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Waiter / waitress: CV and cover letter examples

2 fully written cover letters, a ready CV with a placeholder portrait and practical tips – open the example and replace the details with yours.

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Cover letter examples

Each example is written for a different starting point. Borrow the structure, not the sentences – your own examples and numbers are what make a letter work.

1Experienced server, fine diningExperienced

Layla Hassan
12 Pulteney Road
Bath BA2 4EZ
0221 4710 594 · layla.hassan@example.com

The Vineyard Room
Reed
3 River Walk
Bath BA2 4AA

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Server – à la carte restaurant

Dear Mr Reed,

When a guest orders the same wine twice without looking at the list, I take it as a compliment – and it happens often in my current restaurant because I remember what regulars like.

I have worked front of house for seven years, the last four in a 60-cover restaurant with around 200 wines. I recommend pairings, decant, look after groups and cash up at night. Last year I completed a wine course so I could explain pairings better.

Your focus on small producers matches what I enjoy most. I can start in March.

Yours sincerely,

Layla Hassan

Enclosures
CV
References

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2Weekend job while studyingPart-time

Lucas Green
40 Wells Road
Bath BA2 3AP
030 23125 300 · lucas.green@example.com

Parkside Beer Garden
Royal Victoria Park
Bath BA1 2NR

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Weekend server (seasonal)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am a student in Bath and looking for weekend work this season. Your beer garden is my favourite place in summer, and I have seen how busy it gets.

I have two summers of waiting experience at village festivals. I can carry three plates, remember orders for a table of twelve and stay friendly when it is packed. I pick up till systems quickly.

I can work Friday evenings and all day on weekends.

Yours faithfully,

Lucas Green

Enclosures
CV

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All people, companies and contact details in the examples are fictional.

CV example

A complete CV for the role – with an illustrated placeholder instead of a photo.

Preview of the CV of Layla Hassan in the Modern design
Read the CV as text

Layla Hassan

Server

12 Pulteney Road, Bath BA2 4EZ · 0221 4710 594 · layla.hassan@example.com

Placeholder portrait: replace it with your photo in the editor, or remove it.

Work experience

  • 03/2022 – present
    Server
    Weinberg Restaurant, Bath
    • À la carte service for 60 covers
    • Wine pairing and decanting
    • Groups and cash-up
  • 2019 – 2022
    Waitress
    Riverside Hotel, Bath

Education

  • 2014 – 2019
    Secondary school
    Beechen Cliff School, Bath

Training

  • 2025
    Wine course with exam

Skills

Wine service, Guest care, Till systems, Groups and events

Languages

English (Native), Arabic (Native), French (B1 – intermediate)

Interests

Wine tastings, salsa

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Good to know

Your application in three steps

  1. Add your own photo – or none

    The example uses an illustrated placeholder. Replace it under “Choose photo” in the editor, or remove it: in the UK, US and many other countries a CV photo is not expected.

  2. Replace the details

    Name, contact, jobs, skills: everything is filled in and can be overwritten field by field.

  3. Save as PDF

    The PDF is created in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, no account needed.

What employers look for

Restaurants want people who are friendly, quick, remember orders and stay calm when every table wants something. For fine dining, wine knowledge and service standards count too. A short, personal letter is usually enough.

  • Front-of-house experience

  • Till and payment systems

  • Drinks and wine knowledge

  • Friendly, calm manner

  • Evening and weekend availability

Tips for your application

Do

  • Keep it short and friendly.
  • Mention covers and wine knowledge.
  • State availability.

Don’t

  • Mention tips as your motivation.
  • Write long explanations.
  • Sound unreliable.
Typical interview questions

Prepare a short, honest example from your own work for each one.

  1. A guest says their food is cold. What do you do?
  2. How many tables can you handle?
  3. What would you recommend with venison?
  4. When can you work?

Salary expectations

If the advert asks for your salary expectations, give an annual gross figure or a range you have researched – through pay scales, salary surveys from public sources or people who do the job. If it does not ask, leave pay out of the letter; it will come up in the interview.

Frequently asked questions
Do restaurants read cover letters?

For casual work a short message with your CV is usually enough. For good restaurants a brief letter that shows you know the place helps.

Should I put a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. In the UK, Ireland and the US a photo is usually left out to avoid bias, and many employers prefer CVs without one. In Germany and some other countries it is common but optional. If you use one: recent, friendly, plain background, dressed as you would be on a good day at work.

Can I copy the example letters?

Yes, they are free to use. But recruiters read a lot of letters – one with your own examples, numbers and a real reason for choosing this employer will always do better. Use the examples as scaffolding and write the sentences yourself.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. The CV and the letter are created in your browser. Nothing is stored unless you switch on “Save the draft” in the editor – and then only on your device.

Related jobs

Finish your application

Cover letter and CV as PDF, certificates added, all in one file – small enough for any job portal.