Why the closing gets less attention than it deserves
Most advice about cover letters focuses on the opening line, so the closing often gets written quickly, as an afterthought once the real argument is finished. But the closing is the last impression the reader takes away before deciding whether to move you forward, and a weak one can undercut a strong letter that came before it.
Closings that work
Effective closings tend to do two things: restate a specific reason you are a fit, briefly, and invite the next step with quiet confidence rather than pressure. For example: 'I would welcome the chance to talk through how my experience with [specific area] could support your team's goals for this role. Thank you for your time and consideration.' This closes with substance rather than a bare thank you, while remaining professional and not pushy.
Closings to avoid
- Thank you for your consideration, with nothing else, which reads as passive and generic.
- I look forward to hearing from you soon, which assumes a response and can read as presumptuous.
- Please do not hesitate to contact me, an outdated phrase that adds no value.
- Overly aggressive closings, like requesting a specific call time or date, which can feel demanding this early in the process.
Striking the right balance of confidence
A good closing sounds confident without sounding entitled. It should communicate that you believe you are a strong fit, without assuming the outcome or pressuring the reader into a specific action. Avoid both extremes: excessive humility that undersells your case, and overreach that assumes you have already earned the interview.
The signature and final details
End with a simple, professional sign-off such as Sincerely or Best regards, followed by your full name. If you are submitting digitally, a typed name is sufficient, no need for a scanned signature. Below your name, it can help to include a phone number and email if they are not already prominent elsewhere in the application, so the reader does not have to search for how to reach you.
Closing lines adapted to different scenarios
For a referral application: I appreciate [referrer's name] connecting us, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background fits the team's needs. For a career change application: I recognize my path here has not been conventional, and I would welcome the chance to talk through why I believe it makes me a strong fit for this role. For a straightforward, well matched application: I would be glad to discuss how my experience with [specific skill] could contribute to your team's current priorities. Each version stays specific to the situation rather than defaulting to a single generic phrase.
Avoiding an ending that falls flat after a strong letter
A common pattern is a strong, specific opening and body followed by a closing that reverts to generic language, almost as if the energy of the letter ran out. Keep the same level of specificity in the closing that you used earlier, and read the full letter start to finish one more time to make sure the ending matches the quality of what came before it rather than trailing off.
How the closing sets up what happens next
A well written closing does more than end the letter politely. It frames the tone of the first conversation if you are contacted, since a confident, specific closing signals that you will likely bring that same clarity to an interview. Interviewers sometimes reference the closing line directly when opening a call, particularly if it named a specific area you were eager to discuss, so make sure the closing reflects something you are genuinely ready to talk about in more depth.
Minor regional variations worth knowing
Sign-off conventions vary slightly by region and industry. Sincerely and Best regards work broadly across most English-speaking business contexts. Kind regards is common and well regarded in the UK, Australia, and much of Europe. Warm regards can work for a slightly less formal but still professional tone. Avoid overly casual sign-offs like Cheers or Thanks in advance for a first application, even in an informal company culture, since the letter itself is still a formal document.
Practice writing several closing versions before picking one
Just as with the opening line, it helps to draft two or three different closing options and compare them before choosing. Try one version that restates a specific strength, one that focuses purely on the invitation to talk further, and one that briefly ties back to something mentioned in your opening. Reading all three side by side usually makes it obvious which one fits the rest of the letter best.
How a strong close feels to the reader
A well written closing leaves the reader with a clear, positive sense of who you are and what you would bring to the role, without any sense of pressure or excessive eagerness. It should feel like the natural, confident end of a well reasoned case, not a plea or a formality tacked on because letters are expected to end somehow.
The last word the reader takes with them
Whatever closing you land on, remember it is genuinely the last thing the reader sees before deciding what to do next. Give it the same care you gave the opening line, and the letter as a whole will feel complete rather than trailing off after its strongest material has already passed.
A letter that opens strong and closes strong reads as intentional from start to finish, which is exactly the impression you want a hiring manager to walk away with before they even meet you in person or on a call.