ACROBAT|8-MINUTE READ
How to end a cover letter (with examples).
Land more job interviews by learning how to end your cover letters.
Learning how to write a cover letter will help you land more interviews and stand out from other applicants. However, crafting a strong body for your document is only half of the equation. You also need to learn how to end a cover letter effectively.
This post contains helpful tips for how to end a cover letter, examples for creating great cover letter endings, and caveats regarding what not to do. By applying the information you found here and taking the time to compose a cover letter that checks all the right boxes, you can take the first crucial step toward landing your dream job.
Here are six ideas for how to end your cover letters effectively.
1. Keep it concise and professional.
Cover letters are generally about one page long, though they can expand to two pages, provided you have quality information to share. However, your conclusion should always be concise and to the point, regardless of the length of the document. Aim to leave a lasting impression without unnecessary fluff or filler language.
A brief and direct conclusion demonstrates your respect for the reader’s time and your ability to communicate effectively. Avoid lengthy sentences — focus on succinctly reinforcing your interest in the position and the value you bring to the organization.
Learning how to end a cover letter with strong closing arguments can leave a lasting impression on your reader. It might even be what makes you stand out when human resources teams convene to issue interview invitations and refine their candidate search.
Here’s an illustrative example:
“I am excited about the opportunity to help your team reach its goals. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my skills and experiences align with your organization’s needs.”
2. Thank the reader for their time.
Expressing gratitude is a key component of a polite and respectful cover letter conclusion. It lets the reader know you value their time and are grateful they devoted energy to reviewing your application. This simple act of courtesy can set a positive tone and demonstrate your appreciative attitude.
Including a “thank you” in your cover letter ending also shows an understanding of positive social norms and can help readers picture how you’ll fit into the company’s culture. Employers generally gravitate toward candidates who have a spirit of gratitude, as they’re often better employees and coworkers than those who are less gracious.
Your message doesn’t need to be grandiose or long-winded. Keep it short and to the point. For example:
“Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to talking in more depth about how my background and skills can contribute to your mission.”
3. Be upfront about your expectations.
Being clear about your expectations sets the stage for the next steps in the hiring process. Let the reader know you’re looking forward to a response or an interview. Doing so shows confidence and proactive engagement without being presumptuous about your odds.
Artfully expressing your expectations requires a nuanced approach. You don’t want to seem timid or indecisive, but you shouldn’t come across as arrogant, either.
For instance, you wouldn’t want to set a deadline on the hiring team by saying something like, “I hope to hear back from you by the end of the week.” Closing statements like this are pushy and can be considered disrespectful.
Here’s a better example of how to end a cover letter that artfully expresses expectations:
“I am eager to articulate how my experience and skills align with the needs of your company. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
4. Showcase your enthusiasm.
Enthusiasm can be contagious, significantly impacting the reader’s perception of you as a candidate. The company wants to know you’re excited to join the team. Sincere excitement can set you apart from other applicants and make your audience excited to work with you.
Don’t wait until the end of your cover letter to signal your excitement. Demonstrate your eagerness from the opening paragraph right down to your conclusion.
Be sure to research the company and, if possible, reference specific achievements or projects that stand out. This acknowledgment shows that you’ve done your homework and conveys that you’re pleased with the company’s reputation.
Being specific draws a connection between your enthusiasm and the company’s appeal. When deciding how to end a cover letter, consider the following example:
“I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to the company’s innovative projects, such as [examples]. I believe my passion and expertise can make a difference in contributing to the success of these ambitious ventures.”
5. Recap why you’re a good fit.
Summarize your main qualifications and how they align with the job requirements. Doing so underscores your suitability for the position and reminds the reader of your key strengths. A brief recap can be an effective way to reinforce your candidacy.
Don’t feel like you have to restate every skill or achievement here. Instead, mention two or three things you’re most proud of. Wherever possible, draw connections between your abilities and the preferred skills mentioned in the job posting.
Weaving a few relevant skill-centric keywords into your cover letter and resume has become more important than ever, as many businesses use automated tools to screen applications. You can improve your chances of scoring a job interview by using targeted language, such as:
“I am confident that my background in digital marketing and SEO and proven track record of managing successful campaigns will make me an asset to your company. Thank you for considering my application.”
6. Be confident but not arrogant.
Showing confidence in your abilities may help hiring teams believe in you, too. However, strike the right balance between quiet confidence and arrogance by expressing your belief in yourself while remaining humble and approachable. A nuanced approach like this demonstrates both self-assurance and professionalism.
Be prepared to back up your statements with hard numbers. For instance, you might list how much money you saved your previous employer by optimizing their scheduling processes and cutting back on overtime expenses. Using quantifiable data shows that you have good reason to be confident in your ability to deliver real results.
Choose data points that are relevant to the position. Focus on skills that translate to your new role. Even if you’re making a major career change, you can surely find aptitudes that transfer over and use those connections to position yourself as a capable candidate.
Make your self-confidence clear with phrases like the following:
“With close to 20 years of experience serving in various roles in the field, I am confident that my unique skills and insights make me a strong candidate for the position. Thank you for your consideration.”
How not to end a cover letter.
As important as it is to know how to end a cover letter, be sure to learn what not to do. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.
Using overly casual language.
Maintain your professionalism from start to finish, and avoid using vague or casual phrases that don’t add value or seem too informal, such as, “I hope this letter finds you well” or, “I’m super excited to join the team!”
Some job seekers use overly familiar language in an effort to break the ice. Your cover letter isn’t the place to do that. Make sure your sentences are loaded with value and relevance.
Being long-winded.
Your closing statement, much like the cover letter as a whole, should be brief and to the point. Hiring teams don’t need (or want) to hear your life story. They want a brief synopsis of your professional experience, a small glimpse into who you are as a person, and enough information to determine whether you’re a good fit for the job.
If you end your cover letter with a statement that is more than a couple of lines long, shorten it. Wrap things up and end with a fitting salutation.
Introducing new information.
You should tell readers everything you want them to know about you in your resume and the body of your cover letter. Don’t try to cram in any last-minute details in your conclusion. Keep the focus on summarizing your enthusiasm and recapping the key points you’ve already discussed.
Try something like this:
“Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the prospect of bringing my [specific skills] to your esteemed organization.”
Undermining yourself.
Undermining yourself or eroding your credibility is just as bad as coming off as arrogant. Never apologize for your qualifications or express doubt about your suitability for the role. If you aren’t confident in your abilities, why would the hiring team want to bring you in for an interview?
Emphasize what you bring to the table rather than what you lack. You can even frame your weaknesses as areas for improvement to showcase your commitment to getting better.
For instance, if a position prefers applications with experience using Adobe Workfront, you could mention that you’re enrolled in the Adobe Workfront Certification program.
Choosing the wrong format.
After you’ve learned how to end cover letters and taken steps to avoid common mistakes, it’s time to submit your documents. Should your cover letter be a PDF, Word document, or something else entirely?
Generally, send your cover letter and resume as a PDF, since these files are compatible with multiple operating systems and won’t present any formatting issues when the recipient opens them. Word documents aren’t as versatile as PDFs.
If the hiring team requests your resume and cover letter in a particular file format, make sure you respond accordingly. Use the format that makes your documents look their best while respecting the recipients’ preferences.
The PDF converter tool makes changing the format and file type of your PDF quick and easy. Give it a try and easily accommodate hiring teams’ document format preferences.
Why you need a strong cover letter conclusion.
Concisely ending a cover letter leaves readers with one last positive impression of you before they move on to the next candidate. You wouldn’t leave a meeting or interview without closing remarks or pleasantries. The same concept applies to your cover letter.
Ending your letter abruptly or with a conclusion that’s inconsistent with the rest of the document can blunt the overall impact of your application. A sudden ending might make your letter feel unfinished or generic, especially if you close things out with an overused phrase like “Respectfully.”
While such salutations are professional, they can come off as a bit robotic if you don’t precede the statement with a touch of confidence.
Frequently asked questions.
How do you conclude a cover letter?
Wrap up your cover letter with a concise summary of your skills and your interest in the job.
What is the last thing you put on a cover letter?
You should end every cover letter with a summary paragraph and a professional ending like “Sincerely.” Make sure that whatever phrasing you use matches the overall tone of the rest of the letter.
How do you write the last sentence of a cover letter?
Compose a sentence that’s concise, to the point, and final. Examples include “I look forward to learning more about this opportunity” and “Thank you for your consideration for this position.”
What does the last paragraph in a cover letter deal with?
You can recap your skills and express your interest in the closing paragraph, but you don’t want to include any new information. Treat your final paragraph as a summary and a chance to end on a good, professional note.
Optimize your cover letter with Adobe Acrobat.
Adobe Acrobat makes editing, merging, and modifying your cover letter quick and effortless. You can save different versions of the document, customize closings to align with each application, and make your application the best it can be.
Need additional resources to make your next application stand out? Check out our cover letter template and detailed guide on how to write a resume.
Keep exploring