As the adage goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This is particularly true in the case of a job application, specifically your cover letter. While resumes serve as a vehicle for highlighting your skills, your cover letter is your opportunity to convince a prospective employer that you are an ideal fit.
Frankly, how you close your cover letter is just as crucial as how you open it. It could make or break your chances of progressing to the next stage of the recruitment process (let alone having your resume reviewed).
With so much at stake, your cover letter should be thoughtfully crafted to give yourself the best chance of success.
Talk about pressure…
We understand that this short paragraph can be stress-inducing. From feeling uncertain about the tone to feeling anxious about appearing generic, there is a lot that jobseekers grapple with when it comes to closing their cover letters.
Join us as we explore how to finish off a cover letter - from the dos and don’ts to the tried and tested templates that will empower you to take action and leave a lasting impression.
Related: How to create the perfect cover letter layout
When crafting your closing paragraph, remember that it is a case of ‘last but not least’.
Sana Keenan, Division Director at Robert Half and specialised tech developer recruiter, says the closing paragraph carries a lot of weight. “I can’t overstate how vital this paragraph is - it does the heavy lifting in terms of reinforcing your enthusiasm and your confidence in the position. It may be the final paragraph, but it should never be treated as a mere afterthought.”
Boasting more than ten years’ experience in recruitment, Sana says, “Having seen thousands of cover letters myself, I know that they can be easy to get wrong. Hiring managers aren’t easily impressed - they need to be captivated, and the closing paragraph can do it. They’re looking for confidence, the right content and the right dose of the candidate’s personality.”
Related: How to write a cover letter
If you’re unsure how to finish a cover letter, be sure to include the five essential elements below:
Don’t discount the power of passion and enthusiasm.
When closing your cover letter, be sure to restate your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Instead of vaguely mentioning your excitement, be specific - share why the role interests you and why the company appeals to you.
Employers appreciate candidates who show genuine interest and knowledge about the business.
Sana says employers are often attracted to candidates who demonstrate eagerness to join the team. She says, “Passion is infectious, and employers want employees who can motivate others. They are the people who are likely to stick around, work hard and stay committed.”
Showing a real passion and personal interest goes a long way in leaving a strong final impression (it also shows that you aren’t relying on generic cover letters).
If you’re questioning how to finish off a cover letter, don’t forget to recap your professional strengths. To take it one step further, demonstrate their relevance to the advertised position.
The hiring manager would have noted your skills and qualifications earlier in the document, so Sana recommends exercising caution. “Don’t repeat phrases that they’ve already read - you need to keep their attention. Use fresh language to make your case in the closing paragraph and remind them how your skills will benefit their organisation,” says Sana.
Closing your cover letter with a subtle call to action serves as a way to encourage the employer to move the process forward. This could be mentioning your availability for further discussion or a gentle invitation to contact you for an interview.
Sana believes the right tone is essential for a closing call to action. She says, “Candidates often ask me how to finish off a cover letter. While the general elements are easy to get right, the tone can be hard for some people to get right.”
“While a closing call to action should be confident and compelling, it needs to be polite and in no way presumptuous. Try to show professional enthusiasm without sounding pushy,” Sana says.
There is great power in gratitude.
When considering how to finish a cover letter, express your gratitude through a thank-you message. Thanking the hiring manager for their time and consideration can create a positive connection, showing respect for the process and those involved.
Sana says, “Giving thanks is non-negotiable for a closing call to action. Gratitude shows that you value the manager’s time and efforts, and it goes a long way in proving that you can communicate professionally and empathetically. While it may sound simple, it has the power to position you as a very desirable candidate.”
To close your cover letter, include a strong, polite sign-off.
Keep it professional using a formal sign-off such as "Sincerely," "Best regards," or "Thank you for your consideration", followed by your full name.
Sana encourages candidates to add their contact details, too. She says, “Make it easy for employers to find you by including your contact number and email address. If applicable, include your website URL in your signature so the employer can view your work. Of course, professional networking profiles can be included too – just make sure they are appropriate for the employer to view.”
Related: Cover letter strategy
Knowing how to finish a cover letter is a valuable asset for jobseekers. While it can empower you to implement all the essentials, it can also help you avoid the common pitfalls.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest mistakes when closing a cover letter:
Generic statements
Closing your cover letter with vague phrases or impersonal touches won’t convey genuine enthusiasm or commitment to the position.
Generic statements like, “I am interested in the job” or, “I could be a good fit” won’t make it appear that you have tailored your letter to the specific company or role.
Instead, try to personalise your closing paragraph to align with the tone of your letter, the requirements of the job and your unique ability to add value.
Repetition
A solid cover letter should be succinct. At only one page (approximately four paragraphs in total), your closing cannot afford to be repetitive or long-winded. This will only demonstrate to your prospective employer that you lack focus.
Avoid repeating any information that you mentioned earlier in the document. Of course, you may want to summarise it in your closing, but be sure to present it in a new way to hold the reader’s attention.
Use the closing paragraph to emphasise a specific skill or your enthusiasm about the opportunity.
“Add a personal touch or a detail that aligns with the organisation’s goals. This will help reinforce your qualifications, your value and your suitability for the position, ” says Sana.
A demanding tone
While confidence is essential when positioning yourself as an ideal candidate, too much confidence can be counteractive.
Sana believes there is a fine line between assertive and aggressive. She says, “Employers don’t gravitate towards candidates who are pushy and presumptive.”
“When candidates ask me how to finish a cover letter, I always emphasise the need for polite confidence. Statements that suggest you’ve already got the position must be replaced with polite phrases that show enthusiasm without overstepping the mark,” says Emma.
You might have considered saying, “I look forward to working with you.” Instead, opt for “I hope to have the opportunity to discuss my application further.”
Spelling and grammatical errors
It might sound obvious. However, the need for proofreading cannot be overstated (relying on spell-check doesn’t count).
Spelling and grammar mistakes in the closing section of your cover letter can undermine an otherwise strong application. Closing with errors could imply a lack of attention to detail, which could derail your chances of success.
Your final submission should be polished and free of errors. The tone of your closing paragraph should also align with the tone of the rest of the letter. If you don’t trust yourself to pick up mistakes and discrepancies, ask someone else to read over your cover letter.
When it comes to how to finish a cover letter, there are key elements that cannot be excluded, such as:
Enthusiasm
A summary of qualifications
A call to action
Gratitude
Personal sign-off
While the precise wording of a strong closing can vary, effective endings should always integrate these essential elements. Below are some suitable options to help you draft a strong cover letter closing.
“Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about my experience and passion for all aspects of [THE ADVERTISED ROLE]. You can reach me at [PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL].”
“Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience align with the needs of your team.”
“I believe my five years of experience in [YOUR PROFESSION], specifically working in [YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE], will be an excellent match for this job. I welcome the chance to discuss how my qualifications will contribute to [BUSINESS NAME]’s success. Thank you for your consideration.”
“With my extensive [AREA OF EXPERIENCE] experience, I believe I can quickly hit the ground running at [BUSINESS NAME]. I welcome the opportunity to speak more with you about how I can contribute to the [BUSINESS NAME] team. Please feel free to contact me at [PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL]. Thank you so much for your time.”
Let’s take a deeper look at how these options can be tailored for different industries.
Lauren Haxby, specialised finance and accounting recruiter provides her tips on how to finish off a cover letter for a finance role.
Lauen’s tip: “Aim to position yourself as someone who can contribute to the organisation’s financial well-being, now and in the future. Position yourself as someone who has a track record of navigating financial challenges.”
“With a proven track record in financial control and risk management, I’m eager to contribute to [BUSINESS NAME]’s success. My experience in financial planning, together with my results-driven mindset, puts me in a unique position to support your expansion goals. I’m eager to employ my skills to help [BUSINESS NAME] navigate challenges and achieve objectives.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your finance team.”
Sincerely,
[FULL NAME]
Sana’s tip: “Focus on highlighting your tech expertise and your appetite for innovation. Link these skills to the company and their wider tech goals.”
“With a strong background in cloud engineering and a passion for innovation, I’m eager to support [BUSINESS NAME]’s business connectivity ventures.
My experience developing local area networks and managing network optimisation has equipped me with the skills to hit the ground running in this role. I’m excited about the opportunity to partner with [BUSINESS NAME] to optimise business networks through integrity and innovation.
Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience align with the needs of your team.”
Best regards,
[FULL NAME]
Emma Sestic is an Associate Director at Robert Half and is a specialised recruiter in HR, talent acquisition and business support roles.
Emma’s tip: “Highlight your passion for finding top talent – your proven ability to connect the right candidates and companies and your ability to build prosperous partnerships.”
“With a passion for talent acquisition and a proven ability to connect the right talent with the right teams, I’m confident that I can effectively contribute to [BUSINESS NAME]’s recruitment plans. My extensive stakeholder management experience aligns perfectly with your company’s dedication to finding stellar talent. I’m eager to explore this opportunity and help [BUSINESS NAME] optimise the power in people.
I welcome the opportunity to speak more with you about how I can contribute to the [BUSINESS NAME] team. Please feel free to contact me at [PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL].
Thank you for your consideration,
[FULL NAME]
Related: Career change cover letter
If you want to maximise the impact of your cover letter, be sure to consider the expert tips below:
Formatting and length – keep your cover letter to one page only. Your closing paragraph should be formatted as a single, professional paragraph that is followed by a polite and professional sign-off.
Tone of voice – convey enthusiasm while remaining confident, professional, and polite. The tone of your closing paragraph should align with the wider tone of the cover letter. It should encourage the hiring manager to consider you as a prospective candidate.
Customisation – prioritise genuine interest over generic statements to stand out as a thoughtful candidate. Your cover letter should be specially tailored to the job and company, and your closing paragraph should distil what makes you an ideal fit.
There is an art to successful job applications - knowing how to finish a cover letter can help seal the deal when it comes to landing your dream job. By shining a light on your enthusiasm and experience, you can enhance your credibility and your candidacy. Along with a call to action, a personal sign-off, and some all-important gratitude, you can leave a lasting impression on an employer before they’ve even met you.
What are some good closing sentences for a cover letter?
While the precise wording of good closing sentences can vary, they should always integrate five essential elements:
Enthusiasm
A summary of qualifications
A call to action
Gratitude
Personal sign-off
How do I express enthusiasm without sounding desperate or pushy?
Aim for a tone that is politely confident. Avoid using forceful statements that suggest you’ve already got the position. Instead, opt for polite phrases that show enthusiasm without overstepping the mark.
You might have considered saying, “I look forward to working with you.” Instead, opt for “I hope to have the opportunity to discuss my application further.”
Should I reiterate my skills and qualifications in the closing paragraph?
Yes. However, do not continue to repeat the same information – refresh the content to hold the interest of the reader.
What is the appropriate sign-off for a cover letter?
A strong, polite sign-off is most appropriate.
Keep it professional using a formal sign-off such as "Sincerely," "Best regards," or "Thank you for your consideration", followed by your full name.
Be sure to add your best contact details too.
How long should the closing paragraph of a cover letter be?
A good cover letter should be succinct. Keep your cover letter to four paragraphs that fit on one page in total.
Aim to keep your closing paragraph to around three sentences.
