A cover letter is a one-page document that explains why you’re the best candidate for the job. Part of explaining why you’re fit for the job is highlighting your passion for delivering the best dining experience for customers. Being a chef can be difficult. You work long hours, you have to stand a lot and the stress of working with busy kitchen staff can be hard to deal with. That’s why hiring managers will be looking toward your cover letter to get a good sense of who you are and how your passion helps you get through tough times in the kitchen. Here’s how you can write a cover letter that perfectly encapsulates your love for the culinary arts.
Writing an eye-catching cover letter is all about personalization and structure. Personalizing the cover letter will make it feel more authentic. Don’t just boast about your achievements, talk about why you care about what you do. The right structure can help you convey these feelings properly. Here are some tips to help you write your perfect chef cover letter.
In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and get a little personal, as seen in this example. Cover letters help the recruiter better understand who you are before the interview. Talking about yourself will help you stand out from the other applicants and may even connect with the recruiter over a shared experience. But don’t just talk about yourself either. Share the most impressive facts about your work experience as a segway into your qualifications.
Now that you’ve hooked the recruiter with your stunning introduction, discuss your years of experience in the second paragraph. Mention your achievements, certifications and skills. The example talked about how the applicant worked at a certain restaurant and what they learned from it. Always try to tie that information in with why you’re the perfect candidate for the job.
In the final paragraph, thank the recruiter for their time and mention you’d like to hear back from them. This call to action serves as a reminder to the recruiter and an invitation. It will also help you seem confident in your abilities to perform in the position.
Closing the cover letter with a simple “Sincerely” is more than enough. Anything other than that may come off as unprofessional.
Yes. Including a cover letter with your chef resume is needed if you want to get a job as a chef. The cover letter complements your chef resume by adding personal flair. In the cover letter, you get to expand on the elements mentioned in the resume to stand out and leave a good impression. If you’re having trouble creating your cover letter, use our cover letter builder for guidance.
A professional cover letter should be three-quarters of a page long. Any shorter than that and the cover letter looks too empty. If there’s too much white space, it makes you look unqualified. If it’s any longer than three-quarters of a page, it looks too crowded and means you need to cut out irrelevant information.
Yes. You can still use this cover letter structure even if you don’t have much experience. Instead of focusing on work experience, talk about cooking outside of a professional environment, such as volunteering in soup kitchens or at fundraisers. Mention your skills and what you can bring to the table.
