When searching for bar manager jobs, most people only focus on resumes, which is a mistake. And
that’s because a bar manager cover letter is your chance to:
- show how passionate you are about the position you're applying for,
- differentiate yourself from other applicants, and
- add a unique touch to your application.
The bar manager cover letter is your chance to sell yourself to a potential employer by providing a
brief overview of relevant job experience and skills.
This is where you highlight your experience in the hospitality industry, your management skills, and
the value you can bring to the company.
This guide will show you how to write your cover letter and help you land a job.
Let’s begin.
Bar Manager Cover Letter Example
How to Write an Excellent Cover Letter
Here are the steps you can use to write a winning bar manager cover letter:
The first step is to add your name and contact details at the top of your header. You should add your
full name, number, and email address. This ensures that hiring managers can easily find your contact
details to set up an interview with you.
Also, remember to add the date you sent the letter.
The header's primary function is to provide a means for potential employers to get in touch with
you. But it's also an essential design element that adds visual appeal to your cover letter.
Without it, the letter would be nothing but black blocks of paragraphs.
You can experiment with the header's color, layout, typography, and white space. Since your header's
visual appeal is crucial, make sure it stands out. But you shouldn’t go overboard.
That’s why we recommend using
our cover letter builder
, where the design is already done for you.
Jennifer Williams, CPA, MBA
San Francisco, Ca 94016
Jennifer.Williams.CPA@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/Jennifer-Williams-CPA
January 5, 2022
Don’t use your current work email address if you send your bar manager cover letter through email.
It shows a lack of respect for both your current and potential employer.
Greet the Hiring Manager
The greeting, or salutation, is the first line
of your letter, typically beginning with "Dear" or a similar term. Traditional business letters
often address the recipient as "Mr." or "Ms." followed by the hiring manager's last name.
However, you can use the first name if you know the person you're writing to. That said, it’s crucial
to include the hiring manager’s name in your bar manager cover letter.
Adding the recipient’s name to your letter makes them feel like they have a voice in the conversation
you are starting.
You have a higher chance of getting a response when you address a specific person instead of the
entire company. However, you can still address the hiring manager even if you don’t know their
name.
Check out this guide to know how to proceed:
Dear Mr. James
Dear Mrs. Miller
Sometimes, using the hiring manager’s first or last name depends on the company culture. If it’s a
casual company, you can use the first name. But it’s safer to use the last name if you’re writing to
a corporate company.
Cover Letter Introduction: Introduce Yourself
You should start your bar manager cover letter with the job title and company name. Then, explain
why you think you'd be a good fit for the job.
You can mention that you have a lot of experience in the bar industry or that you're a great leader
with excellent people skills.
Explain how this role fits in with the long-term career goals. You should also consider including
information that shows you know the company's beliefs, mission, and accomplishments.
Good Example:
It gives me great pleasure to submit my application for the Bar Manager Position at Levy’s Restaurant
& Bar. I've worked in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years. And I have been a bartender
for the past six of those years. So I firmly believe I possess the knowledge, abilities, and
expertise to effectively manage and direct your bar staff.
Bad Example:
I am writing to apply for the Bar Manager position recently advertised on your website. With over
seven years of expertise in digital marketing management, I am confident in my ability to fulfill
the responsibilities of this position.
This statement adds no value to your cover letter. It’s essentially saying, "I've done this work
before, so I think I'd fit in." And that’s not enough to get hired, even though you have seven years
of experience.
Cover Letter Body: Detail Your Work Experience
Now, you’ve got the hiring manager’s attention. In the middle of your cover letter, you should detail
your bar manager’s experience, skills, training, and anything else that proves you’re suitable for
the job.
Job experience is highly valued, so remember to add it here with specifics like how long you worked
and where. However, that’s not enough. You should use numbers and percentages to support your claims
of success in previous job positions.
Also, it adds much value to your cover letter when you include the obstacles you faced and how you
overcame them in your cover letter.
As a manager, your responsibilities extend beyond setting work hours and overseeing employees.
Connecting with others and making quick decisions are also crucial for pushing the company forward.
I have been a bar manager for 14 years and have a degree in hospitality and management.
Here are some of the responsibilities that were assigned to me:
- Following all of the worker health and safety regulations.
- Scheduling work shifts to help teams better manage their time and their workload.
- Improving inventory and food service management to help cut down on food waste.
- Training bartenders how to improve their techniques to increase sales
- Developing and executing promotional days and discounts to attract more customers on slower
days and help to maintain a constant revenue stream.
Conclude Your Cover Letter and Include a Call to Action
Summarize
your qualifications in the last paragraph of your cover letter. That can help remind hiring managers
why you're the best candidate for the job. Also include your most impressive bar management skills,
experiences, and accomplishments in your application.
Then, express gratitude to the recruiting manager. Finally, end your cover letter with a call to
action that prompts the hiring manager to contact you for more information. You can include your
preferred means of contact, an email address, or a phone number.
My previous employer will attest that I have staged over 60 profitable theme nights, 26 high-profile
parties, and 10 unique promotional campaigns during my tenure with the company.
I also have experience hosting high-profile visitors and acting as a go-between for my company and
the relevant authorities. I am a standards-focused professional with a deep commitment to the
industry and an intense determination to excel in it.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting you in person to discuss it
more.
Signing Off on Your Cover Letter
Sign off with a brief expression of
gratitude such as "Sincerely" or "Thank you." Then put your full name underneath. There is no
requirement for a physical signature in electronic correspondence.
But you may include a scanned copy if you choose or if it’s required.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Jones
Stephanie.Jones@gmail.com
Tips for Writing Your Cover Letter
Here are some tips to keep in mind while writing your bar manager cover letter:
Find Out More About the Company
Researching a company is the first step
in learning about its core beliefs, work culture, and brand voice. So you should find out about the
company’s job description and see what’s expected of you as a bar manager.
Usually, the job descriptions include specifications such as skills, experiences, education
requirements, etc., that are mandatory. You can use this information to know what to include in your
bar manager cover letter.
In addition, you should adjust the cover letter’s tone to fit the company's brand. For example, let’s
say you’re applying for a bar manager position requiring strong leadership abilities. You should
emphasize this trait throughout your cover letter.
Add Relevant Keywords to Your Cover Letter
When you add the right
keywords in your cover letter, it can help you get noticed by hiring managers. And that increases
your chances of getting a job offer. This strategy can also show that you’ve done your homework
before applying for a position.
Moreover, it can help you get past the initial ATS screening. It’s common practice for companies to
employ applicant
tracking systems (ATS) to sift resumes and cover letters for positions that consistently
receive many submissions.
Usually, it evaluates resumes and ranks them according to how closely they match the job posting. So
the greater the number of targeted keywords in your cover letter, the better.
Show Your Eagerness to Join the Company
Show your interest in joining
the company and outline the contributions you hope to make. Remember that any company’s primary goal
is to get more clients. So highlight your desire and capacity to increase sales and boost
profitability.
Keep Your Cover Letter Short
Keep your cover letter short. Its purpose is to provide an overview of your resume. Cover letters
should be one-page long and contain at least four or five paragraphs.
When your cover letter is brief, it gives the hiring manager time to review your entire application,
which may work in your favor. Therefore, your cover letter should focus solely on selling yourself
and your most relevant talents for the position.
Final Thoughts
Even if you already have a resume, you should still send
a cover letter to show the company how well-prepared and organized you are.
This confirms your ability to put your thoughts into writing clearly and concisely. And that can help
you stand out from the crowd while applying for jobs.
So take your time to craft a complete bar manager cover letter. That may convince the hiring manager
that you are the best person for the job.
HR content specialist
Sam M. Dike
Sam is a HR content specialist. He enjoys sharing career advice and helping professionals land the right jobs. You`ll always find him conquering quests in video games when he`s not writing about human resources.