter is the header. The header should contain your contact information, date, and the recipient’s contact details. The header should be the same as the one you have written in your résumé. Also, ensure that it directly address the hiring manager.
Start with a strong introduction
After the header, you will need to start your letter with a strong introduction. Your introduction should be compelling enough to grab the hiring manager’s attention. Ensure that you include the following information to make the letter effective.
Tell them why you’re applying for the position: Keep in mind that there are other job candidates, which means you have to give unique reasons for applying that make you stand out. Some of the reasons for applying can be to expand your knowledge, to get some exposure or even to achieve your personal dreams by working at the particular restaurant.
Show your passion for serving: Through examples, focus on explaining to the hiring manager your passion and interest in serving and working with people. The best way is to use personal stories and anecdotes to explain how much you love serving people. This will also help to highlight the experience you have.
Discuss your strengths briefly/emphasize your personality: The introduction part should also include the strengths you possess pertaining to being a server. Focus on personality or people skills that make you a great job candidate.
Show them that you want to work here: Whether it is because the restaurant will propel your career ambitions or treat its employees properly, you need to include reasons and explanations for why you want to work there. This information will set you apart from other job candidates.
Transferable skills: You should finish your introduction part of the cover letter with a list and examples of your transferable skills. Focus on skills like good customer relations, proper food-serving skills, and flexibility. These are skills you can use to execute your duties successfully and benefit the restaurant.
Highlight your server skills
The first part of the body paragraphs of the server cover letter should be all about highlighting your server skills. These skills entail being a good communicator, having a good memory, being great at paying attention to detail, and being socially aware. Other skills include time management skills, being a multi-tasker, being clean, always staying calm, and having the skill of resolving conflict.
You should relate any skill you mention in your cover letter with how it will help you perform your server duties effectively. For example, you can mention that you have excellent time management skills that will be beneficial when dealing with several customers at once. You can explain how you will be able to split the available time to serve all your customers and execute other required duties.
Emphasize your people skills
As you highlight your skills in the body paragraphs, ensure you focus more on your people skills. Since you will be dealing majorly with people, your colleagues, and customers, you need to show your prospective employer that you have excellent people skills.
For example, you can mention how efficient you are when dealing with a stressful colleague or customer as you work. Focus on how your personality will help create a suitable environment for your customers. Also, highlight how you will deal with challenges related to the people you work with, or you serve.
Briefly discuss workplace skills
The next and final part of the body paragraphs should focus on your workplace skills. These skills are bound to make it easier for you as you work and even increase the tips you will receive.Some of the skills you can include in your server cover letter are knowing the FDA food code, being patient with your customers and colleagues and knowing how to bartend.
Call to action
This is the last part of your server cover letter. Your conclusion should be as powerful as your introduction. Most hiring managers will focus on your introduction and conclusion when reading your cover letter. Ensure you are confident in highlighting your best skill, mentioning your strengths, focusing on your server skills, and even suggesting an interview. Also avoid being egotistical as you write your call to action.
Server Cover Letter Template
Below is a server cover letter template that you can use as a guide when writing your letter:
Template
[Your name]
[Your full address]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]
(Date)
[Recipient’s name]
[Recipient’s title]
[Company’s name]
[Company’s address]Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Hiring Manager’s Name),
 My name is (state your name) and I am applying for the server position here at SRQ Restaurant. I believe that (tell them why you are applying for the position). The hospitality industry has always been (show them your passion and interest in securing the server position). I am (discuss your strengths and highlight how your personality makes you a suitable candidate). Also, I would like to work at SRQ Restaurant based on your (show them that you want to work there).
With my (mention your transferrable skills), I believe that I will be a great addition to the current team at SRQ. I pride myself for being (highlight all your server skills). I am also a (emphasize on the people skills you possess). (Mention how these skills are beneficial to the company.)
Based on your job description, I believe that my (discuss the workplace skills) would help me fit in well and also benefit the company in many ways. I also believe that this restaurant (mention how they are fit for you too). Thank you so much for your time. I am looking forward to (include a call to action which can be to request an interview). I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
(Your name)
Â
Â
Server Cover Letter Samples
Below is a server cover letter sample that you can use as a guide when writing your letter:
Sample 01
Alfred Employee
234 Contracts, Somewhere Avenue
000-121-3435
[email protected]
 20th January, 20xx
Diana Richards
Hiring Manager
DRT Restaurant
712, Everywhere Street
Dear Mrs. Richards,
My name is Alfred Employee and I am writing this letter to you to apply for the server position at DRT Restaurant. With my 2 years’ experience in this industry and my bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, I believe that getting a job position as a server will help to fuel my career ambitions. I have always had the passion for being part of the food industry, especially in regards to dealing with and serving people. I consider myself responsible, experienced and an individual with a good personality. I would wish to get an opportunity to work here so that I can grow my people skills and explore the food industry.
With my flexibility, good communication abilities and proper food serving skills, I believe that I am a suitable candidate for the job. I am able to work under pressure and can juggle different server duties at once. My communication abilities helped to stop a fight between a fellow server and customer at the restaurant where I used to work. Apart from food serving skills, I pride myself for having people skills. I am able to deal with stressful customers and can work well with my colleagues.
As per your website, I believe that I fit the job description you have for the server position. I am aware of the all the FDA policies and food code, I can solve problems in case such a situation presents itself and I am a patient person when it comes to dealing with customers. I believe that these server skills would greatly benefit the restaurant and also give me an opportunity to work with you and further enhance my career ambitions.
I appreciate you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon for an interview and further discussion about the server position.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
Alfred Employee
Sample 02
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Address]
[Company City, State XXXXX]
[(XXX) XXX-XXXX]
[e-mail address]
Dear [Mr. /Mrs. /Ms.] [Manager’s Name],
Subject: Application for the post of a food service manager
I understand that your company has a vacancy in the position of a food service manager. Well, I am pleased to submit to you my application for the said role officially. Several factors combine to make me feel deserving of the stated role.
For one, I hold a Master’s degree in Catering from the prestigious XYZ College. Then, I first worked as a waiter for 5 years. The proprietor of the restaurant was so pleased with my services that he elevated me to the role of chief supervisor.
This is the capacity I have been serving in for the last 6 years. You also indicated that you want someone who can work for long hours, including night shifts. I fit these two bills well by virtue of pursuing catering as a full-time career.
Peruse through my resume to get to know further about my accomplishments, key experiences, and skillsets. Many thanks in advance for inviting me for an interview.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Sample 03
Subject:Â Application for the position of a waitress
Dear Hiring Manager,
In response to a job advert that you posted on your site to the effect that you want a waiter to join your team, I do happily and enthusiastically submit my application for the same. I feel qualified for the job by virtue of being able to work under extreme pressure, possess strong customer service traits, and have vast experience in the food industry.
I have been working as a waiter for 5 years now in my present employment. My stint here at Plank Seafood Provisions has inculcated to me the virtues of patience, composure, and courtesy. This is not to mention that I have worked with and served many patrons.
Considering that I pursue waitressing as a full-time career (I have no other job), I am available for work in a whopping 18 hours each weekday. Moreover, I can also work full days on Saturday and half a day on Sunday.
Attached to this email is my resume, which contains all the details you need to consider me for this vacant role. If and when I come over for an interview, I shall offer more explanations to the information I have enclosed therein.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Physical Address
e-mail address
Ready-to-Use Templates
Build your cover letter for free from our collection of professional cover letter templates given below:
7 Expert Tips for Writing a Server Cover Letter
To ensure you have a compelling letter for a server position, you should observe the following. With these tips, you will be able to craft an effective cover letter.
Highlight strong points
As you write the letter, ensure that you focus on your strengths. Employers are more interested in the things that you excel in, since that will act as a guide when deciding if they should hire you. That is why you should highlight your strong points so that you can attain the attention of the employer. Ensure your cover letter highlights all your abilities to ensure that you convince the employer that you are the one they should employ.
Research about your employer
You should research your employer and include any relevant information in your server cover letter. This will set you apart from other job candidates who might have copied and pasted the details of their cover letter from the internet. Also, this is a way of showing your prospective employer that you are interested in the job.
Organize your facts
It would help research more about what the restaurant or hiring manager is looking for in job candidates. This will give you an advantage as you write your letter by putting the correct facts in a proper order. Also, organizing your facts will ensure that you have a successful interview.
Be goal-oriented
Ensure that your cover letter highlights your goals that you have in mind for once you get the server position. This may include your plans to further polish your career ambitions and any other goals that will benefit the restaurant. However, avoid sounding too selfish or egoistic when listing your goals and objectives for the future.
Be creative and persistent
Always write your cover letter to sound like you are telling a story. Be more creative to grasp the hiring manager’s attention and remain persistent so that you can convince them to hire you. Creatively emphasize your skills and use real-life examples to showcase these skills.
Don’t leave anything to chance
After writing your server cover letter, avoid leaving things at an open end. Instead, be confident enough and ask for an interview or follow-up at the end of your letter.
Proofread your work
Ensure that you always go through your cover letter and edit any grammar or spelling mistakes to remain professional. In addition, your contact details and any other information included in the letter should be correct and accurate.
Bottom line
As a job applicant looking for a server job, the best way to increase your chances of getting hired is by writing a cover letter. Therefore, a server cover letter is an integral part of your application documents, especially when trying to get an entry-level job. You need to write a compelling letter to convince the restaurant owner to hire you as a waiter or waitress. Proofread your letter once prepared as that way, you are more likely to get a server position in the restaurant you are applying to.
