Find a Job You Really Want In
Cover letters can often feel like a chore for job applicants, serving more as a tool for hiring managers to filter out candidates rather than to highlight exceptional talent. With recruiters spending an average of just a minute assessing a candidate’s viability, it’s critical to invest time in crafting a compelling resume. However, since many job applications still require a cover letter, knowing how to effectively conclude it is essential.
From “Thanks” to “Best regards,” there are numerous ways to wrap up your cover letter. But what does research indicate is the most effective closing? Don’t worry; we’ll guide you through crafting both the final paragraph and a professional sign-off.
But first…
The Purpose of a Cover Letter
Once upon a time, cover letters had a distinct purpose. Before the digital age made job applications more accessible, they helped candidates illustrate the connections between their resumes and the companies they aspired to join. Today, they still serve a critical function: to demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail, ensuring you aren’t simply sending out generic applications—a practice that remains prevalent, with around 84% of employers utilizing social media for recruitment.
Who Reads Cover Letters?
The reality is that many cover letters go unread. According to various sources, only about 18% of hiring managers consider them a significant component of the application process.
However, since job postings rarely specify the importance of a cover letter, it’s wise to include one that effectively represents your skills and experiences.
The Impact of Cover Letter Endings
A cover letter’s primary goal is to connect you with the job, especially if that connection isn’t immediately clear to the reader. It illustrates your knowledge of the position and your enthusiasm for working with the company. If you’re applying for a role in a writing-centric field—like marketing or public relations—the way you conclude your cover letter can showcase your communication abilities and demonstrate how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
Avoid Generic Templates
As mentioned earlier, many cover letters serve to assess your communication skills and your willingness to customize your application. Despite the fact that most cover letters go unread, if someone does read it, they are likely to focus on the beginning and end. Therefore, it’s crucial to make both impactful.
Ditch the Cliché Intros and Closings
Avoid starting your cover letter with a bland introduction that simply states your intention to apply. Phrases like “I’m writing to apply for…” are uninspired and fail to engage the reader. Similarly, ineffective closings such as “I hope to hear from you soon” lack impact.
Conclude with a Memorable Ending
Your closing leaves a lasting impression, so ensure it encapsulates your value as a candidate. Some suggest crafting your resume with the mindset that it will be read from bottom to top; while that’s a risky approach, the final impression you leave is undeniably important.
Focus on What You Bring to the Table
It’s crucial to avoid ending your cover letter with phrases that emphasize what you hope to gain from the position, such as “I look forward to learning more about the field.” This approach can weaken your application and signal a lack of confidence.
Incorporate a Subtle Call to Action
While it’s tempting to make bold statements like “I’ll call to schedule my interview next week,” this can come across as presumptuous. Instead, consider a more gracious approach: “I welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team.”
Example Closings
Since your cover letter will likely be sent via email, aim to keep it concise—ideally under 250 words—while avoiding unnecessary repetition, such as restating your contact information. Here are a few examples of effective closings:
“I would love the opportunity to meet in person to discuss my experience and the value I can bring to this position at your earliest convenience.”
“With that said, I appreciate the chance to discuss my credentials and fit for this role.”
“Thank you for taking the time to review my application and resume; I look forward to discussing my qualifications in detail.”
Choose a Professional Closing
When concluding your cover letter, steer clear of overly casual or familiar phrases, such as:
- XOXO — not appropriate for professional correspondence
- Faithfully — what does that even mean?
- Eagerly waiting for your reply — this can come off as desperate
- Cheers — overly casual for most job applications
Stick to professional closings like:
- Regards
- Sincerely
- Respectfully
“Thanks” is also a solid option. For formatting, use this structure (capitalizing the first letter of your closing):
Thanks,
Name
Link to portfolio or LinkedIn
Professional email address
Phone number
And the Most Effective Closing Is…
“Thanks in advance” has been identified as a strong closing by various studies, indicating a high response rate for email closings. While “in advance” may seem presumptuous, expressing gratitude is always appreciated. Consider simply saying “Thank you” instead.
After all, who doesn’t appreciate being valued?
Thanks,
Zippia
Author
David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.
