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How To End a Cover Letter (With Closing Examples)

Cover Letter Closing Examples

Closings not to use, how to sign a cover letter, set up an email signature, more cover letter writing tips.

Hugo Lin / The Balance

When you're writing a cover letter or sending an email message to apply for a job, it's important to close your letter in as professional a manner as possible. End your letter with a formal closing, followed by your signature.

As with any job-related correspondence, it's best to opt for a more formal language and tone—a cover letter is no place for "XOXO," “Cheers,” or even a casual "take care" as a closer.

The following is a list of letter closing examples that are appropriate for cover letters and other employment-related correspondence, such as thank-you notes and/or emails to schedule interviews or pass along references.

• Sincerely yours
• Best regards
• With best regards
• Kind regards
• Yours truly
• Most sincerely
• Respectfully
• Respectfully yours
• Thank you for your consideration

A cover letter is a formal correspondence, so it's important not to be too casual or friendly when writing it. Here are some letter closings that are fine to use when emailing or writing to a friend, but are not appropriate to use in a cover letter. 

• Affectionately
• Best wishes
• Eagerly waiting for a response
• Warm regards
• Warmest regards
• Take it easy
• Have a great day
• Have a nice day
• Yours faithfully
• Abbreviations (Thx or any other abbreviated word isn't appropriate)
• Any emoticon (no smiley faces)
• Sent from my phone (if your phone automatically includes it, you can remove it in the settings)

For a printed letter, follow the closing with a comma. Then, on a new line, put your name. Leave a space above your typed name for your written signature.

Signature (hard copy letter)

If you're sending an email, you can add your contact information below your name. For example:

Best regards,

Your Name Your Email Address Your Phone Number Your LinkedIn Profile URL

Whichever sign-off you choose, make sure always to capitalize its first letter.

To simplify, you can set up an email signature that includes your contact information.

An email signature will make it easy for correspondents to readily see how to get in touch and saves you the time of typing the information repeatedly.

Use a Professional Email Account

It’s a wise idea, when conducting a job search, to set up an email account (and accompanying address) dedicated. Doing so will help to ensure that you don’t miss emails from potential employers who might be interested in interviewing you. It also will allow you to provide a professional-sounding email address on your resume and cover letter. This email address should be comprised simply of your name (examples: “John.T.Smith@gmail.com or marjoriejones@email.com).

Too often, job candidates use their personal email accounts to apply for jobs, often using “cute” email names such as “Crafty_catlady@yahoo.com” or OrcWarrior100@gmail.com.” This casual practice often raises hiring managers, eyebrows, raising red flags about whether a candidate is a serious, qualified applicant for the job to which they are applying.

It’s better to err on the side of safety and separate your professional and personal email accounts.

What To Include in Your Signature

In your signature, include your email address and phone number. You can add your LinkedIn profile URL to make it easy for your recipients to view your skills, accomplishments, educational background, and work history. Depending on your field, you may also want to include a link to your Twitter account; if you do so, make sure that your account is professional and appropriate for viewing by potential employers. 

Find out how to set up a professional email signature, including formatting style and links to help you save a signature in your preferred email program.

Cover letters, whether submitted through email or traditional mail channels, are always the first impression you provide a potential employer. Make sure that this impression is a good one by following the “best practices” outlined in these links so that your cover letter shines.

Having an appropriate close is just one of the many steps required to craft a winning cover letter.

Review how to write a cover letter , including what to include in your cover letter, how to write a cover letter, typical cover letter formats, targeted cover letters, and cover letter samples and examples.

60 Examples of Strong Closing Statements: How to Close a Cover Letter

By Status.net Editorial Team on December 12, 2023 — 16 minutes to read

A strong cover letter closing is essential in making a great impression and reinforcing your enthusiasm for the job opportunity. It provides a final opportunity to emphasize your relevant skills, experiences, and personal attributes that make you an ideal candidate. A compelling closing also encourages the employer to take action, such as inviting you for an interview. Consider these examples:

• Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute my skills and experiences in this exciting role.
• I am eager to discuss how my background aligns with your team’s goals and how I can contribute to your company’s growth.
• I am confident that my expertise in social media marketing makes me well-suited for this position, and I appreciate your time and consideration.

Positive Impact on Employers

Your cover letter closing is crucial, as it leaves a lasting impression on the employer and influences their perception of you as a candidate. A positive and engaging closing helps you stand out among other applicants and increases your chances of being selected for an interview. Here are a few key points that can create a positive impact:

• Express gratitude : Show appreciation for the time the employer has spent reading your cover letter, and thank them for considering your application.
• Be enthusiastic : Reiterate your excitement about the job opportunity and the prospect of joining their team.
• Include a call to action : Encourage further engagement, like scheduling an interview or discussing your qualifications in more detail.

For example:

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I am highly enthusiastic about joining your team and discussing my potential contributions to your ongoing projects. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at your earliest convenience.

Crafting Your Final Paragraph

Summarizing your enthusiasm.

To leave a lasting impression, summarize your enthusiasm for the role in your closing paragraph. Highlight your excitement about the opportunity and express gratitude for the potential connection with the company. For instance:

I’m thrilled about the prospect of joining the (…) team and contributing my marketing skills to drive innovative campaigns. Thank you for considering my application.

Reaffirming Your Best Fit for the Role

Before signing off, reinforce why you’re the perfect candidate for the position. Briefly recap your relevant experience, skills, or accomplishments that set you apart. Be concise yet confident in your message. For example:

With my five years of experience in international sales and my proven ability to develop long-term client relationships, I am confident in my ability to excel as your next Sales Manager.

Choosing the Right Sign-Off

Professional sign-off options.

Selecting the appropriate closing for your cover letter can leave a lasting impression. Here are some professional sign-off options to consider:

• Sincerely : This classic sign-off is appropriate for most scenarios and conveys professionalism.
• Best regards : A versatile and slightly more casual option, ideal for a variety of industries.
• Kind regards : This friendly sign-off is suitable when you have developed a rapport with the receiver, like the hiring manager.

You can also try other options such as Yours truly , Respectfully , or Yours faithfully , depending on your preference and the nature of the job you are applying for.

Matching the Company Culture

Try to tailor your sign-off to match the company culture. Researching the company’s website, social media, or reviewing employee testimonials can help you get a better understanding of the company culture. For example:

• Innovative or creative industries : Feel free to express yourself with a casual yet professional closing, like Warm Regards or Cheers .
• Traditional or formal industries : Stick to more formal options such as Sincerely or Best Regards .

Incorporating a Call to Action

Proposing the next steps.

A well-crafted cover letter should inspire the reader to take the next step. This could include scheduling an interview, discussing your application further, or even simply reviewing your attached resume. To encourage this action, incorporate a call to action (CTA) at the end of your cover letter that guides the hiring manager.

Some examples of CTAs in the context of cover letters include:

• Schedule a meeting : “I’m excited about the opportunity to discuss my experiences and how they align with the [job title] position. Let’s set up a time to chat!”
• Ask for a callback : “I’d be thrilled to further discuss my application and the value I bring to the table. Give me a call at your earliest convenience to chat more.”
• Direct them to your portfolio : “I’d love to showcase my recent work, which you can find at [website link]. Let’s discuss how my skillset aligns with the [job title] role.”

Remember to tailor these examples to your specific application and the company to which you’re applying.

60 Examples of Strong Closing Statements For a Cover Letter

• 1. This position seems like a perfect match for my experience, passions, and career aspirations. I would love to bring my skills and expertise to your organization.
• 2. I am confident that I can make an immediate and positive impact if given the opportunity to join your team. I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your organization’s success.
• 3. My background and capabilities align well with the responsibilities of this role. I am excited by the prospect of applying my experience to this position.
• 4. I am enthusiastic about the chance to join your organization. Please contact me to further discuss my qualifications and how I can add value.
• 5. I would welcome the opportunity to showcase my abilities and help drive growth and innovation through this position. I am eager to learn more.
• 6. With my skills and experience, I am prepared to excel in this role and hit the ground running. I look forward to speaking with you.
• 7. I am confident I would thrive in this position. I am eager to bring my skills, passion, and drive to your dynamic team.
• 8. I believe I am an excellent fit for this opportunity and am excited by the prospect of contributing my talents to your organization. I welcome the chance to speak with you further.
• 9. My experience aligns well with the responsibilities of this exciting role. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to apply my skills to benefit your organization.
• 10. I am excited by the chance to join your team. I look forward to further discussion.
• 11. I am confident that I possess the necessary qualifications for this role and would excel if given the opportunity.
• 12. With my background and passion, I am prepared to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact through this position. I would love to join your team.
• 13. I am eager to apply my expertise to help drive success and innovation for your organization. Please contact me to arrange a time to talk.
• 14. My experience has fully prepared me to excel in this role. I am excited by the prospect of bringing my skills to your dynamic organization.
• 15. I am enthusiastic about this opportunity and the chance to contribute to your company’s continued growth and innovation. I look forward to elaborating on my qualifications.
• 16. I am confident I can perform exceptionally well in this position. I am excited by the prospect of joining your team and organization.
• 17. With my proven track record, I am prepared to dive in and deliver results through this role. I would be thrilled to join your organization.
• 18. I am eager to join an organization where I can utilize my expertise to create meaningful impact. This role seems like an excellent fit.
• 19. I am excited by the prospect of joining your innovative company. My skills would enable me to contribute to your team’s success right away.
• 20. I am confident my background makes me a competitive applicant for this opportunity. I am excited to further discuss my qualifications with you.
• 21. With my experience and passion, I know I would thrive in this position. I hope to have the chance to join your talented team.
• 22. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of bringing my skills and experience to your dynamic organization.
• 23. I am eager to apply my expertise to help drive innovation and success in this role. I would be thrilled to join your team.
• 24. I am confident my abilities make me a strong candidate for this opportunity. I am excited by the chance to contribute to your company’s growth.
• 25. I believe I possess the necessary skills, experience, and drive to excel in this position.
• 26. With my background, I am prepared to dive in, roll up my sleeves, and immediately begin adding value in this role. I am excited by this opportunity.
• 27. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your team. I am confident my experience would allow me to thrive in this position.
• 28. I would welcome the opportunity to join your organization and collaborate with your talented team in this role. Please contact me to further discuss my qualifications.
• 29. I am excited by the chance to apply my skills and experience to help drive innovation and success for your company. I hope to speak with you soon.
• 30. I am eager to bring passion, expertise, and a strong work ethic to this position. I am confident I would excel on your team. I look forward to further discussing how I can contribute to your organization’s success.
• 31. I am confident that I have the necessary qualifications to excel in this role, and I am excited by the prospect of contributing my skills to your organization. I look forward to discussing this opportunity further.
• 32. With my experience and capabilities, I know I would be a great asset to your team through this position. I am eager to bring my passion and expertise to your dynamic organization.
• 33. I am enthusiastic about the chance to apply my background in a way that drives meaningful impact and innovation. This role seems like an ideal fit for my skills.
• 34. I am eager to join your organization and collaborate with your talented team to deliver exceptional results.
• 35. I am prepared to hit the ground running and make immediate contributions in this role. My experience aligns well with the responsibilities, and I am excited by the prospect of joining your company.
• 36. I am confident that I possess the ideal qualifications for this opportunity. I would love to join your organization and contribute my skills to help drive future success.
• 37. With my proven track record and expertise, I am prepared to dive in and immediately begin adding value through this position. I am excited by this opportunity and welcome further discussion.
• 38. My background and capabilities make me confident that I can perform exceptionally well in this role.
• 39. I am eager to apply my skills in a high-impact position with a respected organization like yours. I am confident I would thrive on your team. Please contact me to arrange a meeting.
• 40. I believe this role is an excellent match for my qualifications. I am excited by the opportunity to contribute my experience and talents to your innovative company.
• 41. I am confident that my background has prepared me well to excel in this position. I would be thrilled to join your talented team and organization.
• 42. With my passion, expertise, and proven ability to deliver results, I am prepared to dive in and immediately begin driving value through this role. I am excited by this opportunity and look forward to further discussion.
• 43. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of applying my skills in a challenging and rewarding position at your respected company. I am eager to learn more about this opportunity.
• 44. I am excited by the chance to join your dynamic team. My experience has fully prepared me to thrive in this position and help drive your organization’s continued success.
• 45. I am confident I possess the ideal qualifications for this opportunity. I would welcome the chance to join your team and contribute to future growth and innovation.
• 46. With my background and capabilities, I am prepared to excel in this role. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of applying my experience to benefit your organization. I look forward to speaking with you.
• 47. I am eager to utilize my expertise. Please contact me to arrange a meeting to discuss my qualifications.
• 48. I am excited by the prospect of joining your team. I am confident my skills and experience make me a competitive applicant for this opportunity. I look forward to further discussion.
• 49. This role seems like an excellent match for my background. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to your organization’s success and future growth.
• 50. I am confident I possess the necessary experience and qualifications to excel in this position. I would be thrilled to join your talented team. I look forward to speaking with you.
• 51. I am excited by this opportunity and welcome the chance to further discuss my qualifications.
• 52. I am eager to apply my expertise in a challenging role that enables me to create meaningful impact. I am confident I would thrive in this position on your team.
• 53. I believe I am an excellent fit for this opportunity. I would be honored to join your organization and collaborate with your talented team. I look forward to further discussion.
• 54. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing my experience to help drive innovation and continued success. I am excited by this opportunity and confident in my ability to excel.
• 55. Thank you for reviewing my application. I am eager to bring my background and capabilities to this exciting role on your team. I am confident I can perform exceptionally well if given the opportunity. I look forward to speaking with you.
• 56. With my proven skills and expertise aligned with this position’s responsibilities, I am prepared to dive in and immediately begin adding value to your organization.
• 57. I am confident that my experience, capabilities and passion for excellence would allow me to thrive in this role. I would welcome the opportunity to join your respected organization and am eager to further discuss my qualifications.
• 58. I am excited by the prospect of utilizing my background to help drive innovation and success in this position. I am confident in my ability to excel on your team and look forward to learning more.
• 59. I believe I am an excellent candidate for this opportunity. I am enthusiastic about applying my experience to contribute to the continued growth and success of your esteemed organization.
• 60. With my proven track record and expertise, I know I would thrive in this role. I am eager to bring my skills and passion to your dynamic team. Thank you for your consideration – I look forward to discussing this opportunity further.

When choosing a closing statement, make sure it matches the overall tone of your cover letter and reflects your personality. Also, take into consideration the company culture and position you’re applying for.

Examples of Effective Cover Letter Closings

Formal closings.

• Respectfully,
• Yours faithfully,
• Kind regards,
• Best regards,
• Yours sincerely,
• Yours truly,

Semi-Formal Closings

• Warm regards,
• Best wishes,
• With appreciation,
• Looking forward to your response,
• Yours in professional success,
• Many thanks,
• Thank you for your consideration,
• Eager for the opportunity to connect,

Casual Closings

• Have a great day,
• All the best,
• Thanks so much,
• Excited to chat soon,
• Grateful for your time.

Polishing Your Cover Letter Ending

Proofreading for errors.

Don’t underestimate the power of a well-proofread cover letter. Before sending it off, give it a thorough read-through, and look closely for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Consider using a grammar tool to help catch mistakes you might have missed. Also, ask a friend, family member, or even a professional to review your cover letter. Their fresh perspective can provide valuable insights and catch anything you might have overlooked.

Ensuring Consistency with Your Resume

To make your application seamless, double-check your cover letter and resume to ensure consistency. Pay special attention to details such as job titles, dates, and company names, as inconsistencies can raise concerns from potential employers. It’s also a good idea to match the formatting and fonts across both documents to give your application a polished and cohesive look. Make sure the skills and experiences you highlight in your cover letter are complementary to those mentioned in your resume, so they work together to make a strong case for your candidacy.

Sending Your Cover Letter

Email versus hard copy.

When sending your cover letter, you’ll usually have two options: email or hard copy. Each has its benefits and considerations:

• More convenient and faster
• Allows for easy tracking and organization
• Often preferred by employers
• Be sure to use professional language and an appropriate subject line
• Formal option, which may be required for certain industries or applications
• Neatly print and sign your cover letter
• Use quality paper and a matching envelope

It’s crucial to consider the preferences of the employer when deciding which method to use. If they haven’t specified a preference, feel free to choose the one that makes the most sense for you.

Following Submission Guidelines

No matter how well-written your cover letter is, failing to follow submission guidelines can hurt your chances of being considered for the position. Pay close attention to these key details when preparing your cover letter:

• Deadline: Be punctual in submitting your application – submit on time or even earlier.
• Formatting requirements: Follow any formatting requirements mentioned explicitly, such as font type, font size, and margins.
• File format: Save and send your cover letter in the requested file format, like PDF or Word Document (.docx).
• Contact information: Don’t forget to include your up-to-date contact information, such as your email address and phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some strong closing statements for a cover letter that stand out to employers.

A strong closing statement should reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and demonstrate your confidence in your qualifications. Here are some examples:

• “I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your team and look forward to discussing my qualifications further.”
• “Thank you for considering my application. I believe my expertise aligns well with the role, and I am eager to contribute to the success of your organization.”
• “I’m confident that my skills make me an ideal candidate for the position, and I’m eager to discuss how I can add value to your company.”

What’s the best way to format the closing section of my cover letter?

To format the closing section of your cover letter, you should:

• Leave a space between the last paragraph and your closing.
• Use a closing phrase like “Sincerely” or “Kind regards.”
• Add your full name and contact information, such as email address and phone number.
• If applicable, include any relevant links, such as your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio.
• Leave a space between your closing phrase and your name so you can add a digital or printed signature.

Should I use ‘Kind regards’ or ‘Yours sincerely’ to finish off my cover letter?

Both ‘Kind regards’ and ‘Yours sincerely’ are acceptable and professional ways to end a cover letter. You can choose which one you feel most comfortable with or suits your individual style. In general, ‘Kind regards’ is a safe and widely used option, while ‘Yours sincerely’ is considered a bit more formal.

How can you make a cover letter feel personal and engaging without being too casual?

To make your cover letter personal and engaging, try these tips:

• Address the recipient by name, if possible, to create a connection.
• Start your cover letter by mentioning a specific detail about the company or role to show you’ve done your research.
• Share anecdotes from your experience that directly relate to the requirements of the job and showcase your unique qualities.
• Focus on the value you can bring to the company, rather than just listing your qualifications.
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How to End a Cover Letter (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Did you know that 86 percent of executives think cover letters are valuable parts of an application? It’s true. That’s why making sure yours packs a punch is so important, including your cover letter closing.

In many cases, candidates spend most of their time fretting about the main body paragraphs when writing their cover letters, giving little if any thought to how to end a cover letter.

The problem is, your last paragraph and closing sentence make up part of your first impression, playing a big role in whether you land an interview. Is ignoring something so critical a good idea? Of course not.

Luckily, you’re here, and we have your back. Come with us as we explore the ins and outs of how to end a cover letter with style and professionalism.

What Is a Cover Letter?

Alright, before we really dig into how to close a cover letter, let’s take a quick step back and discuss what a cover letter is and what it’s for.

Now, we’ve actually taken a deep dive into how to write a cover letter before, as well as providing some outstanding cover letter examples and helpful cover letter tips . But, as a quick summary, a cover letter is a short, written introduction that supplements your resume. It gives the hiring manager more insights into what you bring to the table, covering points that won’t fit in your resume and giving you some room to showcase your personality.

Technically, every part of your cover letter is important. You want to make sure you address your cover letter properly, nail your introductory paragraph, offer enticing tidbits in the body, and close strong.

In fact, one could argue that your opening and closing paragraphs are the most important. While your opener serves as the initial introduction, your cover letter closing cements your first impression. By nailing it, you can leave the hiring manager with a warm, fuzzy feeling about what you have to offer. That’s powerful stuff.

Alright, but what exactly is your cover letter closing? Well, the closing of your cover letter is typically your final paragraph, as well as your closing sentiment and signature. Each of those sections cements your first impression, so they are all relevant to the equation.

With your final paragraph, you’re wrapping up what you wanted to say, which is why it’s part of the closing. The sentiment before your signature, however, also plays a role. While it may only be a word or two, the words you choose do make an impact, so they are also part of the closing.

And, yes, your signature (and contact details) is also included in the closing. How you present that information does matter, so you want to get it right, too.

What about a postscript (P.S.)? If I have one of those, is it part of the closing? Well, technically, it could be. However, a cover letter really shouldn’t have a postscript. We’ll get into why in a second.

Common Mistakes When Ending a Cover Letter and How to Avoid Them

Alright, we know you’re chomping at the bit for an overview of how to close a cover letter and some examples. We promise they are coming. The thing is, we need to tap on something else important before we get there: common cover letter closing mistakes.

As with all parts of your application, certain mistakes in your cover letter can spell doom for your job search. Thankfully, most of them are completely avoidable. As long as you know to watch out for them and to take steps to address them, you’re set.

So, what are some common mistakes when ending a cover letter? Generally, the biggest mistake you can make when in any part of your cover letter has typos. In fact, 58 percent of hiring managers will remove you from contention if your cover letters contain errors. Ouch.

Luckily, avoiding typos is pretty easy. By simply proofreading your cover letter, making use of handy tools like spell and grammar checks, and asking a trusted family member or friend to take a look, you can probably catch any errors and get them fixed before you submit your cover letter.

Another doozy is making your cover letter too generic. Failing to tailor the content – including the cover letter closing – can cost you big, as 36 percent of hiring managers will toss your application if it isn’t personalized for the job you’re trying to land.

How do you avoid a generic cover letter? By using the Tailoring Method when you write. That way, your content will be incredibly relevant to that role. Problem solved!

Additionally, using the wrong tone can be an issue. While you want to come across as confident, it’s also important to be gracious, appreciative, and polite. If you’re too forceful, aggressive, or boastful, that could hurt your chances instead of helping.

Instead, focus on being passionate about what you do, excited about the opportunity, and thankful that the hiring manager took the time to read your cover letter. That way, your closing is powerful and positive, ensuring the final part of this first impression hits the mark.

Alright, the final mistake we’ll tap on is adding a P.S. to your cover letter. While it may seem like a way to stand out or draw attention to a specific sentence, there’s a good chance it’ll backfire. Postscripts tend to look unprofessional.

Plus, it makes it seem like you couldn’t figure out how to get that point to fit into your letter properly, which could put your communication skills into question. In some cases, the hiring manager might even think that you don’t know how document creation software works, causing you to believe that you couldn’t go back and edit the content to fit that point in.

Finally, there’s actually a chance the hiring manager won’t notice the P.S. at the bottom. If you wait until then to say something important, you’re risking it not getting read at all. That’s no good.

So, while a P.S. could stand out, there’s also a really good chance that the move will backfire. As a result, it’s better to fit that detail into the rest of your letter instead of saving it for a postscript.

How to End a Cover Letter

Here’s what you’ve all been waiting for. To make closing out your next cover letter a breeze, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to end a cover letter.

1. Summarize What You Bring to the Table

Generally, the last paragraph of your cover letter should mirror your introductory one. You want to offer a simple summary that showcases why you’re a stellar candidate, touching on the key skills you bring to the table that the hiring manager wants to find.

Now, the trick is, you want to restate what you’ve shared without rehash the exact phrases you used earlier in the cover letter. That way, this part of the letter feels fresh.

2. Appreciation for Their Time

After your quick summary, thank the hiring manager for taking the time to consider your application. It’s a small gesture, but it’s nonetheless critical.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated. By adding a thank-you moment into your closing, you’re recognizing that the hiring manager is doing you a favor by reading your cover letter, and that can have a big impact on the tone of your closing.

3. A (Confident and Excited) Look Toward the Future

Next, it’s time to add a bit of confidence and excitement about what the future may hold by letting the hiring manager know you’re looking forward to the next steps. It’s a polite way to reassert your interest in the job, ensuring you plant the right seeds without being too aggressive.

Additionally, when done properly, you can take this part to the next level. It’s another opportunity to mention how you are ready to put a relevant skill to work to help the company achieve a particular goal.

Now, the latter approach should only be used if it feels right with the rest of your cover letter. Additionally, you can’t pull this off unless you’ve done a bit of research (which is something you did before you started writing your cover letter, right?). It only works if you can tap on something specific. If you can’t do that, then opt for a more classic approach.

4. Choose the Right Closing Sentiment

The closing phrase you choose before adding your signature does matter. Some options are more appropriate than others. For example, while “Sincerely,” “Thank You,” or “Best Regards” are usually safe bets, using “Fondly,” “Love,” or “Warmly” isn’t.

In the end, a cover letter is a type of formal correspondence. That means you need to err on the side of caution and avoid a cover letter closing that feels too casual or personal. By sticking with the business correspondence classics, you’re probably in good shape.

5. Sign Off (and Include Your Contact Details)

After your closing, you want to list your name, as well as your contact details. Not only does that keep that information conveniently located but, if your cover letter and resume get separated, it guarantees the hiring manager knows the cover letter is yours.

When it comes to contact details, list your email address and phone number at a minimum. If you’re like, you can also include your LinkedIn URL. Just make sure you actually put the URL and not just a link. That way, if the hiring manager prints out your cover letter, they can still reach your profile with ease.

3 Cover Letter Ending Examples

Sometimes, nothing is quite as helpful as an amazing example. With a cover letter closing example, you can see how these critical paragraphs are constructed. Then, you can use them as a framework when you write your own.

Generally, the core strategy for how to close a cover letter remains the same. However, the details change depending on the role and the overall approach. To help you see how to put the tips above into action, here are three cover letter ending examples – based on three different kinds of roles – that you can tweak to meet your needs.

1. Customer Service

With my customer-oriented mindset and previous experience working in a fast-paced retail environment providing exceptional support, I believe that my capabilities make me a great candidate for this position. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to learning more about the opportunity, as well as any next steps in your hiring process.

[Your Name]

[Phone Number]

[LinkedIn URL]

[Personal Website URL]

2. Technology

Ultimately, I am excited to apply my software development skills and education to a new challenge, and I feel that I can help ABC Company achieve its goals of advancing technology innovations in the industry. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to not only discussing my capabilities with your further but also learning more about this exciting opportunity.

3. Management

I, like XYZ Corp., feel like people are always a company’s greatest asset. Your company’s mission and values initially attracted me to this position, and I believe that my skills and experience align with not only your broader goals but also the organization’s culture. Thank you for reviewing my application, and I look forward to hearing back from you about this exceptional opportunity.

Best Regards,

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, you should now have a pretty solid idea of how to end a cover letter with a bang. Take advantage of every tip above as a starting point. Then, really work to tailor your cover letter closing to the job, ensuring that it packs an amazing punch and helps you stand out from other applicants. After all, your closing is part of your first impression. Always make it count.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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How to End a Cover Letter [w/ 4 Examples]

How you end your cover letter is an important part of the process. 

You’ve managed to make a good impression with your cover letter and now you want to “exit” on a good note with an equally impactful conclusion. 

This is where this article comes in.

We’ll show you how to end your cover letter effectively and leave the right impression on the recruiter reading it!

• 6 Ways to end a cover letter for a job (with examples) 
• Ways NOT to end a cover letter
• How to sign off a cover letter
• Signature lines NOT to use 

New to cover letter writing? Give our resumes 101 video a watch before diving into the article!

6 Ways to End a Cover Letter for a Job (With Examples)

Your cover letter ending consists of your closing paragraph and your signature line.

As your official “parting” from the recruiter, your closing paragraph should be an on-point summary of your cover letter’s highlights and a chance to reaffirm your strong points.

To guide you in the right direction, we’ve put together our favorite tips on how to end a cover letter effectively. 

So, let’s see what they’re all about!

#1: Show Confidence 

First things first—make sure you end your cover letter on a confident note. 

All your skills, qualifications, and strengths will lose a bit of their value if you don’t confidently show the recruiter that you can apply them to the company’s benefit. 

Say, you mentioned a bunch of noteworthy achievements and skills as you were writing your cover letter . Your cover letter ending is your chance to confidently reiterate them.

For example, you might have mentioned in your cover letter how you helped your previous company exceed its sales target by 30%. That’s an achievement you can use to conclude your cover letter confidently.  

For example:

I believe my ability to generate sales and drive results will be a significant contribution to your company’s goals and KPIs. 

#2: Sum Up Your Skills (For the Position)

Another way to effectively end your cover letter is to sum up your top skills. 

More specifically, sum up exactly how your skills will bring value to the team or company, or how they are relevant to the position you are applying for.

Here’s an example of how you can do this:

To conclude, I can confidently say that my 5 years of experience as a researcher have made me detail-oriented, patient, and able to connect smaller pieces of information to see the bigger picture. I believe these skills will be of use in this position. 

#3: Be Enthusiastic

You may be highly qualified and justifiably confident in your skills, but employers also want to see that you will be a motivated and engaged employee. 

So, make sure to express your enthusiasm! This will show that you care about this job and that you will put passion and energy into your work if you’re hired. 

Employees who are enthusiastic about their work are also far more likely to stay on board long term, which means that you’ve got more chances to get (and stay) hired! It’s no wonder that 71% of executives say that employee engagement is critical to their company’s success .

As such, sometimes, the deciding difference between two equally qualified candidates is just their level of interest and enthusiasm for the position.

Being able to apply all of my skills and previous experience to this project is an ideal and exciting opportunity for me. 

#4: State Your Goals and Set Expectations 

Another great way to end your cover letter is by stating your professional goals and giving the recruiter a general idea of what they should expect from you as a potential employee.

This will show that you are proactive and that you have clear objectives for your career.

Keep in mind though—when stating your goals and expectations, focus on mentioning how you’ll contribute to the company and benefit the employer, not just the other way around. 

And remember—what can set you apart from other candidates is expressing exactly what connects you to the company (other than just wanting to be hired). This can make your claims more believable and attract recruiters more easily.

Here’s an example of how you can make that work:

My goal is to be counted among the top professionals in the field, not only due to my skills but also because of my appetite for innovation. Your company’s mission to innovate some basic aspects of our daily lives is an inspiration for my work and I’d be happy to contribute my skills to achieve this common mission.

#5: Don’t Forget to Say “Thank You” 

Don’t forget to end the letter with gratitude. 

After all, recruiters go through countless applications daily, so just the fact that they took the time to read yours is enough of a reason to be thankful. 

Because it is expected that you will say “thank you” (and would be considered rude if you don’t), genuine gratitude is what will make you instantly more likable and win you extra points. 

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I truly appreciate your consideration and hope to have the chance to prove through my dedicated work for your company.

#6. Keep It Professional 

This last piece of advice is quite simple. Keep your cover letter professional. You’ll have plenty of chances to express the more fun side of your character. 

There will be plenty of time to express your more “casual” side once you’re hired. At this stage, though, employers want to see that you are professional, reliable, and serious about your work. 

So, it’s better to use academic language and a clean, simple style. 

Liked the tips we covered in this article? There’s more where that came from! Check out our complete guide with the top 21 cover letter tips .

Ways NOT to End a Cover Letter 

And now that we covered the best ways to end your cover letter, let’s go over what you should NOT do when you’re writing your cover letter ending.  

• Do not appear desperate for the job. There is a fine line between expressing enthusiasm and being desperate. If you step over that line, you might blow your chances at getting a callback.
• Don’t be cocky and entitled. Avoid rhetoric that implies that the company would be foolish not to hire you and avoid speaking as though you’ve already been hired.
• Do not use overly familiar language or slang. That is unless you are working in the comedy industry.
• Don’t forget to proofread. Forgetting to proofread your cover letter (including the ending) is a big no-no. Typos and grammar mistakes can come across as unprofessional, so make sure to double-check for mistakes or use software like Grammarly .
• Don’t be sloppy! Pay attention to how you structure your closing paragraph just as much as the rest of your cover letter. This is the last thing the recruiters will read and it is what they will remember from the cover letter.
• Do not skip the closing! Not including a final paragraph in a cover letter is a huge mistake. This is your opportunity to summarize your strong points, enthusiasm, and gratitude memorably.

Want to know what mistakes you should avoid when you’re writing your cover letter? Our guide on cover letter mistakes has all you need to know.

How to Sign Off a Cover Letter 

Signing off your cover letter is a pretty straightforward task. All you have to do is use a signature line, followed by your full name. Something like this: 

And since “sincerely” has become overused, consider these signature lines to use instead: 

• Kind regards,
• With best regards,
• Most sincerely,
• Respectfully yours,
• Best regards,
• Respectfully,
• Thank you for your consideration,

Signature lines not to use

You probably know better than to use any of the signature lines below, but we thought to go over them just in case. So, whatever you do, refrain from using any of the following: 

• Warm Regards
• Yours Truly
• Have a wonderful day
• Affectionately

Do I Sign a Cover Letter? 

Whether you should sign a cover letter depends on how you are sending your cover letter. 

Nowadays, most cover letters are sent electronically. If that’s the case with you, there is no need to add an electronic signature. 

Simply add your full name at the end of the cover letter, using the same font as the rest of your letter. 

If you are sending a good old-fashioned printed cover letter, on the other hand, include the same details and add your signature underneath your name. 

Having a matching resume and cover letter is a great way to make a good impression on the hiring manager! We make that super easy for you - just pick one of our matching pairs of resume & cover letter templates and start writing yours!

Key Takeaways 

How you end your cover letter is extremely important. If you manage to get it right, your application will make an impression and most surely earn you a callback.

To make sure you got it right, let’s go over the main points we covered in this article: 

• Your cover letter ending should contain a captivating closing paragraph and a signature line.
• To write a good closing paragraph, do some of the following: convey enthusiasm, recap your skills and qualifications, show gratitude, and state your goals and expectations.
• Things NOT to do when you’re writing your cover letter ending are: appearing cocky, being sloppy, forgetting to proofread, and ignoring the ending altogether.
• Signature lines to consider in addition to sincerely are: kind regards, respectfully, and most sincerely.

Related Readings:

• Do I Need A Cover Letter in 2024
• Entry-level Cover Letter
• Cover Letter for Internship

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How to End a Cover Letter: 7 Easy Ways to End on a High Note

In this guide, you’ll learn how to end a cover letter as well as 7 different ways to write a closing paragraph that leads to an interview.

End a cover letter professionally by reiterating why you’re the right fit. Summarize your application and write a forward-looking sentence like, “With my experience in [skill] and proven ability to [relevant achievement], I am confident I can contribute to [Company]'s success in [area].” Then, make the next steps clear. Here’s an example, “I am eager to discuss in more detail how my skills can benefit your team in an interview.” Lastly, thank the reader for their time and sign off with “Sincerely” or “Best regards” followed by your name. 

The best answer on how to end a cover letter is to sum up everything discussed and link back to why you’re the ideal candidate. It’s not about you, though. It’s about the company. So, make it clear how you can directly meet the company’s needs. 

From there, thank the reader for their consideration and mention that you’re looking forward to the next steps. 

That’s pretty much it when it comes to writing a cover letter closing paragraph and leaving on a high note. 

Still, there are a few variations. In this guide, you’ll learn how to end a cover letter and different ways you can approach the closing paragraph. 

Let’s jump in!

How to End a Cover Letter: 3 Things to Include

This is how to end a cover letter:

• Acknowledge the reader. You can simply thank them for their time.
• Imply the next steps. Make a direct or subtle call to action—just make sure it’s not too presumptuous.
• Sign off. End with a formal closing like, “Yours sincerely.” 

When you add each of these up, you get a professional cover letter ending that makes the next steps of the hiring process straightforward for the hiring manager.

Acknowledge the Reader

Acknowledge the reader by expressing your gratitude. Thank them for their time and consideration. If you’d even prefer, this can be the only cover letter closing line you need to end your application.

Here’s a few example phrases: ‍

• Thank you for your time and consideration • Thank you for reviewing my application • I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to your organization • Thank you for your time

Imply the Next Steps 

In other words, a call to action. This can either be direct or implicit. Let the reader know how you’re prepared to move forward in the job application process.

Here’s a few examples of a direct call to action:

• I look forward to discussing this position further with you • I am excited to discuss my qualifications in greater detail at an interview • You can reach me by phone at (XYZ) or by email at [email protected]

And here’s a few examples of an implicit call to action:

• I look forward to hearing from you • I look forward to speaking with you soon • I hope to discuss my eligibility for the role further 

Directly stating the next steps works best if you’ve already spoken with the hiring manager. Or if not and you want to be more on the safe side, implying the next steps also works. 

Write a formal closing followed by your first name and last name. This is also known as the cover letter closing salutation. 

Here’s a few professional sign-off examples: 

Sincerely, Jacob Jacquet

Yours sincerely, Jacob Jacquet

Kind regards, Jacob Jacquet

Here’s a few inappropriate sign-offs for making your exit: 

Thanks, Jacob Jacquet

Cheers, Jacob Jacquet

7 Ways to Write the Cover Letter Closing Paragraph

Here’s how to write a cover letter closing paragraph in seven different ways: 

• Thank the reader and imply the next steps.
• Include a direct call to action.
• Leave a personal note expressing your interest.
• Summarize your application and career highlights. 
• Bring up the company’s vision. 
• Share your career objectives. 
• Emphasize how you intend to add value to the organization. 

Use the one that fits best with how you outlined your cover letter . Additionally, check out our cover letter examples guide for inspiration.

1. Thank the Reader and Imply the Next Steps

Sometimes, no extra words are needed since everything has already been mentioned in the opening paragraph and main body of your cover letter . Therefore, simply end your cover letter in one line. 

See the example below. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.  ‍ Yours sincerely, [First and last name]

2. Include a Direct Call to Action

Make a specific call to action on how the next steps should be taken. 

As opposed to implying the next steps, be direct when stating how you’d like to move forward to radiate enthusiasm and confidence. This can be a good approach when your cover letter revolves around your passions or interests or when you’re applying for an internship opportunity .

See the examples below. 

I am now ready for a more impactful role in a larger firm, which is what motivated me to apply for the position you advertised. I will be happy to answer any questions you have in person or online, at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at (phone number) and (email). ‍ Sincerely, [First and last name]

I would love the opportunity to meet you, and I am excited to continue helping people on their path to recovery by becoming a member of [Company]’s team. I am happy to discuss the position in more detail, and you may contact me by phone at 1242-345-6789 or via email — [email protected] to arrange an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration.  Sincerely, [First and last name]

3. Leave a Personal Note Expressing Your Interest

A personal note means making a statement that expresses how you feel about the job opportunity. Whether you’re writing a letter that expresses your interest or curiosity, share why you’re looking forward to taking the next steps. 

However, keep a professional tone. 

All my experience and skills would make me a great new addition to your establishment. I have attached my resume, which contains a more in-depth look at my experiences and skills. I look forward to hearing from you and would love to visit your restaurant for an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [First and last name]

4. Summarize Your Cover Letter and Career Highlights

Taking into account what you’ve written in both your resume and cover letter , what’s the ultimate reason why hiring managers would want to hire you? Write an overview of the purpose of your application . Mention why your career highlights are significant factors to you being a qualified candidate. 

I am very enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your team. I am confident that my passion for social networking and digital media will allow me to contribute to your company’s success. I am available to discuss this position in more detail at a convenient time. Thank you for your consideration.  Sincerely, [First and last name]

5. Bring up the Company’s Vision

If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to refer to the company’s core values and mission statement. 

Choose a particular aspect of the company culture that resonates with you the most. Share how it’s relevant to the value you can bring to the table and how you would blend in well with the company’s workplace. 

This is a good approach for those of you with no work experience as it reinforces your positioning as a strong potential candidate. 

See the example below.

My passion for this field and desire to understand graphic design, advertising and the internet align with Company Z’s approach to understanding its customers and their complex businesses and circumstances in order to provide the most effective graphic design solutions. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing this position further. Sincerely, [First and last name]

6. Share Your Career Objectives 

Impart your potential employer with why you were drawn to the job opening in the first place. Mention your career goals to show that you align with the company’s interests. 

However, your objectives must be relevant to the company’s vision. Including irrelevant goals that don't align with the company’s interests is a common cover letter mistake . 

I am looking for a position that will allow me to continue to develop my skills and grow as an analyst. My career goals include working with a team of analysts and clients to create a positive and challenging work environment, and I look forward to the next step in my career path. Sincerely, [First and last name]

Proactive, innovative, and highly influential, I am seeking a challenging but rewarding position, which is why I was naturally drawn to this exciting opportunity. Sincerely, [First and last name]

7. Share How You Intend to Add Value

Write about how you’re going to help the company solve a problem. Share the type of results that you’re capable of bringing to the organization to position yourself as a valuable asset. 

When considering what to include , be specific about how you intend to make a positive difference. To not sound arrogant though, be sure that you’ve discussed your work history in detail earlier on in your cover letter. 

I strongly believe that my strengths in organizing profitable events and driving company revenues will readily translate to your environment. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and further discuss my qualifications and your requirements in detail. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [First and last name]

4 More Factors to Consider For a Good Cover Letter Ending

Here’s a few more cover letter tips for ending your cover letter. 

Use Emotive Language

Emotive language means using words that express an emotion. Including this in your closing paragraph makes your job application feel more personal, engaging, and convincing. 

Here’s some examples: 

• I would love to… • I am confident that my passion… • I would very much appreciate…

Never Use Postscript Text

Postscript text (P.S.) isn’t bad but it's not necessary on a cover letter . 

Rather than writing a single personal note towards the end, personalize every application you send. Tailor your cover letter to the job description. This is more effective than sending a generic cover letter with only a single personal note saved until the end. 

Include an Electronic Signature 

Again, this isn’t necessary but it’s an extra step you could take to stand out from the hundreds of applications that the company is getting. That said, it's not a dealbreaker. Many of Rezi’s users who have used the AI cover letter generator have secured interviews despite not including an electronic signature. 

Maintain a Professional Tone

Writing in a conversational, friendly tone is important for creating an engaging cover letter. But it must be professional and not in an overly friendly manner. Think of it as speaking to your manager at work. 

3 Cover Letter Examples With Strong Closing Paragraphs

If your job title isn’t listed below, you’re more likely to find it in our library of 180+ cover letter templates . 

Personal Assistant

Software Engineer

Video Editor

Use Rezi AI Cover Letter Writer to Generate a Cover Letter in Seconds 

The Rezi AI Cover Letter Writer feature takes a few details from your professional background so that it can generate a tailored cover letter based on your work history and the job you’re applying to. 

Here’s how it works:

• Enter the company name.
• Write the job position/title you’re applying for. 
• Select a previous job position/title to highlight. 
• Press “AI Writer Ready”.

And that’s it. Your cover letter is (almost) complete—simply make a few tweaks to further tailor it to the company’s job description. 

You can sign up here to get started for free. 

Or, watch the video below to see how it works!

Here’s a recap on how to end a cover letter: 

• Express your enthusiasm for the work opportunity. 
• Write an overview of how your background makes you the perfect fit for the role. 
• Directly state how you can meet the company’s needs. 
• Include a call to action that’s not presumptuous.
• Thank the reader for their time and consideration.
• Use a formal sign-off like “Sincerely,” followed by your first and last name. 

And just because you should end on a high note doesn’t mean you need a flashy exit. 

Unless you’re going to add something insightful to the conversation, it’s enough to just thank the hiring manager for their time and sign off from there. Otherwise, adding fluff reduces the impact of a well-written cover letter.

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

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How To End A Cover Letter (With Examples)

• Cover Letter Format
• Salutation and Greeting
• Who To Address When Unknown
• How To Start A Cover Letter
• How To End A Cover Letter
• Best Cover Letter Font And Size
• Cover Letter Spacing
• Cover Letter Length
• Key Elements Of A Cover Letter
• How To Write An Address
• Official Letter Format
• Cover Letter Opening

Find a Job You Really Want In

Writing the body of your cover letter can be hard enough, but somehow figuring out how to end it can cause intense writer’s block for even the most verbose.

In this article, we’ll show you how to end a cover letter, complete with example closing paragraphs and sign-offs. We’ll also talk about what closings to avoid, how to end with a P.S., and the basic structure of a cover letter.

Key Takeaways

The last paragraph of your cover letter should include a call to action, your enthusiasm for the role, and a thank you to the reader .

You can’t go wrong with “Sincerely,” when you’re signing off on your cover letter.

Using a P.S. effectively can be a great way to make your cover letter stand out.

How to End a Cover Letter

Examples of how to end your cover letter, how to sign off on a cover letter, mistakes to avoid: how not to close a cover letter, ending a cover letter with p.s., what is a cover letter for, final thoughts.

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When you’re writing a cover letter, you want to tie up your body paragraphs with a bow, not fizzle out into mediocrity, and the best way to do this is with a brief concluding paragraph.

This paragraph doesn’t need to be long — even one or two lines will do — but it needs to have these elements:

A call to action

Your enthusiasm for the position

A thank you

Usually, your call to action for your cover letter will be a request to discuss the position further or an offer to answer any questions the reader may have. Your goal with this is to remind the reader why you’re writing and to put the ball in their court.

As you write this section, be enthusiastic about the prospect of getting the position and working for the company. Hiring managers want to know you care about the job, so show them that you do.

Finally, thank the reader for their time and attention. This simple addition will go a long way toward strengthening your good rapport with the hiring manager .

Closing statements in cover letters are important, but try not to overthink it. You want to sound confident and qualified, not insecure and nervous .

Here’s a list of fail-proof ways to end your cover letter:

I look forward to the chance to learn more about this opportunity and share with you how I would be a great fit for your company.

A strong closing like this will show that you’re confident and excited for the opportunity. Ending your cover letter this way will show that you can fit into their company’s culture and that your work ethic is what they’re looking for in an employee.

I am excited to offer my strengths, skills, and expertise in this industry to benefit your company.

Employers want to know what you can bring to the table and how you can help their company succeed. With a statement like this, you can show them that you’re committed to becoming part of their company and leading them toward success.

If I am offered a position with your company, I will be immediately ready to start working with your company to exceed your expectations for success.

Adding a statement like this to closing of your cover letter will show your enthusiasm for working with the company. Employers look for people who are excited about their work , and mentioning that you can help them succeed is never a bad move.

I am thrilled for the opportunity to meet with you and further discuss how my qualifications will be beneficial to your company’s success.

Employers want to know how your experience and qualifications will help their company succeed. It’s important to let them know that your ultimate goal is to help their company grow and flourish, not that they’ll be a minor checkpoint on the road to your own personal success.

Keep in mind that the purpose of your cover letter is to land an interview with the employer. Explain to your reader how you will be beneficial to their company and what you hope to gain from meeting with them.

Just as it’s important to include a confident closing statement, it’s equally important to sign off your cover letter in a professional manner. It’s a big part of the format of your cover letter .

For your convenience, here’s a list of common sign-offs that are great to use for cover letters and other professional correspondences:

Sincerely/Sincerely yours/Most sincerely

Regards/Best/Best regards/With best regards

Respectfully/Respectfully yours

Yours truly

Thank you for your consideration

Follow the closing of your choice with a comma, and on a new line, write your name. If you’re sending an email, you can add your contact information below your name. For example :

Best Regards, Your Name Your LinkedIn Profile URL Your Email Address Your Phone Number

Best Regards, John Lynch www.linkedin.com/in/john-lynch/ [email protected] 999-888-7777

Make sure to include a professional email address. While your beloved middle school email address “[email protected]” is fun and quirky, it’s probably not going to help you land any jobs.

The Best Closing for a Cover Letter

“Thanks in advance”

I know, it seems a little odd for a job seeker, but a study by Boomerang indicates that it’s got the best response rate. Of course, that’s for a ll email closings , not just job applications.

And because of that, we feel that the “in advance” part may come off as a little presumptuous — but the gratitude part is always appreciated. So drop the advance and just say thank you.

Everyone likes to be appreciated.

When it comes to cover letters, there are definitely mistakes that you need to steer clear of. In this case — if you’re too casual in your sign-off, your cover letter is probably going to spend the rest of its lifespan in the garbage.

Because we care about you and want you to get a job, here’s a list of sign-offs to avoid at all costs so you can prevent yourself from looking unprofessional:

Affectionately

Best wishes

Have a great day

Take it easy

Warm regards

Yours/Yours faithfully

Thx bro/Pls respond

Eagerly waiting for a response

Sent from my iPhone

This is a professional document — you want your cover letter to give off the vibe of a firm handshake, not a casual fist bump.

Avoid ghosting/the Irish goodbye/the French exit/etc. The point is — don’t just end your cover letter without a concluding statement or signing off.

Even though writing a cover letter is stressful and you might just want to end it as quickly as possible, it’s still important to come full circle and close it out.

One extra tip for ending your cover letter like a pro is using the postscript (P.S.). When hiring managers and recruiters skim through cover letters all day, their eyes are naturally drawn to small changes, like having an extra line or two after your signature.

It’s probably the first thing they’ll read, so if you can use your P.S. to intrigue them enough to read the rest of your cover letter, you’re in good shape.

If you have an extra ace up your sleeve, consider using it in a postscript. Don’t use the same information as the body of your cover letter ; otherwise, you’re just wasting space. Anything that makes you a unique candidate but doesn’t quite fit with the rest of your cover letter is a great option for a postscript.

The great thing about a P.S. is that you can bring up something outside of your job qualifications that nevertheless shows your initiative, problem-solving , and values. Bonus points if those values align with the company you’re applying to.

P.S. — I’d be thrilled at the opportunity to discuss how my sustainability initiative reduced CO2 emissions at my office by 17% and learn more about your mission for environmental stewardship.

P.S. — In my 6+ years of teaching, I’ve educated students from the ages of 5-18 and from diverse racial, socioeconomic, and regional backgrounds, much like the community your institution serves.

P.S. — I’d love the chance to apply my proven marketing tactics to XYZ Inc. and achieve even better results than the 213% increase in website traffic I saw with my former clients.

To be clear, we’re not suggesting that a P.S. is the ultimate way to end your cover letter for everyone. But if you can think of an impactful one that grabs the hiring manager’s attention, you’re in good shape.

Cover letters are a way for candidates to draw connections between their resumes and the job they hope to land.

They’re used to show off your best skills , qualifications , and achievements in a more fleshed-out way than your resume can. They also indicate that you weren’t just shotgun blasting your applications across the whole wide internet, because they’re more personalized than a resume.

If you’re interviewing for a position in a writing-heavy creative industry like marketing, content creation, or public relations then your cover letter and its ending serve to illustrate your communication skills , how your qualifications match the job requirements, and how you can be reached to discuss your availability.

Greeting. Use “Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]” if you can find the recipient’s name (which we recommend you do ). If you can’t find that, here are a few more options other than “Dear Hiring Manager.”

Opening paragaph. Open with an introduction , a bit of your professional backgrond, why you’re enthusiastic about the opportunity, and possibly how you heard about the job opening (especially if you were referred by a current employee). This should be around three sentences.

Second paragraph. Match up your professional experiences with the job description . Think of your most impressive accomplishments that align with similar responsibilities you’d have at the new job.

Always use numbers when possible — hiring managers and recruiters like to see results. Your second paragraph is your longest, but still keep it to under six sentences.

Third paragraph. Now talk about why you’re the perfect fit for the company (and vice versa). You can mention values you share, unique problems they face that you’re equipped to handle, or simply compliment the company’s track record.

Concluding paragraph. This is what this article is all about. A call-to-action and a thank-you are the primary parts to consider here.

The sign-off. “Sincerely” works most of the time, but we have more options below.

The P.S. The postscript is a secret weapon you can use if you have a great extra detail to add that didn’t fit with the rest of your cover letter.

Ideally, your cover letter should be between 200-300 words, but the absolute maximum is 400. Don’t worry if it looks short at 200 words — embrace white space because many hiring managers and recruiters prefer half-page cover letters .

Cover letters are always the first impression you’ll leave on a potential employer – and you want to make sure it’s a good one. The closing of your cover letter is an important factor in helping you land your next interview. By writing an enthusiastic and confident closing paragraph, you’ll help your reader see that you’re the best person for the job.

Writing cover letters can be stressful — if you want to reap the benefits of writing one, make sure you’re that you’re giving it your best effort from start to finish.

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Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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• End Cover Letter

How To End A Cover Letter - Free Samples, Examples, Formats

In This Guide:

What should the closing paragraph of a cover letter include, examples of how to end a cover letter with a promise, skip these template cover letter endings, takeaways from writing a memorizing cover letter ending.

Quick Answer: "To end a cover letter, include a complimentary close and a promise to show the employer what actual value you can bring to the company as well as your willingness to achieve goals. Avoid using common phrases like ""sincerely"" and ""I'm looking forward to hearing from you"" and instead use alternative phrases like ""thank you,"" ""thank you for your consideration,"" or ""let me know if anything changes."" Examples of good promises to make include improving company metrics or promising employee growth."

Ending a cover letter can be compared to the final eye contact in a handshake. It’s a crucial touchpoint that can make or break your chances of getting an interview.

With that in mind, you are probably asking yourself – How to end a cover letter and enhance the odds of ending up getting hired?

That’s what we are about to cover now!

What you will learn:

• How to create a Closing Paragraph that will make the hiring manager smile?
• Real examples with promise, that will highlight your strengths
• What phrases to use instead of “Sincerely” and “I’m looking forward to hearing from you”

Check more than 50 Incredible cover letter examples for job applications and Internships here!

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Before we speak about the closing paragraph, let’s clarify why the cover letter is so important.

Most recruiters require you to submit a cover letter with your resume and application. A cover letter’s main advantage is that you have the opportunity to speak directly to the employer, showing them why you’re the right person for the job.

Let’s move to the closing paragraph.

It must consist of complimentary close and promises.

While the complimentary close part is usually standardized, the promise section is where you can really make your cover letter stand out.

By giving a promise, you show what actual value you can bring to the company as well as your willingness to achieve goals, based on your knowledge and skills.

Find more about the other parts of the cover letter in our detailed guide here!

Ending with a promise is as we said a great way to give value to your cover letter.

Although there are different types of promises, one thing is always the same – you must be ready to stand behind your words and give everything to achieve what you have promised.

 How to end a cover letter promising to enhance company metrics

“If I have the opportunity to become part of the team, I’ll exemplify the commitment and passion that helped me grow the Alphabet Corps business by 50% in just three years.”

Sounds good, right?

You are promising a dedication of your energy and knowledge to achieve better results, emphasizing real experience from a previous employer.

Let’s see another example:

 “I believe that if I get the job, I can help the organization to achieve 35% more website conversions, by implementing marketing techniques like link-building, white hat SEO, email marketing, and Social Media strategies”

In this case, you highlight your knowledge in marketing methods and by that, you show proof of how you are going to achieve the “35% more conversion” goal.

It stands to reason that you should be honest in your prediction of how you will enhance company metrics.

So, be authentic!

How to end a cover letter promising to grow as an employee

Another awesome way to end a cover letter is by giving a promise of employee growth:

I believe my skills and drive will develop in this job because of the renowned support Trusted Trucking Inc. gives to its team members.

It shows you believe that the company is the right place to continue your career development. Your dedication and commitment will be appreciated and you are ready to become a valuable part of the crew!

Although the complementary section of your cover letter seems pretty formal, you might want to avoid using some of the common phrases like “Sincerely and “I’m looking forward to hearing from you”.

What to say instead of Sincerely:

• Thank You – This is easily one of the best cover letter closings to a cover letter. You don’t need to put any more thought into it, and no one will look at it as lacking in any way.
• Thank You for Your Consideration – Appreciating the time of HR or hiring managers is another good way to end up a cover letter.
• Respectfully – Similarly to the one above, using the word respectfully can show recruiters of your admiration for the work they do.
• Respectfully Yours – If you have developed a relationship with the hiring manager or a human resources staffer at a company, finishing up your cover letter with “respectfully yours” will let them know how much you appreciate their help.
• Best Regards – It can elicit a sense of understanding or bolster a good relationship with the recruiter.
• Kind Regards – This way of ending a cover letter is very similar to a simple thank you. It’s also very understated, lacks nothing, and will not be questioned for insincerity or impertinence.

“I look forward to hearing from you” is another popular cover letter ending and even if it conveys familiarity and warm sentiment, it sometimes can present a wrong message.

What to say instead of I’m looking forward to hearing from you:

• I appreciate your quick response – It communicates you’re serious about a response without being forceful or vaguely threatening.
• Let me know if anything changes – It’s another way to give the initiative to the hiring manager without being too pushy.

Let’s summarize:

• Cover letter ending is crucial and can make or break your chances of landing a new job.
• The cover letter ending paragraph consists of complimentary close and promises.
• Giving a promise at the end shows what actual value you can bring to the company as well as your willingness to achieve goals
• There are two great promises that you can give – a promise of improved company metrics and a promise of employee growth
• There are plenty of alternative phrases to use instead of “Sincerely” and “Looking forward to hearing from you”

What did you think of this article? Are you feeling more comfortable in writing cover letter endings now? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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How to Start and End a Cover Letter

Now that you’ve written your resume in English , and you’ve found a job advertisement, here are a few tips on how to write a respectable cover letter.  I consider these tips to be the ‘good manners’ you’d want to extend to your potential new company.

When we’re editing cover letters at English Trackers , I’ve come to realise that many people don’t know how to start or finish a letter in English.

Compared to some of the flowery endings you find in other languages, English is incredibly simple and the salutation and sign off should be learned in pairs.

Let me explain.

The Salutation  – How to start a cover letter

There are three possible choices:

You know the person’s name – then use it:

• Dear Mr Parker

You don’t know the person’s name – but have been told to write to the HR department:

• Dear HR Manager

You don’t know the person’s name and don’t want to offend either gender:

• Dear Sir or Madam

NOTE : Do not use ‘To Whom It May Concern’

This should only be used on letters of reference, certificates etc. These kinds of documents are submitted over and over again, and are therefore addressed to many different people – whom ever it may concern.

The Sign Off – How to end a cover letter

There are only two choices: Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully

Here’s a very simple way of remembering whether you end with Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully.

“You can never have more than one ‘ S ’ in a salutation and signoff.” Therefore – Dear S ir & Yours s incerely – should never appear together.

If you know the person’s name, you ALWAYS sign off with Yours sincerely. For every other salutation, you sign off Yours faithfully.

• Dear Mr Parker – Yours sincerely
• Dear Ms Little – Yours sincerely  
• Dear Sir – Yours faithfully
• Dear Madam – Yours faithfully
• Dear HR Manager – Yours faithfully

I said it was simple! If you want more info on coping with letter etiquette, download the English Trackers Email Etiquette Tips – we’ve covered just about every eventuality in there.

Setting the tone

Tone is not an easy thing to master in another language. You need to write in such a way that you don’t presume anything – that the person will call you for an interview, that the company will hire you etc. – but you do want to show you’re a good fit for the position.

Endings are very hard – as hard and important as the beginning of a cover letter, and they merit a fair amount of time. You want to end on a positive note that points to the future – the possibility of an interview, the submission of further information.

In the edited version below, these two points are merged together into one fluid and positive last sentence.

I thank you for taking the time to consider my application, and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you in more detail.

In the following unedited example, the first sentence is not too bad in terms of tone, but the second sentence is basically an order; there is not even a please or a thank you!

In case this application together with my attached CV has paid your attention I will be happy to elaborate on the value I can bring xxx company.

As I am permanently employed it is very important that you treat this application with full discretion and confidentiality.

Below, is a polite, edited version of those two sentences:

Should you wish, I would be very happy to discuss the contents of this letter and the enclosed CV in person. I would also request that in light of my on-going permanent employment this application be treated with full discretion and confidentiality.

And don’t forget, when you’ve finished writing  – edit, edit, edit .

Re-read it and then if possible, leave it for a night. Come back to it fresh and go through it again. Ask someone else to read it – preferably a native English speaker – and only when you are sure it’s error free and ready to represent you politely – then push SEND!

Good luck with your job applications.

Give me more!

Have you ever wondered what your emails say about you?

What Do Your Emails Say About You?

Sincerely or Faithfully?

If you know the name of the person you’re writing  to (‘Dear Jane…’) use sincerely . If you don’t know the name of the name of the person you’re addressing then you should use faithfully .

Emails tend me be less formal than traditional letters so you could always keep it simple and use regards/kind regards .

Yours sincerely and Yours faithfully are both traditional ways to end a letter. Letter writing over the years has been an art form and signing off has a long history with conventions attached to it. When you sign off a letter at the end, phrases such as Yours sincerely are known as valedictions . Take a look at these examples :

• Yours truly
• Kind regards
• Yours hopefully

For our American readers there is little fuss over the sincerely/faithfully question because there it is common to use sincerely and not muddle things by adding faithfully to the equation.

But for the rest of us the question arises about how to sign off a letter and make sure that we are using the correct valediction.

Here is how we do it (and how to remember which one to use: faithfully or sincerely).

Yours sincerely

This is used if you know the person’s name (perhaps the job advertisement has told you to send letters to a Mr J. Fox). You know their name so you will be addressing the letter to them and signing off Yours sincerely.

Yours faithfully

This is used where you do not know the name of the person to whom you are sending the letter. You may have seen a job advertised but you have not been given a name to address your cover letter to. You may start your letter, Dear Sir or Madam and end it with Yours Faithfully.

Sincerely or faithfully: How Do I Remember Which One To Use?

This is how I remember it: if you are writing a letter to someone and you do not know their name you are writing to them blindly and you must have blind faith that they will reply and be helpful. With this faith in mind you must use faithfully.

If you know the name of the person you are writing to then you are in a stronger position to be sincere in your letter to them: use sincerely

Sincerely or faithfully: another way to remember which one to use.

Many people remember it like this:

Never use Sir with Sincerely

So if you open with Dear Sir or Madam you will never end with sincerely; you will use faithfully.

Remember that a covering email is usually a little less formal and frequently uses less stuffy ways to sign off ; you may use lighter language to sign off such as Regards.

Perhaps you have your own ways of remembering valedictions. Leave your own ideas in the comments section.

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3 Responses to Sincerely or Faithfully?

The usage of “sincerely” and “faithfully” as described above is nonsense. If you only know a person’s name you clearly do not know the person so “faithfully” is the only valediction that can be used. The meanings of the nouns “person” and “name” are not synonymous but in the above criteria they have been used as such.

Person : A human being regarded as an individual

Name : A word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, addressed, or referred to i.e. label

One then has to clarify what is considered to be the meaning of to know a person. As the noun “person” in this case is the object the word “know” has the following meaning:

[WITH OBJECT] Have developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with:

It would therefore seem that “faithfully” is the only valediction unless one has met the addressee! It would seem that the above guide to usage is pretty much useless. I was taught if you know the person “sincerely” and if you don’t know the person “faithfully”. KNOWING A NAME IS NOT KNOWING A PERSON! I’m not a scholar of the English language but I do understand that “person” and “name” mean different things. I would seem that English guidelines have been adulterated to allow the one size fits all American usage.

Oxford University Press does not agree that this is nonsense:

“The wording at the end of a business letter follows a standard format: If you know the name of the person you’re writing to, you should end the letter with Yours sincerely. If your letter begins with Dear Sir or Dear Madam, it should end with Yours faithfully.”

Citation: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/business-letters

Regardless of your sensible, laudable, logical, and probably better suggestion, the convention is as the Job Fox describes, namely (pun intended) “Sir doesn’t go with sincerely”.

To use faithfully where you know the name, but have otherwise no knowledge of the person, will look odd to most people and distract from the purpose of the letter.

Having said that, language changes. Maybe when you were at school, your definition was more generally accepted, but since then the custom has changed. Maybe in a couple of generations, the distinction between sincerely and faithfully will be less known and so widely disregarded that it becomes irrelevant. Maybe we’ll just put a smiley and hit send.

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"Yours sincerely", "Yours faithfully," and "Yours truly"

When to use "yours sincerely", "yours faithfully," and "yours truly".

The Quick Answer

• If you know the recipient or use their name, end your letter with 'Sincerely yours' (US) or 'Yours sincerely' (UK).
• If you don't know the recipient or don't use their name, end your letter 'Yours truly' (US) or 'Yours faithfully' (UK).

Starting and Ending Letters

"Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully"?

Use "yours faithfully" ( ) or "yours truly" ( ) for unknown recipients.

Use "Yours sincerely" ( ) or "Sincerely yours" ( ) for Known Recipients

With "yours sincerely" and "yours faithfully" give only the first word a capital letter.

Follow "Yours sincerely" and "Yours faithfully" with a Comma

Write the salutation, postamble, and your name by hand, top tip: don't use "s" twice.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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• EXPLORE Random Article

How to End a Cover Letter

Last Updated: June 24, 2021 Approved

This article was co-authored by Melody Godfred, JD . Melody Godfred is a Career Coach, Entrepreneur, and Founder of Write In Color, a full-service resume and career development company that specializes in developing compelling personal narratives and brands. With over ten years of experience, Melody has worked with clients at entertainment and media companies including Apple, Disney, Fox, Netflix, Riot Games, Viacom, and Warner Bros, among others. The Muse invited Melody and Write In Color to serve as one of its 30 trusted career counselors (out of 3,000) to provide one-on-one coaching and resume services to the platform's more than four million active users. Melody earned a JD from Loyola Marymount University and BS from the University of Southern California. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,298,054 times.

A weak, halfhearted ending to a cover letter can leave the employer wondering whether you're really the right fit for the job. On the other hand, a well-written, positive final note can lead straight to an interview. The final paragraph should include a word of thanks, a strong closing sentence, and information about the next steps. Read on to learn how to write a great cover letter ending.

Writing a Good Final Paragraph

• You might refer to the mission of the company. This is a good strategy because it demonstrates you understand what the company does and that you want to be a part of the organization. Referencing the company's outstanding reputation does not hurt your changes either.
• Some people also take a risk and add some flair to their cover letter ending. If you're going to crack a joke or use colorful language, you stand the chance of turning off the potential employer. But on the other hand, being funny might be just the ticket.
• No matter what, make sure your cover letter's ending matches the overall tone of your cover letter.

• For example, you might write: “I am very excited about the opportunity to make an immediate and valuable contribution to your company.”

• For example, you might write: “My professional skills in marketing, coupled with my passion for your products, will enable me to help grow the business segment.”

• If you are including recommendation letters that will be sent separately by your references, you might write: “Recommendation letters from Dr. Patricia Smith and Dr. Joseph Johnson will arrive under separate cover.”

• For example, you can write: “Please call me at (your phone number) to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience.”

• For example, write: “I will follow up my application with a phone call next week.”
• It is very important that you follow through on the promise you make in your cover letter. If you say you’re going to follow up on your application, do so.
• It is also important to note if a company requests no phone call inquiries. If this is the case, email instead.

Finishing Off the Letter

• "Sincerely," and “Regards,” are old standards that are fine to use for any employer.
• "Best regards," or "All the best," are commonly used in business situations these days, and both are safe bets.
• "Warmly yours," or "With gratitude," are less common, but if you know the person who is reading your letter, you might choose one of these options. Don't use them if you're writing to someone you've never met.
• Capitalize only the first word in the phrase, and end the phrase with a comma. [6] X Research source

• If you are sending an electronic cover letter, it’s still a good idea to include your written signature. You can create a digital signature by signing a piece of paper, scanning it into the computer, and creating a digital image file. Paste this image into the signature area of your letter. [7] X Research source

• It’s especially important to include a contact number or email address if you have written more than one page. Then, your number will be right next to your name and will be easily found.

• Standard business letters typically describe each enclosure: “Enclosures (2): Resume, Writing Sample.”

Finalizing Your Cover Letter

• Ask someone else to read through your letter as well. This person might catch an error that you didn’t see.

• If you are sending the job application via email, you can choose to either include your cover letter in the body of the email, or you can include it as an attachment. If you do attach it as a separate document, write a brief cover letter in the body of the email to explain yourself briefly. [8] X Research source

Expert Q&A

• Keep the length of the letter to one page, unless it is your industry standard to write a longer cover letter. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/527/05/
• ↑ Melody Godfred, JD. Career Coach. Expert Interview. 29 April 2020.
• ↑ http://www.careerealism.com/cover-letter-thing-must-say/
• ↑ https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/5-phrases-close-cover-letter-land-interview/
• ↑ http://www.monster.com/blog/b/open-close-cover-letter-0421
• ↑ http://www.macworld.com/article/1142183/digitalsigcreate.html
• ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/cv-cover-letter-tips-how-to-write-perfect

About this article

To end a cover letter, start with a formal and appropriate closing word or phrase, like "Sincerely," "Best regards," or "All the best," followed by a comma. Then, add a handwritten or digital signature on the next line down, and type your full name on the line under your signature. Finally, include your phone number and email address underneath your name. For more advice from our Communications co-author, like how to write the last paragraph of your cover letter, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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• Laying Out a Letter

How to End a Letter Sincerely: 14+ Tips for Business & Personal Letters

Last Updated: May 10, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was reviewed by Seth Hall and by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau . Seth T. Hall (ICF ACC, CLC, and MNLP) is a Certified Life Coach and Founder of Transformational Solutions, a Los Angeles-based life-coaching company that helps people achieve their toughest goals, find their own voice, and think outside the box. He has been a life coach for over 10 years, specializing in personal development, relationships, career and finance, and wellness. He has helped his clients break the negative cycles in their lives and replace them with a positive, proactive mindset. Seth believes that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and rewarding life, and works passionately to help them reach their full potential. With a deep understanding of how our minds work and the power of positive thinking, he encourages his clients to find their unique paths in life and find success on their own terms. He is a certified master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a featured co-author for WikiHow, and co-author of "The Mountain Method”, “The Happy Tiger”, and “The V.I.S.I.O.N.S. Program”. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 290,905 times.

Are you feeling confused about how to choose a sincere, situation-appropriate closing phrase for your letter? You’re not alone! Whether you’re writing a business letter or a thank-you note, your closer is an important piece of the puzzle—and the right one often depends on the situation. Here, we’ll show you which closing phrases are most sincere and teach you how to choose the best one for your letter.

Things You Should Know

• Phrases like “Sincerely” and “Best” (along with variations like “Sincerely yours” and “Best wishes”) are great additions to any letter.
• Use professional closes like “Regards” and “Thank you for your time” to convey your message while being polite to people you don’t know well.
• Write more personal closes like “Take care,” “Cheers,” and “Your friend” in letters to people you know well and are friendly with.

Professional Closers

• Sincerely yours
• Very sincerely
• Very sincerely yours

• Respectfully
• Best regards
• “Regards” is a fairly neutral phrase. If you want to add some decorum without getting too friendly, “Best regards” is an easy switch.

• Kindest regards
• Warm(est) regards
• Have a good day/evening/weekend

• Looking forward to your reply
• Hope to hear from you soon
• When writing to a friend, you could shorten the phrase and say, “Talk soon.”

• Thank you for your consideration
• Thank you for your recommendation
• Thank you in advance
• Thank you for your assistance
• Thank you (or “Thanks again” if you’ve already said it once near the beginning of the letter.)

• With gratitude
• With sincere thanks
• Many thanks

• Best wishes
• All the best
• Best of luck

Personal Closers

• Your friend

• With heartfelt admiration
• With my most sincere apologies
• With a heavy heart

Formatting & Signature Tips

• Sign your first and last name when you write to someone you’ve never met in person.
• Sign only your first name on letters to friends or work colleagues who know you.
• Write your last name in parentheses if you’ve spoken to the recipient on the phone but never met them in person.

• On a handwritten letter, include: Sincerely, Ashton Bailey (Signature) Ashton Bailey (Your written name) [email protected] (Your email) 555-555-5555 (Your phone number)
• In an email, you only need your name, email address, company website, and logo (if there is one).

Examples to End a Business and Personal Letter

Community Q&A

• Leave personal pronouns out of your closing phrase, as they can sound awkward. Sentence fragments make the best letter closers! In other words, use "Looking forward" instead of "I am looking forward" to ensure your closing flows seamlessly. [13] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Remember that some types of personal letters can do more harm than good. For example, when you send a letter full of bitterness and anger, you can’t take those words back—they’re on the page for good. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Before sending a negative or angry letter, put it aside and let your emotions settle for a little while. When you return and re-read the letter, you may find you’d rather soften the tone or not send it at all. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/repository/files/business-and-professional-writing/business_letter_handout-major-rev.pdf
• ↑ https://www.exclaimer.com/email-signature-handbook/email-sign-offs-guide/
• ↑ https://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/yours_faithfully_or_sincerely_at_end_of_letter.htm
• ↑ https://erinwrightwriting.com/close-emails-letters-part-1/
• ↑ https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-end-a-business-letter
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/job_search_letters/cover_letters_workshop/formatting_and_organization.html

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Resources > Unitemps Career Advice > Cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them

Cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them

Cover letters seem straightforward enough but there is an art to making them stand out – find out what to avoid if your cover letter is to have the impact you want it to.

1. Don’t write a personal statement

A cover letter should give a brief indication of why you think you are right for this role. You will also want to showcase your passion for the work involved but be wary of writing a statement that is all about you – a personal statement would be a more appropriate document to tell your story and only some employers will want this as part of the application process. A cover letter, on the other hand, ‘covers’ the skills detailed on your CV by going into more detail and demonstrating your ability and how these skills have been put into practice.

2. Keep it succinct

It’s tempting to overload your cover letter with multiple examples of your skills and how you have utilised these in your work so far but the employer needs a short and snappy summary to get through a lot of applications. Instead, save some of your examples and scenarios for the interview stage, where you will be able to talk about your work in much more depth. Your cover letter should be no longer than one page.

3. Don’t repeat your CV

A cover letter shouldn’t simply list your achievements and work to date as this is the task your CV takes care of. Instead, you should reflect your skills and experience using specific examples to back up the information on your CV. Your cover letter is all about proving you’re the right person for the job through clear scenarios, so think about what qualities the employer is looking for and then instances of when you have shown these qualities at work.

4. Format it correctly

Be sure to present the information on your cover letter in the correct style and layout. It’s professional to include your address in the top right column and the address of your employer in the top left column of your letter, regardless of it being sent electronically. You should start the letter with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ or even by name if you have this information to hand. If you have addressed the receiver as sir or madam, you should sign off with ‘Yours faithfully’. If you have addressed the receiver by name, then ‘yours sincerely’ is best. Check our the Unitemps cover letter template for an example of what to do.

5. Write a new cover letter for every job role

Writing cover letters shouldn’t be rushed – and this means it can be time-consuming and the temptation to copy and paste from previous covering letters is strong. The problem with doing this is that it is often obvious to the employers that you haven’t tailored your skills to the job description. It appears lazy and you can come across as unmotivated straight away – so, if you want your covering letter to have an impact, put the time in and explicitly link your skills and experience to the person specification.

Register with Unitemps to upload your CV and begin applying for jobs straight away.

Last updated on 12 December 2022

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“Yours Faithfully” or “Yours Sincerely”? Best Choice In Formal Letters

When signing a letter, you can use a few options to end it. “Yours faithfully” and “yours sincerely” are two such options, and this article will look at which is best in formal letters. There are certain rules to follow when using both, so we’ll cover those as well.

Is “Yours Faithfully” Or “Yours Sincerely” The Best Choice For Ending Formal Letters?

Both choices are good for ending formal letters. You should use “yours faithfully” when starting the letter with “dear sir/ madam ” or when you don’t know the recipient’s name. You should use “yours sincerely” when using a personal name or if you know the recipient.

We refer to both of these statements as “complementary closes.”

They are present at the end of almost every formal email or letter, and we use them to close off before writing our name. Both are correct, and it only depends on how well you know the person you’re writing a letter to that determines which of them you should use.

When To Use “Yours Faithfully”

We’ll start by going through how “yours faithfully” works.

You should use “yours faithfully” when you don’t know the name of the recipient of your letter. Instead, you’ll write “dear sir” or “dear madam” to address them, meaning you “faithfully” sign off at the end.

We use “yours” here to show that we’re pleased that they’ve allowed us the time to read our letter. It means “this is now yours” and works well to show formality in most cases.

You might see “yours faithfully” in the following ways:

• I hope this letter finds you well, as I have much to share with you.
• Yours faithfully,
• Mr. Tidings
• Dear ma’am,
• I am writing this letter to share my displeasure with you, and I hope you will read the contents thoroughly.
• Mrs. Simmons
• To whom this may concern,
• I hope my letter reaches you well. It has been brought to my attention that my concerns raised in the previous meeting have yet to be addressed.
• Harry Hubert

“Sir,” “madam,” and similar titles are correct to use in this case. We do this when we’re not sure who might receive the letter or want to keep our formalities appropriate.

We can also use phrases like “to whom it may concern” when we have no idea who is going to receive our letter. “Yours faithfully” still applies in these cases, too.

When To Use “Yours Sincerely” And “Sincerely Yours”

“Yours sincerely” works when we do know the name. Some people also sign it backward and use “sincerely yours,” though this isn’t a common trope.

You should use “yours sincerely” when addressing someone by their name or with a personal title. Addressing some like “Mr. Smith” or “Daniel Webster” are appropriate times to use “yours sincerely” at the end of your letter.

Whether we only know the surname or the full name doesn’t matter. As long as we know an element of their personal name, we are able to use “yours sincerely” to sign off the letter.

The content of the letter will be much the same as what you can expect from “yours faithfully.” Nothing changes in the contents. It’s simply related to who you address and whether you’re familiar with them.

Some examples might help to make sense of this:

• Dear Mr. Jackson,
• I hope this letter finds you well. I’m more than happy to take you on board as a new client.
• Yours sincerely,
• Freddy Jones
• Dear Jackie Paulson,
• I am writing this letter to tell you all about the discoveries I made when I was abroad.
• Sincerely yours,
• Mr. Tomkins
• Dear Mrs. Harrison,
• I am writing a letter to you now to ask that you reconsider your decision before the council meeting!
• Milo Mikkelson

“Sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely” are interchangeable. As long as we address the recipient by name, we can use either closing statement to end our letter.

It’s much more likely that you’ll see “yours sincerely” at the end of a letter than “sincerely yours.” Most native speakers put “yours” first because it stays more in line with other phrases like “yours faithfully” and “yours truly.”

Is It Right To Say “Sincerely Yours”?

There is nothing wrong with using “sincerely yours” in your letters, even though it’s not the most common choice for native speakers.

It might help to look through common usage across American and British English. Sometimes, this helps us to understand whether the phrase is worth learning at all.

According to Google Ngram Viewer , “sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely” are used almost identically in American English. However, neither phrase is particularly popular, as you can see from the rapid decline over the last 200 years.

According to Google Ngram Viewer , “yours sincerely” is much more popular in British English, and it’s rare that British speakers will ever use “sincerely yours” in their letters or emails.

While American English doesn’t have a preference between the two, British English clearly favors “yours sincerely.”

The exact reason why this is the case is unclear, though it’s taught that “yours sincerely” is the only correct option in British schools. American English like to sway away from standardized rules, so they might have introduced “sincerely yours” as their own unique language construct.

When To Use “Yours Truly”

There is another option that we haven’t covered yet. “Yours truly” is a fairly popular phrase, and seeing how we use it in different languages will show you why.

According to Google Ngram Viewer , “yours truly” is vastly more popular than both “sincerely” and “faithfully” in American English. That’s because “yours truly” is the equivalent of “yours faithfully” to most American English speakers.

According to Google Ngram Viewer , “yours truly” is still more popular than the other two choices but much less popular overall in British English. It seems that all three phrases are used almost to the same degree, and British English has no particular preference.

You should use “yours truly” when you do not know the name of the recipient of your letter, just like “yours faithfully.” However, it’s much more likely that you’ll come across this in American English rather than British English.

Some examples might help you to understand it better:

• I hope this letter reaches you in time, as what I have to say is of high value.
• Yours truly,
• Madam Lopez
• To whoever receives this letter,
• I hope that I’m not out of line here, but I have many issues that I’d like to raise before the next government meeting.
• Dear sir/madam,
• I am writing this formal letter to criticize the abysmal performance of the staff I’ve noticed in your establishment in recent times.
• Karen Sinister

Why Is It “Yours Faithfully” And Not “Your Faithfully”?

So, why do we use “yours” in the phrase? We could just as easily use “your” since we’re only talking to one person, right?

You should use “yours” because it’s addressing “your” in the possessive form, meaning that the recipient now owns the contents of the letter. “Your” isn’t the possessive form, meaning it doesn’t make any sense to sign off in this way.

Does This Rule Also Count For “Yours Truly” And “Your Truly”?

The same rules apply no matter what way you choose to sign off your letters.

“Yours truly” is the only correct way to sign off because we need to use “yours” as the possessive form. There are no cases where “your truly” is correct to use.

Synonyms For “Yours Faithfully” And “Yours Sincerely”

While “yours faithfully” and “yours sincerely” are great ways to end a letter, there are still plenty of synonyms out there. We’ll include a good number of them, and we’ll finish off this section by telling you whether any of them are better to use than the original two.

• Best wishes
• Kind regards
• Kindest regards
• Respectfully
• Best regards
• Yours truly

The best options are “yours faithfully” or “yours truly” when you don’t know the name of the recipient and “yours sincerely” when you do know it. In formal writing, these are the only options you should consider.

With that said, we’d like to point out that “kind regards” is a great formal choice, but we mostly use it in emails. You’ll rarely (if ever) see it used in a letter, so you should avoid doing so.

Also, if you’re looking for informal options, we believe “best wishes” is your best choice. It’s a great way to sign a letter or email for someone that you know and trust, and you don’t mind too much about the professional tone of the letter.

Of course, you’re free to use whichever of the synonyms you prefer, but there really is no comparison worth being made over “yours faithfully,” “yours truly,” or “yours sincerely.”

You may also like: 12 Better Ways To Say “Sincerely” In Formal Emails

Final Thoughts

“Yours sincerely” and “yours faithfully” are great ways to end a formal letter and work based on whether you know the name of the recipient or not. “Yours truly” is another valid option, but you should stick to one of those three in all cases regarding formal letter writing.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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