Quick answer: End a cover letter with a two to four sentence paragraph that restates the value you would bring, thanks the reader, and invites the next step, such as an interview. Then add a professional sign-off and your full name. 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards' works almost everywhere; in UK-style letters use 'Yours faithfully' after 'Dear Sir or Madam' and 'Yours sincerely' after a named person.
The last paragraph of a cover letter is the one a hiring manager reads just before deciding whether to open your resume or move to the next candidate. If you're wondering how to end a cover letter without sounding stiff, desperate or generic, the answer is a short, confident close followed by the right sign-off for the country you're applying to.
This guide gives you a four-part closing formula, 20 closing paragraphs you can adapt, a sign-off table by formality and by country, and the mistakes that quietly weaken an otherwise strong letter.
If you haven't written the opening yet, start with our guide on how to start a cover letter, then come back here.
What should the last paragraph of a cover letter do?
Career services agree on the basics. The UK government's National Careers Service says to thank the employer, point them to your CV and make sure your contact details are correct. Harvard's career office adds that you should reiterate your interest and enthusiasm for contributing and thank the reader for their consideration. The University of Edinburgh Business School notes that the close should show your desire to move forward and can mention dates you are unavailable for interviews.
In other words, a good closing paragraph:
- Reminds the reader what you would bring
- Thanks them, briefly
- Invites the next step
- Shares anything practical they need, such as availability or notice period
It does not introduce new achievements, apologize for gaps or repeat your opening line.
The 4-part formula for closing a cover letter
Use these four parts in order. Together they take two to four sentences.
- Value: one line linking your strongest match to their need.
- Enthusiasm: why this role or employer, in a few words.
- Next step: invite an interview or conversation.
- Thanks: a short, sincere thank you.
Here is the formula in action:
(Value) With three years of onboarding B2B clients and a 92% renewal rate, I'm confident I could help your team reduce early churn. (Enthusiasm) Your focus on long-term client relationships is exactly the kind of work I want to do more of. (Next step) I would welcome the chance to discuss how I could contribute in an interview. (Thanks) Thank you for considering my application.
After the paragraph comes the sign-off, then your name and contact details.
20 cover letter closing paragraphs you can adapt
Replace the bracketed parts with your own details. Keep only one closing per letter.
Standard closings
- Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience in [skill] could support [Company]'s goals, and I look forward to hearing from you.
- My resume gives more detail on my work in [area]. I would be glad to talk about how I could contribute to your team and am available for an interview at your convenience.
- I'm excited by the chance to bring [strength] to [Company]. Thank you for your time; I hope to speak with you soon about the [Job Title] role.
- I believe my background in [field] is a strong match for this position. Thank you for reviewing my application, and please contact me on [phone] or [email] to arrange a conversation.
Confident, results-led closings
- In my current role I cut [metric] by [amount]. I'd like to bring the same focus to [Company]'s [team or goal] and would welcome a conversation about your priorities for this role.
- You need someone who can [key requirement] from day one. I have done exactly that for [number] years and would value the chance to show you how in an interview.
- I'd be glad to walk you through the [project or result] I mentioned above and how a similar approach could work for [Company]. Thank you for your consideration.
For students and first jobs
- As a recent [degree] graduate, I'm eager to apply what I learned through [project or internship] in a professional setting. Thank you for considering me; I would welcome the chance to discuss the role.
- Although this would be my first full-time role, my experience [volunteering, tutoring or leading a society] has prepared me to [requirement]. I would be grateful for the opportunity to interview.
- I'm available to start in [month] and can attend an interview at any time before then. Thank you for your time and for considering my application.
For career changers
- My [number] years in [old field] gave me strong [transferable skill], and my recent [course or certification] has prepared me to apply it in [new field]. I'd welcome the chance to explain how this combination would benefit your team.
- I'm making a deliberate move into [new field] and have already [concrete step]. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my background could add a fresh perspective to [Company].
When relocating or applying from abroad
- I'm relocating to [city] in [month] and will have full right to work from that date. I'm happy to interview by video beforehand and look forward to hearing from you.
- I am currently based in [country] and available for video interviews at times that suit you. My notice period is [length], and I can relocate to [city] within [timeframe] of an offer.
- I hold a valid [visa or residence status] for [country] and can join within [notice period]. Thank you for considering my application; I would be pleased to discuss the role further.
When you were referred or have met the team
- [Name] in your [team] suggested I apply, and our conversation about [topic] confirmed my interest. I'd welcome the chance to continue that discussion with you.
- It was great to meet your team at [event]. Thank you for the advice you shared there; I'd love to discuss how I could help with [goal] in more detail.
Specific situations
- (Emailed letter) I've attached my resume as a PDF for your review. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your reply.
- (Salary requested in the ad) As requested, my salary expectation is in the range of [amount], depending on the full package. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to discussing the role.
- (Unavailable dates) I'm available for interview at any time except [dates], when I'll be [reason, briefly]. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope to speak with you soon.
For full letters that show these closings in context, browse our cover letter examples for dozens of jobs.
Which sign-off should you use?
After the closing paragraph, leave one blank line, write the sign-off with a comma, then your full name on the next line.
| Sign-off | Formality | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sincerely, | Formal | Any cover letter; the safest default in the US and Canada |
| Yours sincerely, | Formal | UK, Ireland, Australia and Commonwealth-style letters to a named person |
| Yours faithfully, | Very formal | UK-style letters that open with "Dear Sir or Madam" |
| Kind regards, | Polite, warm | Emails and less formal sectors; very common in the UK and Australia |
| Best regards, | Polite, neutral | Emails and international employers |
| Regards, | Neutral, slightly clipped | Fine, but "Kind regards" reads warmer |
| Respectfully, | Formal | Government, military and some Gulf public-sector roles |
| Thank you, | Polite | Emails, if you haven't already thanked them in the paragraph |
Sign-offs to avoid in a cover letter: "Cheers", "Thanks!", "Best", "Warmly", "Love", "Yours truly" (old-fashioned) and anything with an emoji.
How do cover letter sign-offs differ by country?
| Region | Usual sign-off | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US and Canada | Sincerely, / Best regards, | "Sincerely" works whether or not you know the name |
| UK and Ireland | Yours sincerely, (named) / Yours faithfully, (Dear Sir or Madam) | Rule confirmed by the National Careers Service; "Kind regards" is common in emails |
| Australia and New Zealand | Kind regards, / Yours sincerely, | "Kind regards" is widely accepted even in formal applications |
| Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait) | Sincerely, / Best regards, / Kind regards, | Keep the tone formal; multinationals often follow UK or US style |
| India, Pakistan, Bangladesh | Yours sincerely, / Regards, | "Thanking you" is common in local formal letters; international employers expect a standard sign-off |
| Germany (letter in German) | Mit freundlichen Grüßen | No comma after it; see our Germany CV format guide for the rest of the application |
If you can't decide, find the hiring manager's name and use "Dear [Name]" with "Sincerely" or "Yours sincerely". Aberystwyth University's careers service goes further and suggests phoning the organization to get a name rather than writing to "Sir or Madam".
What goes below your sign-off?
Your typed full name is required. For uploaded PDFs and emails, add a short contact block:
Kind regards,
Aisha Rahman +971 50 123 4567 · aisha.rahman@email.com linkedin.com/in/aisharahman
Use the same name, phone number and email as on your resume. If your cover letter and resume share a header, you don't need to repeat the contact details at the bottom of the letter.
Common mistakes when ending a cover letter
- Apologizing. "I know I don't have much experience, but..." draws attention to the gap. Close on what you do bring.
- Being presumptuous. "I will call you on Monday to schedule an interview" can feel pushy. Invite the next step instead.
- Sounding desperate. "I really need this job" or "Please give me a chance" weakens your position.
- Adding new information. A brand-new achievement in the last line looks like an afterthought. Put it in the body.
- Mismatched UK sign-off. "Dear Sir or Madam" with "Yours sincerely" is a small error UK readers notice.
- Too casual. "Cheers" or "Thanks!" belongs in a chat with colleagues, not an application.
- Forgetting your name. Letters that end at "Best regards," with no name happen more than you'd think, especially in emails.
- Repeating the opening. If your first line said "I'm excited to apply for...", don't end the same way.
Our step-by-step guide to writing a cover letter that gets read covers the body paragraphs that come before the close.
Build it in EZProCV
Pick one of the cover letter templates, write your closing paragraph and sign-off, and check the live preview, which matches the downloaded file. Use the same template style as your resume so both documents look like a set. Download a text-based PDF or share a link to your cover letter. It's free to build and download.
Sources
- National Careers Service: Covering letter
- Harvard Extension School Career Services: Create impactful resumes and cover letters
- University of Edinburgh Business School: Cover letters
- Aberystwyth University Careers: Cover letter template (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
Is 'I look forward to hearing from you' still okay?
Yes. It is polite, widely used and the UK National Careers Service suggests saying you are looking forward to hearing from the employer. It is only weak when it is the whole closing. Put one sentence about the value you would bring before it, so the last thing the reader sees is a reason to call you, not just a pleasantry.
Can I sign off with 'Thank you' instead of 'Sincerely'?
'Thank you' or 'Thank you for your consideration' works as a sign-off, especially in emails, but it can feel repetitive if your last paragraph already thanks the reader. If you have just written 'Thank you for your time', choose 'Sincerely', 'Best regards' or 'Kind regards' as the sign-off so the letter doesn't thank them twice in two lines.
Do I need a handwritten signature on a cover letter?
Not for online applications. A typed full name under the sign-off is standard for PDF uploads and emails. A scanned signature is optional and adds little. For a printed letter you hand over or post, leave space above your typed name and sign in blue or black ink, which is still expected in some formal and government settings.
Does a comma go after the sign-off?
In English, yes: 'Sincerely,' or 'Kind regards,' followed by your name on the next line. In some UK business writing with open punctuation, the comma is dropped; either is fine if you are consistent with your greeting. In German letters, 'Mit freundlichen Grüßen' is written without a comma.
Should I mention salary in the closing paragraph?
Only if the ad asks for your salary expectations. If it does, one neutral sentence near the end is enough, for example 'As requested, my expected salary is in the range of AED 12,000 to 14,000 per month, depending on the full package.' Otherwise leave pay for the interview stage, when you know more about the role.
