Restaurant Waiters are employed in industries like restaurants, hotels, state government, amusement and recreation, local government, and bars. The typical workweek for a Restaurant Waiter is 48 hours, which is standard for the industry.
Restaurant waiters earn an average of $9.65 per hour, or $20,910 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10% of waiters and waitresses earn more than $21,440 a year, while the bottom 10% earn less than $18,200 a year.
What to Include in a Restaurant Waiter Cover Letter?
Roles And Responsibilities
The day-to-day of a Restaurant Waiter is varied and demanding, with a wide range of job responsibilities. As a Restaurant Waiter, you will be expected to:
- Greet guests in a friendly and professional manner.
- Present menus and help customers select food/beverages.
- Prepare tables by setting up linens, silverware, and glasses.
- Serve food/bills/make recommendations if asked by the customer
- Upsell additional products when appropriate.
- Take accurate food orders to ensure that orders are prepared properly.
- Check customer IDs to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Collect payments from customers (cash or credit).
Education & Skills
Restaurant Waiter Skills:
- Highly organized and detail-oriented.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Positive and upbeat attitude.
- Team player.
- Proactive takes initiative
- Computer Skills.
- Food Knowledge.
Restaurant Waiter Education Requirements:
- There is no specific education requirement to become a restaurant waiter, but most employers prefer candidates who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may also require waitstaff to complete a training program or to have related experience in the foodservice industry.
Restaurant Waiter Cover Letter Example (Text Version)
Dear [name of hiring manager],
I am writing to apply for the waiter position at your restaurant, [restaurant name]. I am a very detail-oriented person who really enjoys working in a professional capacity.
One of my strengths is customer service. I do not like to see my customers unhappy and will go out of my way to make sure they’re comfortable and happy. If a customer needs something, I would be very quick to respond and help them.
My two years of experience as a waiter at [previous employer] have given me a variety of valuable skills that will be very helpful in this position.
- Extremely punctual and can arrive early for my shifts if necessary.
- Have mastered excellent customer service skills through the many interactions that I have had with customers on a daily basis.
- Have great interpersonal skills and know-how to build rapport with customers in order to provide them with an enjoyable dining experience.
- Strong attention to detail and take great pride in ensuring that everything is just so for my tables, from proper food temperature to cleanliness of the dining area.
I hope you will give me the opportunity to show you my skills so that we can work together in the near future!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Tips
When writing your waiter cover letter, be sure to focus on your skills and experience in the hospitality industry. Emphasize your ability to provide excellent customer service, and highlight any experience you have in a supervisory or management role. Additionally, be sure to mention any training or certification you have in foodservice.
Refer to our Restaurant Waiter Resume Sample for more tips on how to write your resume and accompany it with a strong cover letter.
