How to End a Cover Letter: 8 Steps to Secure the Interview

The way you close your cover letter can make or break your chances of landing an interview. A strong ending reinforces your qualifications, shows genuine excitement, and leaves a lasting impression that hiring managers can’t ignore. With years of experience reviewing thousands of applications and helping candidates secure top roles, this guide walks you through eight easy steps—plus insider tips and 15 tailored examples—to craft a closing that stands out in 2025.

Why Your Cover Letter Closing Matters

Your cover letter’s closing isn’t just a polite goodbye—it’s your final pitch to highlight your fit, convey passion, and prompt action. A generic or weak closing risks fading into the stack, while a confident, tailored one moves your application to the top. Whether you’re applying for a tech role, a skilled trade, or a nonprofit position, this guide ensures your closing is professional, personal, and impactful.

8 Steps to Craft a Standout Cover Letter Closing

1. Summarize Your Key Strengths

Restate one or two skills or achievements that align with the job description. Be specific to show you understand the role’s needs.

  • Example: “My expertise in boosting [specific metric, e.g., digital campaign ROI by 150%] aligns with [Company Name]’s goal of expanding market reach.”

2. Show Genuine Enthusiasm

Express excitement by referencing a specific company achievement, value, or mission. This shows you’ve researched and are invested.

  • Example: “I’m inspired by [Company Name]’s [specific achievement, e.g., 2024 Green Innovation Award] and eager to contribute to its sustainability mission.”

3. Include a Confident Call to Action

Politely invite the next step, like an interview, and provide clear, accurate contact details. Keep it confident but not pushy.

  • Example: “I’d love to discuss how my [specific skill, e.g., project management expertise] can drive [Company Name]’s growth. Please reach me at [phone number] or [email].”

4. Express Gratitude

Thank the hiring manager for their time. A simple thank-you conveys professionalism and respect.

  • Example: “Thank you for reviewing my application. I’m excited about the possibility of joining [Company Name].”

5. Tailor to the Job Level

Adjust your closing for the role’s seniority. Emphasize leadership for senior roles and eagerness to learn for entry-level positions.

  • Senior Role Example: “My success in [specific achievement, e.g., leading teams to $10M revenue] positions me to drive [Company Name]’s strategic goals.”

  • Entry-Level Example: “I’m eager to apply my [specific skill, e.g., Python proficiency] to support [Company Name]’s innovative projects.”

6. Match the Company’s Culture

Research the company’s cultureand adjust your tone. Use formal closings for traditional industries and warmer ones for creative or startup environments.

  • Formal Example: “Sincerely, [Your Full Name]”

  • Creative Example: “Warm regards, [Your Full Name]”

7. Highlight Transferable Skills (If Changing Careers)

For career changers, emphasize transferable skills or relevant side projects. Include links to portfolios or work samples if applicable.

  • Example: “My freelance [specific skill, e.g., UX design work] has built skills that align with [Company Name]’s needs. View my portfolio at [link].”

8. Proofread and Align with Your Resume

Ensure your closing is error-free and consistent with your resume (e.g., matching job titles, dates, fonts). Typos or inconsistencies raise red flags. Use Grammarly or a colleague for review.

15 Tailored Cover Letter Closing Examples

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These examples are crafted for specific roles and industries, with quantifiable achievements to maximize impact:

  1. Product Manager (Tech, Mid-Level):

    My success in launching [specific achievement, e.g., features that increased user retention by 30%] aligns with [Company Name]’s innovation goals. Please reach me at [phone number] or [email] to discuss further. Thank you for your consideration.

    Sincerely,
    [Your Full Name]

  2. Maintenance Technician (Manufacturing, Skilled Trades):

    My record of [specific achievement, e.g., reducing equipment downtime by 15%] positions me to support [Company Name]’s production efficiency. I’d welcome a discussion—please contact me at [phone number] or [email]. Best regards,
    [Your Full Name]

  3. Data Analyst (Finance, Entry-Level):

    I’m excited about [Company Name]’s data-driven approach to [specific goal, e.g., portfolio optimization] and eager to apply my [specific skill, e.g., SQL expertise]. Thank you for your time—I’m available at [phone number] or [email].

    Best regards,
    [Your Full Name]

  4. CNC Machinist (Manufacturing, Mid-Level):

    With a proven record of [specific achievement, e.g., achieving zero-defect runs on 95% of projects], I’m ready to support [Company Name]’s quality standards. Please contact me at [phone number] or [email]. Sincerely,
    [Your Full Name]

  5. Marketing Director (Creative Agency, Senior Role):

    My success in [specific achievement, e.g., growing campaign ROI by 200%] equips me to drive [Company Name]’s brand growth. Please reach me at [phone number] or [email]. Yours truly,
    [Your Full Name]

  6. Welder (Construction/Manufacturing, Skilled Trades):

    My expertise in [specific skill, e.g., producing welds meeting 100% safety compliance] aligns with [Company Name]’s project standards. Thank you for your time—I’m reachable at [phone number] or [email]. Warm regards,
    [Your Full Name]

  7. Graphic Designer (Media, Mid-Level):

    I’m inspired by [Company Name]’s bold visual campaigns and ready to bring my [specific skill, e.g., Adobe Creative Suite expertise]. View my portfolio at [link]. Thank you for your consideration. Warm regards,
    [Your Full Name]

  8. Nonprofit Program Coordinator (Social Impact, Entry-Level):

    I’m passionate about [Company Name]’s mission to [specific cause, e.g., empower underserved communities] and eager to contribute my [specific skill, e.g., grant writing experience]. Sincerely,
    [Your Full Name]

  9. Electrician (Facilities/Construction, Skilled Trades):

    My experience with [specific skill, e.g., industrial wiring projects completed 10% under budget] aligns with [Company Name]’s commitment to efficiency. Best regards,
    [Your Full Name]

  10. Software Engineer (Startup, Mid-Level):

    I’m thrilled about [Company Name]’s innovative [specific project, e.g., AI platform] and ready to contribute my [specific skill, e.g., full-stack development expertise]. Best wishes,
    [Your Full Name]

  11. Sales Manager (Retail, Senior Role):

    My track record of [specific achievement, e.g., increasing regional sales by 25%] positions me to drive [Company Name]’s revenue goals. Respectfully,
    [Your Full Name]

  12. Teacher (Education, Entry-Level):

    I’m inspired by [Company Name]’s commitment to [specific goal, e.g., inclusive education] and eager to inspire students with my [specific skill, e.g., curriculum design experience]. Kind regards,
    [Your Full Name]

  13. Machine Operator (Light Industrial, Entry-Level):

    I’m excited to apply my [specific skill, e.g., machine operation skills with 98% uptime] to help [Company Name] meet production goals. Warm regards,
    [Your Full Name]

  14. HR Manager (Corporate, Senior Role):

    My experience in [specific achievement, e.g., reducing turnover by 20%] equips me to strengthen [Company Name]’s talent strategy. Sincerely,
    [Your Full Name]

  15. Content Writer (Media, Career Change):

    My freelance [specific skill, e.g., SEO content creation driving 50K monthly views] aligns with [Company Name]’s content needs. View my portfolio at [link]. Cheers,
    [Your Full Name]

Insider Tips to Make Your Closing Unforgettable

  • Research Thoroughly: Use the company’s website, or employee reviews to reference specific achievements (e.g., a recent product launch) or values.

  • Keep It Short: Aim for 2-3 sentences to maintain impact. Lengthy closings lose attention.

  • Avoid Clichés: Skip phrases like “I’m the perfect candidate.” Use metrics (e.g., “increased sales by 20%”) to prove your fit.

  • Match Industry Tone: Tech startups value warmth (e.g., “Warm regards”); finance or legal firms prefer formality (e.g., “Sincerely”).

  • Include Portfolios: For creative or technical roles, link to a portfolio or GitHub to showcase work.

  • Test Your Call to Action: Ensure it’s confident but not aggressive (e.g., “Please contact me” vs. “I’ll call you”).

  • Align with Resume: Use consistent formatting, job titles, and dates to avoid red flags.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic Closings: Always reference the company or role specifically to avoid seeming lazy.

  • Overconfidence: Avoid claims like “I’m your top choice.” Focus on contributions.

  • Desperation: Phrases like “I really need this job” undermine your value.

  • Typos: A single error can derail your application. Proofread multiple times.

  • Missing Contact Info: Verify your email and phone number are correct.

  • Repeating Resume: Offer fresh insights instead of restating resume points.

Industry-Specific Closing Approaches

  • Tech: Highlight innovation and technical skills.

    Example: “I’m excited to apply my [specific skill, e.g., machine learning expertise] to [Company Name]’s AI projects, boosting efficiency by up to 25%.”

  • Finance: Emphasize precision and results.

    Example: “My [specific achievement, e.g., $2M cost savings] positions me to strengthen [Company Name]’s financial strategy.”

  • Creative Roles: Showcase passion and vision.

    Example: “I’m inspired by [Company Name]’s bold campaigns and ready to bring my [specific skill, e.g., storytelling expertise].”

  • Skilled Trades: Focus on reliability and precision.

    Example: “My record of [specific achievement, e.g., zero-defect welds on 95% of projects] aligns with [Company Name]’s safety standards.”

  • Nonprofit: Emphasize mission alignment.

    Example: “I’m driven by [Company Name]’s [specific cause, e.g., education equity] and eager to contribute my [specific skill, e.g., fundraising expertise].”

  • Healthcare: Highlight care and impact.

    Example: “My [specific skill, e.g., patient advocacy experience] aligns with [Company Name]’s commitment to quality care.”

Sending Your Cover Letter

  • Email: Use a professional subject line (e.g., “[Your Name] – [Job Title] Application”), save as a PDF, and include a digital signature for polish.

  • Follow Guidelines: Adhere to deadlines, file formats (e.g., PDF, .docx), and formatting requirements (e.g., font size, margins).

  • Test Contact Info: Verify your email and phone number work to ensure reachability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a strong cover letter closing?
Summarize your fit, show enthusiasm, and include a polite call to action. Example: “I’m excited to apply my [specific skill] to [Company Name]’s goals. Please contact me at [phone number]. Thank you!”

Is ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Best regards’ better?
“Sincerely” is formal and ideal for traditional industries (e.g., finance, law). “Best regards” is versatile and warmer, suitable for most roles. Match the company’s culture.

Should every closing be customized?
Yes. Tailoring to the company and role shows genuine interest and increases impact.

How do I close a cover letter for a remote job?
Emphasize flexibility and digital skills. Example: “My [specific skill, e.g., remote project management] aligns with [Company Name]’s virtual workflows.”

What if I don’t know the company culture?
Research the company’s website, or job description for clues. When in doubt, use a neutral closing like “Best regards.”

How do I make my closing stand out for a competitive role?
Use specific metrics (e.g., “increased revenue by 20%”) and reference a unique company achievement to show deep research.

Can I use humor in my closing?
Use humor sparingly and only for creative roles with a casual culture.

Example: “I’m excited to bring my [specific skill] and a dash of creativity to [Company Name]. Warm regards.”

Final Thoughts

Your cover letter closing is your last shot to leave a memorable impression and secure an interview. By summarizing your strengths, showing genuine enthusiasm, and inviting action with a tailored, polished ending, you’ll rise above the competition. Research the company, align your tone with the industry, and proofread meticulously to ensure perfection.

Are you preparing for a job interview soon?
Check out these expert tips to help you stand out, feel confident, and make the best impression when it matters most. From mastering common interview questions to following up the right way—we’ve got you covered.

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