How To Close a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

Image description

A pair of hands types on a laptop, working on a cover letter. There's also a list entitled, "Qualities of an Effective Cover Letter Sign-off" that includes these steps:

1. Express confidence
2. Be passionate
3. Connect your qualifications to the position
4. State your goals and expectations
5. Connect o the company's goals and values
6. Focus on technical expertise
7. End with a call to action
8. Choose a professional valediction

A great cover letter closing allows you to capture the attention of a hiring manager and increase your chances of securing an interview. It gives you one final opportunity to express genuine interest in an available job and highlight how you can positively impact the company. If you're applying for jobs, learning how to close a cover letter can help you in your job search.

In this article, we describe how to close a cover letter in seven steps, share five examples to help you write your own and list some tips for closing a cover letter effectively.

How to close a cover letter

Follow these steps to write a memorable cover letter closing:

1. Express confidence

Your firm belief that you're qualified and ready for the job can go a long way toward convincing the hiring manager to move your application forward. Illustrate how your accomplishments have enabled you to embrace new responsibilities and tackle unfamiliar challenges. Employers look for enthusiastic candidates who can quickly adapt and immediately start contributing to the company.

Related: How Important Is a Cover Letter?

2. Be passionate

Companies value passionate employees. They can motivate and inspire colleagues, set ambitious yet attainable goals and solve problems creatively. Hiring managers might prefer enthusiastic candidates because they might be a good fit for an internal promotion later. Expressing your passion for the role or company mission signals to potential employers your desire to be a dedicated, valuable team member.

Related: How To Write a Cover Letter (With Steps, Examples and Tips)

3. Connect your talents to the role

Throughout your cover letter, highlight connections between your past experiences and the requirements of the job. Your final sentences give you the opportunity to create a lasting final impression. This shows the hiring manager that you plan to transfer your skills into actionable steps to achieve goals and exceed expectations.

Related: FAQ: Is a Cover Letter Necessary? (Plus What Optional Means)

4. State your goals and set expectations

Employers are enthusiastic about high-energy job candidates who have a genuine intent and desire to contribute. Give the hiring manager an idea of what they might expect from you. Talk about how your qualifications can benefit the company and describe any goals you hope to achieve in the position. For example, if you're applying for a sales position, you might state your desire to surpass your sales quota within six months.

Related: Professional Goals To Improve Your Career (With 24 Examples)

5. Demonstrate your connection to the company's goals

Hiring managers are often leading groups that work toward a specific goal. In your cover letter, give the hiring manager a preview of how you plan to achieve those goals, leaving them curious and eager to learn more. You can find out the company's goals by doing research. Read the job description and search the company website for clues. If you can't find anything specific, you can focus on growth because the fact that they have open positions is a strong indicator that growing the business is a priority.

Related: What To Look for in a Job

6. Remember to thank them

Someone took the time to read through your application, and they likely read many other applications as well. Simply thanking them shows that you appreciate their time and you respect the hiring process. It also shows that you understand how to communicate professionally, which can give you an advantage in the hiring process.

Related: Tips for Using Thanks and Regards in Email and Letters

7. Choose the right complimentary close

After you've written an impactful final sentence, end with a professional and polite closing. Here are several strong closings to consider:

• Sincerely

• Regards

• Best

• Respectfully

• Thank you

Related: How To Close a Business Letter (With Tips and Examples)

Cover letter closing examples

When you combine the elements above, you can create a strong, impactful closing statement for your cover letter. Here are some examples you can use for inspiration:

• In my career, I've consistently leveraged data while managing marketing campaigns, including reviewing performance metrics and making adjustments to improve email open rates by as much as 200%. I'm eager to apply what I've learned in this new role at your company. Thank you for your consideration.

• Thank you for considering my application. I am fascinated by XYZ Company's sophisticated approach to transforming simple designs into striking centerpieces. I would be delighted to apply my experience in quality assurance to launch original products that improve brand loyalty.

• Thank you for your time and consideration. I'm excited about the opportunity to leverage my experience as a top-performing account executive to generate new leads, identify untouched markets and build meaningful customer relationships. I look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity.

• A driving career goal for me has been to develop meaningful relationships and surpass expectations with clients in any setting. I'm excited to apply this same energy and determination to grow and nurture Firm ABC's client base. Thank you for considering my application.

• I'm inspired by Company XYZ's success in supporting homegrown businesses, and I have several ideas for marketing strategies to increase profitability among that audience. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to the opportunity to share these ideas with you.

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

Related: Cover Letter Enclosure: Definition, Tips and Examples

Cover letter closing tips

Here are some tips you can use to write a strong closing statement to your cover letter:

Make it specific

Employers look through many resumes and cover letters throughout the hiring process. Crafting a specific statement shows the hiring manager that you've researched the company and position and that you have the skills to be successful. It also shows that you've taken time to reflect on the opportunity, which may make you a more successful employee. When you write your statement, reference skills or qualifications from the job description to connect your experience to the job you want.

Related: Tips To Write a Great Cover Letter

Be realistically confident

Confidence can give you an advantage in the hiring process, and you can avoid overconfidence by focusing on the qualities you possess. In your closing statement, emphasize your proven results and describe professional areas where you feel that you excel. For example, if you're writing a letter for a project manager position and you've never led a project, you can focus on the relevant skills you developed while taking part in projects other people led.

Related: How To Appear Confident in an Interview

Remain professional

Keeping a professional, formal tone in your cover letter shows the hiring manager you take the opportunity seriously and are prepared to work diligently. It also shows the hiring manager your written communication skills, which are important in many professional pathways. Use neutral, professional words in your conclusion and your complimentary closing phrase.

Proofread before you send

Proofreading your cover letter ensures that your writing is free of grammatical errors and typos and captures the hiring manager's attention. Consider using grammar-checking software to identify errors in punctuation and pronoun use. You might also ask a friend or family member to review your cover letter and provide feedback on your tone and word choice.