How to End a Cover Letter: Closing Lines That Get Results
The closing of your cover letter is your final chance to make a strong impression. A weak or generic ending can undermine an otherwise excellent letter, while a confident, action-oriented close reinforces your interest and encourages the hiring manager to take the next step.
This guide shows you exactly how to end a cover letter with proven closing paragraphs, professional sign-offs, and real examples that work across different industries and situations.
The Three Essential Elements of a Strong Cover Letter Ending
Every effective cover letter closing contains three key components that work together to leave a lasting impression. Understanding these elements helps you craft an ending that feels complete and professional rather than abrupt or uncertain.
First, express genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity. A sentence that conveys your excitement about the role and company shows you're not just applying everywhere. Second, include a clear call to action that suggests next steps, such as discussing your qualifications in an interview. Third, thank the reader for their time and consideration. This demonstrates professionalism and respect for the hiring manager's busy schedule.
Here's how these elements work together in practice:
"I'm excited about the opportunity to bring my five years of content marketing experience to the Acme team. I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my SEO expertise and data-driven approach can help increase your organic traffic. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to speaking with you soon."
This closing is specific (mentions SEO and organic traffic), confident ("I'd welcome the chance"), and courteous (thanks the reader). It leaves the door open for further conversation without sounding presumptuous or passive.
Powerful Closing Paragraph Examples for Different Scenarios
Your closing paragraph should match both your experience level and the specific role you're pursuing. Here are proven examples for common situations that you can adapt to your circumstances.
For Experienced Professionals
"With a proven track record of increasing sales by 40% year-over-year and building high-performing teams, I'm confident I can drive similar results for your organization. I'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my leadership experience aligns with your growth objectives. Thank you for your time and consideration."
For Career Changers
"While my background is in teaching, I've developed strong communication, project management, and analytical skills that translate directly to this training coordinator role. I'm eager to bring my passion for adult learning and instructional design to your corporate environment. I'd love to discuss how my unique perspective can benefit your team."
For Entry-Level Candidates
"As a recent graduate with internship experience in digital marketing and a strong foundation in analytics tools, I'm excited to contribute fresh ideas and energy to your marketing team. I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my academic projects and enthusiasm for social media strategy can support your campaigns. Thank you for considering my application."
For Internal Promotions
"Having contributed to the customer service team's 25% improvement in satisfaction scores over the past two years, I'm ready to take on the leadership responsibilities of this team lead position. I'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss my vision for continuing this momentum and developing our junior staff members."
Professional Sign-Offs: What to Use and What to Avoid
The complimentary close you choose sits between your final paragraph and your typed name. This small detail matters more than you might think—it sets the tone for your entire closing and contributes to the overall professionalism of your letter.
The safest and most professional sign-offs include:
- Sincerely – The gold standard for formal business correspondence
- Best regards – Professional yet slightly warmer than "Sincerely"
- Kind regards – Conveys warmth while maintaining professionalism
- Respectfully – Appropriate for government, military, or very formal positions
- Thank you – Works well when you've emphasized gratitude in your closing
Avoid these problematic closings:
- Cheers, Best, or Thanks – Too casual for a cover letter
- Yours truly – Outdated and overly formal
- To whom it may concern – This is a greeting, not a closing
- Love, XOXO, or Take care – Unprofessional for any business context
After your sign-off, include your full name typed out. If you're submitting a physical letter, leave four lines of space for your handwritten signature. For email submissions, your typed name alone is sufficient.
Common Mistakes That Weaken Your Cover Letter Ending
Even strong candidates undermine their applications with poor closing choices. Recognizing these errors helps you avoid them and maintain the professional impression you've built throughout your letter.
Being too passive: Phrases like "I hope to hear from you" or "Please let me know if you're interested" make you sound uncertain. Instead, use confident language like "I look forward to discussing" or "I'd welcome the opportunity to explore."
Overselling or sounding desperate: Avoid statements like "I'm the perfect candidate" or "I need this job." These come across as either arrogant or desperate. Focus on mutual benefit: how you can help the company achieve its goals.
Introducing new information: Your closing paragraph isn't the place to mention a new skill or experience. It should reinforce points you've already made in the body of your letter. New information this late feels tacked on and unfocused.
Forgetting to proofread: Typos in your closing are especially damaging because they're the last thing the hiring manager sees. A misspelled name in your signature or a grammatical error in your final sentence can undo all your earlier good work. Always proofread your entire letter, paying extra attention to the ending.
Using generic closings: Ending with "Thank you for your consideration" alone is forgettable. While this phrase is fine as part of a longer closing, it shouldn't stand alone. Add specific details about the role or company to make your ending memorable.
Following Up After Your Cover Letter: Next Steps
Your cover letter closing should set the stage for appropriate follow-up. While you don't want to appear pushy, strategic follow-up demonstrates genuine interest and can move your application forward in a competitive job market.
If the job posting specifies a deadline or states "no phone calls," respect those instructions completely. In your closing, you might write: "I understand you're reviewing applications through March 15th, and I look forward to hearing from you after that date." This shows you've read the posting carefully and respect the employer's process.
When no follow-up restrictions are mentioned, you can include a gentle indication of your intentions: "I'll follow up next week to ensure you received my application and to answer any questions you might have." This approach is proactive without being aggressive. Just make sure you actually do follow up as stated, typically 5-7 business days after submitting your application.
For positions where you have an internal referral or direct contact, your closing can be slightly more specific: "As we discussed, I'm very interested in this opportunity and would appreciate the chance to interview. I'll reach out on Thursday to see if we can schedule a conversation."
Remember that a strong cover letter ending works together with an equally compelling resume. The two documents should present a cohesive narrative about your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
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Frequently asked questions
What should the last sentence of a cover letter be?
The last sentence should thank the hiring manager for their time and express your enthusiasm for next steps. A strong example: 'Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your team.' Keep it confident, courteous, and action-oriented rather than passive or uncertain.
Is it okay to end a cover letter with 'Best regards'?
Yes, 'Best regards' is an excellent professional sign-off for cover letters. It strikes the right balance between formal and warm, making it appropriate for most industries and positions. Other strong options include 'Sincerely,' 'Kind regards,' or 'Thank you,' depending on the tone of your letter.
Should I mention salary expectations in my cover letter closing?
No, avoid discussing salary in your cover letter unless the job posting specifically requests it. Your closing should focus on your enthusiasm for the role and desire to interview. Salary negotiations are more appropriate during later stages of the hiring process, typically after you've demonstrated your value in an interview.
How do I end a cover letter when I don't know the hiring manager's name?
Even without a specific name, end your letter professionally with the same structure: a strong closing paragraph expressing enthusiasm, a professional sign-off like 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards,' and your full name. Focus on the content of your closing rather than worrying about the unknown recipient—a compelling message matters more than personalization in this case.
Can I use 'Thanks' as a cover letter sign-off?
Avoid using 'Thanks' alone as your sign-off—it's too casual for a cover letter. Instead, use 'Thank you' if you want to emphasize gratitude, or stick with more traditional options like 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards.' You can certainly thank the reader in your final paragraph, but pair it with a more formal complimentary close.
Should I include my phone number and email at the end of my cover letter?
Your contact information should appear in the header of your cover letter, not at the end. After your sign-off and name, you don't need to repeat your phone number or email—the hiring manager can refer to the top of your letter or your resume for that information. Keep your closing focused on your final impression.
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