How to End a Cover Letter: Tips and Examples

The importance of a strong cover letter closing

After you hook the hiring manager with a strong start, you need to make a memorable final impression. Hiring managers prefer closing paragraphs that convey enthusiasm, reinforce relevant skills, and encourage further discussion. These endings instill more confidence in recruiters and significantly impact hiring decisions.

Polishing your cover letter from start to finish is essential. Many hiring managers read cover letters first when reviewing job applications, so even if you build the perfect resume, they may never see it if they aren’t impressed with your letter. Ending with an energetic call to action and a summary of relevant qualifications motivates recruiters to open your resume and read it thoroughly.

How to close a cover letter: Key elements

While a cover letter ending is typically one paragraph and a pleasant goodbye, you can still break it down into multiple components. This helps you include all the necessary elements and ensures every conclusion you write is strong and effective.

Here are the key elements of a cover letter ending:

• Expressing gratitude: A simple “thank you for your time” is a great way to show respect to the hiring manager. They review hundreds of job applications per week, and a little gratitude helps you stand out.
• Restating your interest in the role: We recommend expressing your excitement for the role in the starting paragraph, but it’s a great idea to end with it, too. This reinforces your enthusiasm and shows them that this opportunity is meaningful.
• Summarizing top qualifications: Choose one to two strong skills to reiterate at the end of your letter. This can often be mentioned in the same sentence as restating your interest in the role, such as: “I’m excited to bring my email marketing expertise to Sunlight Studio…”
• Including a call to action: Encourage the employer to connect with you for more information. Letting them know you’re available to chat shows you’re ready and eager to pursue this role.
• Signing off professionally: Right before signing your name, end with a closing like “Sincerely” or “All the best.”

Include these elements effortlessly by grabbing one of our professional cover letter templates. Job-hunting experts crafted these documents, so you don’t need to sweat the details – just fill in the blanks and go.

Examples of professional cover letter sign-offs

Many job seekers struggle with signing off at the end of a strong letter. While some details, like expressing interest in the role, are straightforward or influenced by a certain position, closing signatures are broad and seemingly nonspecific.

Here’s a quick rundown of professional sign-offs and when to use them:

• “Sincerely”: The most universal closing. It’s appropriate for conservative, formal organizations, but also suitable for more casual companies due its universal acceptance.
• “Best regards”: Moderately formal, yet slightly warmer than “Sincerely.”
• “Kind regards”: Similar to “Best regards,” but a bit friendlier.
• “Thank you for your time”: Universally accepted, showing gratitude and appreciation. This one is especially useful if you don’t have space in your closing paragraph to say thank you.
• “All the best”: Casual and relaxed, but still polite and professional. Best for modern companies, like creative fields and tech startups.

Industry-specific cover letter ending examples

Let’s take a look at some examples of cover letter conclusions, tailored to unique roles and industries.

Traditional, formal cover letter for a finance professional:

Semi-formal cover letter for a healthcare professional:

Relaxed cover letter example for a tech professional:

Framing your job application toward the right culture, formality, and role is essential. It shows the hiring manager you’re a relevant, aligned candidate, rather than simply telling them you are. For more inspiration, review our industry-specific resume samples.

“Hiring managers prefer closing paragraphs that convey enthusiasm, reinforce relevant skills, and encourage further discussion.”

Tips for a memorable cover letter conclusion

Next, let’s look at some expert tips for writing a strong cover letter. Think of this as a quick checklist – reference it every time you create or edit a cover letter to make sure you hit on all the right elements.

Here are a few tips and tricks for a stellar cover letter:

• Always proofread: Carefully read your cover letter a few times to ensure it has no grammar or spelling issues. Run it through a spell-checker like Grammarly and ask a friend to review it to be certain.
• Personalize it: Hiring managers love to see authentic, original letters, so try to add your own personality and flair to your letter to make it stand out. Even formal documents can have your unique language and excitement, just be sure to keep them professional.
• Align it with your resume: Use a resume template that matches your cover letter to keep your application cohesive and strong. This creates a better experience and makes you look more professional.
• Tailor it to the employer: Research the company and tailor your cover letter to match its values, culture, and industry. Aligning with the employer’s expectations is the perfect way to immediately stand out from the crowd.

We strongly encourage you to read about the organization before sending in your letter. Go to their website and LinkedIn to learn key information, like their work structure and formality. This also helps you discover small, important details like the hiring manager’s name, which helps you address a cover letter correctly.

Cover letter closings: Common mistakes to avoid

Don’t forget to actively avoid common pitfalls. Take a moment to review your cover letter closing and ensure it doesn’t contain the following mistakes:

• Being too generic: Avoid overused phrases like “team player” and “good communicator.” These terms are too general, and the hiring manager may disregard your letter as “copy/paste.”
• Using assertive language: Understand the difference between confident and aggressive. Be sure of yourself, but avoid pushy language, like offering to set up the interview for them.
• Omitting a call to action: Always include an enthusiastic call to action. Put the ball in their court and make sure they know how excited you are to talk further.

Finish your cover letter on a strong note

While it isn’t the opening paragraph, a cover letter closing is still a part of an impactful first impression. A powerful ending ensures your letter is effective from beginning to end, encourages the employer to read your resume, and increases your chances for an interview.

Be energetic and confident. Show your enthusiasm with positivity, and ensure the hiring manager ends the letter knowing the position means something to you.

If you don’t want to manage the key elements yourself, try CVwizard’s cover letter maker. Simply sign in, choose a template, and fill in the blanks. Our software handles the heavy lifting, so you can focus on adding unique, personal touches, assured that our generator will meet the strict requirements.