With 36,000 McDonald’s locations in over 100 countries, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve tasted a Big Mac in your lifetime. Now it’s time for you to make them.
You’ll be joining a team of over a million employees to churn out crispy fries and whip up sandwiches of all sorts, but to get that job at the Golden Arches, you’ll need an efficient McDonald’s cover letter.
That’s where Resume.io can help. With 180+ cover letter examples and guides, we’re an expert resource for job seekers in all fields and at all stages of their careers. Here’s what we’ll cover in the rest of this guide and the corresponding McDonald’s cover letter example:
- How to choose the best cover letter format and what paragraphs the cover letter should include
- How to maximize the effect of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- What approach to take when writing your cover letter
- What mistakes to avoid when writing your McDonald’s cover letter.
Best format for a McDonald’s cover letter
While McDonald’s employees span the gamut in terms of job titles and functions, this guide will focus on the most common entry point: the hourly employee, also called the crew member. A cover letter for this job needn’t be overly complex. A simple format can make sure you include all the necessary information without rambling on. Here’s what your CV should contain:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
You can find additional formatting tips and general advice on tone and content in our comprehensive cover letter writing guide.
The McDonald’s cover letter example below can offer good insight into how to craft your own application:
Dear Mrs. Oliver,
Having worked as a part-time crew member at your McDonald’s Hillingdon Avenue branch, I would like to apply for the seasonal crew member position at Latchwell Beach.
I am in my second year of a hospitality degree, and I have found that my work at McDonald’s has provided many insights into my studies. During the 18 months I spent as part of your weekend crew, I worked in both drive-thru and kitchen teams and also became proficient on the cash register. I enjoyed working in the fast-paced team environment, knowing that how I do my job will have a knock-on effect on everyone else.
My manager at Hillingdon said that I was “the best student that he had employed” due to my curiosity around problem solving operational issues. I helped to improve communication flow and customer order taking procedures in the drive-thru part of the restaurant, reducing customer service time by 20 percent and increasing the number of daily orders by 5 percent.
I am particularly interested in the Latchwell Beach role because of the chance to meet and learn from more experienced crew members and to serve customers who are my own age. I would welcome the opportunity of an interview and enclose three references from senior managers that I have worked with in my previous role.
Sincerely,
Donna Carson
If you’re applying to multiple jobs, you’ll find more advice in our hospitality and catering cover letter examples:
- Hospitality cover letter sample
- Barista cover letter sample
- Restaurant cover letter sample
- Waitress cover letter sample
- Chef cover letter sample
- Cleaning job cover letter sample
- Bartender cover letter sample
- Starbucks cover letter sample
- Server cover letter sample
- Hotel Receptionist cover letter sample
- Travel Agent cover letter sample
- Restaurant Manager cover letter sample
- Pastry Chef cover letter sample
Cover letter header
The cover letter header is the place to convey your name and contact information — essential for landing the interview. Make sure you spell everything correctly and to use a professional email address, even if you are a student. These details may seem minor, but they can quickly put you ahead of less professional candidates. Check out the header from our McDonald’s cover letter sample for more ideas on how to get started.
Before you kickstart your fast food career, you may be wondering what kind of package you can expect. McDonald's offer staff employees located in the United States receive the following benefits:
- Three weeks' vacation (plus a a “splash” week every year ending in five)
- Eight-week paid sabbatical for eligible employees after 10 years of service
- Medical, dental, and visual health programs
- Basic life, dependent life, accidental death, and dismemberment, and business travel accident insurance
- 401k to allow you to save on a tax-deferred basis
Cover letter greeting
The greeting of your cover letter is the way you address the person who will be reading it. If you can find the specific hiring manager or location operator’s name, that can help you stand out and make a personal connection. However, in a large organization like McDonald’s, you may have to opt for a general greeting along the lines of “Dear (Franchise or Location Name) McDonald’s Hiring Team.”
Cover letter introduction
The introduction is how you begin your cover letter and is your best chance to catch the hiring manager’s attention and show them why you’d be a great addition to the team. While you should state the location name and role you are applying for, it’s a good idea to include a bit of enthusiasm and positive energy in the introduction. Make sure to get to the point about your skills, previous experience or qualities that make you the right fit. See our cover letter sample introduction below.
Dear Mrs. Oliver,
Having worked as a part-time crew member at your McDonald’s Hillingdon Avenue branch, I would like to apply for the seasonal crew member position at Latchwell Beach.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs, or body, of your cover letter give you a chance to expand on relevant experience or skills you possess. McDonald’s is a favorite entry-level job and a stepping stone into the professional world, so hiring managers will understand if this is your first professional position. However, in that case, it’s important to convey your responsibility, motivation and eagerness to learn. A strong work ethic and positive attitude go a long way. Check out the middle part of our adaptable cover letter sample below.
I am in my second year of a hospitality degree, and I have found that my work at McDonald’s has provided many insights into my studies. During the 18 months I spent as part of your weekend crew, I worked in both drive-thru and kitchen teams and also became proficient on the cash register. I enjoyed working in the fast-paced team environment, knowing that how I do my job will have a knock-on effect on everyone else.
My manager at Hillingdon said that I was “the best student that he had employed” due to my curiosity around problem solving operational issues. I helped to improve communication flow and customer order taking procedures in the drive-thru part of the restaurant, reducing customer service time by 20 percent and increasing the number of daily orders by 5 percent.
How to close a McDonald’s cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Close your McDonald’s cover letter on a high note by leaving the hiring manager with one final skill or experience that you’d bring to the position. Include a call to action which expresses your interest and invites the employer to contact you. Then, sign off respectfully with your full name. A hand-written signature is not necessary for cover letters submitted online.
I am particularly interested in the Latchwell Beach role because of the chance to meet and learn from more experienced crew members and to serve customers who are my own age. I would welcome the opportunity of an interview and enclose three references from senior managers that I have worked with in my previous role.
Sincerely,
Donna Carson
McDonald’s cover letter with no experience
If you’re hoping to land a McDonald’s position with no experience, you’re certainly in good company. Fast food jobs are a beloved gateway into the professional world for many students or young people. They are also great extra cash for anyone who needs it.
McDonald’s hiring managers are familiar with candidates who have no experience and will train you in all the duties you need to perform. The most important thing is to show your ability to learn quickly, to be a team player and to take the job seriously.
Your cover letter is the perfect place to convey these qualities. Make sure to focus on transferable skills, personality traits and the reasons why you’d be a great trainee. You can also share a bit about your background and the position you hope to land, for example, if you are a student who is looking to work 15 hours a week.
When you have no experience, you can increase your chances of landing the McDonald’s job by avoiding basic mistakes. For example, make sure to check your spelling and grammar or ask a friend to proofread for you. You should also tailor the cover letter to the McDonald’s position you’re applying to. And lastly, an attractive page design can quickly make you stand out. Our professionally-designed cover letter templates can make this easy to accomplish.
Key takeaways
- McDonald’s positions are a great starting point for students and other entry-level candidates and a concise cover letter can help you land the job.
- Avoid typos and other errors in the header to make a professional first impression.
- Check out our McDonald’s cover letter sample for more ideas on creating a simple, yet effective page layout.
