How to End a Cover Letter

Everything you write in a cover letter builds toward the ending. The opening gets attention, the body makes your case, but the final section is what determines whether the reader takes action or moves on. A strong ending turns interest into interviews. A weak one lets your candidacy fade.

This guide covers the entire final section of a cover letter: the closing paragraph, the sign-off, and what to do after you hit send. If you are looking for advice on a specific part of the ending, we also have focused guides on how to close a cover letter (sign-offs and final sentences), how to conclude a cover letter (the rhetorical strategy behind your final paragraph), and the cover letter closing paragraph in general.

What the Ending of a Cover Letter Needs to Do

The ending is not a formality. It has a job, and that job has three parts:

1. Leave the reader with a reason to act. Your closing paragraph should remind the hiring manager why you are worth a conversation. Not by repeating your opening, but by reinforcing your strongest selling point in a new way.
2. Create a clear next step. Vague endings produce vague outcomes. Tell the reader what you want to happen next, whether that is a phone call, a meeting, or a chance to discuss the role further.
3. End with professionalism. The sign-off and formatting of your final lines signal that you understand business communication norms. Sloppy endings undermine polished letters.

If your ending accomplishes all three, you have done your job. If it only manages one or two, the letter will feel incomplete no matter how strong the rest of it is.

A Step-by-Step Formula for Ending a Cover Letter

Use this structure as your default. It works for most industries, roles, and experience levels. You can adjust the tone, but the sequence should stay the same.

Step 1: Restate Your Value (One Sentence)

Connect your top qualification to a specific need the company has. This is not the place for a generic statement about being a hard worker. Reference a skill, a metric, or an accomplishment that ties directly to the job description.

Step 2: Show Enthusiasm for the Company (One Sentence)

Name something specific about the organization: a recent initiative, a product, a team, a mission. This tells the reader you did your research and that your interest goes beyond a paycheck.

Step 3: Include a Call to Action (One Sentence)

Ask for what you want. The standard ask is a conversation or interview. Phrasing like "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience aligns with your needs" is direct without being pushy.

Step 4: Thank the Reader (One Sentence)

Keep it short. "Thank you for your time and consideration" works. So does "Thank you for reviewing my application." Do not over-explain your gratitude.

Step 5: Choose Your Sign-Off

This is the literal last word before your name. It sets the final tone. See the section below for a breakdown of your options.

Choosing the Right Sign-Off

The sign-off is a small detail that carries disproportionate weight. The wrong choice can make an otherwise polished letter feel off. Here are the most common options and when to use each:

• Sincerely — The safest, most universally accepted sign-off for US job applications. Works in every industry and at every level.
• Best regards — Slightly warmer than "Sincerely" while remaining professional. Good for roles in collaborative or client-facing environments.
• Respectfully — Appropriate for government, military, and academic applications where formality is expected.
• Kind regards — A middle ground between warmth and professionalism. Common in industries like education, nonprofit, and healthcare.
• Thank you — Acceptable when your closing paragraph does not already include a thank-you line. Avoid doubling up.

Sign-offs to avoid: "Cheers," "Best," "Warmly," "Yours truly," "XOXO," or anything you would use in a text message. These are too casual for a job application unless you have a pre-existing relationship with the hiring manager.

For a deeper comparison of professional sign-offs with industry-specific recommendations, read our guide on how to close a cover letter.

Full Cover Letter Ending Examples

Below are two complete endings — closing paragraph through sign-off — that you can use as models. For full letter samples, visit our cover letter examples page.

Example 1: Marketing Coordinator

Cover letter ending for a marketing coordinator

Ties a specific result to the company's stated priority.

Subject: Application for the Cover letter ending for a marketing coordinator position

My experience managing multi-channel campaigns that increased lead generation by 40% at Birch & Lane aligns directly with your team's focus on scaling digital acquisition this year. I am particularly drawn to your company's emphasis on data-driven creative, which matches the approach I have refined over the past four years. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my background can support your marketing goals. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Full Name]

Example 2: Operations Analyst

Cover letter ending for an operations analyst

References a company initiative by name for specificity.

Subject: Application for the Cover letter ending for an operations analyst position

Your recent expansion into the Southeast market presents exactly the kind of operational challenge I thrive on. At Ridgeline Logistics, I built the forecasting model that reduced fulfillment errors by 22% during a similar regional rollout, and I would bring that same analytical rigor to your team. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my experience can contribute to your growth strategy. Thank you for considering my application. Best regards, [Full Name]

Common Mistakes That Weaken Cover Letter Endings

Ending with "I hope to hear from you"

The word hope signals uncertainty. Replace it with language that expresses confidence: "I look forward to the opportunity" or "I welcome the chance to discuss." Small word choices shape how a hiring manager perceives your candidacy.

Introducing New Information

Your closing paragraph is not the place to mention a certification you forgot to include earlier or to pivot to a different selling point. The ending should reinforce, not introduce. If it did not fit in the body, it does not belong in the close.

Skipping the Call to Action

A surprising number of cover letters end with nothing more than "Thank you for your consideration." That is a sentence, not a strategy. Always pair gratitude with a specific request for next steps.

Using an Overly Casual Tone

If the rest of your letter is polished and professional, an ending that reads like an email to a friend ("Let me know if you want to chat!") creates tonal whiplash. Match your closing tone to the rest of the letter.

Making It Too Long

The ending should be four to five sentences at most. If your closing paragraph is longer than the body paragraphs above it, something has gone wrong. Trim ruthlessly.

For help structuring the rest of your letter, read our complete guide on how to write a cover letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to end a cover letter?

End with a short closing paragraph that restates your value, expresses enthusiasm for the company, includes a call to action (such as requesting a conversation), and thanks the reader. Follow it with a professional sign-off like "Sincerely" or "Best regards" and your full name.

Should I say "I look forward to hearing from you" in a cover letter?

It is acceptable but overused. A stronger alternative is to be specific about what you are looking forward to: "I look forward to discussing how my background in supply chain optimization can support your Q3 goals." Specificity makes the line feel intentional rather than templated.

How do I end a cover letter if I do not know the hiring manager's name?

Your sign-off does not change. "Sincerely" followed by your full name works regardless of whether you addressed the letter to a named individual or to "Dear Hiring Manager." The sign-off is about your professionalism, not about the recipient's identity.

Is "Best regards" too informal for a cover letter?

No. "Best regards" is a professional sign-off appropriate for the vast majority of US job applications. It sits just below "Sincerely" in formality and is a strong choice for corporate, tech, and creative roles. Avoid it only if you are applying to highly formal institutions like courts or government agencies, where "Respectfully" may be more fitting.

Should I include my phone number in the closing paragraph?

Including your phone number is optional but can be helpful. If you do, keep it brief: "I can be reached at [phone] or [email]." Do not list multiple contact methods in a long sentence. The goal is convenience, not clutter. For more on structuring your final paragraph effectively, see our guide on how to conclude a cover letter.