How to End a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a professional document in the form of a letter that you use to apply for, or inquire about, job opportunities. You usually send a cover letter with your resume as a way of introducing yourself and explaining to the employer in more detail why you’re the right candidate for the job. 

When writing a great cover letter, it’s important to know how to close it effectively, summing up your letter in a way that highlights your suitability for the job. Discover tips on how to end a cover letter in a way that will keep the reader engaged and interested and increase your chances of being called for an interview.

What to include in a cover letter

A cover letter is usually a single-page document that includes several sections: a heading, a greeting, an introduction, the main body of the letter, and the cover letter close.

• Heading: Within this initial section of your cover letter, you typically want to include your contact details such as your full name, email, phone number, and address. Place each of these on separate lines. Depending on the position you’re applying for, you can insert links to your portfolio and professional social media pages.

• Greeting: Address the letter to the manager hiring for the position by finding out their name. If you can’t find the name, you can address the letter to the “hiring manager,” or the job title of the recipient, such as “HR Manager.” 

• Introduction: Outline why you’re writing by stating what you’re applying for and briefly summarizing your interest in the company. 

• Main body: This section might be two to three paragraphs long. In it, you detail why you are a strong candidate, highlighting your skills, experience, and achievements and aligning them with the role. 

• Close: Summarize your achievements and experience and remind the reader why you’re a strong candidate, sign off, and include a call to action.

Why is the end of a cover letter important?

The cover letter ending is important because it’s the last thing a recruiter will read. It needs to be memorable and impactful and should include a call to action that prompts the recruiter to take the next step. Like with a story, your cover letter needs a proper beginning, middle, and end to do it justice and get your message across, and the ending needs to be strong enough to keep you in the recruiter’s mind. 

How to end a cover letter effectively

When ending your cover letter, you’ll incorporate several important factors to ensure your last paragraph clearly demonstrates why you’re a strong candidate, your enthusiasm for the job and the company, and a call to action. Follow the steps below to write the closing for your cover letter.

1. Show confidence and positivity. 

When writing a cover letter, you want to convey your skills and experience in relation to the job you’re applying for—and to do this, you need to be confident in your abilities and how you sell yourself. This is particularly important in the conclusion of your cover letter, which should leave a lasting impression. Remember the recruiter doesn’t know you and what you can do, so it's important to clearly highlight the value you’ll bring to the role. 

Always be positive and highlight your abilities rather than apologize for areas that might not be your strongest. It also pays to be positive about your past experience and how it aligns with the role you’re applying for. Employers want to hire someone enthusiastic with a positive attitude. 

2. Show your interest in the company.

It’s important to tailor your cover letter to the role you’re applying for, and you’ll find this particularly useful in your cover letter ending. To do this, focus on the company you’re applying to specifically. Demonstrate how you align with the company’s culture, values, and the opportunity it’s offering. Search for information in the job description and company website that you can use to show your goals are in line with company goals. Including this in the conclusion of your cover letter showcases what you can offer the company, leaving a positive final impression.

3. Sum up. 

Think of the end of your cover letter as a summary of why you’re the strongest candidate for the job. Sum up your achievements and experience, focusing on how these will benefit the company. Reiterate the most important parts of your cover letter, putting everything into the context of why you are right for the job.

4. Include a call to action.

Your cover letter should end with a positive call to action, which is a confident way of ending your communication and inviting the recruiter to make the next move. This can set the stage for a future interview. You can also express your eagerness to discuss your application further. Additionally, state your availability and make sure the cover letter includes a way for the employer to contact you. 

5. Say thank you.

Thanking the recruiter for their time is a great way to make a positive, professional impression. It shows that you know how to communicate, understand the recruitment process, and appreciate the work that they’re doing. 

6. Sign off professionally.

Make sure you end as professionally as you started by including a sign-off that makes the right impression. Keep it professional and polite, while matching its level of formality to the company you’re applying to. Examples include:

• Sincerely yours

• Thank you for your time

• Kind regards

• Respectfully

• With gratitude

• Thank you in advance

• Thank you for your consideration

Examples of cover letter closes 

Take a look at the cover letter endings below to help you create your own. You can use these as a guide, but make sure you tailor your version to the job and the company you’re applying for.

Example 1

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I would love the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my candidacy further. My experience in medical sales and my commitment to meeting and exceeding targets align with the strong values of autonomy and growth that XXXX upholds. 

Example 2

I look forward to contributing my design and web development skills to the senior web designer position at XXXX and hope to speak with you soon. I am available to schedule a call at a time that suits you. Thank you for your consideration. 

Example 3

Joining your team at XXXX would be a fantastic opportunity for me to leverage my digital marketing skills and build on my 15 years of experience in advertising. My background in the cosmetic industry will complement the work you do with beauty influencers. I’m looking forward to hearing from you with dates for the next step in the recruitment process.

Example 4

Your innovation and commitment to the community align with my previous work for NGOs and passion for technology. I’d like the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the role further and speak about what I can offer. Thank you in advance for your time.

Tips for submitting your cover letter 

When writing your letter, aside from the tips above on how to end a cover letter, consider these points to ensure your letter is error-free and makes an impact. Your cover letter is an opportunity for you to make a positive first impression, so follow these guidelines to ensure it’s a good one. 

• Keep it short: Ideally, your cover letter should be no more than a page in length.

• Add your contact details: Present your cover letter professionally with your contact details at the top.

• Align with your resume: Your cover letter should complement your resume by elaborating on it rather than repeating it. 

• Proofread: Make sure you proofread your cover letter before submitting it so it’s error-free. This will highlight your professionalism and attention to detail. 

Learn how to end a cover letter on Coursera

The ending is an important part of your cover letter as it leaves an impression on the reader. Use it to reiterate why you’re an excellent candidate for the job and show your enthusiasm for the role. 

To help you write the best possible cover letter from start to finish, consider enrolling in the University of Michigan’s Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization on Coursera. You’ll learn a variety of professional writing and editing skills, including word choice, word order, structure and organization, drafting, and revising.

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