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A compelling cover letter is typically composed of up to five paragraphs, including the introduction, candidate-related information, employer-related information, and the closing. The first paragraphs are the meat of your cover letter. However, you shouldn’t ignore the last part either, which is the conclusion. Why? Because it is your final chance to express your interest in the job, highlight how you can impact the company, and convince hiring managers that you’re a credible hire. So, in this article, we will guide you on how you can perfectly end your cover letter.
1) Summarize what you can offer
Your entire cover letter must demonstrate how and why you are the best fit for the job and the company. After crafting an attention-grabbing introduction and compelling story of successes in the body, closing your cover letter in a way that will make recruiters or hiring managers want to contact you is a must. Therefore, ending it with a typical statement, “I look forward to hearing from you,” is not the best way to go.
The cover letter ending should serve as a reminder for hiring managers of the value you can provide to the company if hired. Hence, we suggest creating one to two succinct sentences summarizing your strengths, experience, and qualifications. Do not just repeat the exact same words hiring managers have already read in the previous part of your cover letter. Instead, use fresh language and strong action verbs to elevate your candidacy.
2) Show gratitude
Expressing gratitude is a small gesture but critical. It can go a long way to building your personal brand and making a lasting impression. So, do not forget to end your cover letter with appreciation to the reader. After all, they go through hundreds of applications daily. So just the fact that they took some time to read yours is enough to acknowledge their efforts.
What’s the appropriate way to say “thank you”, you ask? While saying “Thank you for your time and consideration.” is acceptable, it is way too generic and impersonal. So, we recommend making it a bit personalized while maintaining the professionalism that the typical thank you message gives. For example, you can say something like, “Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my application, and I wish you the best of luck in finalizing the recruitment process successfully for this role.”
3) Be confident yet polite and professional
Showing confidence at the end of your cover letter can lead you to convince hiring managers that you’re the right one to join their team. After listing your skills, strengths, and qualifications, now is your time to confidently convey that you are ready to apply them to the company’s benefit. Some effective ways to do this is to let employers know that you are looking forward to the next steps or simply request an interview. But remember, you want to be confident. So be careful not to sound demanding or pushy as this can turn off hiring managers. Let’s see some examples below.
- “I’m looking forward to discussing this opportunity further at your convenience.”
- “I am thrilled about this position with ABC Company and would love the opportunity to meet in person to further discuss the value I can offer you as your next Senior Project Manager.”
- “I would love a personal interview at your earliest convenience to further discuss my credentials.”
4) Add a call to action
A call to action is like an invitation for hiring managers. Aside from helping you encourage them to take specific action for your application, it also allows you to showcase your confidence, reiterate your enthusiasm, and prove how committed you are to landing the position. So, never miss including one in your cover letter closing.
Adding your contact information, such as your phone number or personal email address, is one effective call to action. For instance, you can say, “Reading about ABC Company, I was impressed by your commitment to making the world a better place through your innovative digital products and services. This is the company and culture I want to be part of. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at (123) 456-7890 or via email at janesmith@gmail.com to set up a time to discuss how I can benefit your company through my product management expertise.” This can make your cover letter memorable and allow hiring managers to easily contact you when they consider your application.
5) Include a proper complimentary close
Closing a cover letter is a pretty simple task. All you need to do is add a complimentary close and your name and signature, right? But did you know that there is a more proper way to sign off your cover letter depending on how you start it?
“Yours sincerely” and “Yours faithfully” are some of the most recommended ways to end your cover letter. The first one is used when you have included the contact person’s name in your salutation. On the other hand, “Yours faithfully” is used when you haven’t addressed the contact person’s name at the beginning of your cover letter. Make sure to use the right one.
How you end your cover letter should never be underestimated. If you manage to get it right, it can help you move forward with your application. So, take advantage of the tips listed above to draft a strong cover letter closing that showcases confidence and enthusiasm. After all, it is a part of your first impression. So, make sure to make it count.
