How To End a Cover

You’ve spent a good bit of time crafting a compelling cover letter that is sure to really wow a hiring manager. You’ve tied up some loose ends that appear in your resume and really hit home the point that you are the right person for the job! But how do you end a cover letter?

You know you’re supposed to thank the hiring manager for their time in considering your application, you’ve heard it’s a good idea to insert a call-to-action, and you know you need to sign it. Should you put all of that in one paragraph or a single sentence? How do you write all of these components for the end of your cover letter without sounding cliche, corny, and, worst of all, desperate?

Well, you’ve come to the right place! Not only will you learn how to end your cover letter, but you’ll also find eight great cover letter endings that you can use for inspiration in closing out your own cover letter.

Key Takeaway

The end of your cover letter should include the following points:

Re-state your desire to work there and why you would be a good fit.
Ask them for an interview.
Thank them for their time and consideration.

The purpose of the closing part of your cover letter

Since the main idea of a cover letter is to give you one more chance to stand out from the crowd, it is essential that you take full advantage of all parts of this secret weapon.

Of course, you probably already know that your cover letter should have a beginning, middle, and end. The progression of the content of the letter goes from introducing yourself to the hiring manager to calling attention to a few achievements (without reiterating what’s already on your resume), and, finally, to asking for that coveted interview.

Four steps to closing a cover letter

Since the idea of your cover letter is to leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager, a good idea is to adopt a storytelling closing. This is step one in the process. Tell a brief anecdote or add a personal touch that connects with the company’s values or mission.

Example: As someone who believes in the power of innovation, I was inspired by [Company Name]'s recent achievement in [mention a recent accomplishment or project]. It reaffirmed my desire to be a part of a team that values creativity and forward-thinking.

The second step is to add a desired action, namely, that they call you to set up an interview.

Example: I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications align with [Company Name]'s needs in more detail. Please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address] to schedule an interview.

After that, thank the hiring manager for their time.

Example: Thank you for considering my application.

And, lastly, put your signature.

Example: Best regards, Tom Harrison

You’ll notice there are a lot of opportunities for tailoring the end of your cover letter specifically to the company that you’re sending it to. Customization is of the utmost importance and will help you stand out from the crowd.

Putting it all together

Here is an example of how to end a cover letter that encompasses the storytelling, action, gratitude, and signature steps:

I’m excited to offer my expertise in [experience and skill set] and am certain that I would make a great candidate for this position as well as a great asset to [company name]. Please give me a call at the number above to schedule an interview at your convenience. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Tom Harrison

What else should you consider when crafting the closing of your cover letter?

Personalize it

We mentioned personalizing the letter. When you take the time to tailor your cover letter to the job, then you’ll make it through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) – yes, cover letters are scanned by the ATS just like resumes are – but you’ll also impress the hiring manager. They don’t want generalized cover letters any more than they want general resumes.

Here are some tips for personalizing your cover letter:

Mention the company’s name
Reference the job posting
Do a bit of research to try and find the hiring manager’s name
Connect with the company values

Example: I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my expertise in [mention a key skill] to support [Company Name]'s mission of [mention a relevant company mission or value].

Be confident

You also want to show confidence. Any time you send a cover letter in a way that looks like you’re begging for a job, will be an instant turnoff for the hiring manager. Keep the focus on your qualifications and express optimism about the opportunity and your ability to fill the role.

Example: I am confident that my skills in [mention relevant skills] make me a strong fit for [Company Name]. I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate how I can contribute to your team's success.

Avoid buzzwords or cliches

Using overused phrases can make your cover letter seem too generalized and uninteresting. Instead of writing, “I look forward to hearing back from you,” say, “Let’s connect to discuss how my qualifications align with your needs; please reach out to me at [phone number] or [email].”

Real-life examples for different job types and situations

Let’s put all of these rules into practice by crafting some cover letter closings that are tailored to specific jobs. In these examples, you’ll see enthusiasm for the positions and how to properly align your skills with the company's needs.

Example 1 for a marketing position

I am excited about the possibility of leveraging my expertise to drive [Company Name’s] marketing initiatives to improve consumer conversion and brand recognition. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my innovative strategies can contribute to your team’s success.”

Why it works: This closing lets the hiring manager know that the job seeker is enthusiastic about the opportunity to connect their unique skills with the desire to reach new audiences. It expresses an ability to align strategies with company goals to ensure success and talks about a desire to further discuss the opportunity.

Example 2 for a teaching position

I am dedicated to fostering a love for learning in students and believe that {School Name’s] commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with my teaching philosophy. I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to the growth and success of your students.

Why it works: This closing highlights your dedication to teaching and aligns it with the school's values while also showing a genuine interest in the institution's mission and the betterment of students.

Example 3 for a sales role

I am confident that my proven track record of exceeding sales targets, coupled with my passion for building strong client relationships, makes me a strong fit for [Company Name]. I am eager to discuss how I can help drive your sales team's success.

Why it works: This closing exudes confidence and ties the candidate's past achievements directly to the requirements of the sales role. It emphasizes the ability to contribute to the company's success.

Example 4 for an entry-level position

I am excited about the opportunity to begin my career at [Company Name] and contribute my enthusiasm and fresh perspectives. I look forward to discussing how my potential aligns with your organization's goals.

Why it works: For entry-level candidates, it's crucial to convey enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. This closing emphasizes your potential and aligns your “fresh perspectives” with the company's objectives.

Example 5 for a Nonprofit Organization

I am deeply inspired by [Nonprofit Name]'s mission to make a positive impact on society. I would be honored to be part of your team and contribute my skills to further your noble cause. I eagerly await the chance to discuss this opportunity further.

Why it works: When applying to nonprofit organizations, it's essential to demonstrate a strong connection to the mission. This closing does just that while also emphasizing the candidate's desire to contribute.

Example 6 for a remote position

With my experience in remote collaboration and my dedication to achieving results, I am confident in my ability to excel in this remote role at [Company Name]. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can contribute to your distributed team's success.

Why it works: For remote positions, it's important to emphasize remote work skills and a commitment to achieving results independently. This closing does so while also expressing confidence.

Example 7 for a creative position (e.g., Graphic Designer):

I am eager to join [Company Name] and bring my creative vision to life. With a passion for design and an eye for detail, I am excited about the prospect of contributing to your visual identity. Let's collaborate to make inspiring design a reality.

Why it works: This closing highlights the candidate's passion and creativity, emphasizing their desire to contribute to the company's visual identity. It invites collaboration and action.

Example 8 for a technical role (e.g., Software Developer):

I am committed to leveraging my technical skills and problem-solving abilities to drive [Company Name]'s software development to new heights. I look forward to discussing how my expertise can contribute to your tech team's success.

Why it works: In technical roles, it's crucial to showcase skills and a commitment to improvement. This closing does just that while expressing a desire to discuss how the candidate can contribute further.

The do’s and don’ts of closing out your cover letter

Considering that your resume and cover letter are likely the first impressions that you’ll make with prospective employers, it’s critical to get them right, and that includes the closing of your cover letter. It may seem like there are a lot of rules to this one little part of your application, but they’re only there to ensure you make the best first impression possible – one of professionalism and a clear understanding of how you’ll contribute to the organization’s success.

Do:

Show the hiring manager that you’re not just qualified but uniquely qualified
Mention a notable achievement or accomplishment that demonstrates your value
Set a positive tone for the closing by expressing gratitude
Express how well you’ll fit within the company culture
Be concise – you don’t want to hit the hiring manager with a big wall of text that won’t get read anyway
Proofread and edit so that you’re presenting a polished document that reflects attention to detail

Don’t:

Include irrelevant information or unnecessary details that aren’t directly related to the job
Avoid negativity, especially if you’re explaining a blip in your career history
While being enthusiastic is important, you don’t want to make promises you can’t keep
Delete any talk about salary, benefits, or compensation in your cover letter; the time to talk about those things will come later
Remember that your cover letter, and resume, for that matter, are historical documents that discuss what you’ve done during your career, but they are also supposed to be future-facing so hiring managers know what you bring to the table for them
Eliminate the use of jargon or acronyms, even if they’re industry standard terms, as you want to ensure that you’re sending the clearest message possible without the possibility of someone misinterpreting something
Never mention that you’re applying to multiple roles, whether those roles are within the same company or at another company

Make your mark a memorable one

Job hunting can be quite tough. It’s hard to convey everything you want to say to a prospective employer in a two-page resume and one-page cover letter. When you utilize the strategies in this article to craft a compelling closing to your cover letter, you’ll be able to exude confidence and get the calls that invite you to interviews.

Of course, if you’re still unsure if your cover letter has a good closing, ZipJob’s team of writers can help you.

How to End a Cover Letter? 8 Great Cover Letter Endings