How to write an impressive hospitality cover letter
Hospitality professionals work in a wide range of positions, from guest service agents and tourism managers to concierges and event planners. When applying for a role in hospitality, it is crucial to have a well-written cover letter that captivates the attention of employers.
In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about writing a cover letter as a hospitality professional. Keep reading to learn:
- Why your hospitality cover letter needs a header & headline
- How to tailor your hospitality cover letter for a specific job
- What to say in your cover letter introduction to make it compelling
- Ways to showcase your best skills & accomplishments in hospitality
- How to conclude your hospitality cover letter effectively
1. Include an effective header & headline in your hospitality cover letter
As you begin writing your hospitality cover letter, it is important to consider how you will give the letter structure and visual appeal.
These are important factors to think about, as they give your cover letter a well-organized look and help to create a positive first impression.
A cover letter header and cover letter headline are perfect for achieving this structure. Starting with your header, you will include key information, such as:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name of the company & department you are applying to
- The address of the company (optional unless you are sending a physical letter or if the company has multiple locations)
Here is an example of a well-formatted hospitality header
Jane Doe, Hospitality Professional
(123) 456-7890 | janedoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jane-doe
To: Refresh Spa & Boutique Hotel
Hospitality Services Department
1234 Street Address
Asheville, NC, 28715
After you have created your header, you will move on to writing your cover letter headline. To write a strong headline, make sure to include:
- A keyword related to the position
- An eye-catching number or trigger word
- A powerful adjective or verb
- A promise to the employer that indicates the letter is tailored for their specific company
Here is an example of a well-written hospitality headline, followed by a breakdown of its parts
My 3 Customer Success Stories in Hospitality & How They Can Benefit Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Customer Success Stories
Keyword: Hospitality
Adjective/Verb: Benefit
Promise: Your Company
2. Tailor your hospitality cover letter for a specific job
Whenever you write a hospitality cover letter, it is important to show employers that you have a high level of interest in the position, as well as excellent attention to detail.
Accomplishing this is as simple as tailoring the content and greeting of your cover letter to the specific job you are applying to. To write a tailored cover letter, you must first research the company thoroughly beforehand, looking for details such as:
- What the company values and looks for in its employees – this helps you determine which of your skills the employer is most interested in
- What the company culture is like – with this information, you can more accurately explain why you are a great fit for their team
- Who at the company will review your cover letter – using this detail allows you to create a personalized greeting that shows you have taken the time to research the company
A personalized greeting addresses a specific person by name. If you choose to include an honorific (Dr., Mr., Ms., Mrs., etc.) in your greeting, always make sure you are using the correct one for the person you are speaking to. If you are unsure, it’s better to omit it.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Hospitality Manager Jack Smith,
- Dear Mr. Jack Smith,
- Dear Manager Jack Smith & the Hospitality Team,
3. Make your hospitality cover letter introduction compelling
Now that the employer’s attention is fully hooked thanks to your headline and personalized greeting, you must use your introduction to ensure they continue reading.
A compelling hospitality cover letter introduction will include:
- An overview of your professional history (years of experience, specializations, etc.)
- A statement on your interest in the position
- Any professional associations or mutual acquaintances you have
Pro Tip: Including a mutual acquaintance is always helpful, as it establishes rapport and trust with the employer. If you need help building your professional network and gaining more mutual acquaintances, try using the professional social platform LinkedIn to connect with your peers.
Here is an example of a compelling introduction from a hospitality cover letter
Dear Mr. Jack Smith,
I am a hospitality professional with more than 4 years of experience working in the travel and tourism department of a major ski resort. One of my main responsibilities in this role was helping to plan travel itineraries for high-profile clients, which led to me meeting one of your company’s founding members, Mrs. Molly Myers. Being highly impressed with my skills and service, Mrs. Myers strongly recommended I apply for this opening.
4. Showcase your best skills & accomplishments in hospitality
After your introduction come the body paragraphs of your hospitality cover letter. You should aim to include 2 to 4 body paragraphs that offer key insights into your professional capabilities, such as:
- Your relevant skills and how you plan to apply them in this position
- Your notable accomplishments in hospitality
- Your professional attributes that make you a perfect fit for the company
As you describe these qualifications, make sure to include specific, contextual, and quantifiable details whenever possible. This will help make the information more valuable and insightful to employers.
Here are 6 examples of hospitality skills to describe in a cover letter
- Hotel and resort operations
- Itinerary planning and management
- Budget management
- Coordinating and managing staff
- Exceptional customer service
- Knowledge of local and regional tourism
Here are examples of how to describe accomplishments in a hospitality cover letter
- As a hospitality professional at [Former Employer], I oversaw guest relations at a 5-star resort. I always provided exceptional service to guests, which led to me earning a spotless 100% guest satisfaction rating. Additionally, I helped promote the company’s guest itinerary planning program, raising guest participation by 40%.
- During my tenure as a Front Desk Supervisor at XYZ Hotel, I successfully implemented a guest satisfaction program that resulted in a 15% increase in positive customer feedback. By training and empowering my team to deliver personalized service and anticipate guest needs, we consistently exceeded guest expectations and earned numerous positive reviews on popular travel platforms.
- I spearheaded a cost-saving initiative that optimized operational efficiencies within the housekeeping department. Through strategic scheduling and inventory management, we reduced cleaning supply expenses by 20% while maintaining high cleanliness standards.
5. Conclude your hospitality cover letter effectively
To conclude your hospitality cover letter, it is essential to encourage the employer to get in touch with you promptly. Your closing statement on your cover letter should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- The best way and time to contact you
- When you plan on following up
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a hospitality cover letter
I am incredibly thrilled to be considered for this opportunity and hope to hear from you within the next week. I am available to meet directly or over the phone any weekday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890. If I have not heard back by next Friday, I plan to follow up that afternoon.
Sincerely Yours,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
