Writing a covering letter when applying for jobs in the catering & hospitality industry:
You always need to send a covering letter with any CV or application when applying for a job. It's your opportunity to grab your employer's attention and show them a bit of your personality and suitability for the job in question. This is for the catering and hospitality area but will apply to any given working sector.
- It should be no longer than 1 sheet of A4 paper
- Although you can use a template, it is important to alter and customise each letter for different applications for jobs, adding any detail that appears it the job advert
- It should be easy to read and decipher – Its better to type it out if you have a computer or you can neatly write it on standard neat A4 writing paper and should be no more than three or four paragraphs
- Sentences should be short and to the point
- Include any job references and job titles in the letter normally after the 'Dear' part
- Remember to address the letter to the person who has written the advert for the job
- Finish the letter with 'Yours Sincerely' before you sign your name
- It is important to to add any experience that you have to the letter if the advertisement mentions anything in particular. For example, if the advertisement asks for experience of working as 'a chef in the contract catering sector', make sure you mention this as the employer will be aware of it before they even read your CV and could give you a head start
- Write you name after you have signed the letter
- If you don't know the name of the person to whom you are applying for the job, write 'Dear Sir/Madam' and end the letter with 'Yours Faithfully'
- A typical covering letter may look something like the one below, obviously replacing the values in * * with those appropriate for your letter
Example of a covering letter:
*Your Address*
*Your Address*
*Your Address*
*Your Address*
*Your Telephone Number*
*Date*
*Hiring Manager Name*
*Company Address*
Dear *Hiring Manager Name*
Ref - *Job Reference* - *Job Title ie. Sous Chef*
Your advertisement for the above position in *publication/internet site containing advert* has interested me very much and I would like to apply.
As you will see from my enclosed CV, my achievements and skills include:
- *short summary of achievement/skill that is relevant to job advert*
ie. I have had 7 years experience of working in 5 star hotels as a chef. Starting at commis chef level in 2001, I made my way up through the ranks to Senior Chef de Partie. I am now searching for next position as a Sous Chef in order to further my career.
I am a hard working chef, very able and easy to get on with. I have a strong background and would consider myself a valuable member of the team. I am available for interview and trial at your convenience.
I will contact you in a few days to answer any queries or questions that you may have. In the meantime please feel free to contact me on *phone number* or via the other contact details on my CV. I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours sincerely,
*Your signature*
*Your Name*