When you’re applying for a restaurant job, it’s important to make a good first impression. Knowing how to write a cover letter for a restaurant job can help separate you from the competition, and it shows employers that you’re interested in working for their business and willing to put in the extra effort to set yourself apart. Before we give you tips for your cover letter, let us explain why we’re the best website for applying to restaurant jobs.
How to apply to restaurant jobs with Grub Gigs
Grub Gigs makes it easy to find and apply for the best restaurant jobs across the country! We make it easy to save your resume and save or apply to jobs with a few clicks. You can search our job board with filters like position, wage, and location. Our goal is to help you find great jobs at local restaurants, bars, breweries, coffee shops, and other hospitality-based local businesses.
If you create a job seeker profile, local businesses can contact you when looking for team members. If you’re someone with many years of experience in the restaurant industry, this can help you get higher-paying positions and move up within the industry.
Once you’re ready to apply for a job, you can submit a cover letter along with your resume. Here are a few things to include when writing a cover letter for a restaurant job.
Tips On How To Write A Cover Letter For A Restaurant Job
1. Introduce Yourself and Express Your Interest
Start off by introducing yourself and expressing your genuine interest in the restaurant and the position you’re applying for. For example, “Hi team! My name is Nate, and I’m an experienced server in the restaurant industry. The Breakfast Café has always been one of my favorite spots in the neighborhood, and I’d love to help you continue to be Seattle’s Best Place For Pancakes.”
Mentioning specifics about why you want to join the team shows genuine interest in the opportunity. This is your chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the restaurant’s cuisine, ambiance, or mission.
2. Highlight Your Relevant Experience
After introducing yourself and why you’d like to be a part of the restaurant’s team, you’ll want to highlight your relevant experience in the restaurant industry. This could include previous positions you’ve held, skills you’ve developed, or specific achievements you’re proud of. Use examples to demonstrate how your experience has prepared you for the skills that the employer is looking for. For example, if the restaurant is looking for someone who can multi-task, you may say something like; “As a server at [previous job] for the past year, I learned to multi-task to ensure everyone was served promptly during the lunch rush. I believe this will help me be an excellent server at [new job]”.
3. Showcase Your Personality and Fit
Working in a restaurant isn’t just about technical skills—it’s also about personality and fit! You can use your cover letter to mention your personality traits that are relevant to the job, such as your ability to work well under pressure, your passion for customer service, your knack for teamwork, or your sense of humor. Giving examples of how you’ve demonstrated these qualities, can help the employer get a better sense of who you are.
4. Explain Why You’re the Perfect Fit
Conclude your cover letter by summarizing why you’re the perfect fit for the restaurant job. Tie together your skills, experience, and personality traits, and explain how they align with the restaurant’s needs and values. This is a great way to make a case for why the hiring manager should choose you over other candidates.
5. Close with a Strong Call to Action
Finish your cover letter with a strong call to action. Expressing your eagerness to discuss your qualifications further in an interview. Thank the hiring manager for considering your application and providing your contact information so they can easily reach out to you.
6. Polish and Proofread
Before sending off your cover letter, take the time to polish and proofread it carefully. Make sure there are no accidental typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasings that could detract from your professionalism. Using a tool like Grammarly can help ensure there aren’t any mistakes in your cover letter. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review your cover letter as well, to catch any mistakes you might have missed.
Example Of A Cover Letter For A Restaurant Job
Let’s say that Joe’s BBQ is looking for an experienced bartender who can handle a fast-paced environment, and is knowledgeable about local craft beer. Here would be an example of a well-written cover letter for a restaurant job.
Dear Joe’s BBQ Team,
My name is Nate, and I’m seeking the role of Bartender at Joe’s BBQ. I have over 3 years of experience as a bartender, and I would love to work for you, because I have a passion for great bbq, quality service, and local craft beer.
For the past two years, I have been working at Local Brewery, where I honed my knowledge of craft beer. The brewery hosted many events but only had a few staff members, so I learned how to quickly serve customers and manage multiple orders at once. I consider myself a team player, and I enjoy making customers feel at home, which I believe will make me a great fit for the Joe’s BBQ team.
Thank you for taking the time to consider me for the bartender position at Joe’s BBQ! You can contact me by phone or email at any time. I look forward to speaking with you further about why I believe I’m a great fit for your team.
This cover letter includes why they’re interested in the position, their previous experience, skills relevant to the job, why they’re a good fit, and how the hiring manager can get ahold of them. Make sure to keep your cover letters short and sweet. Employers don’t need a novel, just something that shows why they should take consider your resume.
While not always necessary, cover letters are a great way to separate yourself from other job seekers. A little extra effort can go a long way in the restaurant business. Whether that’s writing a cover letter or dropping a resume off in person, hiring managers are more willing to consider you when you show that you have a desire to be a part of their team.
Be sure to check out our blog for more restaurant job tips, and good luck with your job search!