Whether mandatory or not, when applying for a job in Denver’s hospitality industry, a well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out. While your resume highlights your skills and experience, a cover letter lets your personality and passion for hospitality shine through. Here’s advice on how to craft a powerful hospitality cover letter that gets noticed.
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Why Cover Letters Matter in Hospitality
In the hospitality industry, ‘soft skills’ such as customer service, teamwork, and a positive attitude are essential. A cover letter is your chance to showcase these qualities in a way a resume can’t. Hiring managers in hospitality often look for candidates who understand the importance of creating memorable guest experiences, and a strong cover letter can highlight that you’re a great fit.
Before You Start Writing
1. Research the Company
Before writing, research the hotel, restaurant, or venue to understand their unique culture and values. A cover letter for the hospitality industry that mentions specific insights shows the hiring manager you’re serious about the role. Check their website for details like their mission statement or recent achievements to personalize your letter.
2. Identify Key Requirements & Relevant Experiences
Look carefully at the job posting to identify the skills and experience they’re seeking. Note any specific requirements — whether it’s customer service experience, knowledge of Denver’s hospitality scene, or a particular software skill — and highlight your relevant strengths.
Essential Components of Your Cover Letter
Header and Contact Information
It seems obvious but don’t forget to include your name, phone number, email, and date at the top.
Opening Paragraph
Begin with a powerful opening sentence that grabs attention. For example: “As a passionate and professional people person with experience in customer service, I’m excited to apply for the Guest Services position at [Company Name].”
In this paragraph, mention the specific position and briefly explain why you’re interested. Show genuine enthusiasm for the role and the company itself.
Body Paragraphs
- Relevant Experience: Share your hospitality experience or transferable skills, emphasizing moments where you provided excellent service or contributed to a team effort.
- Skills and Qualifications: Highlight skills that matter in hospitality, like multitasking, communication, and adaptability. Explain how your strengths align with the company’s values and be sure to use industry-specific language.
Closing Paragraph
Reiterate your interest in the role and thank the hiring manager for their time. Close with a polite yet professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely” or “Warm regards,” followed by your name.
Key Tips for Success
1. Use Hospitality-Specific Language
Show that you understand the language of the industry by incorporating terms like “guest experience,” “front-of-house,” or “customer-focused.” This reinforces that you know the industry and its priorities.
2. Emphasize Customer Service Orientation
In hospitality, customer service is everything. Highlight instances where you went above and beyond to create a positive experience for customers or guests.
3. Highlight Teamwork Abilities
Teamwork is crucial in hospitality settings. Use examples that showcase how you’ve worked well in a team, solved problems together, or supported team goals.
4. Use Action Verbs
Verbs like “coordinated,” “assisted,” “delivered,” and “managed” make your achievements sound more impactful.
5. Formatting & Proofreading
Ensure your cover letter is clean, professional, and free of errors. Stick to a single page and proofread carefully to avoid typos or formatting issues.
Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic Cover Letters: Avoid using the same letter for every job. Tailor each cover letter to the specific role and company. Even if it’s just ensuring you use language from the job posting or company website, these small changes can make all the difference.
- Lack of Company Knowledge: Failing to mention anything specific about the company or its values makes it look like you didn’t do your research.
- Poor Formatting or Length Issues: Aim for a single, well-formatted page. Avoid large blocks of text by keeping paragraphs short and focused.
The Job Hunt Begins
Crafting a thoughtful hospitality cover letter can make a difference in your job search. Remember to research each company, personalize your letter, and emphasize relevant skills and experiences. You got this!
Looking for more tips? Check out these resources!
How to Write a Resume for the Denver Hospitality Industry
Interview Prep Tips
Ways to Speed Up Your Job Search
