How to end a cover letter?

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The closing statement of a cover letter is crucial as it is the last impression you leave on the hiring manager.

A good cover letter should always end with a call to action that compels the hiring manager to call you for an interview.

Both cover letters and resumes are a gateway to grabbing the job opportunity by presenting yourself at your best.

A resume lists out your skills and qualifications, but your cover letter convinces the hiring manager that you will be an asset to the company.

Therefore, make sure you always accompany your resume with a hard-hitting cover letter unless you are explicitly asked not to do so.

Here are a few tips to write a kick-ass cover letter:

• Customize your cover letter and use the coveted space wisely
• Follow professional cover letter formatting to ensure readability
• Write a compelling closing statement followed by a call to action
• Avoid cover letter closing mistakes at any cost always proofread before sending the final draft

Here's what you will find in this guide:

• What is a cover letter for and why is it important?
• What are the five key components of a cover letter?
• How to format a cover letter with formatting tips?
• Why is a cover letter closing important?
• Mistakes that you should avoid in cover letter closing

What is a Cover Letter for?

You must be wondering if a resume is not enough to secure the job position that you need to create one more document, i.e., a cover letter. Well, the simple answer is no. Both documents are equally important and go hand in hand.

A resume lists all your skills and achievements relevant to the job you are applying to, but a cover letter is a document with detailed information on why you are qualified for the job position.

Customizing your cover letter for every job you apply to can prove to be very challenging and time-consuming, but it is pivotal for securing the job position.

Do not commit the mistake of sending a generic cover letter for every job position you apply to. It can cost you your dream job.

Cover Letter Sample

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Here is an example of an ideal cover letter that can help you get noticed by the hiring managers.

The given example is created from our Online Resume Builder where professional resume experts brainstorm the best ways to bring out the best of a professional through a resume and cover letter.

The Purpose of the Coveted Space of a Cover Letter

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• Demonstrate your interest and passion for the job position
• Explain how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and vision
• Explain any red flags in your resume that might arise confusions
• Market yourself as an ideal candidate by demonstrating your knowledge about the organization
• Succinctly mention why you consider the particular organization to be your most valued employer
• Entice the hiring manager to set an interview with you by a direct call to action in your cover letter's closing statement.

The Key Elements of a Cover Letter

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Proper formatting of a cover letter is as important as its content. Once you have all the content well-written, you can adjust the margins, alignment, and font. Here's an overview of each section of a cover letter.

The Five Key Components of a Cover Letter

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• The Header
• The salutation
• Introduction
• Main Body
• Closing statement

The Header of a Cover Letter

A professional cover letter header section includes the following details:

• Your Name
• The Job Title
• Personal Contact Number
• Professional Email Id
• Your Location
• Links to your LinkedIn, GitHub, Twitter, etc. (Optional)

Hiration Pro Tip: Try to use the same font, setup, and margin for the header in your resume and cover letter. It showcases your professionalism and attention to detail.

Cover Letter Salutation

The most professional way to start your cover letter salutation is by using 'Dear' followed by the hiring manager's full name. Using Dear in your cover letter makes you sound polite without being too informal.

The casual Greetings for your cover letter such as- Hi, Hello, or Hey are unprofessional greetings, and please avoid using them.

When You don't know the Hiring Manager's name, refer to the Job title and the department to tailor your greeting-

• Dear Sales and Marketing Hiring Manager
• Dear Data Analyst Hiring Manager
• Dear Client Services Manager

However, You should avoid sounding too generic. Refrain from using greetings such as "To whom it may concern", or "Dear sir/ Madam." They sound too vague and set the wrong impression that you have not bothered to research the company.
The Introduction

Your introductory cover letter statement should be such that it hooks the hiring manager to read your cover letter till the end. It is crucial to start your cover letter with a strong opening sentence.

Here are a few tips to start your cover letter with a strong Introduction-

• Mention your total years of experience in a particular field
• Overview of your qualifications and achievements
• Express your enthusiasm and interest in the job position and the company

Cover Letter Body

The cover letter body describes why you are an ideal candidate for the job position. Make a strong connection between your skills and the job requirements.

Showcase your significant contributions achievements across your previous profiles relevant to the job position you are applying for. Back your accomplishments with performance figured wherever possible.

Mention what separates the organization you are targeting from the others in the same domain. List down what it is about the organization that attracts you to work with them. Research about the company thoroughly by referring to their websites and social platforms.

The Closing Paragraph

It is imperative to end your cover letter with a call-to-action. Confidently ask the hiring manager to discuss the opportunity further in an interview via call or in person.

Compel the hiring manager to take the required action with the closing statement of your cover letter. It is vital since it is the last impression a hiring manager will have of you.

Here's an example of writing a closing paragraph of a cover letter

*Enclosed for your consideration is my resume. I'd appreciate the opportunity to further discuss my suitability and qualifications with you on call or in person.

Sincerely,
Robert Smith

Enclosures: Resume*

How to Format a Cover Letter?

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A cover letter and a resume with improper formatting are going to look cluttered and unprofessional. A good cover letter formatting ensures readability and visibility at first glance.

Formatting Tips for Cover Letter

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• Length: An ideal length of a cover letter is 3-4 short paragraphs. Ensure that your cover letter shouldn't exceed a page.
• Font: Choose a professional font in 10 or 12 point size. Basic fonts like Arial, Cambria, Calibri, Verdana, Courier New, and Times New Roman work well.
• Margin: Ensure uniformity in margins. Keep at least 1" on each side of the cover letter. Reduce it to ½" or ¾" on both sides if it exceeds one page.
• White spacing: Ensure enough spacing between paragraphs. Keep a minimum spacing of 1’’to make the cover letter easy to read by both computer and human eyes.
• Pdf Format: Always send your cover letter in pdf format. Sending your cover letter in a word document file or Jpeg/png format is not recommended.

Hiration Pro Tip: Always proofread your cover letter before sending it to the hiring manager. A simple grammatical error or spelling mistakes can prove to be a significant setback for you.

Why is a Cover Letter Closing Important?

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You are done with writing a great introduction and compelling body highlighting your relevant qualifications and skills for the job but struggling to make it through the final stretch.

A closing paragraph is one of the most vital elements in your cover letter as it is the last impression of you in the reader's mind.

Move past the generic default of closing letter with "I look forward to hearing from you" or "Please consider my candidacy for the job position in your organization."

Always end your cover letter with a strong call-to-action. But don't be too pushy or casual.

Here's an example of a closing paragraph for your cover letter-

*Enclosed for your consideration is my resume. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications will benefit your organization's success in call or in person.

Sincerely,
Mark John*

Enclosure: Resume

It might sound logical to prepare the ending of the cover letter at last, but it can be hugely beneficial to prepare a few closing paragraphs beforehand.

By preparing the closing statements in advance, You are all set to make a positive impression with a compelling call-to-action.
Key components of cover letter closing

The closing paragraph of your cover letter should reiterate your enthusiasm, and it must compel the hiring manager to take the desired action. Your ending is what will be remembered, and it should be direct and substantial.

Tips to keep in Mind While Writing a Closing Paragraph

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• Express Acknowledgement: Express your thank you for their time and consideration to review your cover letter and consider you for the job opportunity.
• Focus on the organization: Do not center your cover letter on what you can achieve from the organization. Instead, explain briefly how you can prove to be an asset to the organization.
• A call-to-action: Request for a call or a meet in person to further discuss your suitability and qualifications. Be confident and polite and avoid being overly pushy.
• Signoff: End your cover letter by showcasing professionalism. "Sincerely," "thank you," or "best regards" are pre-eminent.

Cover Letter Closing Mistakes

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We have read what a closing paragraph should look like. Let's have a look into what you shouldn't do with the closing statement.

• Keeping it too generic: Employers look through numerous resumes and cover letters in a day. Not targeting your cover letter to the company you are applying to sets the impression that you are not serious about the opportunity.
• Being overconfident or pushy: Avoid being overconfident and writing intrusive statements. Avoid writing statements such as "You would regret not hiring me" or "No one is like you." Politely ask the hiring manager to discuss the opportunity further in call or in person.
• Using humor: Do not try to give an edge to your cover letter with humor. Keep your cover letter personalized and professional. Humor can be offensive to the hiring manager.
• Not proofreading: Always look for typos before sending the final document to the hiring manager. Any spelling errors or grammatical mistakes can set a wrong impression.

Key Takeaways

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Both the cover letter and resume are a testament to your candidacy. Most job seekers focus all their attention on a resume, failing to realize that a cover letter is as essential as a resume.

If you want to secure the job position you are applying for, it is imperative to do it right. Customize your cover letter and resume for every company you apply to. A generic cover letter will do no good to secure a job.

Here's a quick overview of the guide on how to end a cover letter-

• Use the coveted space to showcase your interest and enthusiasm for the job position and how your qualifications and skills can add value to the company.
• Ensure that your cover letter doesn't exceed one page. End your cover letter in 3-4 paragraphs.
• Address your cover letter with the hiring manager's name or refer to the Job title and the department to tailor your greeting. Refrain from using generic greetings.
• Ensure that the length, font, margin, and spacing are ideal
• Always end your cover letter with a call-to-action. Avoid being too confident and pushy.
• Use professional sign-offs such as "sincerely," or "Best Regards," etc. Abstain from being informal
• Always proofread your cover letter and check for typos and send your cover letter in pdf format unless explicitly asked to send in a particular form.

Visit Hiration Cover Letter Builder and choose from 20+ templates and customize a cover letter by including all your required details.

There are 20+ ATS-friendly design templates made available, so you can pick the most suitable one and furnish it according to the job profile that you are applying for.

If you need help to face any interview confidently then check out Hiration's extensive database of 20,000+ interview questions along with sample answers for 150+ work profiles

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