Server Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Servers are the backbone of the restaurant industry. They provide customers with food and drinks, take orders, and ensure the dining experience is enjoyable.

It’s important to pair your server resume with a cover letter that highlights your skills and experience. Follow these examples and tips to write a server cover letter that increases your chances of getting a callback.

Server Cover Letter Example 1

This letter is an expression of my interest in the vacant position of server in your restaurant.

I have been working as server for the last few months, and in that period of time, I have garnered a great deal of experience. I have cut my teeth in a varying number of restaurants and dining places, all of which had different standards for their servers. As a result, I am flexible and can adapt to new restaurants environments with ease.

I am well-trained and skilled in all the services a server offers, which I am sure you are looking for in a server. Throughout my years of experience as a server, I have learned how to handle clients with patience, how to handle reservations, how to seat clients, how to take orders with the sensibility of my clients in mind and how to serve hundreds of guests with a calm demeanor. I am also experienced in the art of handling unruly or unhappy customers, depending on the establishment’s law.

I know that you’re looking for a server that embodies the basic qualities of a professional server, including smartness, wit, speed, memory and emotional intelligence. These are the exact qualities I have developed from my years of working as a server in both high-end and common dining locations, and I would be honored to put them to use in your establishment.  

I should also mention that I like working with food and that I hope to ascend to the position of cook in the future. My happiness stems from seeing clients get a memorable experience out of what would have been a random dinner, thanks to my efforts as a server.

I am sure that with my skill set, I won’t have trouble fitting in with the existing staff or doing my job as required. I do hope that my application meets your positive considerations, and hope to receive some feedback.

Server Cover Letter Example 2

I want to submit this letter and the enclosed resumé as I am interested in the server vacancy you have at your establishment.

I have worked as a server in the past. It is a challenging but rewarding job which I love. Having worked in different types of restaurants, I have extensive experience as a server. One of the most important skills a server needs is adaptability. I have learned in my time as a server that the situation in the restaurant can change in seconds. A server needs to adapt to the changes and keep on working. While some servers dread such circumstances, I thrive on them.

One of my core strengths is my people skills. Being a people person is not only about being able to communicate with others. It’s about being friendly and personable. Customers need to feel that their needs are your highest priority. I find it easy to interact with different types of people. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things in their company. In my work experience, I’ve found it easy to create a rapport with customers and make their dining experience pleasurable. Sometimes, customers can be difficult to deal with, but I have learned how to make them feel comfortable and then address the problem.

My wide-ranging experience as a server makes me the kind of employee who can find their feet easily and hit the ground running. I love a challenge, and I am looking forward to the unique opportunity to work at your establishment. I would appreciate the chance to meet with you in person to discuss what value I can add to your business as a server.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon and look forward to the opportunity to meet with you.

Server Cover Letter Example 3

Please accept this letter and enclosed resume as a response to your advertisement for the position of server for your restaurant.

I believe that I am an ideal candidate for your current vacancy given my qualification, skill set and experience in the restaurant industry. I hold a Hospitality Diploma and have worked in the food service space for the past eight years at a variety of high-quality establishments. My skill set and personality have together led me to achieve a high level of success in this industry. My passion for customer service and food motivates me to give 100% in every task I complete each day at work.

My skills include various hospitality-related tasks, memorizing menus, specials, wine lists, and wine pairings, people skills and customer service, conflict resolution, leadership, organization and punctuality. Also, I have become proficient in managing restaurant workflows in both the front end and back end of the establishments where I have grown to become the team player I am today. I have consistently received high customer satisfaction ratings which I believe to be the backbone of my career.   

In my present role as a restaurant server, I have been afforded the responsibility to supervise other staff members, ensuring that everyone adheres to the restaurant ideals and maintains a good image. This has developed my leadership skills further making me a good fit for your team. Over the years I have honed my customer services skills to such a point where I am able to anticipate patron’s needs, to provide outstanding service. Additionally, I have become proficient in handling unhappy patrons, ensuring that all issues are resolved before they leave.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my application. I look forward to your response at your earliest convenience to meet for an interview.

Server Cover Letter Writing Tips

Show your passion for serving

When applying for restaurant jobs, make sure you communicate to the hiring manager how much you enjoy working with people. Use a personal anecdote or story to let them know how you’d thrive in a service job. Whatever story or anecdote you choose to convey this message should be something that aligns with the job description; for instance, if they say they are looking for someone who enjoys customer service and is good at multitasking then leverage those points.

Including these details will show employers that not only do you have the experience needed to do the job well but also that their organization is exactly what interests and suits your personality.

Show the manager how your skills are transferable

If you’re applying for a position as a server, be sure to emphasize in your cover letter that you have strong customer service skills and can easily adapt to different roles. You might say something like: “I feel my positive attitude and adaptability will make me an asset to any team I work with.”

This is especially important because being a server requires more than just good food-serving skills; it also requires flexibility. A good waiter or waitress must be able to switch gears quickly from one table of customers to another, so hiring managers know that you’re up for the task!

Emphasize Your Personality

The cover letter for a server position should be different from a traditional cover letter. For one thing, it’s important to demonstrate your personality. 

Here are some example sentences you can use: “I love meeting new people” or “my specialty is remembering little details about guests like their food allergies or their favorite drinks”. When writing about these traits, you should be honest and specific (no fake flattery!) so the hiring manager knows that he/she can trust your feedback and rely on you to deliver good service at his/her restaurant/bar.

Proofread your cover letter

Servers must be detail-oriented to ensure that they don’t accidentally send out the wrong food, drink, or bill. This also extends to their cover letters. Your potential employer will likely screen through many applicants, so you want to make sure yours sticks out in a positive way. Proofreading your cover letter is the best way of doing this.