Crafting your hotel manager cover letter doesn't have to be complicated. Certainly not with our painstakingly researched guide! We've gathered all the best tips, examples, cover letter templates, and samples to help make your writing process as easy as can be. So, without further ado, dive in!
In this guide, we teach you everything you need to know about writing a cover letter as a hotel manager. Keep reading to learn how to:
- Give your hotel manager cover letter structure with a header & headline
- Personalize your hotel manager cover letter for a specific company
- Craft an attention-grabbing hotel manager cover letter introduction
- Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a hotel manager
- Finish your hotel manager cover letter with a persuasive conclusion
- Access top resources for job-seeking hotel managers
1. Give your hotel manager cover letter structure with a header & headline
The very first thing on your cover letter writing to-do list as a hotel manager is to give your letter structure. To accomplish this, you need to create a header and headline.
Your cover letter header holds vital information, such as:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name of the hotel & department you are applying to
- The hotel’s address
Here is an example of a well-formatted hotel manager header
Mary Mills, Hotel Manager
(123) 456-7890 | marymills@email.com | linkedin.com/in/mary-mills
To: Quality Inn Hotels
Management Department
1234 Street Address
Savannah, GA, 31302
Next up, you will write an engaging cover letter headline that attracts the employer’s attention. This headline should include a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise to the employer that the letter is specifically for them.
Here is an example of a well-written hotel manager headline
My Efficient Hotel Management Style & How It Can Satisfy and Delight Your Guests
Trigger Word/Number: My Management Style
Keyword: Hotel Management
Adjective/Verb: Efficient, Satisfy, Delight
Promise: Your Guests
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2. Personalize your hotel manager cover letter for a specific company
To make your hotel manager as compelling as possible to employers, you need to personalize both the content and greeting for the specific employer you are sending it to. This will require you to research the company beforehand, looking for key details such as:
- What the hotel looks for and values in employees
- What guests like and dislike about the current management of the hotel
- The specific person who will review your cover letter
This last detail is what you will use to create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific person by name, showing that you have done your due diligence.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Hotel Supervisor John Doe,
- Dear Supervisor John Doe,
- Dear Mr. John Doe,
3. Craft an attention-grabbing hotel manager cover letter introduction
To really grasp the attention of an employer, you need to write an impressive introduction that includes vital information, such as:
- A concise summary of your professional history (years of experience, specializations, etc.)
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Pro Tip: Always include a mutual acquaintance when possible, as this builds rapport and trust with the employer. To gain more mutual acquaintances that you can reference in future job applications, use LinkedIn to expand your professional network.
Here is an example of an effective hotel manager cover letter introduction
Dear Supervisor John Doe,
I am a seasoned hotel manager with 8+ years of experience working in 5-star, luxury establishments. As a long-time admirer of your hotel’s commitment to creating unique guest experiences, I was delighted to hear about this opening. I am acquainted with your hotel’s head of hospitality – Ms. Jane Green – who recommended I apply.
4. Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a hotel manager
With your introduction in place, your next task is to write the body paragraphs of your cover letter. You should aim to include between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that offer insights into your best skills and accomplishments as a hotel manager.
As you describe these qualifications, remember that the information you include should be:
- Relevant to the position you are applying to
- Contextualized with information such as your responsibilities within a previous role
- Quantifiable with verifiable facts, data, and statistics that make the information more valuable and insightful to employers
Here are 6 hotel management skills that are excellent to describe in a cover letter
- Strong leadership style for managing hotel staff
- Excellent customer communication and service
- Proficiency in creating staff and maintenance schedules
- Budgeting and financial management
- Knowledge of hotel safety practices
- Event planning and coordination
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a hotel manager cover letter
As a hotel manager at [Former Employer], I helped raise the hotel’s overall bookings by 30% by sourcing a new marketing firm for the hotel to partner with. Additionally, I planned more than 30 events at the hotel, leading to more than 500 guests attending the events and a 15% increase in overall hotel revenue.
5. Finish your hotel manager cover letter with a persuasive conclusion
To conclude your hotel manager cover letter, you need a strong closing statement that persuades the employer to contact you for an interview.
This closing statement should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a persuasive conclusion from a hotel manager's cover letter
As your new hotel manager, I am confident I can help you attract more guests and maintain a beautiful and welcoming space. I would love to speak directly within the next week and am best reached at (123) 456-7890 on weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I plan to reach back out next Monday in regards to my application if I have not yet heard back.
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.
6. Top resources for job-seeking hotel managers
Have you already found a job posting that speaks to you? You haven't? Don't worry, we've got you covered. You can try searching for interesting work opportunities through any of these resources:
- Industry-specific job boards: To look for work opportunities with websites that focus specifically on the hospitality industry is the most straightforward option. Use websites such as Hcareers, Hospitality Online, and HotelCareer.
- General job boards: Platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, and SimplyHired aggregate a vast number of relevant job listings. Using specific keywords related to hotel management and filtering by location to narrow down our search.
- LinkedIn: Not only can you find job postings with LinkedIn, but you can also find opportunities for networking, or learn about the latest industry news.
- Professional associations: Besides providing job opportunities, associations like the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA), the Institute of Hospitality, or the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) can bring you closer with fellow industry professionals, industry news, training programmes, and specialized publications.
- Hospitality agencies: Agencies like Patrice & Associates, Gecko Hospitality, or Hospitality Search International (HSI) can connect you to relevant job opportunities that fit your expertise and skills level.
- Continuous learning: In case you feel that you’d benefit from further training, you can look for appropriate certifications and courses with platforms such as: eHotelier, hsmai Academy, Coursera, or edX.
Remember that finding the work opportunity that may lead to your dream job is just the first step! To truly capture the attention of the hiring manager, you'll need a persuasive and engaging cover letter. So, make your count!
Hotel Manager Cover Letter FAQ
What should I include in my hotel manager cover letter?
You should highlight your leadership experience, understanding of hotel operations, customer service excellence, and any achievements that demonstrate your ability to enhance guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. Basically anything that is relevant to the job posting you're currently applying for and that shows your qualifications.
How can I make my cover letter stand out?
Always custom tailor each and every cover letter you send. It shows that you've taken the time to get to know the institution and that you understand their needs and values. Next, use specific examples of your achievements, like increasing guest satisfaction scores or improving operational efficiency. If you can, support these accomplishments by specific quantifiers to better show your impact.
What common mistakes should I avoid in my cover letter?
Some of the common pitfalls include: NOT customizing your cover letter, being too generic, reiterating your resume, typos and grammatical errors. Also, make sure you address your cover letter to the right person. Always double check the recipient's name - just to be sure and avoid any faux pas.
What's the best way to highlight my knowledge of hotel operations?
You can, for example, discuss your experience with front desk management, housekeeping oversight, budget management, and any special projects or renovations you’ve managed. This will serve as a testimony to your comprehensive understanding of hotel operations.
Can I discuss my passion for the hospitality industry in my cover letter?
Certainly! Expressing your genuine passion for hospitality can significantly strengthen your cover letter. Share why you're drawn to the industry and how your personal values align with providing exceptional guest experiences. This can help demonstrate your motivation and commitment to the role that goes beyond your professional qualifications.