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Searching for a job in the hospitality industry? Learn how to write a hospitality cover letter with our expert tips and hospitality cover letter samples.
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Whether you’re applying to be a concierge, event planner, executive chef, hotel general manager, housekeeper, hotel front desk clerk or waiter, you will have a much better chance of getting a job interview if you submit a great cover letter. This page will provide you with cover letter tips as well as professional hospitality cover letter examples you can use as inspiration.
This is another hospitality cover letter sample you can use as a foundation for your cover letter. It’s specifically written for a hotel manager role but even if you’re applying for an entry-level position, you can see how crucial skills and experience are highlighted.
Keep in mind the following tips when writing your hospitality cover letter:
A cover letter is there to convince the hiring manager that you are the right person for the job, and the only way to do this is by customizing what you write to the job and the employer. Read the job description well to see what type of person they’re looking for, learn more about the company and do your research to determine what you can bring to the table.
Pull in the reader by letting them know what attracted you to the position. Instead of plainly saying, “My name is…and I’m applying for…” you should approach your cover letter as though you’re writing a short story about your career. Inspire the prospective employer to keep reading and learn more about you.
Focus on what you can do for the employer instead of what they can do for you. Provide a rundown of accomplishments or anecdotes that portray how dedicated you are to your hospitality job. Expand on specific skills that match what the employer is looking for, as well as giving hiring managers an idea of the type of person you are.
Cover letters are there to complement resumes, not repeat the same information. A good rule of thumb is to pick one or two key skills to expand upon in your cover letter, or give the employer more details about specific accomplishments relevant to the job.
After you’re done marketing yourself as the best candidate for the job, you should wrap up your letter by inviting the hiring manager or recruiter to get in touch with you. A call-to-action will show them you’re proactive and ready to move forward with the next step.
To start, make sure the header design is the same as the one in your resume. Include your name, phone number and email address. A cover letter should be formatted like a regular business letter, so also include the recipient’s name, job title, the company’s physical address and phone number, similar to our hospitality cover letter examples.
Research the hiring manager’s last name to address the letter to them. Starting with “Dear Mr. Smith” is a lot more professional than using a generic salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.”
If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, it’s OK to address the letter to the department or human resources. For example:
In the introduction, get to the point quickly and explain to the hiring manager why you deserve to get the job by underlining your best qualities. In the hospitality cover letter sample below, you can see that the candidate immediately mentioned that she has more than two decades of work experience in the hospitality industry. She also underlines that she spent the past several years working as a hotel manager, the same position she is applying for now. This immediately alerts her hiring manager that she is a candidate with the right experience and skills who knows what it takes to land and keep this position.
Employers also like to know that their potential employees are familiar with their business, which is clearly the case here. Miller states that she stayed at their hotel and she scored a few extra points by giving specific examples of amenities she was impressed with. Regardless of what job you want to land in this industry, it is crucial to grab the reader’s attention in the first paragraph and let them know you are a worthy candidate.
Dear Ms. Jones,
I was thrilled to find out that the President Hotel in New York is looking for a hotel manager. I have worked 24 years in the hospitality industry, four of them as a hotel manager at the Waldorf Hotel. Last year, I had the pleasure of staying at your hotel in Los Angeles, where I was impressed with the clean and modern suites, forthcoming staff members, and handy amenities. I believe that experience in this industry will allow me to not only uphold those standards but also make some improvements.
In the body paragraph, provide a deeper insight into your skills and address how your previous employers benefited from your expertise. Installing a new booking system, being in charge of restaurant renovations, taking the restaurant to a whole new level, and being responsible for revenue growth are accomplishments that draw attention to customer service skills, hospitality skills and other qualities and can help Jane get the job. Be as specific as possible and let the hiring manager know what you accomplished over the years in this industry.
As a hotel manager at the Waldorf Hotel for the past four years, I have implemented a brand new booking system, which took the guest service we offer to a whole new level. I also oversaw the renovation of our restaurant area and hired a new chef. I am pleased to say that today, this restaurant is known for its fine dining and positive reviews from famous food critics such as Bradley Smith. During my time here, the hotel has experienced revenue growth and increased customer satisfaction.
I have also used my communication skills to create strong relationships with staff members and clients. I am well-versed in financial and operational management skills, and I am very organized. I always make sure operations run smoothly under my management.
Finally, in the third paragraph, you should thank your hiring manager for their time and let them know they can get in touch with you to learn more about your qualifications. Be concise, polite and professional. End your cover letter with “Best regards” or “Sincerely.”
Working at the President Hotel and using my skills and expertise to help your business thrive would be an honor for me. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to meeting with you and providing a more extensive understanding of what I have to offer to your hotel.
Sincerely,
Jane Miller
If you need additional help creating a well-written cover letter, you can always read our How to Write a Cover Letter article.
Working in hospitality requires the right set of skills to develop good relationships with clients. Whether you’re working at a front desk, restaurant, hotel or spa, the right set of skills will allow you to continuously present the best version of yourself at work.
Hard skills, such as knowledge of cleaning products or knowledge of specific computer programs, are important to perform the job but when you work in hospitality, you’ll find yourself mostly using soft skills like communication and patience. With that in mind, here are some key skills you can consider for your hospitality cover letter:
Find the templates, examples and resources you need to create a professional cover letter and its accompanying resume.
Hospitality involves making connections with people and showing off your interpersonal and communication skills — all things that are accomplished with a cover letter. A good cover letter not only lets a potential employer see more of your personality, but it gives you a chance to make a fuller case for why you’re the right person for the job. Therefore, use a cover letter template when applying for a new job to create the best cover letter possible that will help you stand out.
Keep in mind that hiring managers receive hundreds or even thousands of applications for one position, so they spend minimal time on each one. Therefore, be concise, get straight to the point and make sure your letter is no longer than three-quarters of a page.
When writing a cover letter for a hospitality position, you should first and foremost tailor what you write to the job. Highlight skills, experience and responsibilities mentioned in the job description so you can present yourself as the best candidate for the role.
Hospitality is largely about providing the best customer service to clients, be it at a hotel or spa, so include in your cover letter instances where you gave excellent service to patrons, solved problems that helped someone enjoy their time, or went above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. Talk about how your experience can be of benefit to the employer and how your hospitality skills will be an asset to their team.
Every basic and generic cover letter should have the following five sections:
If you are writing a cover letter but don’t have much experience in the hospitality industry, draw attention to your education or volunteer work. Everything you have done as a volunteer that has helped you gain skills relevant to this job position or any training you have finished from an accredited program can find its place in your resume and cover letter.
Hospitality often has entry-level job openings where prior experience isn’t necessary, so pay attention to the job posting and see what skills your potential employer is looking for. Remember, a cover letter is your tool to market yourself to the prospective employer and convince them you’re worth hiring, so tell them a little about yourself, why you want to join their team and how the skills you have — soft skills like communication, teamwork, quick learning, quick decision making — will contribute to the company’s success even if you lack professional experience.
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