Server Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide for 2023

That restaurant owner—he’s got a lot of resumes on his plate. Will he read every one of them? No. He’ll give each one a 7-second taste test.

That’s unless you give him a reason. So present a server cover letter that stands out like Triple-Tiramisu.

This guide will show you:

• Server cover letter examples that stand out like a gourmet tasting menu.
• Tips on how to write a cover letter for server positions easily.
• What's the best structure for a restaurant server cover letter.
• How a cover letter for serving job may kickstart your career. 

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

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Use this cover letter template

Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here.

Targeting other jobs in food service, too? Check these cover letter samples:

• Waitress Cover Letter Sample
• Cook Cover Letter Sample
• Restaurant Cover Letter Sample
• Barista Cover Letter Sample
• Cashier Cover Letter Sample
• Bartender Cover Letter Sample
• Hostess Cover Letter Sample
• All Cover Letter Examples

Server Cover Letter Example

Here’s how to write a server cover letter that lands interviews:

1. Use the Right Server Cover Letter Format

What does the best cover letter look like? It seamlessly combines great contents with an aesthetic layout. Just like a gourmet dish not only tastes magnificent but also looks astounding.

 Here's what a neat cover letter for server positions must include:

• Cover letter fonts: Cambria or Arial
• The right font size: 11pt or 12pt
• Cover letter line spacing: 1 to 1.15
• Margins: 1”

If you don't love spending hours on formatting documents, there's a way to make this easier for you. Just use free Word cover letter templates, or try out cover letter templates for G Docs. 

Make sure you nail the cover letter outline by using the parts that every server cover letter must have: header, salutation, opening paragraph, middle paragraphs, ending, and a professional closing.

Read more: The Only Proper Cover Letter Format

2. Start with a Professional Cover Letter Header

Your server cover letter header should list:

• Name—top left
• Your address
• Phone, email, LinkedIn profile or other social handles
• Today’s date
• The hiring manager’s info

Don’t know who runs the show? Call the restaurant or do some legwork on LinkedIn or the restaurant’s online staff page.

Read more: How to Address a Cover Letter

3. Start Your Server Cover Letter With a Hook

Here are a few tips to open your cover letter for server positions the right way:

• For starters, use “Dear,” followed by “Mr.” or “Ms.” and their last name.
• Be clear why you’re here—state the job title.
• Show your passion for the job and restaurant.

Remember to use the right cover letter salutation. Avoid phrases like To Whom It May Concern, because they will make you look lazy. Just go for Dear + the hiring manager's name. If you can't find it anywhere, you may opt for 'Dear Hiring Manager.'

Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter the Right Way

4. Show They’ve Got to Hire You

The middle part of your cover letter for restaurant servers must convince the reader that you're the best bet for the position. Here's how to do that:

• Drop a couple key server achievements in your cover letter.
• Don’t be random—pick accomplishments based on what the restaurant wants.
• How can you know what they want? Read the job ad. Better yet, visit.
• Add numbers when possible to give scale.

What’s a good server cover letter length? The Perfect Cover Letter Length

5. Make an Offer That Can't Be Beaten

Before you close a cover letter for server jobs:

• Ask for a chat or meeting.
• Offer something—like an explanation of how you’ll help the restaurant.

Read more: The Best Cover Letter Ending Examples

6. End With a Professional Signature

Here's how you should sign a cover letter for serving jobs:

• Finish with, “Sincerely” and your name with job title (server).
• With email cover letters, use a digital signature.
• Finally, add your email address and phone number.

Writing entry-level server cover letters? Entry-Level Cover Letter with No Experience

A good banquet server cover letter can get you rolling in tips. Boost it with a job-winning resume.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

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When you’re done, our easy resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Thanks for reading! Now it’s your turn. How is writing a server cover letter making you feel? What’s the hardest thing about applying for serving jobs? We’d love to hear from you!

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